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REPRESENTATIVE  MEN  AND  OLD  FAMILIES 


OF 

RHODE  ISLAND 


Genealogical  Records  and  Historical  Sketches  of 
Prominent  and  Representative  Citizens  and  of  Many 
of  The  Old  Families 


ILLUSTRATED 


r 


Volume  II 


_J.  H.  Beers  & Co. 
Chicago 
1908 


y 


THE  LIBRARY 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG  UNIVERSITY 
LPvGVO,  UTAH 


Genealogy  anb  33tograpf)p 


OHN  H.  EDWARDS.  The  name 
of  Edwards  is  one  of  the  oldest 
in  the  State  history  of  Rhode 
Island,  and  one  that  has  been 
identified  for  years  with  the 
growth  and  development  of  the 
town  of  West  Greenwich. 

John  Edwards,  father  of 
John  H.  Edwards,  born  in  Cov- 
entry, R.  I.,  Feb.  9,  1809,  was  a triplet,  and  was 
one  of  a family  of  twelve  born  to  Richard  Edwards. 
He  married  Lucinda  King,  of  Scituate,  born  in 
1 8 1 1 , who  died  in  1882  in  Warwick,  while  visiting 
a daughter  who  was  a resident  of  that  place.  Mr. 
Edwards  removed  to  West  Greenwich,  and  there 
spent  the  last  forty  years  of  his  life,  passing  away 
in  1884,  one  of  the  most  highly  respected  citizens 
of  that  place.  He  was  active  in  politics  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  Republican  party,  and  was  town  sergeant 
for  a number  of  years.  Mr.  Edwards  was  the 
father  of  the  following  children : Rhodes  Iv.,  Ben- 
jamin S.,  George  W.,  Amy  A.,  Mercy,  Lucinda, 
John  Henry,  Abby  F.  and  Sullivan  M. 

John  Henry  Edwards  was  born  in  West  Green- 
wich, R.  I.,  Jan.  6,  1846,  and  attended  the  public 
schools  of  the  place  of  his  nativity  until  the  early 
part  of  the  Civil  war,  when,  in  November,  1861,  at 
the  early  age  of  fifteen  years,  he  enlisted  in  Troop 
F,  1st  Regiment  Rhode  Island  Cavalry.  He  was 
discharged  in  May,  1862,  after  a long  and  painful 
illness  with  rheumatic  fever.  After  the  war  he 
again  turned  to  his  studies,  attending  Greenwich 
Academy  and  the  Connecticut  Literary  Institute, 
at  Suffield,  Conn.  He  taught  school  for  a number 
of  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  business,  con- 
ducting a general  store  at  Noose  Neck.  He  was 
ordained  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Frenchtown  Bap- 
tist Church,  in  1872,  resigning,  however,  in  1879, 
to  accept  an  appointment  from  the  Rhode  Island 
Baptist  State  Convention  as  missionary  colporteur 
for  the  State.  This  last  position  he  resigned  after 
about  two  years’  service,  and  accepted  an  invitation 
to  become  pastor  of  the  Exeter  Baptist  Church, 
serving  in  that  capacity  until  1893,  when  he  re- 
signed on  account  of  ill  health  after  having  been 
pastor  of  that  church  for  eleven  years.  During  his 
43 


Exeter  pastorate  his  church  entertained  the  Nar- 
ragansett  Baptist  Association.  He  was  moderator 
of  the  association  in  1885,  and  the  appointed 
preacher  before  that  body  in  1889.  Since  the  close 
of  the  Exeter  pastorate  Mr.  Edwards  has  not  been 
in  the  active  ministry,  but  has  sometimes  tempor- 
arily served  neighboring  churches,  as  occasion  re- 
quired. 

Mr.  Edwards  has  given  effective  public  service. 
He  was  chairman  of  the  school  committee  and  su- 
perintendent of  schools  from  1883  to  1892,  and  is 
now  serving  his  eighteenth  year  as  town  clerk  of 
his  adopted  town.  He  became  senator  in  January, 
1902,  and  is  still  serving  in  that  capacity.  He  is  a 
Republican,  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  public 
affairs.  He  took  a foremost  part  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  State  Board  of  r''buc  Roads,  in  1902, 
became  its  first  chairman,  and  has  served  as  such 
continuously  ever  since.  He  drew  up  the  origi- 
nal bill  of  the  present  good  roads  law  in  Rhode  Is- 
land. He  is  a man  of  high  and  just  ideas,  and  be- 
lieves that  the  ballot  box  is  the  only  medium 
through  which  the  integrity  of  our  political  and 
civil  institutions  may  be  preserved. 

Mr.  Edwards  was  married  Dec.  3,  1871,  to 
Phoebe  H.  Brown,  daughter  of  Seth  A.  and  Lu- 
cinda (Corey)  Brown,  of  Exeter,  and  has  one  son, 
William  H.,  who  was  born  in  West  Greenwich, 
Oct.  20,  1872. 

SMITH.  Since  prior  to  the  American  Revo- 
lution the  Smiths  of  the  town  of  Barrington  have 
been  a continuous  family  there,  and  given  to  the 
service  of  the  town,  in  both  military  and  civil  life, 
highminded,  noble  men  and  women,  whose  work 
in  social,  religious,  educational  and  business  lines 
gives  abundant  evidences  of  the  best  progressive 
citizenship.  Among  those  of  the  name  whose 
lives  have  been  worthily  lived  and  who  have  im- 
pressed their  force  upon  society  may  be  mentioned 
Hons.  Nathaniel  Smith,  Sr.,  and  Jr.,  father  and 
son,  the  elder  a patriot  of  the  Revolution,  and  both 
prominent  public  characters,  a number  of  times 
representatives  in  the  State  Assembly;  Major  Na- 
thaniel Church  Smith  ; Hon.  Asa  Smith,  for  years 
a representative  in  the  Lower  House  of  the  State ; 


6-4 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Hons.  William  Henry  and  Lewis  Bosworth  Smith, 
both  honored  with  a seat  in  the  State  Assembly, 
the  latter  many  times  in  both  the  House  and  the 
Senate  and  long  one  of  the  town’s  leading  spirits, 
whose  influence  for  good  and  Christian  character 
was  a force  in  the  community ; Mrs.  Martha  Smith, 
a woman  of  rare  good  qualities  and  force  of  char- 
acter; the  Misses  Lydia,  Elizabeth  Joy  and  Eliza 
Chandler  Smith,  influential  in  educational  lines,  the 
force  of  whose  characters  and  lives  was  felt  in 
the  community ; Henry  Smith,  State  Senator  and 
Representative;  Hon.  George  Lewis  Smith,  the 
citizen-soldier,  an  officer  in  the  Civil  war  and  many 
times  since  highly  honored  in  both  town  and  State, 
a Senator  and  a Representative;  Nathaniel  Wait 
and  Irving  Mauran  and  Harvey  M.  Smith,  promi- 
nent business  men  of  Providence;  and  Charles  Jo- 
seph Mauran  Smith ; all  representatives  of  the 
typical  Rhode  Island  business  men  and  citizens. 

One  Henry  Smith,  who  came  in  the  ship  “Dili- 
gent,” in  1638,  from  the  County  of  Norfolk,  Eng- 
land, was  early  at  Hingham,  and  a representative 
or  deputy  to  the  General  Court,  and  removed  to 
Rehoboth  in  1643,  dying  there  in  1649.  His  son, 
Henry,  was  a resident  of  Rehoboth,  and  one  of 
the  proprietors  of  the  Sowames  lands  (out  of  which 
came  Barrington)  not  far  from  1660.  He  was  an 
ensign  and  a representative  in  1662,  and  several 
times  thereafter.  He  left  a numerous  posterity. 

iff)  Jarr^s  Smith,  the  first  in  direct  line,  of 
whom  we  have  atm.,  'tic  record,  married  Sarah 
Kent. 

(II)  Nathaniel  Smith,  son  of  James  and  Sarah 
(Kent)  Smith,  was  born  about  1747.  He  married 
Lillis  Humphrey,  and  they  had  the  following  chil- 
dren : Josiah,  born  May  21,  1772;  Nathaniel,  Jan. 
23,  1774;  Bicknell,  July  15,  1776;  Ebenezer,  May 
21,  1778;  Simon,  Sept.  26,  1782;  James,  Oct.  15, 
1783  ; Sarah,  Sept.  14,  1785  ; and  Asa,  Feb.  18,  1788. 

Nathaniel  Smith,  the  father,  was  a farmer  own- 
ing a large  farm  near  Rumstick.  On  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war  he  was  first  a minuteman,  and  after- 
ward a recruiting  officer.  In  the  early  days  of 
the  war  he  served  as  sergeant  in  Capt.  Thomas 
Allin’s  company,  in  August,  1775;  at  the  alarm  at 
Bristol,  R.  I.,  April  1,  1776.  On  Jan.  20,  1777, 
Col.  Nathaniel  Martin  ordered  a guard  to  be  kept 
night  and  day  at  his  father’s  house  in  Rumstick, 
Mr.  Smith  performing  service  at  the  time.  He 
was  also  a member  of  Capt.  Bosworth’s  Artillery 
Company,  and  was  later  one  of  the  guards  ap- 
pointed by  Col.  Nathan  Miller,  Jan.  5,  1777,  to 
serve  at  Rumstick  for  fifteen  days.  He  served  in 
the  militia  of  Barrington  April  5-May  20,  1778. 
He  was  appointed  sergeant  in  Col.  Topham’s  regi- 
ment in  1778-79.  Mr.  Smith  died  in  March,  1823, 
aged  seventy-six  years. 

(III)  Simon  Smith,  born  Sept.  26,  1782,  son 
of  Nathaniel,  and  grandson  of  james  and  Sarah 
(Kent),  married  Jan.  2,  1807,  Lydia  Bosworth, 
and  in  their  family  were  the  following  children : 


William  Henry,  born  March  25,  1816;  Lewis  Bos- 
worth, Sept.  14,  1817;  Lydia,  Eeb.  7,  1822;  Eliz- 
abeth Joy,  Jan.  25,  1825;  and  Harriet  Bicknell, 
Aug.  1,  1827. 

(IV)  William  Henry  Smith,  son  of  Simon, 
born  March  25,  1816,  married  Martha  Smith, 
daughter  of  Ebenezer.  Mr.  Smith  was  a resident 
of  Barrington,  where  he  was  greatly  esteemed  and 
highly  respected.  He  was  honored  by  his  fellow 
townsmen  with  a seat  in  the  General  Assembly 
of  Rhode  Island,  representing  Barrington  in  that 
body  in  1856,  and  lie  also  held  several  town  offices. 
He  died  while  yet  in  middle  life,  in  Barrington,  in 
1864,  aged  forty-eight  years.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  were  active  for  the  best  interests  of  their 
town.  Dr.  Bicknell,  in  his  History  of  Barrington, 
pays  the  following  tribute  to  Mrs.  Smith:  "She, 
a woman  of  unusual  mental  and  moral  power  and 
with  large  opportunities,  would  have  ranked  with 
the  best  intellects  of  her  sex.  Her  mind  was  clear, 
original,  vigorous,  always  seeking  for  truth,  and 
in  her  family,  the  church,  and  in  society,  was  a 
leader  in  thought  and  action  . Her  life  has  inspired 
all  to  noble  motives  and  conceptions  of  life.”  Mrs. 
Smith  died  in  1898. 

(IV7)  Lewis  Bosworth  Smith,  son  of  Simon, 
born  Sept.  14,  1817,  at  Nayatt,  in  Barrington,  R. 
I.,  married  (first)  Anna  D.  Martin,  born  April  1, 
1815,  and  died  in  July,  1861,  and  (second)  Nov. 
2,  1862,  Mrs.  Judith  R.  Parker,  daughter  of  Hon. 
James  Bowen,  of  Barrington,  R.  I.  Mr.  Smith 
received  such  educational  advantages  as  the  neigh- 
boring schools  of  his  boyhood  afforded,  such  as 
were  within  the  reach  of  the  general  farmer.  To 
this  was  added  one  term  of  school  in  the  village 
of  Washington,  R.  I.  Reared  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, he  continued  a farmer  and  on  the  homestead 
throughout  a long,  busy  and  most  useful  life.  He 
early  showed  a fitness  for  public  life,  and  he  had 
hardly  reached  his  majority  when  he  was  called 
upon  to  discharge  official  duties  pertaining  to  town 
affairs,  and  so  well  did  he  perform  them,  mani- 
festing such  interest  and  fidelity,  and  so  capable 
was  he,  that  he  seemed  marked  for  a public  career. 
This  was  but  the  sowing  of  the  seed — the  harvest 
of  a long  public  career  followed.  He  was  overseer 
of  the  poor,  member  and  president  of  the  town 
council,  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Charities 
and  Corrections,  representative  in  both  branches 
of  the  Rhode  Island  Assembly,  deacon  in  the  Con- 
gregational Church,  treasurer  of  the  United  Con- 
gregational Society,  trustee  of  the  public  library,  on 
the  school  committee,  chairman  of  the  committee 
which  built  the  town  hall,  on  the  committee  which 
built  the  State  almshouse,  etc.  When  but  twenty- 
four  years  of  age,  in  1841,  he  was  elected  a member 
of  the  House  of  Representatives,  under  the  old 
charter,  and  was  re-elected  in  1842-43-44-45.  In 
1842  he  was  chosen,  with  Nathaniel  Brown,  as  a 
delegate  to  frame  the  Constitution  of  the  State. 
He  was  honored  repeatedly  by  his  fellow  towns- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


men  with  a seat-  in  the  Senate,  his  services  in  that 
body  beginning  in  1865,  and  closing  in  1873.  He 
was  returned  to  the  House  in  1884,  1885  and  1886. 
In  the  meantime  he  was  made,  by  appointment  of 
Gov.  Van  Zandt,  a member  of  the  State  Board 
of  Charities-and  Corrections,  a position  he  held  for 
two  terms  or  twelve  years.  A stanch  Republican, 
Mr.  Smith  was  active  and  prominent  in  the  councils 
of  the  party,  giving  to  it  freely  his  valuable  ser- 
vices. He  was  frequently  a delegate  to  the  con- 
ventions  of  that  party.  While  a farmer  in  main 
and  in  earlier  life,  he  later  was  largely  identified 
with  the  Nayatt  Brick  Company,  and  with  a large 
amount  of  probate  business  which  was  committed 
to  his  care. 

Mr.  Smith’s  religious  connections  were  with 
the  Congregational  Church  at  Barrington,  with 
which  he  united  in  1832 ; he  was  made  deacon  in 
1857,  and  treasurer  of  the  United  Congregational 
Society  in  1853,  sustaining  these  relations  with  the 
church  and  society  until  the  time  of  his  death — 
sixty  years  a member,  nearly  thirty  years  a deacon, 
and  more  than  thirty -nine  years  treasurer.  In  1871 
he  was  a delegate  to  the  National  Congregational 
Council,  held  at  Oberlin,  Ohio. 

In  the  various  services  which  Mr.  Smith  ren- 
dered the  town,  the  State  and  the  church,  he  acted1 
with  wisdom,  prudence  and  a high  regard  for  the 
welfare  of  individuals  and  the  best  interests  of  so- 
ciety. I11  public  life  he  was  an  earnest  advocate 
of  honesty  and  economy  in  the  State  government, 
a warm  friend  of  education,  and  a strong  supporter 
of  the  temperance  cause.  He  was  known  as  a man 
true  to  his  own  convictions,  and  fearless  in  the  ad- 
vocacy of  what  he  believed  to  be  right.  Mr.  Smith 
died  suddenly,  in  the  lower  vestibule  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church  in  Barrington,  R.  I.,  Sunday 
morning,  May  19,  1892. 

The  following  beautiful  tribute  was  paid  to 
the  life  of  Mr.  Smith  by  one  of  his  lifelong  friends 
and  townsmen — Hon.  Thomas  Williams  Bicknell, 
LL.  D. — in  his  history  of  Barrington,  R.  I. : 

“Among  the  personal  agencies  which  labored 
for  town  and  society  the  most  influential  and 
thorough-going  worker  was  Lewis  B.  Smith,  who 
devoted  the  strength  of  a long  life  to  the  upbuild- 
ing of  public  interests  in  town,  church  and  State. 
He  was  a thorough-going  Barrington  man,  loyal 
to  its  history  and  devoted  to  its  welfare.  He  was 
a well-balanced  man,  strong  in  his  physical,  mental 
and  moral  nature.  He  was  a man  of  broad  views 
and  sympathies,  natural  and  acquired.  The  school 
of  life  was  his  educator,  for  he  owed  but  little  to 
the  schools  of  his  youth,  which  were  of  an  inferior 
sort.  A liberal  education  would  have  made  of  him 
one  of  the  most  commanding  of  men  of  his  time. 
He  united  in  his  person  the  Smith-Bosworth  char- 
acters. His  moral  nature  ruled  and  subordinated, 
or  rather  co-ordinated,  his  mental  and  physical 
natures.  He  was  born  in  1817,  and  united  with 
the  Congregational  Church  in  1832,  and  was  an 


675 

interested  witness  of  the  trying  events  of  that 
period.  At  the  age  of  manhood  he  entered  public 
life.  He  was  a delegate  to  the  Convention  to  form 
the  State  Constitution  in  1842,  and  from  that  time 
to  his  death  was  occupied  with  public  concerns. 
He  was  a peacemaker  as  well  as  an  organizer.  The 
parsonage  difficulties  were  settled  mainly  by  his 
active  diplomacy.  The  meeting-house  was  re- 
modelled in  1851,  and  Mr.  Smith  was  the  leading 
spirit  in  the  improvement  as  treasurer  of  the  Con- 
gregational Society  and  Church.  He  was  the 
trusty  and  faithful  agent  of  both,  and  when  funds 
were  wanting,  and  collections  in  arrears,  he  ad- 
vanced ministers’  salaries  and  paid  bills  out  of  his 
own  moneys.  One  such  man  in  Barrington  was 
equal  to  a host  of  common  men  in  leading  and  re- 
constructing society.  Enemies  he  had,  and  opposi- 
tion he  encountered,  but  he  won  his  triumphs  with 
the  weapons  of  goodwill  and  peace.  When  the  Civil 
war  came  Mr.  Smith  accompanied  his  son,  George, 
to  the  recruiting  station,  and  during  the  four  years 
of  trial  he  was  the  helpful  friend  of  every  Bar- 
rington soldier  in  camp,  in  hospital,  or  in  the  field. 
He  wrought  always  with  and  for  men  for  the 
good  will  of  all,  and  the  town  and  State  honored 
him  as  few  men  of  our  town  have  been  recognized. 
The  office  of  lieutenant-governor  was  offered  him 
by  the  leaders  of  the  Republican  party,  but  he  de- 
clined the  honor,  as  it  seemed  to  him  to  involve 
at  the  time  the  loss  of  independent  manhood.  His 
name  appears  on  almost  every  page  of  our  town’s 
history  since  1840,  and  to  those  records  as  well 
as  to  these  pages  the  student  of  Mr.  Smith's  life 
must  go  for  the  details  of  his  splendid  services  for 
Barrington.” 

To  the  first  marriage  of  Air.  Smith  were  born 
three  sons,  namely:  George  Lewis,  Sept.  23,  1840; 
Frederick  P.,  Sept.  17,  1846;  and  Albert  H.,  Dec. 
11,  1853.  Mrs.  Anna  D.  (Martin)  Smith  was  a 
native  of  Barrington,  and  a descendant  of  one  of 
the  ancient  families  of  that  region  of  country. 
She  was  in  the  seventh  generation  in  direct  line 
from  Richard  Martin,  early  at  Rehoboth.  and  of 
record  there  as  early  as  1669,  her  lineage  being 
through  John  and  Joanna  (Esten),  of  Swansea; 
Ebenezer  and  Abigail  (Wheeler),  of  Barrington; 
Col.  Nathaniel  (a  shipbuilder  of  Barrington,  several 
times  deputy  to  the  General  Court,  soldier  and 
officer  of  the  Revolution)  and  Elizabeth  (Hum- 
phreys) ; and  Sullivan  and  Belinda  (Peck)  Martin. 

(IV)  The  Misses  Lydia,  Elizabeth  Jov  and 
Harriet  Bicknell  Smith,  daughters  of  Simon  and 
Lydia,  and  sisters  of  Lewis  B..  born  Feb.  7.  1822, 
Tan.  25,  1825,  and  Aug.  1,  1827,  respectively,  as 
teachers  in  the  schools  of  Barrington  made  their 
influence  felt  in  a remarkable  degree  in  that  line 
of  the  town’s  activity.  They  received  good 
academic  training  in  the  seminary  in  the  adjoin- 
ing town  of  Warren,  and  carried  to  their  schools 
the  spirit  and  labors  of  true  teachers,  and  to  their 
homes  the  cheer  of  true  friends  and  fellow  helpers. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


676 


Miss  Lydia  Smith  became  the  wife  of  George  W. 
Wightman.  Miss  Elizabeth  Joy  Smith  devoted  the 
best  years  of  her  life  to  teaching. 

(V)  George  Lewis  Smith,  son  <tf  Lewis  Bos- 
worth,  born  Sept.  23.  1840.  at  Xavatt,  in  the  town 
of  Barrington,  R.  I.,  married  Dec.  27,  1865,  Ade- 
laide Eliza  Peck,  born  March  22,  1840,  daughter 
of  Asa  and  Lucretia  S.  (Remington)  Peck,  he  a 
descendant  of  Joseph  Peck,  who  came  from  Eng- 
land in  1638,  and  was  of  Hingham  and  Seekonk, 
Mass.,  through  Nathaniel,  Nathaniel  (2),  Solomon, 
Solomon  (2),  and  Ellis  Peck,  of  Barrington,  Rhode 
Island. 

George  Lewis  Smith  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm  in  Nayatt.  in  the  town  of  Barrington,  R.  I., 
where  his  ancestors  had  lived  for  generations.  He 
had  hardly  reached  his  majority  when  the  echo 
from  Fort  Sumter  reached  the  ears  of  the  sons 
of  New  England,  and,  leaving  the  sowing  and 
planting  and  the  harvesting  to  other  hands,  he 
joined  the  ranks  of  the  boys  in  blue  June  5,  1861. 
Entering  the  army  as  a private  soldier  in  1861,  he 
returned  to  his  home  at  the  close  of  the  war  a 
captain,  with  an  honorable  war  record,  which  in 
brief  is  as  follows:  Enrolled  June  5,  1861,  in 
Company  D.  2d  Regiment,  R.  I.  V.  I. ; discharged 
at  Washington,  by  reason  of  promotion  to  second 
lieutenant,  Company  A,  3d  Regiment,  Rhode 
Island  Heavy  Artillery;  originally  served  as  second 
lieutenant  of  Company  A,  June  2,  1862,  on  de- 
tached service  with  Company  E,  at  James  Island, 
until  July  6,  1862;  Oct.  1,  1862,  detached  to  ser- 
vice gunboat  “George  Washington wounded  bv 
explosion  of  cannon  on  gunboat  “George  Wash- 
ington;” mustered  in  as  a lieutenant  to  date  June 
1,  1863;  assigned  to  Company  G;  Eeb.  1,  1863, 
ordered  on  special  duty  commanding  gunboat 
“George  Washington,”  and  so  borne  until  April 
27,  1863.  when  ordered  to  report  for  duty  with 
Company  A,  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  this  detail  to  date 
from  April  9,  1863;  relieved  from  duty  with  Com- 
pany A,  by  S.  O.,  dated  May  10,  1863;  Oct.  5> 
1863.  ordered  to  command  Company  G;  Dec.  27, 
1863.  appointed  post  ordnance  officer  for  Port 
Pulaski  and  Tybee  Island;  Jan.  15,  1864,  commis- 
sioned captain  and  mustered  in  as  captain  of  Com- 
pany D.  to  date  Jan.  29,  1864;  Feb.  9,  1864,  relieved 
by  order  of  command  of  Company  G,  and  of  duty 
as  post  ordnance  officer;  Oct.  5,  1864,  mustered 
out. 

After  the  war,  returning  to  the  old  farm  in 
Barrington,  Capt.  Smith  resumed  civil  life,  and  the 
career  that  has  since  followed  has  reflected  credit 
on  himself  and  on  the  name  lie  bears,  he  having 
worthily  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  dis- 
tinguished father.  He  has  been  influential  in  the 
Republican  party,  and  as  well  in  citizenship.  He 
has  enjoyed  a full  share  of  the  honors  of  his  party 
and  fellow  townsmen.  He  has  served  as  assessor 
of  taxes,  been  a member  of  the  school  board  for 
twenty-one  years,  served  as  school  superintendent, 


served  as  a member  of  the  board  of  Charities  and 
Corrections,  been  president  of  the  Barrington  Rural 
Improvement  Society,  represented  his  town  in  the 
State  House  of  Representatives  in  1894,  1895  and 
1896,  and  was  State  Senator  in  1897  and  1898. 
He  was  the  originator  and  warm  advocate  for  the 
establishment  of  the  high  school  in  Barrington,  and 
has  sustained  numerous  other  relations  to  the  tows 
of  Barrington.  Capt.  Smith  is  a man  of  practical 
business  ability,  liberal  in  his  views,  generous,  pub- 
lic-spirited, and  conservative  in  action.  He  took 
his  family  abroad  in  1891,  and  passed  much  of 
1891-92  in  travel  around  the  world.  His  wife  is 
a woman  of  culture,  and  in  her  maidenhood  was 
a most  successful  teacher  in  her  native  town.  She 
served  as  first  superintendent  for  the  Barrington 
public  schools.  Their  children  are : George 

Howard,  born  July  23,  1867,  married  Olive  B. 
Holmes,  and  they  have  had  four  children : Mildred 
Remington  (born  July  15,  1893),  Lewis  B.  (Nov. 
6,  1895,  is  deceased),  Harold  Holmes  (Nov.  6, 
1896)  and  Edward  Manton  (Nov.  17,  1901)  ; Anna 
D.,  born  Dec.  30,  1873,  married  George  R.  Gray, 
of  Worcester,  Massachusetts. 

(III)  Nathaniel  Smith,  son  of  Nathaniel,  born 
Jan.  23,  1774,  married  Sept.  21,  1794,  Wait 
Mauran,  born  Aug.  27,  1776,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Carlo  and  Olive  Mauran,  and  there  were  born  to 
them  children  as  follows:  Joseph  Mauran,  Jan. 
6,  1796;  Olive  Bicknell,  Sept.  11,  1800;  and  Na- 
thaniel Church,  Oct.  12,  1811.  Nathaniel  Smith 
was  a representative  from  Barrington  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  State  in  1826-27  and  1828, 
and  either  he  or  his  father  in  1809-10,  1811-12. 

(IV)  Joseph  Mauran  Smith,  son  of  Nathaniel 
(2),  born  Jan.  6,  1796,  married  (first)  Miss  Kings- 
ley, of  Swansea,  and  for  his  second  wife,  Sally 
Bosworth.  His  children  were:  Rufus,  Charles  J. 
M.,  Benjamin,  Sophia,  Olive,  Wale  and  Elizabeth. 

(V)  Charles  Joseph  Mauran  Smith,  son  of 
Joseph  Mauran,  was  for  a long  period  of  years  one 
of  the  town’s  representative  citizens,  highly 
esteemed  and  greatly  respected.  By  his  cheerful 
nature  and  the  kindness  of  his  heart  he  won  and 
held  fast  many  warm  friends.  For  some  forty 
years  he  was  a consistent  member  of  the  Warren 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  died  May  8, 
1892. 

(IV7)  Nathaniel  Church  Smith,  son  of  Na- 
thaniel (2),  born  Oct.  12,  1811,  married  April  8, 
1835,  Sally  Bowen,  daughter  of  Judge  James 
Bowen,  of  Barrington,  R.  I.  The  marriage  was 
blessed  with  the  following  children : Antoinette 
Sharpe,  James  Antoine,  Albert,  Nathaniel  H.,  Na- 
thaniel Wait,  Louise  Bowen,  Emily  Eddy  (who 
married  George  H.  Babcock),  Walter  Parker,  Ir- 
ving Mauran,  Ralph  Antoine  and  Harry  Martin. 

Nathaniel  Church  Smith  was  a farmer  at  Rum- 
stick,  in  Barrington,  R.  I.  He  was  a member  of  the 
school  committee  and  town  council  nearly  every 
year  from  1855  to  1869.  He  served  as  captain  of 


RHODE  ISLAND 


677 


the  Barrington  militia,  and  it  was  probably  he  who 
was  made  in  1836  major  in  the  Bristol  County 
Regiment.  Of  him  says  Dr.  Bicknell : “He  was 
■devoted  to  the  growth  and  interests  of  Barrington, 
was  public-spirited,  firm  in  his  adherence  to  consci- 
entious beliefs,  possessed  of  genial  and  social  na- 
ture, looked  at  men  and  events  from  the  hopeful 
standpoint,  spoke  evil  of  no  one,  and  was  respected 
by  all  and  beloved  by  those  who  knew  him  best. 
His  family,  parents  and  children  have  been  orna- 
ments of  Barrington.”  Mr.  Smith  was  a Demo- 
crat in  his  political  belief  before  the  war,  but  later 
become  a Republican  in  tendency  and  during  the 
latter  years  of  his  political  career  was  always 
•elected  with  the  aid  of  his  Republican  friends  in 
the  town.  He  was  a member  of  the  State  Assembly 
from  Barrington  in  1855-1869,  and  in  1870-71. 
He  died  in  1876.  He  was  a member  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church  of  Barrington,  and  a regular 
attendant  on  religious  services. 

(V)  Nathaniel  Wait  Smith,  son  of  Na- 
thaniel Church,  born  Dec.  18,  1842,  was  in  early 
life  employed  in  the  well  known  wholesale  drug 
establishment  of  Snow  & Clafiin,  of  Providence. 
He  devoted  himself  most  faithfully  to  their  inter- 
ests, and  in  1873,  on  the  formation  of  the  firm  of 
George  L.  Clafiin  & Company,  became  a partner 
in  the  concern.  He  was  possessed  of  more  than 
usual  aptitude  for  commercial  affairs,  and  won  for 
himself  an  enviable  reputation  for  sterling  integrity, 
untiring  industry  and  executive  ability  of  no  small 
degree.  He  was  deservedly  popular  with  all  classes. 
He  died,  greatly  lamented,  Jan.  7,  1875.  at  the  early 
age  of  thirty-three  years. 

In  April,  1870,  Mr.  Smith  married  Emily  F. 
Cole,  daughter  of  Edmund  Cole,  and  a descendant 
in  the  eighth  generation  from  (I)  James  Cole. 
His  son,  (II)  Hugh  Cole,  married  Mary  Foxwell. 
Their  son,  (HI)  Ebenezer  Cole,  born  in  1671,  mar- 
ried Mehetable  Luther.  Their  son,  (IV)  Ebenezer 
Cole,  born  Oct.  27,  1715,  married  Patience  Miller. 
He  was  a prominent  man  in  his  day,  was  deputy 
to  the  General  Court  from  Warren  in  1760,  1762 
and  1770,  and  was  active  during  the  Revolution, 
being  one  of  a committee  to  procure  blankets  for 
soldiers  in  July,  1780.  He  died  July  9,  1798.  His 
son,  (V)  Benjamin  Cole,  born  in  1759.  died  in 
1837.  His  son,  (VI)  Luther  Cole,  married  Sallie 
Salsbury.  Their  son,  (VII)  Edmund  Cole,  mar- 
ried Olive  Maria  Wheeler,  daughter  of  Darius 
Wheeler. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nathaniel  W.  Smith  came  two 
children:  (1)  Walter  C.,  born  Jan.  9,  1871,  is  a 
manufacturer  of  dairy  machinery  in  Bellows  Falls, 
Vt.,  being  a member  of  the  Vermont  Farm  Ma- 
chine Company,  who  turn  out  principally  cream 
separators.  He  married  Bertha  D.  Somers  of 
Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  and  has  three  children,  Mar- 
garet Dunham,  Walter  Cole,  Jr.,  and  Esther. 
(2)  Nathaniel  W.  was  born  Nov.  18,  1873. 

(VI)  Nathaniel  W.  Smith,  born  Nov.  18, 


1873,  son  of  Nathaniel  Wait,  received  his  academic 
education  in  Yale  College,  graduating  in  the  class 
of  1896,  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  He  subsequently 
attended  the  New  York  Law  School,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1898.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
New  York  Bar  that  same  year,  and  to  the  Rhode 
Island  Bar  in  1899.  Entering  the  office  of  Ed- 
wards & Angell,  he  was  admitted  to  this  firm  in 
May,  1903,  and  was  appointed  assistant  attorney 
for  the  New  York,  New  Haven  & Hartford  Rail- 
road in  January,  1904.  On  Jan.  1,  1907,  he  became 
attorney  for  this  road.  In  the  spring  of  1906  he 
was  chosen  assistant  Judge  Advocate  General  with 
the  rank  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  on  the  General 
Military  Staff  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island. 

On  Sept.  23,  1905,  Mr.  Smith  was  married 
at  South  Kingstown,  to  Ellen  Howard  Weeden, 
daughter  of  William  B.  Weeden,  of  Providence. 
They  have  one  daughter,  Mary  Weeden,  born  Oct. 
10,  1906.  Mr.  Smith  is  a member  of  the  Alpha 
Delta  Phi  fraternity,  Orpheus  Lodge,  Providence 
Chapter,  St.  John’s  Commandery  and  Rhode 
Island  Consistory. 

(V)  Irving  Mauran  Smith,  son  of  Nathaniel 
Church,  and  brother  of  Nathaniel  Wait,  born  July 
15,  1852,  at  the  old  Homestead  at  Rumstick,  in 
the  town  of  Barrington,  R.  I.,  married  April  12, 
1887,  Mrs.  Caroline  (Wakeman)  Ketchum,  and  the 
marriage  was  blessed  with  two  children,  namely : 
Kenneth  Valentine  and  Nathalie  Church  Smith. 
Mr.  Smith  was  given  quite  a liberal  education  and 
began  his  practical  business  preparation  in  the 
wholesale  drug  house  of  George  L.  Clafiin  & Co., 
of  Providence.  Subsequently  he  left  this  employ- 
ment to  go  into  business  on  his  own  account,  when 
was  formed  the  partnership  of  Kenyon,  Smith  & 
Co.,  on  Exchange  Place,  Providence.  After  sev- 
eral rears’  experience  in  the  new  enterprise,  Mr. 
Smith  returned  to  the  Clafiin  & Co.  house,  and  re- 
mained with  it  until  the  middle  seventies,  when  he 
severed  his  connection  therewith  to  become  secre- 
tary and  treasurer  of  the  Inter-State  Petroleum 
Company,  relations  he  sustained  through  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life. 

Mr.  Smith  inherited  a genial  nature,  an  active 
disposition  and  a sanguine  temperament.  He  needed 
no  stimulus  for  wTork,  for  his  busy  mind  was  full 
of  plans  for  himself  and  others,  which  no  obstacle 
could  hinder  and  no  discouragements,  nor  counter 
influences,  check.  He  was  open-hearted  and  pos- 
sessed no  arts  of  concealment,  or  of  private  schem- 
ing, so  that  his  life,  character  and  purposes  were 
an  open  book,  known  and  read  by  all.  He  was 
constantly  thoughtful  for  the  good  name  of  his 
native  town,  and  was  always  on  the  alert  to  do 
something  to  add  to  its  attractions.  He  was  the 
efficient  president  of  the  Barrington  Rural  Im- 
provement Association,  and  of  the  Rhode  Island 
Society,  the  successful  operations  of  both  of  which 
were  largelv  due  toHiis  efforts.  Mr.  Smith  died 
Dec.  1,  1895.  The  following  tribute  to  the  memory 


RHODE  ISLAND 


678 

of  Mr.  Smith  is  paid  by  Dr.  Bicknell  in  his  History 
of  Barrington : 

"Mr.  Smith  was  one  of  the  most  active,  use- 
ful and  unselfish  men  Barrington  has  produced, 
and  his  early  death  may  be  traced  to  excessive  la- 
bor in  local  affairs,  added  to  the  cares  of  family 
and  business.  He  was  a natural  leader  and  re- 
former and  engaged  in  new  projects  with  unbounded 
zeal  and  faith  in  their  success.  He  counted  diffi- 
cuities  and  opposition  as  naught  compared  with 
the  gains  of  successful  plans.  The  town  of  Bar- 
rington was  his  idol,  and  he  worshipped  its  history 
and  traditions,  and  worked  without  stint  for  its 
advancement.  He  led  in  the  organization  of  the 
Barrington  Rural  Improvement  Association,  and 
was  the  leading  spirit  until  his  death.  Through 
this  association  he  led  the  way  in  securing  the 
recognition  of  Arbor  Day  as  a State  Holiday.  The 
Rhode  Island  Business  Men’s  Association  owes  its 
life  to  him,  and  he  was  chosen  its  first  president 
in  recognition  of  his  labors.  The  same  is  true 
of  the  Rhode  Island  Improvement  Association. 
Hi=  example  was  contagious  and  inspired  all  to 
larger  efforts,  and  there  is  scarcely  a feature  of 
the  physical  features  of  the  town  that  has  not  in 
these  busy-  years  of  his  life  felt  some  benefit  there- 
from. The  present  History  of  Barrington  was 
undertaken  at  his  urgent  suggestion,  endorsed  by 
the  Town  Improvement  Association.  His  life  work 
may  be  said  to  have  been  suggestive,  administra- 
tive and  inspirational.  His  ambitions  lay  along  the 
lines  of  public  service,  and  his  name  and  reputation 
are  secure.” 

(V)  Harry  Martin  Smith,  born  Jan.  14, 
1858.  son  of  Nathaniel  Church  Smith,  was  reared 
on  the  home  farm  and  received  most  of  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Barrington,  the  last 
four  years  of  his  school  life  being  spent  in  the 
English  and  Classical  High  School  of  Mowry  and 
Goff,  in  Providence,  where  he  took  the  English 
course.  He  finished  his  schooling  in  1876,  and  in 
that  same  year  engaged  with  the  firm  of  Barker, 
Whittaker  & Co.,  hardware  dealers,  to  learn  the 
business.  He  remained  with  this  firm  for  seven 
years.  In  1883  he  connected  himself  as  salesman 
with  the  firm  of  Brown  Bros.  & Co.,  dealers  in 
mill  supplies,  and  remained  with  them  for  fifteen 
years.  This  firm  was  re-organized  and  incorporated 
in  1896,  and  Mr.  Smith  became  a stockholder  and 
director  in  same  for  the  last  two  years  of  his  con- 
nection with  it.  He  severed  his  connection  with 
this  firm  in  1898,  when  in  company  with  Rufus 
B.  Goff,  Henry  C.  Clark.  Harry'  C.  Cheney  and 
Fred  E.  Spaulding,  all  formerly  connected  with 
the  Brown  Brothers  Company',  he  incorporated  the 
Standard  INI  ill  Supply  Company,  Mr.  Smith  be- 
coming vice-president,  which  position  he  has  held 
ever  since.  Later  C.  H.  Child  and  Wallace  R. 
and  William  A.  Chandler,  all  of  the  firm  of  Brown 
Brothers  Company,  came  into  the  firm.  Mr.  Smith 


has  spent  considerable  time  traveling  through  New 
England  in  the  interest  of  the  concern,  and  has  a 
large  acquaintance  with  the  textile  men  of  that 
region.  He  has  been  successful  in  his  field  of 
work  and  his  present  position  in  the  business  world 
is  the  result  of  his  own  efforts  and  well-directed 
energies.  He  is  a member  of  the  New  England 
Manufacturers’  Association. 

While  in  earlier  years  Mr.  Smith  was  active 
in  public  matters,  of  later  years,  on  account  of  the 
stress  of  business,  his  efforts  have  been  confined 
to  furthering  the  interests  of  the  Republican  party 
and  work  along  party  lines.  He  has  always  been 
a strong  Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  A. 
E.  & A.  M.,  belonging  to  What  Cheer  Lodge, 
Providence  Chapter  and  St.  John’s  Commandery, 
and  also  to  Palestine  Temple.  Mr.  Smith  is  a 
regular  attendant  of-  the  Central  Congregational 
Church  of  Providence. 

Mr.  Smith  married  Mrs.  Esther  Mariah  Harris, 
daughter  of  William  Whitcomb  (deceased),  of 
East  Providence.  They  have  no  children. 

(III)  Asa  Smith,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Lillis, 
born  Feb.  18,  1788,  married  May  I,  1808,  Phebe 
Arnold,  of  Woodstock,  Conn.,  and  to  the  marriage 
came  the  following  children:  James  Arnold,  born 
May  31,  1810;  Henry,  Nov.  1,  1812;  Sarah  Ann, 
Nov.  30,  1814;  and  Eliza  Chandler,  Nov.  11,  1817. 
Mr.  Smith  was  one  of  the  substantial  men  and 
useful  citizens  of  Barrington,  which  he  represented 
in  the  State  Assembly  in  1816-18-19-20-22.  One 
of  his  daughters  was  active  in  the  earlier  educa- 
tional work  of  the  town.  She  and  Miss  Judith 
R.  Bowen  established  an  excellent  private  school 
in  1842  at  Forest  Chapel,  Barrington  Center.  Of 
Miss  Smith  Dr.  Bicknell  writes:  “Another  influ- 
ential teacher  was  Miss  Eliza  C.  Smith,  daughter 
of  Asa.  Miss  Smith  was  one  of  the  ablest  and  most 
valuable  women  Barrington  ever  produced.  She 
was  endowed  with  dignity  of  person  and  bearing, 
with  fine  intellectual  qualities,  well  trained  and 
disciplined  for  teaching,  with  a spiritual  and  moral 
nature  actively  ruling  her  life,  and  inspired  by  the 
highest  ideals.  She  taught  in  all  the  schools  of 
Barrington,  and  her  influence  over  the  boys  and 
girls,  who  came  under  her  instruction  can  never  be 
measured.  I regard  it  as  the  greatest  privilege  of 
my  early  life  to  have  felt  the  awakening  and  guid- 
ing influence  of  this  noble  woman,  and  her  pupils 
have  always  borne  testimony''  to  her  power,  not 
only  as  a teacher,  but  as  a true  earnest  Christian 
woman.  Miss  Eliza  C.  Smith  was  a positive  force 
in  helping  to  create  a new  Barrington.” 

(IV)  Henry  Smith,  son  of  Asa,  born  Nov. 
1,  T812,  married  at  Pleasant  Ridge,  Hamilton  Co., 
Ohio,  Martha  Lester,  and  there  were  born  to  them 
children  as  follows:  Mary  E.,  born  Oct.  20,  1838; 
Ellen  H.,  Jan.  5,  1840;  Sarah  Ann  L.,  Oct.  12, 
1843;  Hannah  C,  July  19,  1845;  and  Frank  H., 
Sept.  13,  1847.  Mr.  Smith  was  a representative 


RHODE  ISLAND 


C79 


from  the  town  of  Barrington  in  the  State  Senate 
in  1847,  1848  and  1849  (and  he  or  another  Henry 
in  the  House  in  1873-75). 

WHITCOMB  (East  Providence  family). 
Since  early  in  the  nineteenth  century  the  name 
of  Whitcomb  has  been  a continuous  one  at  Provi- 
dence and  vicinity,  and  been  representative  of  one 
of  the  substantial,  highly  esteemed  and  respected 
families  of  this  city  and  suburbs.  Reference  is  made 
to  tne  family  of  the  late  Willard  Whitcomb,  who 
for  many  years  was  the  genial  host  and  landlord 
of  the  old  “Franklin  House,”  and  of  the  “City 
Hotel.”  two  of  the  olden  time  popular  Providence 
hostelries ; and  to  his  son,  the  late  Hon.  William 
Whitcomb,  who  for  approximately  a decade  and 
a half  was  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his  adopted 
town,  East  Providence,  filling  the  most  important 
offices  of  honor  and  trust  of  the  town,  and  repre- 
senting it  in  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State. 

The  life  and  character  of  the  late  Hon.  Wil- 
liam Whitcomb  is  thus  beautifully  told  in  an  article 
written  at  the  time  of  his  death  (May  17,  1882) 
by  an  old  friend,  and  which  appeared  in  the 
Providence  Journal,  of  May  19,  1882,  over  the 
signature  of  H. : 

“I  have  rarely  in  all  my  life  received  a more 
painful  message  than  that  which  announced  the 
death  of  my  friend.  I have  been  expecting,  as 
he  had  been,  that  his  father  might  die  any  day  for 
several  weeks  past,  but  that  he  should  precede  him, 
and  that  without  a warning,  was  to  me  a shock  in- 
deed. On  Monday  evening  he  was  unusually  well 
and  cheerful,  conversing  with  his  family  until  bed- 
time. On  Tuesday  morning  at  sunrise,  his  wife 
noticed  something  unusual  in  his  manner  and  called 
a friend.  On  Wednesday  morning  at  the  same  hour 
he  had  crossed  that  unknown  river.  But  what  is 
death,  anyhow  ? I am  more  and  more  puzzled  the 
more  I reflect  upon  the  dark  mystery. 

“I  have  known  Mr.  Whitcomb  from  his  early 
boyhood  intimately  and  thoroughly.  Pie  was  the 
son  of  Willard  and  Esther  (Davis)  Whitcomb,  and 
was  born  in  Millbury,  Mass.,  on  the  17th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1828,  and  came  with  his  father  to  reside  in 
Woonsocket  in  1835  or  1836.  From  there  his 
father  came  to  Providence  and  took  the  ‘Franklin 
House,’  in  1838,  when  I went  to  live  with  them,  and 
continued  with  them  as  long  as  his  father  kept  the 
house,  and  when  .he  took  the  'City  Hotel'  I went 
to  live  with  them  there,  and  stayed  as  long  as  they 
kept  it.  I should  think  that  I lived  under  the  same 
roof  with  William  Whitcomb  nearly  thirty  years. 

“When  I look  back  to  the  ‘Franklin  House,’ 
in  1838-39-40,  and  so  on,  and  recall  the  men,  my 
fellow  boarders,  and  associates,  hardly  one  of  whom 
remains,  it  is  a sad  picture  indeed.  Charles  Potter, 
who  owned  the  house,  was  then  unmarried  and  made 
his  home  there.  John  Bowers,  the  old  supercargo 
for  Brown  & Ives,  and  who  once  seen  could  never 
be  forgotten,  lived  and  died  there.  The  elegant 


gentleman  and  most  agreeable  companion,  Hart- 
ford Tingley,  lived  with  us;  the  late  Tully  D. 
Bowen  was  there ; the  late  Samuel  Currey  was  a 
boarder;  Augustus  Tower  and  William  Burdick, 
so  long  connected  with  the  Mechanics  Bank,  were 
both  there.  But  why  enumerate?  Their  names  are 
legion  and  they  are  all  gone.  I occasionally  re- 
ceive the  kindly  greeting  of  my  friend,  George 
Butts,  to  remind  me  of  the  days  and  the  scenes  that 
were  passed  there.  We  lived  as  one  family,  and 
the  boy,  William,  as  he  grew  to  manhood,  was  re- 
garded as  one  of  11s. 

“His  father,  in  some  respects  was  a remarkable 
man,  remarkable  for  the  knowledge  of  human  na- 
ture, for  his  habits  of  industry,  and  for  his  perfect 
self-control.  The  sun  never  rose  on  him  in  bed. 
While  in  health  during  his  long  life  of  eighty  years, 
no  man,  however  shrewd,  ever  passed  any  false 
coin  on  him,  and  through  all  the  trying  scenes  that 
I witnessed  with  him  in  a hotel  life  of  thirty  years, 
I never  knew  him  to  betray  the  slightest  exhibition 
of  temper. 

“It  was  under  these  influences  and  with  these 
surroundings  that  William  Whitcomb  spent  his 
whole  life  from  birth  till  death.  He  was  the  only 
child  that  survived.  He  had  a sister  who  died 
very  young,  and  his  father  ever  treated  him  as  an 
equal.  There  was  the  most  perfect  confidence  be- 
tween them.  Few  men  have  died  in  Rhode  Island,, 
who  had  a larger  personal  acquaintance  than  Wil- 
liam Whitcomb,  and  I think  that  he  enjoyed  to 
the  best  the  respect,  confidence  and  esteem  of  them 
all.  No  greater  tribute  to  bis  character  and  worth 
as  a man  could  have  been  bestowed  upon  him  than 
the  manner  in  which  he  has  been  treated  by  the 
citizens  of  his  adopted  town.  He  wrent  with  his 
father  and  family  to  reside  in  East  Providence- 
thirteen  years  ago,  and  continued  there  until  his 
death.  During  that  period  he  had  filled  the  most 
important  offices  of  honor  and  trust  in  that  town,, 
a long  time  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  town 
council,  and  for  many  years,  at  different  periods, 
representative  of  the  town  in  the  General  Assembly. 
At  the  April  election  in  1882  he  received  the 
unanimous  vote  of  a caucus  of  between  two  and 
three  hundred  members  for  the  office  of  State 
Senator,  and  was  re-elected  to  that  place  which  he 
held  the  last  year. 

“In  the  spring  of  t868  Mr.  Whitcomb  and  his 
father  concluded  to  give  up  the  hotel  business  and 
retire  to  the  country  to  spend  the  remainder  of 
their  lives  with  their  families  in  peace  and  quiet. 
His  father  visited  South  Kingstown  with  a view  of 
purchasing  and  locating  upon  the  Foddering  place, 
a celebrated  ancestral  estate,  situated  at  the  head 
of  Point  Judith,  but  did  not  make  the  investment, 
and  in  March,  of  that  year,  removed  to  their  pres- 
ent home,  which  is  located  five  miles  from  Provi- 
dence, on  the  road  to  Warren,  just  where  it  de- 
flects to  the  east,  upon  a rise  of  ground  overlook- 
ing the  whole  of  Narragansett  Bay.  There  are  few 


RHODE  ISLAND 


<68o 


more  delightful  spots  in  Rhode  Island.  There  with 
their  fifty  acres  of  highly  cultivated  grounds,  their 
herd  of  thirteen  blooded  Alderney  cows,  their 
splendid  pear  and  peach  orchard,  their  magnificent 
grapery  and  abundance  of  flowers,  have  he,  his 
father,  mother  and  wife  and  daughter  lived  most 
happily  together  all  these  years.  Few  men’s 
deaths  of  my  acquaintance  will  be  more  sincerely 
regretted.” 

The  wife  and  widow  of  Hon.  William  Whit- 
comb, Mrs.  Helen  S.  Whitcomb,  was  formerly  Miss 
Helen  S.  Watson,  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Sophia 
(Gaige)  Watson,  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Whitcomb 
occurring  Oct.  6,  1854.  Their  only  daughter  is 
Esther  M.,  the  wife  of  Harry  M.  Smith,  vice- 
president  of  the  Standard  Mill  Supply  Company, 
Providence. 

The  Massachusetts  Whitcombs  in  general  de- 
scend from  John  Whitcomb,  who  came  from  Dor- 
chester, County  Dorset,  England,  to  New  England, 
and  as  early  as  1633  was  a resident  of  Dorchester, 
Mass.,  but  about  1640,  removed  to  Scituate  and 
thence,  in  1652,  to  Lancaster,  where  he  died  Sept. 
24,  1662.  His  widow  died  May  17,  1671.  His 
sons,  who  probably  came  with  him  from  England 
were:  John,  Robert,  Jonathan,  Job  and  James. 
There  were  daughters  Catherine,  Abigail  and  Mary. 

DEXTER.  The  Dexters,  the  posterity  of  Rev. 
Gregory  Dexter,  conspicuous  in  the  early  Colonial 
history  of  Providence,  have  through  successive  gen- 
erations been  dwellers  of  Rhode  Island  for  260 
and  more  years.  A man  of  fine  talents  and  intellect 
himself,  not  a few  of  the  descendants  of  the  fourth 
pastor  of  the  old  Roger  Williams  Church,  Provi- 
dence, have  left  their  impress  upon  the  communities 
in  which  they  have  lived.  Some  of  them  have  been 
public  benefactors.  Dexter  Asylum  in  Providence, 
with  which  is  linked  the  name  of  its  founder,  the 
late  Ebenezer  Knight  Dexter,  will  long  perpetuate 
the  family  name.  The  achievements  of  the  eminent 
sculptor  and  painter — the  late  Henry  Dexter — 
whose  statue  of  Warren  at  the  Bunker  Hill  monu- 
ment associates  the  name  with  an  historic  event, 
reflect  credit  not  only  upon  the  family  name  but 
upon  the  State  and  nation.  Not  a few  of  these 
Rhode  Island  Dexters  have  adorned  the  professions 
and  elegant  walks  of  life.  Here  in  the  State  of 
Rhode  Island  the  Dexters  have  been  a respectable, 
industrious  and  thrifty  people.  To  the  lives  and 
lineage  of  some  of  these  it  is  the  purpose  of  this 
article  to  refer.  In  the  genealogy  and  family  his- 
tory that  follows,  the  Roman  characters  indicate 
the  generations  removed  from  the  emigrant  settler. 

(I)  Gregory  Dexter,  born  in  1610,  at  Olnev, 
Northamptonshire,  England,  came  to  America 
with  Roger  Williams  in  1644.  He  was  a printer 
and  stationer  in  London,  and  had  been  in  corres- 
pondence with  Williams.  He  printed  for  Mr.  Wil- 
liams there  in  London,  in  1643,  the  latter  s diction- 
ary of  the  Indian  language.  On  coming  to  New 


England  he  was  received  into  the  First  Baptist 
Church  at  Providence,  of  which  he  subsequently 
became  pastor.  In  a few  years  after  his  arrival  in 
Providence,  he  was  chosen  town  clerk.  In  1648 
he  was  chosen  a “commissioner”  to  represent  the 
town  in  the  General  Assembly,  and  again  in  1650. 
He  was  president  of  the  two  towns  of  Providence 
and  Warwick  one  year,  1653-54.  In  the  subsequent 
history  of  the  State  the  name  of  Mr.  Dexter  occa- 
sionally appears,  as  taking  part  in  the  civil  affairs 
of  the  Colony.  On  the  death  of  Rev.  William  Wick- 
enden,  Feb.  13,  1669,  Mr.  Dexter  succeeded  him  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  Providence  Church.  While  in 
this  position  amid  his  other  duties  he  won  the  name 
of  an  effective,  able  and  successful  preacher.  He 
was  the  first  accomplished  printer  that  came  to  the 
Colony,  and  although  he  did  not  pursue  the  occupa- 
tion here,  he  occasionally  went  to  Boston  and  ren- 
dered assistance  in  that  line  there.  He  printed  with 
his  own  hands  the  first  almanac  for  the  meridian  of 
Rhode  Island.  Mr.  Dexter  is  referred  to  by  Dr. 
Stiles  as  a man  who  had  been  well-educated,  pos- 
sessed handsome  talents,  and  was  a distinguished 
character  in  the  Colony.  And  Morgan  Edwards 
says  of  him : “Mr.  Dexter  by  all  accounts,  was  not 
only  a well-bred  man  but  remarkably  pious.  He 
was  never  observed  to  laugh,  seldom  to  smile.  So 
earnest  was  he  in  his  ministry  that  he  could  hardly 
forbear  preaching  when  he  came  into  a house  or 
met  with  a concourse  of  people  out  of  doors.” 
Among  his  later  civil  duties,  he  went  to  London  and 
secured  the  charter  of  Rhode  Island.  Mr.  Dexter 
married  Abigail  Fullerton  and  their  children  were : 
Stephen,  born  Nov.  1,  1647;  James,  May  6,  1650; 
John,  Nov.  6,  1652;  Abigail,  Sept.  24,  1655;  and 
Peleg,  in  1658. 

(II)  John  Dexter,  born  Nov.  6,  1652,  married 
Feb.  16,  1688,  Alice,  born  in  1665,  daughter  of  John 
and  Sarah  (Whipple)  Smith.  Mr.  Dexter  settled 
on  lands  owned  by  his  father,  on  what  afterward 
was  the  Pawtucket  turnpike,  a little  north  of  what 
was  known  as  Harrington's  lane,  where  he  had  a 
good  farm.  “He  was  most  emphatically  a relig- 
ious, a military  and  a business  man.”  He  lived  and 
died  on  bis  farm.  He  filled  acceptably  several  pub- 
lic stations,  and  was  a man  of  capability,  energy  and 
responsibility.  He  was  deputy  much  of  the  time 
from  1680  to  1705  ; was  a member  of  the  town  coun- 
cil in  1688,  1699,  1700  and  1701  ; assistant  in  1690- 
91  ; and  major  in  1699,  1700  and  1702,  1703  and 
1705.  He  was  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Deputies 
in  1704-05.  He  died  April  23,  1706.  His  widow 
remarried,  marrying  in  1727,  Hon.  Joseph  Jenckes, 
Governor  of  Rhode  Island.  She  died  Feb.  19,  1736. 
Major  Dexter's  children  were  : Stephen,  born  April 
15,  1689;  James,  Feb.  22,  1691;  John,  Oct.  24, 
1692;  Mary,  April  30,  1694:  Abigail,  April  26, 
1696;  Sarah,  June  27,  1698:  Phebe,  Aug.  4.  1700; 
Anne,  Nov.  6,  1702  ; and  Alice,  Oct.  14,  1705 — all  in 
Providence. 

(III)  James  Dexter,  son  of  John,  born  Feb.  22, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


68 1 


1691,  married  Mary  Whipple,  born  in  1692,  in 
Providence.  Mr.  Dexter  was  a respectable  farmer, 
and  resided  on  the  east  side  of  Scott’s  Pond,  in  what 
is  now  Smithfield.  He  was  a man  of  good  abilities 
and  considerable  influence.  He  was  a member  of 
the  General  Assembly  in  17 11,  1713  and  1717,  the 
youngest  member  up  to  the  time  ever  elected  to  that 
Dody  under  the  Charter.  His  children  were : John, 
born  in  1718;  James,  in  1720;  David,  in  1722;  Anna, 
in  1723;  Mercy,  in  1725;  and  Hopestill,  in  1727, 
all  in  Providence. 

(IV)  John  Dexter,  son  of  James,  born  in  1718, 
in  Providence,  owned  and  lived  upon  a farm  in 
Cumberland.  He  was  a respectable  man  of  his  time, 
valuable  to  the  community.  His  children  were : 
John  S.,  born  in  1753;  Daniel  S.,  in  1754;  Jabez,  in 
1756;  James,  in  1757;  Nathaniel  Balch,  in  1758, 
all  in  Cumberland,  Rhode  Island. 

(V)  Nathaniel  Balch  Dexter,  son  of  John, 
born  in  1758,  in  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  married  Lucy, 
born  in  1758,  in  Grafton,  Mass.,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Willard.  Mr.  Dexter  was  a tailor  by  trade  and  set- 
tled in  Grafton,  Mass.,  where  he  resided  until  1797. 
when  he  removed  to  Pawtucket,  R.  I.  He  continued 
to  reside  in  Pawtucket  until  1830,  when  he  removed 
to  Providence,  where  he  died  in  1832.  He  was  so- 
cial and  agreeable ; and  was  the  great  story  teller 
of  his  day  at  convivial  gatherings.  His  children, 
all  excepting  the  youngest  three  born  in  Graf- 
ton, and  they  in  Pawtucket,  were : Sally  W.,  born 
in  1781;  John  W.,  in  1783;  Hannah  M.,  in  1785; 
Nathaniel  Gregory  B.,  in  1788;  Waterman  T.,  in 
1790;  Lucy,  in  1792;  Mary  C.,  in  1794;  Martha, 
in  1797;  Sebra  E.,  in  1798;  Joseph,  in  1801  ; and 
Eliza,  in  1804. 

(VI)  Nathaniel  Gregory  Balch  Dexter,  son  of 
Nathaniel  Balch,  born  June  25,  1788,  in  Grafton, 
Mass.,  married  in  November,  1808,  Amey,  born 
in  1788,  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  daughter  of  Jerahmeel 
Jenckes.  Mr.  Dexter  removed  with  his  father’s 
family  in  1797,  to  Pawtucket.  He  was  educated 
by  his  parents  and  never  went  to  school  a day  in 
his  life.  He  early  entered  the  counting  room  as  a 
clerk  to  Samuel  Slater,  the  first  manufacturer  of 
cotton  yarn  by  machinery  in  America.  While  in 
his  employ  lie  opened  the  first  Sunday-school  in  the 
United  States,  and  taught  it  himself.  The  schol- 
ars were  children  who  worked  in  the  cotton  mill. 
Capt.  Dexter  (as  he  was  familiarly  called),  with  the 
the  exception  of  a short  time,  about  1810,  when  he 
resided  at  Slaterville,  was  a resident  of  Pawtucket, 
where  he  had  a good  estate.  For  many  years  he  was 
a manufacturer  of  cotton  knitting  yarn  on  an  ex- 
tensive scale,  and  most  of  his  sons  and  their  sons 
and  grandsons  in  turn  succeeded  to  the  business. 
He  was  one  of  the  main  pillars  of  the  Universalist 
denomination  in  Pawtucket.  He  maintained  through 
life  the  reputation  of  an  upright,  prompt  and  ener- 
getic man  in  his  business  ;and  in  his  civil  and  so- 
cial relations,  he  was  generous,  benevolent,  frank, 


affable  and  kind.  He  was  ever  active  in  the  pursuit 
of  something. 

In  1858  Capt.  Dexter  celebrated  with  his  wife 
the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  his  wedding,  and  among 
the  hundreds  of  his  descendants  and  friends  present 
were  two  other  couples,  giving  additional  interest 
to  the  occasion,  viz. : Rev.  David  Benedict,  D.  D., 
who  had  married  Capt.  Dexter  fifty  years  before, 
was  present  with  his  wife;  and  Josiah  Jones,  Esq., 
then  an  active  printer  of  Providence,  who  with  his 
own  hands  had  set  the  type  that  announced  the 
wedding  in  a paper  he  was  then  publishing,  made 
his  appearance  in  the  company  with  his  wife,  and 
read  the  marriage  from  his  own  paper,  as  he  set  it 
in  type  fifty  years  before ; and  what  is  still  more 
wonderful  both  the  clergyman  and  the  printer,  with 
the  wives  of  their  youth,  all  married  in  1808,  had 
this  year,  with  Capt.  Dexter,  celebrated  their  golden 
wedding.  Capt.  Dexter  died  April  8,  1866.  The 
children  of  Capt.  and  Mrs.  Dexter  were  : Jerahmeel 
J.,  born  in  1809;  Lucy  W.,  born  in  1811,  married 
William  Fletcher;  Nathaniel,  born  in  1814;  James 
Gregory,  born  in  1817;  Simon  Willard,  born  in 
1820;  Daniel  S.,  born  in  1822;  Amey,  born  in  1825, 
married  Ferdinand  S.  Eddy,  of  Providence ; and 
Samuel  Slater,  born  in  1827. 

(VII)  Simon  Willard  Dexter,  son  of  Capt.  Na- 
thaniel G.  B.,  born  July  25,  1820,  in  Pawtucket, 
R.  I.,  married  (first)  in  1842,  Anna  Eliza,  daughter 
of  Samuel  B.  and  Hannah  Bowen,  of  Attleboro, 
Mass.  She  died  in  1883,  and  he  married  (second) 
Aug.  17,  1884,  Rose  Maria  Conley,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Catherine  (Rush)  Conley,  who  came 
to  this  country  from  England  in  1853.  Mr.  Dexter 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Paw- 
tucket, and  at  fifteen  in  1835,  he  went  to  Providence 
and  entered  the  employ  of  Joseph  Martin,  jeweler, 
with  whom  he  learned  the  trade  and  remained  until 
1841.  Following  this  he  worked  for  different  firms 
in  Providence  and  Boston,  closing  his  career  in  this 
line  of  business  when  in  the  employ  of  Jonathan 
Sweet.  From  Boston  in  1842  he  returned  to  his 
native  place  and  engaged  in  the  shoe  business,  lo- 
cating on  Main  street.  In  1843  lie  became  asso- 
ciated with  F.  S.  Eddy,  under  the  firm  style  of  Dex- 
ter & Eddy.  In  the  year  following  he  gave  up  the 
shoe  business  and  entered  the  mill  of  his  father, 
and  there  it  was  he  began  the.  career  of  his  life, 
and  one  which  has  distinguished  him  as  a manufac- 
turer throughout  the  whole  country.  His  father’s 
business  had  by  this  time  grown  to  considerable 
proportions.  It  was  now  extended  under  the  Dex- 
ter Brothers  to  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  trade,  but 
in  that  expansion  a great  revulsion  occurred,  and 
in  1876,  a great  loss  was  sustained.  A mammoth 
foundation  for  a great  industry,  however,  was  laid 
by  Mr.  Dexter  and  his  brother,  who  had  done  a busi- 
ness of  from  six  hundred  thousand  to  a million  dol- 
lars annually,  and  in  1880  the  Dexter  \arn  Com- 
pany  was  incorporated,  since  which  time  the  busi- 


682 


RHODE  ISLAND 


ness  has  gradually  expanded,  having  now  an  envi- 
able reputation.  Mr.  Dexter  some  years  ago  retired 
from  the  more  active  pursuits  of  a business  life, 
but  retained  stock  in  the  corporation.  Mr.  Dexter 
was  a quiet  unassuming  man.  He  used  his  means 
freely  for  the  good  of  the  poor,  was  known  for  the 
probity  of  his  character,  and  for  the  uprightness  of 
a long  and  successful  business  career.  He  was  an 
enterprising  and  public-spirited  citizen.  His  wife 
was  a most  estimable  woman.  The  following  chil- 
dren were  born  to  the  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Dexter : 
Amey  Eliza,  born  July  2,  1844;  Emma  Louise, 
born  in  1845;  Samuel  Francis,  born  Sept.  3,  1847; 
and  Amelia  J.,  born  Oct.  29,  1849.  Of  these,  two 
are  deceased : Amey  E.  died  in  1845  ; and  Amelia 
J.,  died  in  1849.  Mr.  Dexter  died  Oct.  29,  1893. 

(VIII)  Emma  Louise  Dexter,  born  Oct.  31, 
1845,  married  in  1865,  Edward  Thayer,  who  died 
Feb.  13,  1899.  Three  sons  and  three  daughters 
were  born  to  them:  Simon  Willard,  born  Oct.  5, 
1867,  is  general  manager  of  the  Dexter  Yarn  Com- 
pany; Alanson,  born  April  12,  1869,  married  Sadie 
Graham;  Amey  Jenckes,  born  March  9,  1871,  mar- 
ried William  H.  Barclay,  of  Pawtucket;  Florence, 
born  Dec.  31,  1872;  Edward,  born  Jan.  2,  1875; 
Emma  Dexter,  born  Jan.  2,  1875,  married  Paul  Al- 
drich, of  Providence. 

(\  III)  Samuel  Francis  Dexter,  son  of  Simon 
W.,  born  Sept.  3,  1847,  *n  Pawtucket,  married  Fan- 
nie, daughter  of  Dr.  James  L.  Wheaton,  of  Paw- 
tucket, and  their  children  are  : Nathaniel  Wheaton, 
Fannie  W.  and  Anthony  Hamilton.  Mr.  Dexter 
was  identified  with  the  business  of  his  forefathers, 
and  for  the  last  decade  and  more  was  the  secretary 
and  general  manager  of  the  corporation.  In  about 
1902  or  03  he  went  tO'  California  and  died  there 
in  1906. 

(VI)  W aterman  T.  Dexter,  son  of  Nathaniel 
Balch,  born  Tune  28.  1790,  in  Grafton,  Mass.,  mar- 
ried Fannie,  born  in  1793,  in  Attleboro,  Mass., 
daughter  of  Tames  Orne,  a cousin  to  Paul  Revere. 
Mr.  Dexter  resided  in  Pawtucket  where  he  was  oc- 
cupied in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  yarn.  His  rep- 
utation was  that  of  an  industrious  and  respectable 
citizen.  He  was  captain  in  the  militia  for  many 
years.  His  death  occurred  April  9,  1870.  His 
children  were:  Horatio,  born  in  1813,  in  Hopkin- 
ton,  Mass.  ; Ann  Eliza  B.,  born  in  1815,  in  Attle- 
boro, Mass.,  married  Caleb  Ingraham,  of  East  Prov- 
idence; George  Thomas,  born  in  1819;  Fannie  Orne, 
born  in  1822,  married  Abner  D.  Hoar,  of  Provi- 
dence; Waterman  W.,  born  in  1824;  Henry  Bowers, 
born  in  1827 : Sarah  L.,  born  in  1830,  married  Ray 
W.  Potter;  Caroline  Reed,  born  in  1832;  the  last 
six  were  all  born  in  what  is  known  as  North  Prov- 
idence. 

(VII)  Waterman  W.  Dexter,  son  of  Waterman 
T.,  born  Aug.  8,  1824,  in  North  Providence  (now 
Pawtucket)  married  (first)  Mary  J.,  born  in  1828, 
in  Fall  River,  Mass.,  daughter  of  Capt.  Halsey 
Baker,  and  (second)  Caroline  J.  Baker.  Mr.  Dex- 


ter is  a resident  of  Pawtucket.  For  many  years- 
he  was  engaged  in  the  jewelry  business  and  dealt 
in  fancy  goods  in  that  city,  gaining  a high  repu- 
tation as  a capable,  industrious  business  man.  In 
more  recent  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  in- 
surance business.  His  children,  all  born  in  North 
Providence,  were:  Grace  A.,  born  in  1847,  who 
died  when  young;  Clara  A.,  born  in  1849,  married 
George  A.  Luther,  of  Pawtucket ; Herbert  C.,  born 
Feb.  29,  1852,  married  Ida  Bishop,  and  has  one  child 
Florence;  Annie  G.,  born  in  1854,  married  C.  M.. 
Farnum,  of  Chicago;  Frank  Gregory,  born  Dec. 
8,  1856,  married  Stella  Manning,  and  has  one  child,. 
Earl;  Fred  W.,  born  March  8,  1859,  married  Agnes 
E.  Muir,  of  Providence,  and  is  engaged  in  the  jew- 
elry business  in  Pawtucket ; and  Edgar  M.,  born 
May  14,  1861,  married  Annie  Baker. 

(VII)  Henry  Bowers  Dexter,  son  of  Capt. 
Waterman  T.,  born  March  27,  1827,  in  Pawtucket, 
R.  I.,  married  May  20,  1857,  Emily,  daughter  of 
John  Campbell,  of  Pawtucket,  and  one  child  blessed 
the  union,  Katie  Bowers  Dexter,  born  in  1859. 

In  boyhood  Mr.  Dexter  attended  both  the  pub- 
lic school  and  a private  school,  both  in  Pawtucket, 
and  the  latter  at  the  time  conducted  by  Joseph  V atts 
and  John  Willard.  His  parents  were  not  possessed 
of  much  of  this  world's  goods,  and  young  Henry 
while  yet  in  school  began  to  look  out  for  himself, 
and  by  doing  errands  and  other  work  now  and 
then  that  presented  itself,  he  had  accumulated  some 
little  money  before  his  school  days  were  over.  Fol- 
lowing the  cessation  of  his  studies  he  served  an 
apprenticeship  with  Messrs.  Brown  & Clark,  of 
Pawtucket,  at  the  machinist’s  trade,  then  took 
charge  of  the  shop  of  John  H.  Potter.  His  next 
business  experience  was  for  himself  as  a member  of 
the  firm  of  Pimbley,  Dexter  & Co.  Still  later  he 
was  a member  of  the  firm  of  Dexter  & Cole.  During 
this  period  Mr.  Dexter  was  engaged  in  the  business 
of  machinist,  his  employes  at  times  numbering  as 
high  as  twenty-five,  which  at  that  time  in  Pawtuck- 
et’s history  was  considered  large  for  such  industry. 
From  this  line  of  work  Mr.  Dexter  went  into  the 
manufacturing  business,  purchasing  from  his  broth- 
er-in-law, Ray  Potter,  the  latter's  cardboard  and 
glazed  paper  plant.  Mr.  Potter  had  not  been  suc- 
cessful in  this  enterprise,  and  at  the  time  of  the 
purchase  of  the  business  by  Mr.  Dexter  the  liabil- 
ities of  the  concern  in  round  numbers  were  $22,000. 
These  Mr.  Dexter  assumed  although  his  only  capi- 
tal at  the  time  was  $1,000.  At  this  point,  perhaps, 
it  is  allowable,  at  least  but  fair  to  Mr.  Dexter,  to 
state  that  on  the  beginning  of  his  business  career, 
on  going  to  the  bank  to  negotiate  a loan,  he  was  in- 
formed by  the  president  of  the  institution,  that  not 
one  man  in  a thousand  who  engaged  in  business 
made  a success.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  this  volun- 
teered remark  made  upon  the  mind  of  the  young 
man  receiving  it  an  impression  and  inspired  him  to 
that  effort  and  energy  which  not  only  as  the  race  of 
life  sped  on  made  him  the  one  of  a thousand,  but  one- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


683 


in  thousands  when  his  great  success  in  life  is  sum- 
med up.  By  the  good  management  of  his  business 
and  of  his  finances  in  general,  by  renewals  and  ex- 
tensions of  notes,  be  was  enabled  to  pay  that  indebt- 
edness of  $22,000.  This  business  thus  named  he 
carried  on  under  the  firm  name  of  Thomas  & Co., 
in  a building  which  stood  in  the  rear  of  the  present 
post-office  at  Pawtucket  for  some  fifteen  years. 
Then,  in  connection  with  George  H.  Clark,  he 
erected  a large  brick  building  on  Exchange  street, 
in  which  the  same  line  of  business  was  carried  on 
under  the  name  of  the  Rhode  Island  Card  Board 
Company,  Mr.  Dexter  remaining  in  the  concern  un- 
til April,  1889,  when  he  disposed  of  his  interest  to 
the  company.  During  the  earlier  experiences  of 
Mr.  Dexter  in  the  card  board  industry  originated 
the  paper  collar  line  of  it,  and  Mr.  Dexter  himself 
devised  the  hair  lined  card  board.  The  products  of 
the  company  went  to  the  markets  of  the  world.’ 

At  the  early  age  of  nineteen  years  Mr.  Dexter 
began  dealing  in  real  estate.  He  purchased  a lot, 
borrowed  the  money  for  the  purpose,  and  built  a 
dwelling  upon  it,  so  managing  his  financial  affairs 
connected  with  the  operation  that  he  finally  became 
the  owner  of  the  property.  This  led  him  in  the 
line  of  property  creation  and  property  holding.  He 
is  now  the  owner  of  a score  or  more  of  .houses,  all 
of  the  best  character.  In  the  true  sense  of  the  term 
Mr.  Dexter  is  a self-made  man,  the  architect  of  his 
own  fortune.  Early  becoming  self-reliant,  temper- 
ate and  moral  as  well  as  industrious  and  frugal,  he 
has  won  in  life’s  race,  and  his  success  he  attributes 
to  the  three  practices  of  religious  instruction,  tem- 
perance and  self-reliance.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest 
members  of  the  High  Street  Universalist  Church, 
and  was  one  of  the  building  committee  that  erected 
the  church  edifice.  All  through  his  life  Mr.  Dexter 
has  been  a regular  attendant  upon  religious  services, 
and  since  coming  of  age  has  contributed  on  an  aver- 
age $190  per  year  for  religious  worship  sup- 
port. Mr.  Dexter,  too,  has  abstained  from  liquor 
all  his  life,  notwithstanding  the  temptations  his  con- 
tact with  people  of  the  world,  especially  in  the  Eu- 
ropean travel  his  business  occasionally  brought 
about.  He  has  traveled  abroad  twice,  spending  on 
one  trip  seven  months.  It  may  be  said,  too,  that 
Mr.  Dexter  is  a believer  in  phrenology.  Once  the 
phrenologist,  Fowler,  told  him  that  in  the  midst 
of  his  greatest  difficulties  he  himself  would  be  his 
best  counsellor.  This  made  him  the  more  self-re- 
liant and  no  doubt  greatly  contributed  to  his  suc- 
cess. He  is  also  treasurer  and  the  largest  stock- 
holder in  the  Coleman  Nail  Company. 

Not  a public  man  in  the  sense  of  desiring  offi- 
cial position,  Mr.  Dexter  has  kept  aloof  from  the 
perplexities  the  seeking  and  holding  of  such  entail. 
He  did,  however,  in  1885,  represent  his  city  in  the 
General  Assembly,  and  in  1900  he  was  nominated 
by  the  Prohibition  party  for  Congress  from  the 
Second  district.  He  is  a charter  member  of  the 
Business  Men's  Association  of  Pawtucket,  and  has 


been  one  of  the  directors  for  years.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  Union  Lodge,  Royal  Arcb  Chapter  and  Holy 
Sepulchre  Commandery  of  Pawtucket,  and  of  the 
Consistory  of  Providence.  He  was  treasurer  of 
the  committee  that  erected  the  Masonic  Temple, 
costing  $110,000,  and  without  detracting  from  the 
able  services  of  others,  the  erection  of  that  temple 
would  not  have  been  a success  had  Mr.  Dexter  not 
personally  guaranteed  notes  to  the  sum  of  $50,000. 
At  nineteen  years  of  age  he  became  a member  of 
Good  Samaritan  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  he  is  a 
member  also  of  Manchester  Encampment.  On  June 
14,  1901,  he  was  presented  with  a fine  testimonial 
by  his  I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodge,  it  being  the  semi-centen- 
nial of  his  initiation.  Now  at  the  age  of  nearly 
four  score  years  he  is  in  perfect  health ; he  does  not 
believe  in  the  use  of  drugs  or  medicine  of  any  kind, 
leaving  nature  to  furnish  her  own  remedies,  but 
by  the  use  of  the  lifting  machine  and  Indian  clubs 
he  keeps  himself  in  fine  condition. 

On  Air.  Dexter’s  return  from  one  of  his  Euro- 
pean trips  he  presented  his  Sunday-school  with 
some  fine  pictures  of  the  Cathedrals  and  churches  of 
Europe  and  England — Notre  Dame  at, Paris;  Co- 
logne on  the  Rhine,  and  the  Cathedral  at  Milan.  On 
that  occasion  he  made  what  is  probably  his  only 
public  address,  speaking  as  follows : 

‘‘The  Table  Turned:  A few  evenings  since  we 
had  a play  in  the  vestry  called  ‘The  Table  Turned.’ 
I would  like  to  turn  it  a little  bit  more  by  presenting 
to  the  Sunday-School  some  pictures  of  some  of  the 
old  ruins  of  Rome,  Italy.  When  I was  there  I 
thought  if  I ever  did  get  home  it  would  be  a good 
thing  for  me  to  present  to  the  Sunday-school  some 
pictures  to  hang  upon  the  walls  of  the  vestry.  The 
next  to  going  to  see  the  sights  of  the  old  countries 
is  to  see  some  pictures  of  them.  I was  a member 
of  the  Sabbath-school  when  we  held  our  meetings 
in  the  Old  Free  Hall  at  the  foot  of  Church  Hill. 
Then  I was  one  of  the  building  committee  of  this 
Church,  and  was  very  proud  to  see  it  dedicated,  and 
am  very  thankful  to  see  the  good  condition  we  are 
in  today.  I did  not  make  a vow  that  I would  pre- 
sent these  pictures,  although  I found  it  was  quite  a 
common  thing  in  olden  times  for  people  to  make 
vows.  One  instance  of  that  kind  is  illustrated  by 
the  Passion  Play  at  Ober-Ammergau.  About  250 
years  ago  there  was  a plague  at  that  place.  Alany 
of  the  inhabitants  had  died,  and  fears  were  enter- 
tained that  many  more  would  die  in  this  condition 
of  things.  The  Bishop  and  Priest  went  out  and  of- 
fered up  prayers  in  the  streets,  and  the  Bishop  made 
a vow  that  if  the  plague  would  be  stayed,  the  Pas- 
sion Play  would  be  repeated  once  every  ten  years, 
and  the  play  has  been  kept  up  till  now,  1890.  I 
saw  the  play  then.  Another  illustration  of  the^vow 
I found  in  Naples,  Italy.  In  going  up  Alt.  Vesu- 
vius, about  half  way  up  the  mountain,  I saw  a small 
chapel  built  on  the  top  of  a hill.  Quite  a number 
of  years  ago  a man  was  going  up  the  mountain, 
and  he  saw  that  the  lava  was  running  down.  It 


684 


RHODE  ISLAND 


came  so  fast  that  he  could  not  run  away  from  it, 
and  lie  climbed  to  the  top  of  this  hill.  The  stream 
split  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  and  there  he  was,  as  it 
were,  on  an  island  in  the  midst  of  a sea  of  fire.  In 
this  condition  he  came  near  being  roasted  alive.  He 
made  a vow  if  his  life  would  be  spared  he  would 
erect  a chapel  on  the  spot,  and  there  it  is  to  this 
day. 

"Perhaps  I can  do  no  better  than  to  dedicate 
these  pictures  to  my  good  old  uncle,  N.  G.  B.  Dex- 
ter, the  father  of  Sunday-schools  in  America.  I 
have  selected  the  pictures  of  some  of  the  ruins  of 
the  Roman  Empire  as  they  are  to  be  seen  in  Rome 
at  this  time.  One,  the  Roman  Forum,  built  about 
800  years  before  Christ ; one  the  Coliseum,  built  the 
year  80;  the  Bridge  of  St.  Angelo  and  the  Tomb  of 
Hadrian,  built  136;  and  a view  of  St.  Peter's  and  the 
\ atican.  They  are  pictures  of  great  historic  inter- 
est and  worthy  the  study  of  us  all.  I will  ask  the 
Sunday-school  to  accept  them,  and  only  add  that  I 
think  1 have  the  best  of  it,  as  the  Bible  teaches  us 
that  'it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.’  ” 

(VIII)  Katie  Bowers  Dexter,  only  child  and 
daughter  of  Henry  B.,  born  in  1859,  married  Albert 
H.  Stearns,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  and  their  children 
are:  Albert  Maynard,  born  Aug.  20,  1886;  Henry 
Dexter,  March  7,  1888:  Albert  Thomas,  April  22, 
1890;  and  Catherine,  July  16,  1892. 

(IV)  James  Dexter  (2),  son  of  James,  born  in 
1720,  in  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  married  Alithea,  born  in 
1725,  in  Seekcnk,  Mass.,  daughter  of  T.  Walker. 
Mr.  Dexter  lived  and  died  in  Cumberland,  R.  I., 
where  he  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  His 
children,  all  born  in  Cumberland,  were : Hope, 
born  in  1747;  James,  in  1749;  Huldah,  in  1750; 
Marcy,  in  1754;  Simeon,  in  1756;  Eseck,  in  1758; 
Benjamin  G.,  in  1760;  Nancy,  in  1761;  Alithea,  in 
1764  ; Lucina,  in  1766;  and  TJmothy  W.,  in  1768. 

(V)  Timothy  W.  Dexter,  son  of  James  (2), 
born  in  1768,  in  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  married  Sarah, 
born  in  1770,  in  Wrentham,  Mass.,  daughter  of  D. 
Messenger.  Mr.  Dexter  was  a farmer  possessing  a 
good  estate  near  the  coal  mine  in  the  town  of  Cum- 
berland. His  children,  all  born  in  Cumberland, 
were:  James  M.,  born  in  1804;  Benjamin  G.,  in 
1805;  Eseck  W.,  in  1807;  and  Sarah  Ann,  in  1814. 

(VI)  James  M.  Dexter,  son  of  Timothy  W., 
born  in  1804,  in  Cumberland,  married  Phebe  Sail- 
tern,  born  in  1810,  in  New  Hampshire.  Mr.  Dex- 
ter was  a farmer.  He  settled  near  the  coal  mine 
in  Cumberland,  where  lie  resided  until  1837,  when 
he  purchased  a farm  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  in  Bu- 
reau county,  and  there  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  He  was  remarkably  well-informed,  and  was 
largely  self-educated.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Convention  which  nominated  Abraham  Lincoln  in 
i860.  He  was  highly  respected  wherever  he  was 
known.  His  children — the  first  four  born  in  Cum- 
berland and  the  others  in  Providence,  111. — were : 
Timothy  W.?  born  in  1831  ; Anna  S.,  born  in  1833  ; 
Harriet  W.,  born  in  1835  : James  Cooke,  born  in 


1837;  Benjamin,  born  in  1839,  residing  in  Illinois; 
Thomas,  born  in  1842,  living  in  Oberlin,  Ohio;  Al- 
bert, born  in  1844;  Phebe  Ann,  born  in  1846,  who 
was  Mrs.  Brainard,  of  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  and 
George  E.,  born  in  1850,  postmaster  at  Tiskilwa,  111. 
Of  these,  Benjamin,  Thomas  and  George  E.  are 
living.  James  M.  Dexter  died  in  1888,  and  his  wife 
passed  away  in  1891. 

(VII)  James  Cooke  Dexter,  son  of  James  M., 
born  April  11,  1837,  in  Cumberland,  R.  1.,  married 
Sarah  Frances  Barrows,  daughter  of  Otis  Barrows, 
and  three  daughters  have  blessed  the  marriage, 
namely:  Fannie  O.  (deceased),  Minerva  W.  (de- 
ceased), and  Hattie  B.  (who  married  Charles  A. 
England,  cashier  of  the  Lonsdale  Company,  and  has 
two  sons,  Frederick  D.  and  Myron  E.) 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Dexter  having  removed  to 
Illinois  in  1838,  the  son’s  boyhood  was  passed  in 
that  State.  He  attended  the  public  school  of  the 
new  town  of  Providence,  in  that  Western  State,  a 
town  founded  by  his  father,  and  later  was  a student 
at  Jubilee  College  in  Peoria  county.  After  his  school 
days  were  over  he  returned,  in  1862,  to  his  native 
town  and  state,  assuming  charge  of  the  farm  of 
Eseck  Dexter,  of  that  town.  On  the  death  of  Mr. 
Dexter  in  1868,  the  nephew,  James  C.  Dexter,  inher- 
ited the  property  and  has  since  been  actively  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits.  This  Dexter  farm 
is  located  at  Lonsdale,  and  is  a fine  property,  and 
its  occupant  is  one  of  the  substantial  men  and  useful 
citizens  of  the  community  and  town,  commanding 
the  esteem  and  respect  of  his  fellow  townsmen.  Like 
so  many  of  his  forefathers,  Mr.  Dexter  has  walked 
in  religious  paths,  being  a member  of  Christ’s 
Church,  at  Lonsdale.  In  1874,  1875  and  1876  he 
was  honored  by  a seat  in  the  General  Assembly  of 
Rhode  Island,  acceptably  representing  the  town  of 
Cumberland  in  that  body.  He  was  a member  of  the 
town  council  in  1893,  1894  and  1895.  His  political 
affiliations  have  been  with  the  Republican  party. 
He  is  identified  with  Unity  Lodge,  No.  34,  A.  F. 
& A.  M.,  Lonsdale.  During  his  many  years  resi- 
dence in  the  town  of  Cumberland  he  has  ever  been 
found  on  the  side  of  right  and  justice.  In  his  va- 
rious official  capacities  he  has  rendered  efficient  serv- 
ice to  his  community,  but  it  is  as  a man  and  neigh- 
bor that  he  will  be  held  in  greatest  esteem.  His  deeds 
of  good  are  well  known  though  he  is  entirely  un- 
ostentatious in  manner  and  his  disposition  a retiring 
one.  He  has  been  associated  with  every  movement 
tending  toward  the  advancement  of  the  prosperity 
and  material  growth  of  his  community,  and  is  every- 
where regarded  as  one  of  its  most  progressive,  ear- 
nest and  honorable  citizens.  The  family  name  and 
reputation  has  been  most  worthily  upheld  by  him. 

WILLIAM  JAMES  UNDERWOOD.  In  the 
death  of  the  late  Hon.  William  J.  Underwood,  which 
occurred  in  Newport,  Jan.  27,  1906,  that  city  lost 
one  of  its  honored  and  respected  citizens,  as  well 
as  one  of  its  progressive  and  successful  business 


RHODE  ISLAND 


685 


men.  Mr.  Underwood  was  a worthy  representative 
of  one  of  New  England's  earliest  settled  families, 
the  progenitor  of  which  was  of  Newport,  R.  I., 
as  early  as  1655. 

The  American  Underwoods,  who  trace  their 
ancestry  to  ante-Revolntionary  times,  descend  from 
loseph  Underwood,  who  settled  in  Hingham,  Mass., 
in  1637,  and  removed  to  Watertown,  Mass.,  in  1645  > 
William  Underwood,  of  Concord  and  Chelmsford, 
Mass.,  in  1652 ; William  Thomas  Underwood,  who 
settled  in  Virginia  about  the  middle  of  the  seven- 
teenth century ; Alexander  Underwood,  and  Henry 
Underwood,  who  settled  in  or  near  Newport,  R. 
I.,  in  about  1655.  This  article  is  to  treat  of  Henry 
Underwood,  the  progenitor  of  the  Newport  family 
bearing  that  name,  and  of  his  descendants. 

(I)  Henry  Underwood  was  of  Newport  or 
vicinity  in  about  1655.  His  wife’s  name  was  Jane, 
and  their  children  were:  Henry,  Jr.,  who  died  un- 
married ; Jane  ; William  ; and  John.  These  children, 
all  except  the  youngest,  were  born  in  Newport. 

(II)  William  Underwood  was  born  May  24, 
1671,  and  died  about  1744.  The  Christian  name  of 
his  wife  was  Sarah,  and  among  their  children  was 
William. 

(III)  William  Underwood  (2),  son  of  Wil- 
liam, was  born  March  14,  1694.  In  1717  he  married 
Ann  Turpin. 

(IV)  William  Underwood  (3),  son  of  Wil- 
liam (2),  was  born  Feb.  23,  1718-19.  On  Nov.  19, 
2743,  he  married  Susannah  Knowles,  and  they  had 
the  following  children:  Joseph,  born  Oct.  21, 
1744;  Anne,  June  26,  1748;  Henry,  Jan.  25,  1752; 
Alice,  Aug.  24,  1753;  Samuel,  Jan.  29.  1756. 

(V)  Samuel  Underwood,  son  of  William  (3), 
was  born  Jan.  29,  1756,  and  was  a patriot  of  the 
Revolutionary  war,  serving  on  the  privateer  “Lady 
Washington.”  He  married  Susannah  Tripp,  daugh- 
ter of  Peregrine  Tripp,  and  they  had  eight  chil- 
dren, among  them  being  William  and  Perry  Greene. 

(VI)  William  Underwood,  son  of  Samuel, 
was  born  May  3,  1779.  He  married  (first;  Nov. 
12,  1801,  Elizabeth  Sherman,  and  (second)  in  1818, 
Amey  Wilcox. 

(VI)  Perry  Greene  Underwood,  son  of  Sam- 
uel, was  born  in  1781  in  Exeter,  R.  I.,  was  of  South 
Kingstown,  where  he  lived,  and  died  March  27, 
1865,  in  North  Kingstown,  aged  eighty-four  years, 
at  the  time  a widower.  He  was  a farmer  and  in 
his  younger  days  was  extensively  engaged  in  this 
occupation.  In  later  life  he  lived  at  Tower  Hill, 
where  he  had  a well  cultivated  farm.  For  many 
years  he  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He 
married  Abbv  Sunderland,  and  had  children : Dan- 
iel, who  married  Martha  Cottrell,  and  died  in  New 
York  State  ; Weeden  T. ; and  Henry. 

(VII)  Weeden  T.  Underwood,  son  of  Perry 
Greene,  was  born  in  South  Kingstown,  R.  I. 
His  life  was  devoted  to  the  occupation  of 
farming,  and  he  was  of  a very  industrious  nature. 
acc*uiring  a good  competence.  He  later  removed 


to  Newport,  where  he  died  on  July  5,  1886,  aged, 
seventy-nine  years  and  seven  months.  In  political 
faith  he  was  a stalwart  Democrat,  and  as  such 
served  as  a member  of  the  old  Newport  town  gov- 
ernment, and  after  the  city  government  was  formed 
he  served  as  a member  of  the  board  of  aldermen 
for  several  years.  He  married  (first)  Dec.  25, 
1831,  Susan  Albro,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
children  as  follows : Henry  and  Thomas,  twins, 
the  latter  dying  in  infancy,  while  the  former  was  a 
carpenter  by  trade,  and  was  also  engaged  in  team- 
ing in  Newport,  where  he  died ; Harriet,  who  mar- 
ried Benjamin  Morris  Carr  (deceased),  of  Newport, 
where  she  resides ; Sarah,  widow  of  William  North- 
rup,  of  Newport,  where  she  resides;  William  ).; 
Phebe,  who  married  Henry  Underwood  (who  died 
in  1906),  and  resides  at  Wakefield,  R.  I.;  Theodore, 
a farmer,  residing  in  South  Kingstown,  R.  I. 
Weeden  T.  Underwood  married  (second)  Ann 
Peckham,  of  Newport,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
two  children  : Mary,  who  died  in  Newport ; and 
Martha,  wife  of  Thomas  P.  Peckham,  of  Newport. 

(VIII)  William  J.  Underwood,  son  of  Weeden 
T.,  was  born  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  Oct.  10,  1837.  He 
received  such  education  as  was  obtainable  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  city  sixty  years  ago, 
and  was  employed  as  a boy  on  his  father's  farm. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  determined  to  learn  a trade, 
and,  choosing  that  of  a mason,  went  to  Providence, 
where  lie  served  a four-years’  apprenticeship  under 
Joseph  Cranston,  in  whose  employ  he  remained  for 
a period  of  five  years.  The  following  three  years 
he  spent  the  greater  part  of  the  year  in  Boston, 
during  which  time  while  in  Newport  he  worked 
at  his  trade  for  the  late  Stephen  S.  Albro  and  John 
Freeborn.  In  1864  he  became  foreman  on  the  con- 
struction of  the  Aquidneck  cotton  mill  at  Newport, 
after  which  he  established  himself  in  business  as 
a mason  contractor  and  builder,  at  which  he  con- 
tinued until  1899,  when  he  retired  from  active 
business.  During  his  career  as  a contractor  lie 
erected  many  of  the  finest  homes  in  and  around 
Newport,  among  them  the  summer  residences  of 
E.  D.  Morgan,  Dr.  C.  M.  Bell  and  Harold  Brown; 
he  also  erected  the  King  Block,  the  Aquidneck 
Bank  Building  and  the  Cloyne  School  building. 

As  a business  man  Mr.  Underwood  was  very 
successful,  and  while  in  his  zenith  as  a contractor 
employed  from  ten  to  one  hundred  men.  In  the 
last  few  years  he  had  devoted  himself  to  gardening. 
He  built  a house  on  Touro  Park  West,  the  land 
affording  him  room  for  the  cultivation  of  fruit  and 
vegetables,  and  to  their  care  he  gave  the  larger 
part  of  his  time.  Having  sold  or  built  upon  the 
land  which  he  used  as  a garden  the  year  before 
his  death,  he  secured  a larger  tract  of  land  a short 
distance  beyond  the  One  Mile  Corner,  and  here 
he  was  developing  a large  market  garden,  having 
during  the  past  year  materially  improved  the  prop- 
erty by  the  erection  of  a house  and  the  planting 
of  trees  and  shrubs  and  the  growing  of  fruit  and 


686 


RHODE  ISLAND 


vegetables.  This  garden  was  his  principal  occupa- 
tion, and  took  his  time  largely  from  his  other  inter- 
ests. 

Mr.  Underwood  had  for  many  years  been  inter- 
ested in  politics,  having  been  prominent  in  the  coun- 
cils of  the  Democratic  party  in  the  city  and  State  as 
chairman  of  the  city  committee  and  a member  of 
the  executive  committee  of  the  State  central  com- 
mittee. He  had  held  a number  of  public  offices 
in  the  city  and  State,  having  represented  the  Fifth 
ward  in  the  city  council  from  1870  to  1874  and 
from  1879  to  1883,  and  was  for  four  years  a mem- 
ber of  tlie  board  of  health.  He  was  State  Senator 
in  1887-88  and  1890-91  and  Representative  in  the 
General  Assembly  from  January,  1902,  until  Janu- 
ary, 1905.  He  also  served  as  overseer  of  the  Poor 
for  several  years,  and  was  also  a member  of  the 
board  of  Park  Commissioners  for  a period  of 
years. 

Mr.  Underwood  was  a prominent  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  having  been  a past  master  of  St. 
John's  Lodge,  No.  1 ; past  commander  of  Washing- 
ton Commandery,  Knights  Templar;  a past  com- 
manding officer  of  Van  Rensselaer  Lodge  of  Per- 
fection and  of  Rhode  Island  Sovereign  Consistory, 
and  one  of  the  few  Thirty-third  Degree  Masons  in 
the  State,  having  been  raised  to  that  degree  on 
Sept.  18,  1888.  He  was  also  a member  of  Pales- 
tine Temple,  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Providence.  He 
was  formerly  a member  of  the  Providence  Lodge 
of  Elks,  later  becoming  a charter  member  of  the 
Newport  Lodge.  He  was  also  a member  of  the 
old  Newport  Business  Men’s  Association;  of  the 
County  Club;  of  the  Natural  History  Society;  of 
the  Redwood  Library  and  Athenaeum ; and  a life 
member  of  the  Newport  Historical  Society.  He 
had  but  few  official  business  connections  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  among  them  being  that  of  trustee 
of  the  Savings  Bank  of  Newport. 

Mr.  Underwood  was  an  attendant  of  the  United 
Congregational  Church,  to  the  support  of  which 
he  was  liberal  in  his  donations. 

On  Dec.  25,  1864,  Mr.  Underwood  was  first 
united  in  marriage  to  Mary  Elizabeth  Underwood, 
daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Peckham)  Under- 
wood, of  Newport.  Mrs.  Underwood  passed  away 
Dec.  18,  1899,  in  Newport,  and  Mr.  Underwood 
married  (second)  Sept.  24,  1902,  Miss  Annie  L. 
Moore,  daughter  of  Albert  M.  and  Carrie  A. 
(Ingraham)  Moore,  of  Chicopee,  Mass.,  who  sur- 
vives to  mourn  his  loss. 

Mrs.  Underwood  is  a member  of  the  William 
Ellery  Chapter,  Daughters  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution, being  eligible  through  the  Moore,  Ingraham, 
Graves  and  Goodman  families.  Mrs.  Underwood 
is  a great-granddaughter  of  Luther  Moore,  of  Sud- 
bury, Mass.,  who  served  as  a private  in  Capt. 
Andrew  Haskell’s  company,  Col.  Thomas  Marsh- 
all’s regiment,  in  the  Continental  Army. 

Mr.  Underwood  was  a man  of  positive  character, 


and  his  friendships  were  strong  and  lasting.  He 
was  charitable  and  generous  in  his  nature,  and  ever 
ready  to  assist  his  less  fortunate  fellow-beings.  He 
was  much  devoted  to  his  native  city,  and  ever  alive 
to  its  best  interests.  In  his  will,  among  his  public 
bequests,  he  left  $4,000  to  the  Newport  Hospital 
to  endow  a free  bed ; $5,000  to  the  Children's 
Home,  and  the  residue  of  his  estate,  after  his  wife’s 
death,  to  the  city  of  Newport  to  be  used  in  erect- 
ing a school  or  in  purchasing  a site  or  furniture 
and  apparatus  far  a school,  to  be  known  as  the 
Underwood  School.  Mr.  Underwood  was  highly 
respected  throughout  the  community,  and  univer- 
sally regarded  as  one  of  the  prominent  and  leading 
citizens  of  the  city. 

JOHN  REYNOLDS  WILCOX,  sheriff  of 
Washington  county,  R.  I.,  and  one  of  the  best 
known  and  most  popular  officials  in  the  State,  is 
descended  from  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  this 
part  of  New  England. 

In  1638  the  name  of  Edward  Wilcox  is  found 
among  the  names  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  island 
of  Aquidneck ; he  also  had  lands  at  Manhattan. 
The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  is  not  known.  His 
sons  were:  John,  Daniel  and  Stephen  (who  had 
grants  of  laud  at  Portsmouth). 

Stephen  Wilcox  was  born  in  1633,  and  his  death 
occurred  in  1690.  In  1658  he  married  Hannah, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Martha  Hazard.  On  Jan. 
30,  1658,  he  had  a deed  of  thirty-four  acres  of  land 
from  Thomas  Hazard  as  dower  with  his  wife.  On 
May  18,  1669,  his  name  was  in  the  list  of  inhabitants 
of  Westerly.  In  1670  he  was  complained  of,  with 
his  partakers,  by  John  Richards,  treasurer  of  Har- 
vard College,  for  unjustly  possessing  five  hundred 
acres  in  the  Pequot  country  on  the  east  side  of  the 
P'awcatuck  river.  To  Stephen  Wilcox  were  born 
seven  children,  as  follows : ( 1 ) Edward,  born  in 
1662,  married  (first)  Mary,  daughter  of  Robert 
Hazard,  and  by  her  had  four  children — Mary,  who 
married  Joseph  Lewis ; Plannali,  who  married  Eze- 
kiel Garrette  ; Stephen,  who  married  Mary  Randall ; 
and  Edward.  He  married  (second)  Thomasin 
Stevens,  and  the  children  of  this  marriage  were : 
Sarah,  Thomas,  Hezekiah,  Elisha,  Amey  and  Sus- 
annah. (2)  Thomas  married  Martha,  daughter  of 
Robert  Hazard,  and  they  had  eight  children,  Robert. 
Stephen,  Jeffrey,  Thomas,  Abraham,  George.  Ed- 
ward and  Hannah.  (3)  Daniel  married  Mary  Wo- 
dell,  and  had  a son,  Stephen.  (4)  William  married 
Jan.  25.  1698,  Dorothy  Palmer,  and  had  eight  chil- 
dren, Dorothy,  Ann,  William,  Jemima,  Mary, 
Amey,  Sarah  and  Nathan.  (5)  Stephen  married 
in  1704  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Gorton)  Crandall,  and  had  children,  Stephen,  Rob- 
ert and  John.  (6)  Hannah  married  Samuel  Clarke, 
son  of  Jeremiah  and  Ann  (Audley)  Clarke,  and  be- 
came the  mother  of  four  children,  John,  Audley, 
Samuel  and  Daniel.  (7)  Jeremiah  married  Mary 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Mallett,  daughter  of  Thomas  Mallett.  From  these 
•descended  the  Wilcoxes  of  southern  Rhode  Island 
and  Connecticut. 

Joseph  Wilcox,  great-grandfather  of  Sheriff 
John  R.  Wilcox,  was  born  Aug.  27,  1730,  and  mar- 
ried July  28,  1748,  Mary  Burdick.  He  died  in 
1804.  He  and  his  wife  had  children:  Gov.  Edward, 
Prudence,  Desire,  Mary,  Amy,  Hannah  and  Joseph. 

Joseph  Wilcox,  grandfather  of  Sheriff  John  R., 
was  born  Sept.  2,  1772.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Crumb,  and  they  had  children:  (1)  Charles  W., 
the  father  of  John  R.,  is  mentioned  further  on.  (2) 
Joseph  D.  married  Abbie  E.  Hoxsie,  and  had  Jennie 
L.,  JesSie,  Frank  and  Joseph  D.  (3)  Eliza  A.  mar- 
ried Charles  P.  Chapman,  and  had  Charles  D.  and 
Leander  P.  (4)  Susan  F.  (5)  John  G.,  born  May 
25,  1832,  married  Jan.  28,  1859,  Martha  B.  Hoxsie, 
and  had  Anna  Elnora  (born  June  5,  1862),  Edward 
(born  Dec.  30,  1864),  Herbert  (born  Sept.  24, 
1866),  John  Augustus  (born  Aug.  30,  1875)  and 
Howard  Percy  (born  Oct.  25,  1878).  John  G.  Wil- 
cox was  educated  in  Charlestown,  R.  I.,  and  has 
followed  farming  and  fishing  as  his  life  occupations. 
He  was  active  in  town  affairs,  serving  as  assessor 
six  years,  was  representative  in  the  Legislature, 
1880-81,  and  was  elected  senator  in  1905.  (6)  Na- 

than T.  married  and  had  Frank  and  Clarence.  (7) 
Benjamin  Franklin.  (8)  Sarah  P.  and  (9)  Edward 
are  unmarried. 

Charles  William  Wilcox,  father  of  Sheriff  John 
R.,  was  born  in  Charlestown,  R.  I.,  Dec.  6,  1828, 
and  in  his  native  town  passed  his  early  days.  When 
a young  man  he  learned  the  trade  of  a carpenter 
with  G.  Maxson,  in  Westerly,  and  this  occupation 
he  followed  until  1859,  when  he  moved  to  South 
Kingstown  and  bought  a large  farm.  From  1870 
to  1878  he  was  deputy  sheriff  and  jailer  of  Wash- 
ington county,  and -upon  the  expiration  of  his  term 
of  office  again  engaged  in  farming,  so  continuing 
until  1900,  when  his  wife  died.  Since  that  event 
he  has  resided  with  his  son,  John  R.  In  politics 
Mr.  Wilcox  was  and  is  a firm  advocate  of  Repub- 
lican principles.  He  is  a charter  member  of  Colum- 
bia Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  married  Catherine  S. 
Sherman,  daughter  of  George  H.  Sherman,  of 
South  Kingstown.  They  became  the  parents  of 
three  children  : Martha  B.,  who  married  William  D. 
'Taylor,  and  has  four  children,  Mary,  Frank  B., 
Catharine  and  Samuel ; Josephine,  who  married 
John  H.  Palmer,  and  has  one  daughter,  Sarah  P. ; 
and  John  Reynolds. 

John  Reynolds  Wilcox  was  born  in  Charles- 
town, R.  I.,  Dec.  4,  1858,  and  the  next  year  was  ta- 
ken by  his  parents  to  the  farm  near  Moorsfield,  in 
South  Kingstown.  As  a boy  he  became  familiar 
with  the  duties  of  the  office  he  now  holds,  his  father 
in  1870,  assuming  the  duties  of  deputy  sheriff  and 
jailer  of  Washington  county.  Mr.  Wilcox  began 
his  own  official  career  in  1879,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed an  officer  at  the  Rhode  Island  State  Prison, 


687 

under  Gen.  Nelson  \ lall.  The  next  year  he  re- 
signed to  accept  a position  as  police  constable  at 
Nat  ragansett  1 ier,  holding'  this  office  eleven  vears. 
In  1890  he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  and  jailer 
of  \\  ashington  county,  and  his  services  in  this  ca- 
pacity were  so  acceptable  that  in  January,  1903,  he 
was  chosen  sheriff.  He  was  re-elected  for  a term 
of  three  years,  on  Jan.  9,  1908.  It  is  no  over-state- 
ment to  say  that  no  other  sheriff  in  the  State  of 
Rhode  Island,  past  or  present,  has  a finer  record  for 
the  detection,  pursuit  and  capture  of  criminals. 
From  June,  1884.  to  June,  1905,  Mr.  Wilcox  served 
as  sergeant  of  the  town  of  South  Kingstown.  His 
fraternal  connection  is  with  Columbia  Lod^e,  I. 
O.  O.  F. 

On  Nov.  30,  1878,  Mr.  Wilcox  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Ida  May  Adams,  daughter  of  Tohn 
1'  • Adams,  of  South  Kingstown,  the  ceremony  being 
performed  by  Rev.  John  Evans.  Two  children  have 
blessed  this  union,  Jessie  May  and  Charles  W. 

JEREMIAH  RALPH,  a resident  of  Hope,  R. 
I.,  where  he  has  passed  the  greater  part  of  his 
life,  is  a member  of  the  family  which  traces  back 
to  Thomas  Ralph. 

(I)  Thomas  Ralph,  first  of  Guilford,  Conn., 
and  later  of  Warwick,  R.  I.,  married  (first)  Eliza- 
beth Desbrough,  and  (second)  in  1656  Mary  Cook, 
widow  of  John.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ralph  died 
in  1682.  On  Sept.  25,  1671,  he  and  two  others 
were  appointed  to  make  a rate  and  levy  an  as- 
sessment upon  the  inhabitants  of  Mashaulatauk,  in 
Warwick.  His  will  was  proved  June  15,  1682, 
at  Warwick,  and  in  it  he  bequeathed  land  in  War- 
wick to  his  sons  Samuel  and  Thomas.  By  his 
first  marriage  Thomas  Ralph  had  a son  Samuel, 
of  Providence,  who  married  Mary,  and  they  both 
died  in  1723.  By  his  second  marriage  he  was  the 
father  of  children  as  follows : Alice,  born  Jan. 
13,  :^57,  died  in  1682;  she  married  Thomas  Fen- 
ner. born  in  September,  1652!  son  of  Arthur  and 
Mehetable  (Waterman)  Fenner,  and  he  died  Feb. 
27.  1718.  Thomas,  born  July  12,  1658,  died  in 
1696;  he  married  Eleanor,  who  also  died  in  that 
year,  and  he  was  a resident  of  Providence.  Sarah, 
born  Dec.  4,  1661,  married  a Mr.  Benjamin.  De- 
liverance was  born  Aug.  20,  1666. 

(II)  Samuel  Ralph,  son  of  Thomas,  was  of 
Providence.  He  married  Mary,  and  died  Oct.  8, 
1723,  his  wife  dying  the  same  year.  Their  children 
were:  Mary;  Deliverance,  who  died  May  8,  1758 
(she  married  Richard  Knight,  son  of  John  and 
Anne  Knight,  and  he  died  May  15,  1754;  they 
had  children — John,  Richard.  David,  Thomas,  Anne 
and  Deliverance)  ; Samuel;  Thomas,  who  died  May 
8,  1780:  and  Hugh. 

(III)  Thomas  Ralph  (2)  married  Patience, 
and  they  lived  in  Providence  and  Scituate,  R.  I., 
he  dying  May  8,  1780.  He  was  made  a freeman  in 
1720.  In  1731  he  sold  to  Hugh  Ralph  150  acres 


688 


RHODE  ISLAND 


of  land  in  the  town  of  Providence,  R.  I.  He  was 
deputy  from  Scituate  in  1737,  1742,  1749  and  1753. 
In  1753  he  was  styled  captain.  His  will  was 
proved  Sept.  6,  1780.  His  children  were:  Thomas, 
Christopher,  David,  a daughter,  Deliverance,  Mary, 
Patience  and  Sarah.  Of  these,  Thomas  married 
Aug.  29,  1736,  Ahia,  daughter  of  Hugh  Ralph; 
Christopher  married  Dec.  11,  1743,  Mary,  daughter 
of  Joseph  Knight;  Patience  married  July  15,  1744. 
Elias  Collins;  and  Sarah  married  Nov.  8,  1751, 
Robert  Potter,  Jr. 

(IV)  David  Ralph  married  Oct.  24,  1735. 

Desire  Bennett,  and  their  children  mentioned  in  the 
will  of  their  grandfather  Ralph  were : Thomas, 
David,  Lydia  (Fenner)  and  Zilpha,  all  of  whom  re- 
ceived bequests  from  him. 

(V)  Thomas  Ralph  (3),  born  June  23,  1759, 
married  Sarah  Fenner,  born  Nov.  8,  1761.  Mr. 
Ralph  and  his  brother  David  received  by  the  will 
of  their  grandfather  Ralph  the  homestead  equally, 
four  small  lots  in  Cranston,  besides  other  property. 
Thomas  and  Sarah  (Fenner)  Ralph  had  children: 
Freelove,  born  Dec.  29,  1782;  Daniel,  Nov.  21, 
1784;  Ezekiel,  Aug.  5,  1786;  Anna,  Feb.  21,  1793- 
(married  John  Wilbur)  ; and  Sarah,  Aug.  1,  1800 
(married  John  Kent,  father  of  the  late  Fenner' 
Kent). 

(VI)  Ezekiel  Ralph,  born  Aug.  5.  1786,  mar- 

ried Dilla  Taylor,  born  April  24,  1797,  daughter 
of  Solomon  Taylor,  of  Scituate,  and  their  chil- 
dren were:  (1)  Solomon  T.,  born  Dec.  18,  1815, 
died  unmarried  Nov.  20,  1842;  he  was  a farmer. 
(2)  Arnold,  born  May  18,  1818,  was  married  June 
28,  1841,  to  Dianna  Matteson,  born  March  21, 
1820.  They  were  the  parents  of  Sarah  Frances 
(who  married  Charles  Cornell)  and  Charles,  the 
latter  born  March  4,  1842.  (3)  Julia  Ann,  born 

May  2,  1821,  married  James  K.  Walton,  and  both 
are  now  deceased.  They  had  one  child,  Mary  E., 
who  is  also  deceased.  (4)  Phebe  Marinda,  born 
May  15,  1823,  married  Edwin  Griswold,  and  both 
are  deceased.  They  left  no  descendants.  (5)  Jere- 
miah is  mentioned  further  on.  (6)  Samuel,  born 
Aug.  1,  1831,  is  at  present  residing  in  Hope,  in 
the  town  of  Scituate. 

In  his  early  manhood  Ezekiel  Ralph,  father  of 
this  family,  tried  life  on  the  sea  for  a short  time, 
afterward  returning  to  the  homestead  in  Scituate, 
where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days  as  a 
farmer.  He  was  popular  in  his  day  and  influential 
in  his  home  neighborhood,  and  like  his  father  be- 
fore him  was  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
He  was  a man  of  medium  height  and  weight,  of 
a rather  stern  and  serious  temperament,  strict  in 
all  things,  and  mastering  any  situation  which  con- 
fronted him  in  the  conduct  of  his  own  affairs. 
He  died  July  26.  1842.  Flis  wife  survived  him 
some  years,  dying  in  1861. 

(VII)  Jeremiah  Ralph  was  born  Jan.  8,  1825, 
in  Scituate,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated,  at- 
tending the  public  schools.  He*  continued  to  assist 


his  father  until  he  was  about  twenty  years  old, 
when  he  obtained  employment  as  a carpenter  in  a 
cotton-mill,  being  thus  engaged  for  fully  twenty 
years.  Subsequently  he  followed  various  pursuits, 
until  advancing  age  and  attendant  infirmity  ne- 
cessitated his  retirement.  Nearly  all  of  his  life 
has  been  spent  in  Hope,  where  he  still  continues  to 
reside. 

On  Oct.  4,  1846,  Mr.  Ralph  was  married  to 
Sarah  R.  Matteson,  born  March  26,  1827,  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Phebe  (Ramsdell)  Matteson.  Like 
her  husband,  Mrs.  Ralph  has  been  a resident  of 
Hope  nearly  all  her  life,  and  both  enjoy  the  highest 
regard  of  all  who  know  them.  Their  neighbors 
are  for  the  most  part  lifelong  friends.  Many  years 
ago  they  became  members  of  the  Six  Principle 
Baptist  Church  at  Kent,  R.  I.  Mr.  Ralph  is  a 
Republican  in  political  sentiment,  but  he  has  never 
been  active  in  party  affairs  in  any  way. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ralph  have  had  two  daughters: 
Phebe,  born  in  1847,  who  married  William  Free- 
stone, and  died  in  1894,  leaving  no  descendants; 
and  Julia  M.,  born  July  16,  1850,  who  also  died  in 
the  year  1894. 

FIFIELD.  The  name  of  Fificld  in  New  Eng- 
land covers  a period  of  approximately  two  hundred 
and  seventy  years,  one  William  Fifield  coming  in 
the  “Hercules”  in  1634,  and  settling  at  Hampton. 
William  and  Mary  Fifield  were  of  Hampton,  N. 
H.,  he  then,  in  1639,  reported  as  coming  from  New- 
bury; he  was  made  a freeman  in  1641.  Their 
children  are  given  as  Benjamin,  William,  Lydia, 
Elizabeth,  Hannah  and  Deborah.  Hampton  was 
the  home  for  generations  of  the  descendants  of 
William  and  Mary  Fifield.  The  name  in  various 
towns  of  New  Hampshire  in  later  generations — 
though  it  is  likely  that  not  all  those  bearing  it  have 
descended  from  the  Hampton  settlers— has  been 
common.  Beginning  with  the  middle  of  the 
eighteenth  century  the  Fifield  family  of  Concord, 
that  State,  dates  its  origin  there,  when  the  chil- 
dren of  Benjamin  and  Hannah  (Peters)  Fifield  ap- 
pear of  record  as:  Mary,  born  April  1,  1748; 
Obadiah  P.,  Aug.  3,  1749;  William,  May  6,  1751; 
Hannah,  Dec.  21,  1752;  Benjamin,  Oct.  4,  1754; 
Jonathan,  Aug.  9,  1756;  Sarah,  July  13,  1758; 

Paul,  Aug.  5,  1760;  John,  May  20,  1762;  Moses, 
Aug.  11,  1764;  David,  Jan.  16,  1767;  and  Sarah, 
Jan.  27,  1769. 

The  Fifields  of  Providence  sprang  from  the  New 
Hampshire  family,  the  forerunner  here  being  Rev. 
Moses  Fifield,  of  Unity,  N.  H.,  birth,  and  whose 
marriage  occurred  in  the  early  years  of  the  nine- 
teenth century  at  Providence.  As  his  title  indicates, 
Moses  Fifield  was  a member  of  one  of  the  learned 
professions,  a minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  one  of  his  sons,  Dr.  Moses  Fifield,  a 
man  of  liberal  education,  was  of  high  standing  in 
his  profession,  and  as  a banker  in  Centreville ; the 
latter’s  sons,  Moses  and  Henry  A.,  have  long  been 


I 


RHODE  ISLAND 


689 


substantial  citizens  of  Providence,  the  former  re- 
tired and  the  latter  now  holding,  as  he  has  held  for 
many  years,  a responsible  position  with  the  exten- 
sive manufacturing  firm  of  B.  B.  & R.  Knight. 

Of  Rev.  Moses  Fifield,  son  of  Moses  and  Lucy 
(Livingston)  Fifield,  we  herewith  present  an  arti- 
cle written  by  J.  Livsey,  Jr.,  and  published  in 
‘‘Zion's  Herald”  in  April,  1859: 

“Rev.  Moses  Fifield  was  born  in  Unity,  New 
Hampshire,  Dec.  7,  1790.  His  decease  occurred  in 
Centreville,  Rhode  Island,  April  19,  1859.  Of  his 
conversion  I am  not  able  to  give  any  account,  save 
that  it  took  place  when  he  was  about  fifteen  years 
of  age,  and  that  its  soundness  and  thoroughness 
were  satisfactorily  evidenced  by  his  subsequent  life 
and  experience. 

“Impelled  by  the  love  of  Christ  and  of  the  souls 
of  his  fellowmen,  and  by  a deep  conviction  of  duty, 
he  soon  learned  to  conquer  his  native  diffidence, 
which  inclined  him  to  shrink  from  engaging  ac- 
tively in  the  exercises  of  the  social  gatherings  of 
the  people  of  God ; the  attention  of  the  church  was 
arrested  by  the  fervor,  simplicity  and  impressive- 
ness of  his  prayers  and  exhortations,  so  that  in  due 
time  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  was  ‘thrust  out'  to 
labor  in  the  Lord's  vineyard. 

“He  was  admitted  to  the  itinerant  ranks  as  a 
probationer,  in  connection  with  the  New  England 
Conference,  in  1816,  and  stationed  on  the  Sand- 
which  Circuit.  The  following  year  he  was  stationed 
on  the  Harwich  Circuit,  and  at  the  following  con- 
ference was  admitted  into  full  connection,  ordained 
deacon  by  Bishop  George,  and  re-appointed  to  the 
Harwich  Circuit.  In  1819  he  was  stationed  in 
Providence;  at  the  Conference  of  1820  was  ordained 
Elder  by  Bishop  George,  and  was  stationed  that 
year  and  the  following  in  Springfield,  Massachu- 
setts; in  1822  and  1823,  on  the  Ellington  and  Ware- 
house Point  Circuit,  and  in  1824  on  the  Tolland 
Circuit.  Here  his  health,  which  had  always  been 
infirm,  and  had  often  rendered  his  ministerial  la- 
bors exceedingly  painful,  completely  gave  way,  and 
obliged  him  at  the  following  session  of  the  Confer- 
ence to  ask  for  a superannuate  relation.  From  this 
time  his  name  was  always  found  either  on  the  su- 
perannuate or  supernumerary  list  of  his  Conference, 
as  he  never  sufficiently  recovered  his  health  to  al- 
low him  to  resume  the  labors  and  responsibilities 
of  an  effective  relation. 

“Trained  from  boyhood  to  habits  of  industry, 
self-reliance  and  economy,  Father  Fifield  now  di- 
rected his  attention  to  secular  pursuits,  for  the  sup- 
port of  his  young  family.  Divine  Providence  smiled 
upon  his  efforts,  and  kindly  opened  his  way  before 
him,  so  that  he  ultimately  became  located  in  War- 
wick, Rhode  Island,  where  he  continued  to  reside, 
respected  and  beloved  by  the  entire  community, 
until  removed  to  his  heavenly  home.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1828,  he  was  elected  cashier  of  the  Centre- 
ville Bank,  and  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  of- 
fice the  following  month.  In  1845,  he  was  elected 
44 


treasurer  of  the  Warwick  Institution  for  Savings. 
Both  of  these  offices  he  continued  to  hold  to  the  en- 
tire satisfaction  of  the  respective  corporations,  un- 
til January,  1857,  when  his  increasing  infirmities 
compelled  him  to  retire  from  them.  But  though 
thus  engaged  in  secular  business,  his  interest  in  the 
cause  of  Christ,  and  especially  in  the  church  of  his 
early  choice,  waned  not.  Upon  his  removal  to 
Centreville,  he  found  a small  class,  which  was  regu- 
larly visited  by  the  circuit  preachers.  With  this 
little  band  he  at  once  identined  himself,  and  en- 
tered upon  the  series  of  labors  and  sacrifices  which 
ended  only  with  his  life ; to  which  under  God,  very 
much  of  the  present  position  and  prosperity  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  that  place  is  to  be 
attributed.  So  long  as  he  was  able,  he  loved  to 
preach  the  gospel.  He  took  an  active  interest  in 
the  Sabbath-school,  and  in  the  social  meetings  of 
the  church  was  ever  ready  to  contribute  his  part 
to  render  them  interesting  and  useful,  and  espe- 
cially rejoiced  when  he  could  weep  with  the  weep- 
ing penitent,  or  rejoice  with  the  new-born  con- 
vert. 

“Prudent,  yet  liberal  and  cheerful  in  his  pecuni- 
ary contributions,  the  amount  of  the  church’s  in- 
debtedness to  him  will  not  be  known  until  the  great 
day  reveals  all  secret  things.  Father  Fifield  was  a 
very  great  sufferer.  He  commenced  in  boyhood  a 
life  of  pain,  which  increased  in  severity  and  con- 
stancy with  his  advance  in  years.  He  has  often 
told  me  that  for  years  he  had  scarcely  known  a 
moment  in  which  he  was  free  from  suffering; 
while  at  times,  and  indeed  a large  proportion  of  the 
time,  these  sufferings  were  most  excruciating.  Rest 
and  sleep  could  usually  be  secured  only  by  means 
of  opiates,  through  a wearisome  succession  of 
years.  Yet,  who  ever  heard  him  complain  of  the 
severity  of  the  Divine  administration  towards  him, 
or  murmur  on  account  of  his  pain?  His  constant 
prayer  was  for  patience,  for  grace  to  endure  all  the 
will  of  God ; and  his  prayer  was  answered. 

“His  Christian  experience  during  the  two  years 
of  my  acquaintance  with  him  was  usually  very 
clear  and  satisfactory.  As  his  strength  declined, 
and  it  became  evident  to  himself  and  others  that 
enfeebled  nature  was  with  increasing  rapidity  yield- 
ing to  the  power  of  disease,  his  experience  became 
increasingly  rich  and  glorious.  At  times,  his  joys 
seemed  almost  too  ecstatic  for  his  feeble  frame  to 
endure,  and  it  would  seem  that  his  happy  spirit 
would  burst  the  frail  tabernacle  which  imprisoned 
it,  and  fly  away  to  its  home  and  its  God.  Some- 
times he  was  severely  buffeted  by  the  adversary  and 
maintained  faithful  and  protracted  conflicts  with 
the  powers  of  darkness.  Usually,  however,  his 
‘peace  was  as  a river,’  and  he  contemplated  his  ap- 
proaching deliverance  from  human  pains  and  in- 
firmities with  great  joy.  So  Jong  as  strength  con- 
tinued, he  discoursed  sweetly  upon  the  religion  of 
Chrisp  recommending  it  to  the  impenitent,  en- 
couraging and  exhorting  the  lovers  of  Christ  to 


690 


RHODE  ISLAND 


fidelity,  and  in  songs  and  Shouts  giving  utterance 
to  praise  and  to  grateful  joy.  Thus  died  a good 
man ; one  whose  virtues  very  far  outweighed  his 
frailties,  leaving  behind  him  in  the  family  circle, 
the  church,  and  the  business  and  neighborhood 
circles  in  which  he  moved,  a holy  savor,  which 
will  not  soon  be  lost. 

“O  may  I triumph  so. 

When  all  my  warfare’s  past 
And,  dying,  find  my  latest  foe 
Under  my  feet  at  last.” 

On  March  5,  1820,  Rev.  Moses  Fifield  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Celia  Knight,  born  May  27, 
1786,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Ham- 
mond) Knight.  [See  Knight  , family  elsewhere.] 
Mrs.  Fifield  survived  her  husband  many  years,  dy- 
ing July  31,  1874.  They  had  four  children:  (1) 
Annah,  born  March  29,  1822,  married  July  I,  1841, 
Samuel  Almoran  Briggs,  and  died  July  10,  1873. 
He  was  a hardware  and  tinware  merchant,  and  re- 
sided in  Providence,  his  store  being  located  on 
south  Main  street.  They  had  three-  children: 
Henry  Simeon,  born  Aug.  1,  1844,  died  Nov.  16, 
1845  1 Henrietta  Annah,  born  April  3,  1847,  mar- 
ried, (*kt.  29,  1867,  Henry  V.  A.  Joslin,  and  they 
have  had  seven  children,  Effie  Bordon  (born  Aug. 
10,  1869),  Annah  Fifield  (born  July  3,  1871,  died 
July  13,  1871),  Julia  Vaughn  (born  Dec.  7,  1872), 
Harry  Almoran  (born  Sept.  24,  1875),  Marion 

Cleveland  (born  Nov.  12,  1879),  Ethel  Adams 
(born  Aug.  6,  1881,  died  Match  23,  1883)  and 
Royal  Knight  (born  March  10,  1884)  ; and  Emily 
Medora,  born  Dec.  16,  1852,  is  a resident  of  Provi- 
dence. (2)  Moses  was  born  Dec.  23,  1823.  (3) 

Jane,  born  Jan.  5,  1826,  was  married  Oct.  24,  1853, 
to  Edward  Burlingame,  born  April  13,  1825,  died 
Aug.  15,  1893.  He  was  engaged  at  various  occu- 
pations, and  was  a resident  of  Providence  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  They  had  two  children : Celia 
Fifield,  born  March  28,  1855,  was  married  Sept.  3, 
1885,  to  Moses  T.  Pauli;  and  Herbert  Fiske,  born 
Aug.  14,  i860,  was  married  Nov.  21,  1895,  to  Isa- 
belle S.  McAvoy,  born  Aug.  26,  1864,  died  July  21, 
1901.  (4)  Mary,  born  March  13,  1828,  never 

married,  and  died  July  8,  1905. 

Dr.  Moses  Fifield,  son  of  Rev.  Moses  and 
Celia  (Knight)  Fifield,  was  born  Dec.  23,  1823,  at 
Warehouse  Point,  Conn.,  during  the  time  of  his 
father’s  pastorate  there.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  school  at  Centreville,  Wesleyan  Academy  at 
South  Wilbraham,  Mass.,  and  the  East  Greenwich 
Seminary.  He  commenced  the  study  of  medicine 
with  Drs.  George  and  Charles  W.  Fabyan,  at 
Providence,  later  entering  the  University  of  New 
York,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1846.  He  prac- 
ticed medicine  in  Fall  River  and  Little  Compton, 
R.  I.,  until  1852,  when,  on  the  decease  of  Dr.  J. 
M.  Keith,  he  removed  to  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  where 
he  was  located  about  four  years.  In  consequence 


of  the  illness  of  his  father  requiring  the  constant  at- 
tention of  a physician,  he  left  his  practice  in  Ports- 
mouth and  moved  to  Centreville,  in  the  town  of 
\\  arwick,  R.  I.,  in  August,  1856,  attending  his  fa- 
ther, also  taking  his  place  as  cashier  of  the 
Centreville  Bank  and  treasurer  of  the  Warwick 
Institution  for  Savings,  which  offices  he  held  until 
his  death,  besides  following  an  extensive  and  suc- 
cessful practice  of  medicine.  An  obituary  pub- 
lished at  the  time  of  his  death  said  of  him:  ‘‘In  the 
death,  Monday,  April  9,  1900,  of  Dr.  Moses  Fi- 
field, there  passed  away  a man  who  had  long  been 
known  as  an  active  citizen,  a capable  physician  and 
a successful  business  man.  His  graduation  in  medi- 
cine dates  back  to  1844,  and  these  intervening  vears 
have  been  filled  with  varying  activities,  and  all  of 
them  have  been  passed  in  this  vicinity.  Dr.  Fifield 
was  one  of  those  people  who  found  something  to 
do  in  this  world  and  did  it.  Now  that  he  rests 
from  his  labors,  the  world  in  which  he  moved 
misses  his  energy  and  pays  tribute  to  his  worth. 
He  was  one  of  those  few  men  who  could  adapt 
themselves  to  a large  number  of  those  interests 
which  touch  the  world  at  large,  ally  himself  to 
them,  and  assist  in  the  responsibilities  and  duties 
connected  with  their  management,  in  the  family,  in 
the  church,  in  fraternal  organizations,  in  his  prac- 
tice, in  banking  and  in  business  lie  found  his  place 
and  capably  filled  it.’’ 

Dr.  Fifield  was  a thirty-second  degree  Mason. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Medical  So- 
ciety, and  a member  of  the  American  Medical  As- 
sociation. On  May  24,  1846,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage, by  Rev.  Moses  Fifield,  to  Hannah  Arnold 
Allen,  born  Feb.  9,  1824,  daughter  of  Christopher 
and  Sarah  (Congdon)  Allen.  Mrs.  Fifield  died 
cn  Jan.  8,  1898.  Their  children  were:  (1)  Moses, 
born  July  17,  1847,  was  married  Nov.  6,  1873,  to 
Anna  Leora  Stone,  born  Oct.  10,  1850,  daughter 
of  Henry  T.  and  Sarah  (Hobart)  Stone.  They 
have  one  daughter,  Mary  Emeline,  born  March  25, 
1875,  who  was  for  several  years  a successful  school 
teacher  in  Providence,  and  who  is  now  the  wife  of 
George  H.  Brownell,  and  the  mother  of  one  son, 
Allen  Fifield.  (2)  Henry  Allen  was  born  Nov.  16, 
1850.  (3)  Sarah  Congdon,  born  March  14,  1856, 

was  married  June  27,  1877,  to  John  Legg,  born  in 
Trowbridge,  England,  May  28,  1851.  He  is  a 
successful  woolen  manufacturer  in  Worcester, 
Mass.  They  have  had  six  children:  John  Fran- 
cis, born  May  23,  1878,  married  Emma  Duke: 
Howard  Fifield,  born  April  23,  1881,  married 

Nellie  B.  Van  Ostrand ; Bessie  Whatley,  twin  of 
Howard  F.,  married  Gray  Harris ; Emma  Allen 
was  born  Dec.  n,  1885;  Helen  Bennett,  born  Dec. 
10,  1887,  died  Aug.  1,  1888;  and  Joseph  Willard 
was  born  Jan.  18,  1889. 

Dr.  Moses  Fifield  married  (second),  Feb.  19, 
1899.  Mrs.  Abbie  F.  Tillinghast,  widow  of  Samuel 
L.  Tillinghast,  and  daughter  of  Marcus  Lyon. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


691 


Henry  Allen  Fifield,  son  of  Dr.  Moses  and 
Hannah  Arnold  (Allen)  Fifield,  was  born  Nov. 
16,  1850,  in  Little  Compton,  R.  I.,  and  was  seven 
years  of  age  when  his  father  removed  to  Centre- 
ville.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Centre- 
ville,  the  East  Greenwich  Seminary,  and  completed 
his  training  at  the  Mowry  & Goff  English  and 
Classical  School,  Providence.  Soon  after  leaving 
school  he  was  employed  as  paymaster  in  the  mills 
•of  the  Crompton  Company,  at  Crompton,  R.  I., 
where  he  remained  until  March  20,  1872,  when  he 
entered  the  office  of  B.  B.  & R.  Knight,  at  Provi- 
dence, as  a clerk,  and  has  since  been  connected  with 
that  firm,  at  present  holding  a very  responsible  po- 
sition, having  charge  of  the  cotton,  and  the. 
manufacture  and  sale  of  the  production  of  the 
mills. 

On  Nov.  16,  1871,  Mr.  Fifield  was  married  to 
Lizzie  Preston  Bennet,  born  Nov.  3,  1849,  daugh- 
ter of  Preston  and  Elizabeth  (Walcott)  Bennet. 
They  have  two  children  : ( 1 ) Edith  Walcott,  born 

Feb.  6,  1874,  was  married  Nov.  16,  1899,  to  Allan 
McNab,  Jr.,  a native  of  Glasgow,  Scotland,  born 
Nov.  16,  1871.  He  is  now  superintendent  of  the 
Centreville  mill,  owned  by  B.  B.  & R.  Knight. 
Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McNab:  Donald  Fifield,  born  July  30,  1900,  who 
died  Sept.  18,  1900;  Allan  Douglas,  born  Feb. 
6,  1902;  Elizabeth  Walcott,  born  July  5,  1903,  who 
died  the  same  day ; and  Helen  Preston,  born  Aug. 
26,  1905.  (2)  Henry  Livingston,  born  Nov.  24, 

1878,  graduated  from  the  Worcester  Institute  of 
Technology  in  June,  1903,  as  a civil  engineer,  and 
entered  the  office  of  the  American  Bridge  Com- 
pany, remaining  there  till  Oct.  1,  1904,  when  he 
was  engaged  by  the  maintenance  of  way  depart- 
ment of  the  Pennsylvania  Lines,  and  is  now  lo- 
•cated  on  the  Chicago  Terminal.  On  Dec.  21,  1905, 
he  married  Bessie  May  Pardo. 

Mr.  Henry  A.  Fifield  is  one  of  the  leading  and 
most  active  members  of  the  Mathewson  Street 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  taking  a deep  interest 
in  all  branches  of  church  work,  and  is  now  serving 
as  a member  of  the  board  of  stewards,  also  director 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  since  1891.  He  has  so  ordered 
his  life  as  to  merit  the  universal  esteem  of  his 
fellowmen. 

AMON  PARMENTER,  retired  dry  goods 
merchant  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  is  one  of  that  city’s 
honorable  and  venerable  citizens,  having  been  con- 
nected with  her  business  interests  during  the 
greater  part  of  a long  lifetime.  Mr.  Parmenter 
comes  of  a very  old  New  England  family,  whose 
members  in  turn  have  been  prominently  identified 
with  affairs  for  a period  of  nearly  three  centuries. 
The  line  of  descent  is  traced  with  absolute  clear- 
ness through  eight  generations  in  America. 

(I)  John  Parmenter,  the  original  emigrant, 
came  from  England  in  1640.  and  settled  in  Sud- 
bury, Mass.  His  first  wife  Bridget  died  in  1660, 
and  he  married,  in  1661,  Annis  Dane. 


(II)  John  Parmenter,  Jr.,  married  Amee,  and 
had  six  children,  John,  Joseph,  George,  Mary, 
Benjamin  and  Lydia. 

(III)  Benjamin  Parmenter  married  in  1680, 
lamasin  Rice,  and  their  children  were:  Lydia, 
Benjamin,  David,  David  (2),  Mercy,  Thankful  and 
Jonathan. 

(IV)  David  Parmenter  married  Abigail 
Brewer,  and  reared  four  children,  Abigail,  Edward, 
James  and  Samuel. 

(\  ) James  Parmenter  married  Mary  Carter, 
and  their  two  children  were:  James  and  Eleanor. 

(VI)  James  Parmenter,  Jr.,  was  born  in  1753, 
in  Sudbury,  Mass.,  and  was  there  engaged  in 
farming  until  his  death,  Feb.  22,  1828.  His  wife, 
Esther  Marshall,  born  in  1754,  died  Sept.  22.  1825. 
She  was  the  .mother  of  Sally,  Eleanor.  Jonas.  Bet- 
sey, James,  Eleazer,  Nancy,  Esther  and  Mary. 

(N  II)  Jonas  Parmenter,  father  of  our  Anion, 
was  born  Sept.  26,  1776,  in  Sudbury,  Mass.  In 
early  life  he  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise 
business,  in  which  he  continued  for  a number  of 
years  with  success.  The  latter  part  of  his  life 
was  passed  on  a farm.  During  much  of  his  life 
he  was  an  invalid,  and  he  died  in  his  native  town, 
Dec.  25,  1827,  from  the  effects  of  the  kick  of  a 
horse.  He  married  Susannah  Brown,  of  Sudbury, 
daughter  of  William  and  Susannah  Brown.  Her 
death  is  in  the  records  as  occurring  Sept.  9,  1843. 
Their  children  were : William  Brown,  born  Feb. 
4,  1808;  Henry,  Oct.  23,  1809;  Susan,  Nov.  4, 
18 1 r ; Harriet,  Nov.  1,  1813;  James  Marshall, 

Nov.  14,  1815;  Herman,  July  31,  1817;  Esther, 
Nov.  i,  1819  (who  is  still  living  in  Waltham, 
Mass.)  ; Amon,  Feb.  4,  1822 ; and  Elvira,  June  20, 
1824  (died  in  infancy). 

(VIII)  Amon  Parmenter  was  born  Feb.  4, 
1822,  in  Sudbury,  Mass.  The  public  schools  of  his 
native  village  furnished  him  a basis  for  the  edu- 
cation which  he  afterward  finished  in  the  school 
of  life.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  years  he  became 
an  operative  in  one  of  the  cotton  mills  of  his  sec- 
tion, an  employment  which  he  continued  for  some* 
two  years.  Fie  next  went  to  Boston,  where  for 
the  following  six  years  he  was  engaged  as  a clerk 
in  the  dry  goods  establishment  owned  by  his 
brother.  William.  By  this  time  he  had  attained 
his  majority,  and  was  possessed  of  an  excellent 
knowledge  of  the  business  which  he  then  determined 
to  make  his  life  work.  In  company  with  his  brother. 
Henry,  he  came  in  January,  1843,  to  Newport, 
where  they  established  a dry  goods  and  notion  busi- 
ness on  Thames  street,  the  firm  being  styled  H. 
& A.  Parmenter.  This  arrangement  continued  until 
1856,  when  our  subject  purchased  the  interest  of 
his  brother,  and  thenceforth  conducted  the  busi- 
ness alone  to  the  date  of  his  retirement  in  1878.  at 
which  time  he  sold  out  to  the  firm  of  Perry 
Brothers.  This  marked  the  limit  of  the  active 
business  career  of  Mr.  Parmenter.  though  he  con- 
tinued his  interest  in  affairs  for  many  years  after- 


692 


RHODE  ISLAND 


ward.  He  is  now  passing  the  evening  of  life  in  the 
quiet  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his  early  industry, 
amid  the  kind  attentions  of  his  family  and  friends. 
It  will  not  be  amiss  to  state  that  Mr.  Parmenter 
is  a shining  example  of  the  self-made  man,  his 
success  being  due  to  his  untiring  industry,  energy, 
determination  and  thrifty  habits  which  he  formed  in 
youth. 

Mr.  Parmenter’s  tastes  never  ran  to  political 
affairs,  though  he  has  always  taken  a voting  inter- 
est. supporting  the  doctrines  of  the  Republican 
party.  His  one  social  organization,  and  in  whose 
work  he  has  always  taken  an  active  interest,  is  the 
Natural  History  Society  of  Newport,  he  having 
served  the  society  a number  of  years  as  treasurer. 
Mr.  Parmenter  is  a member  of  Channing  Memorial 
(Unitarian)  Church,  of  Newport. 

The  domestic  life  of  Mr.  Parmenter  has  been 
one  of  quiet  happiness.  On  October  18,  1852,  he 
married  Sarah  M.  Stevens,  daughter  of  the  late 
Joseph  G.  and  Sarah  (Freebody)  Stevens,  of  New- 
port. Two  children  have  blessed  this  union : 
(1)  Joseph  G.,  born  Dec.  17,  1858,  in  Newport, 
which  still  continues  to  be  his  home,  is  a decora- 
tive designer  in  Newport,  having  received  his 
training  in  the  art  from  private  teachers  and  later 
at  the  Boston  Art  School,  of  which  he  is  a gradu- 
ate. He  married  Lila  Riggs,  of  Newport,  and  has 
two  daughters,  Majel  and  Carol.  (2)  William 
Manton  died  at  the  age  of  eleven  months. 

Thus  is  given  in  brief  the  chief  events  of  the 
life  of  one  of  Newport’s  honored  citizens.  Life 
is  what  we  make  it.  Full  of  service  to  others,  it 
becomes  an  increasing  joy  to  look  back  upon  as 
the  evening  shades  draw  on.  In  this  light  the  quiet 
and  peaceful  days  of  Amon  Parmenter  have  a full 
and  complete  explanation. 

SHARPE  (of  Connecticut  origin).  This 
family  had  a Rhode  Island  representative,  Lucian 
Sharpe,  who  during  the  whole  of  his  active  life, 
was  connected  with  and  gave  his  name  to  the 
business  known  as  Brown  & Sharpe  Manufacturing 
Company. 

Lucian  Sharpe  was  of  the  seventh  generation 
from  Robert  Sharp,  of  Brookline,  Mass.,  who  came 
from  London,  England,  in  1635.  The  older  gen- 
erations settled  at  Pomfret,  Conn.,  in  1721,  which 
remained  the  home  of  the  family  for  generations, 

Wilkes  Sharpe,  of  the  sixth  generation,  father 
of  Lucian  Sharpe,  for  the  greater  part  of  his  life  was 
connected  with  the  stable  business,  either  as  owner 
or  foreman,  and  chiefly  in  Providence,  R.  I.  He 
was  noted  for  his  promptness,  industry  and  in- 
tegrity, for  his  fondness^or  reading,  his  retentive 
memory,  and  unusual  bodily  vigor.  He  married 
Sally  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Azubah  Chaffee. 

Lucian  Sharpe  was  born  in  Providence,  on 
March  20,  1830,  and  continued  to  live  there  until 
1836,  when  for  a few  months,  he  lived  in  Boston, 


Aiass.  From  the  spring  of  1837  until  the  spring  of 
1840  he  lived  with  his  uncle,  Pitt  Sharpe,  in  Pom- 
fret, Conn.,  on  the  farm  where  his  father,  Wilkes 
Sharpe,  was  born,  and  which  has  been  in  the 
family  since  his  father's  great-grandfather  came 
there  from  Brookline,  Mass.,  in  1721.  In  the 
spring  of  1840,  his  father  purchased  a -farm  in 
Hartwick,  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  on  this  the 
family  remained  for  two  years.  The  farm  was  then 
sold,  and  his  father  returned  to  Providence,  the 
mother  and  boy  remaining  for  two  years  longer 
in  Hartwick,  at  the  home  of  Airs.  Sharpe’s  brother, 
Ebenezer  Chaffee.  During  this  time  the  son  at- 
tended Hartwick  Seminary.  In  1844  the  mother 
and  son  returned  to  Providence,  and  the  education, 
of  the  boy  was  continued  at  the  Elm  Street  Gram- 
mar School,  and  after  that  for  two  years  at  the 
Providence  High  School. 

Provided  with  a good  schooling,  Air.  Sharpe 
connected  himself  with  the  shop  of  Air.  Thomas 
J.  Hill,  known  as  the  Providence  Machine  Com- 
pany, where  he  worked  some  months.  Later,  in 
September,  1848,  he  apprenticed  himself  to  Joseph 
R.  Brown,  who,  located  on  South  Main  Street, 
was  a repairer  of  watches  and  clocks,  and  known 
as  one  of  the  best  mechanics  in  the  city.  Here  he 
applied  himself  with  diligence  to  his  trade,  and  in 
time  became  proficient  in  the  management  of  the 
business  affairs  of  the  growing  concern.  Such  was 
his  success,  and  aptitude  in  his  duties,  that  shortly 
before  the  expiration  of  the  five  years’  period  of 
apprenticeship,  Alarch  1,  1853,  Air.  Brown  took 
him  as  a partner,  the  firm  name  being  J.  R.  Brown 
& Sharpe. 

By  this  time,  the  business  of  repairing  clocks 
and  watches,  and  light  machinery,  had  become 
somewhat  enlarged,  especially  by  the  making  of 
scales  and  measuring  instruments,  which  lines, 
amplified  and  perfected,  have  ever  since  remained 
a prominent  feature.  In  1858,  largely  through  Air. 
Sharpe’s  energy,  the  concern  began  a connection 
with  the  Willcox  & Gibbs  Sewing  Alachine  Com- 
pany, which  soon  gave  them  a prominence  in  me- 
chanical work,  and  was  really  responsible  for  their 
entrance  into  the  machine  tool  business.  From 
first  making  machinery  and  devices  for  their  own 
demands,  they  were  led  to  making  for  others  also, 
and  gradually  the  machine  tool  business  became 
the  more  important  end,  which  feature  has  always 
continued.  The  concern  was  incorporated  in  1868. 

From  his  earliest  business  years,  Air.  Sharpe 
exhibited  certain  talents  which  had  marked  his 
father,  and  to  them  added  commercial  talent  and 
administrative  ability  of  high  order.  While  not  a 
mechanic  in  the  sense  of  Air.  Brown,  he  early  de- 
veloped a faculty  of  appreciating  what  was  useful 
in  a mechanical  device,  and  it  was  soon  noted  that 
he  had  excellent  taste  for  the  best  forms  for  ma- 
chines or  tools.  His  characteristics  were  rendered 
unusually  efficient  by  concentration  upon  a definite 
purpose — the  advancement  and  success  of  the  busi- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


^93 


ness.  All  matters  of  personal  ambition  and  com- 
fort were  subordinated  to  this,  his  desire  for 
prominence  being  limited  to  advancement  in  and 
through  the  growth  of  the  business.  In  the  con- 
duct of  the  business,  he  was  plain-spoken  and  posi- 
tive, and  extremely  orderly  and  methodical,  and 
as  far  as  possible,  responsibility  was  placed  upon 
those  associated  with  him,  his  principle  being  to 
insist  upon  results  rather  than  upon  the  exact 
methods  used  by  subordinates,  leaving  to  each  in 
a large  measure,  the  opportunity  to  exercise  his 
judgment,  with  the  understanding  that,  if  suc- 
cessful, advancement  was  assured ; and  in  this  way, 
while  exercising  to  the  utmost  a very  great  capacity 
for  work,  Mr.  Sharpe  was  able,  without  detriment, 
to  leave  his  business  to  his  subordinates  when  oc- 
casion required  a number  of  months  of  absence. 

Mr.  Sharpe  took  no  active  part  in  the  manage- 
ment of  other  manufacturing  or  commercial  enter- 
prises, except  as  director,  from  1874,  of  the  Will- 
cox  & Gibbs  Sewing  Machine  Company.  He  did, 
however,  fill  a number  of  important  positions.  He 
was  trustee  of  the  Providence  Institution  of  Sav- 
ings from  1881,  director  in  the  National  Bank  of 
North  America  from  1879  to  1891,  director  in  the 
Rhode  Island  Hospital  Trust  Company  from  1897, 
director  in  the  Providence  Gas  Company  from  1883, 
and  president  of  the  Providence  Journal  Company 
from  1886  until  his  death.  In  politics  he  took 
practically  no  part. 

Although  he  was  not  a man  given  to  senti- 
mentality, yet  no  case  of  sufifering  or  misfortune 
among  his  employees  was  ever  brought  to  his  notice 
without  receiving  his  assistance,  and  he  always 
•took  a deep  interest  in  the  general  welfare  of  those 
employed  bv  the  company,  insisting  that  employees 
should  have  all  the  comforts  consistent  with  their 
occupation,  believing  that  those  comforts  were  not 
only  due  them  as  men,  but  also  incidentally  en- 
hanced their  efficiency  as  workmen.  Largely 
through  his  interest,  there  was  established  a shop 
library  of  two  thousand  volumes. 

In  his  early  years,  Mr.  Sharpe  learned  to  read 
and  speak  French  readily,  and  his  general  reading 
and  attainments  were  of  such  a nature  that  the  de- 
gree of  A.  M.  was  fittingly  bestowed  upon  him  by 
Brown  University  in  1892. 

From  the  outset,  Mr.  Sharpe  shared  Mr. 
Brown’s  determination  that  only  the  best  quality 
of  work  should  be  sold,  and  each  had  for  the 
other  a warm  regard,  and  sincere  respect.  They 
were  congenial  in  many  ways,  and  each  helped  and 
influenced  the  other,  and  their  partnership,  with 
their  mutual  confidence,  ensured  satisfactory  re- 
turns. 

Mr.  Brown’s  inventions  indicated  his  talent,  and 
were  the  basis  of  the  business,  but  its  growth  was 
■chiefly  due  to  Mr.  Sharpe’s  energy  and  ability.  The 
development  of  the  enterprise  from  year  to  year, 
is  suggested  by  the  figures  of  floor  space,  and  num- 
ber of  men  employed : 


Floor  space  of  buildings, 

1853,  i,8oo  sq.  ft. 

1873,  6,600  sq.  ft. 

1883,  1 15.200  sq.  ft. 

1890,  167,000  sq.  ft. 

1899,  293,760  sq.  ft. 

Men  employed, 

1857 20 

1872 300 

1884 450 

1893,  1000 

1899,  2000 

In  1867,  having  determined  that  it  was  a poor 
business  that  could  not  for  a time  run  itself,  Mr. 
Brown  and  Mr.  Sharpe  together  visited  the  first 
International  Exposition  in  Paris,  where  the  firm 
had  an  exhibit,  and  they  were  so  impressed  with 
the  importance  of  such  expositions  that  the  com- 
pany has  exhibited  in  most  of  the  large  ones  since 
that  date,  and  in  all  of  them  they  have  obtained 
leading  awards.  The  machines  and  tools  exhibited 
have  never  been  specially  prepared  for  exhibition, 
and  have  always  been  the  same  in  finish  and  design 
as  those  regularly  manufactured ; and  their  origi- 
nality, their  fitness  for  the  purpose  for  which  they 
were  designed,  the  excellence  of  their  workman- 
ship, the  convenience  with  which  they  could  be 
handled,  and  the  progress  that  they  have  shown  in 
design  over  those  in  earlier  expositions,  have  in- 
variably been  commended. 

On  June  25,  1857,  Mr.  Sharpe  was  married  to 
Louisa  Dexter,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Mary  Angell 
Dexter,  of  Smithfield.  Six  children  were  born  to 
them,  four  daughters  and  two  sons.  Mr.  Sharpe 
continued  in  the  active  management  of  his  busi- 
ness nearly  until  the  date  of  his  death  Oct.  17,  1899, 
which  occurred  on  the  return  voyage  from  Europe, 
where  he  had  sought  to  regain  his  health. 

BROWN  (Attleboro-Providence  family).  Of 
the  several  families  of  Brown,  prominent  in  Rhode 
Island,  that  of  David  Brown  and  his  son  Joseph  R. 
possesses  a mechanical  prominence  which  is  per- 
petuated in  the  name  of  the  Brown  & Sharpe  Manu- 
facturing Company  whose  plant  is  located  in  Provi- 
dence. 

David  Brown,  a native  of  what  is  now  Attle- 
boro, where  he  was  born  in  1781,  became  established 
in  the  manufacture  of  jewelry  and  silverware  in 
Warren,  Rhode  Island,  in  1804.  Business  becom- 
ing slack  and  wants  pressing,  he  traveled  through 
the  valley  of  the  Connecticut  grinding  razors  and 
fine  cutlery  on  a machine  which  he  wheeled  before 
him,  and  carrying  for  sale  silverware  of  his  own 
manufacture.  Following  this  pursuit  for  three 
years,  he  not  only  cleared  himself  of  all  debt,  but 
was  able  to  lay  up  money  beside.  After  many 
years,  in  1828,  lie  removed  from  YV  arren  to  Paw- 
tucket. Late  in  1833  he  formed  a co-partnership 
with  his  son  Joseph  Rogers  Brown,  with  a lo- 
cation in  Providence,  which  enterprise  was  the  be- 
ginning of  what  afterward  became  the  Brown  & 
Sharpe  Manufacturing  Company. 


694 


RHODE  ISLAND 


David  Brown  was  a man  of  independence  of 
character,  of  strong  will  and  purpose  and  of  the 
highest  integrity.  He  lived  to  the  eighty-eighth 
year  of  his  age,  dying  in  1868,  at  Pawtucket,  R.  I. 
He  married  Patience  Rogers,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Rogers,  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  had  several  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  eldest,  Joseph  Rogers,  was  born 
at  Warren,  Jan.  26,  1810. 

Joseph  Rogers  Brown  seemed  to  inherit  the 
mechanical  proclivities  of  his  father,  and  in  boy- 
hood, outside  of  school  hours,  was  accustomed 
to  assist  him  in  his  business,  remaining  in 
attendance  at  the  neighborhood  school  until  seven- 
teen years  of  age.  With  his  mind  full  of  mechanical 
thoughts  and  ingenuity,  he  began  early  to  use  tools 
and  to  use  them  with  practical  result.  In  1827  he 
entered  the  machine  shop  of  Wolcott  and  Harris, 
Valley  Falls,  where  he  developed  unusual  ability 
and  was  soon  promoted  from  the  coarser  work  with 
which  he  began  to  that  recpiiring  more  careful 
manipulation.  After  some  months  spent  upon  the 
manufacture  of  cotton  machinery,  in  the  spring  fol- 
lowing he  returned  to  Pawtucket  and  assisted  his 
father  in  the  construction  of  various  clocks  for 
the  towns  of  Pawtucket,  Taunton  and  New  Bed- 
ford. 

Becoming  of  age  in  1831  he  soon  opened  a shop 
on  his  own  account,  and  began  the  manufacture  of 
small  tools  and  lathes.  Two  years  later,  in  1833, 
the  father  and  son  again  joined  their  efforts  and 
started  in  business  at  No.  60  South  Main  street, 
Providence.  In  the  Fall  of  1837  the  shop  and  con- 
tents were  destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  two  thousand 
dollars  insurance  received  was  the  capital  with 
which  to  begin  again.  Rebuilding  the  shop  they 
soon  after  removed  their  business  to  No.  69  South 
Main  street,  where  it  was  continued  until  1848. 
After  1841  it  was  under  the  sole  care  of  the  son,  in 
which  year  the  father  retired  and  went  to  the  West. 
After  this  date  another  removal  was  made  to  No. 
1 15  South  Main  street.  At  this  location  in  1848, 
he  received,  as  an  apprentice,  Mr.  Lucian  Sharpe, 
who  remained  with  him  in  that  capacity  for  five 
years.  On  March  1,  1853,  Mr.  Sharpe  became  his 
partner,  under  the  firm  name  of  J.  R.  Brown  & 
Sharpe. 

At  this  time  the  business,  twenty  years  estab- 
lished, had  earned  the  reputation  for  producing  the 
best  and  most  accurate  of  work ; it  consisted  of 
clock  and  watch  repairing,  the  making  of  a variety 
of  measuring  instruments  in  which  Mr.  Brown  was 
an  adept,  and  a variety  of  light  mechanical  work 
which  would  naturally  come  to  a shop  of  its  char- 
acter. Their  total  floor  space,  amounting  to  only 
1,800  square  feet,  gave  occupation  to  but  fourteen 
hands  ; but  the  new  partnership  was  a happy  one, 
and  thereafter  the  increase  of  the  business  was 
continuous.  This  was  'especially  trire  after  1858, 
when  they  made  a contract  with  the  Willcox  & 
Gibbs  Sewing  Machine  Company  to  manufacture 
their  entire  product.  This  connection,  in  a large 
degree,-  stimulated  the  invention  and  development 


of  the  machines  and  tools  later  made  by  the  com- 
pany. From  this  time  forward  the  old  South  Main 
street  location  became  crowded,  and  was  gradually 
extended  to  embrace  a considerable  portion  of  the 
block.  In  1872  it  was  decided  to  move  to  the  pres- 
ent location,  there  then  being  300  men  employed. 
Not  long  after  the  removal,  Mr.  Brown’s  failing 
health  withdrew  him  from  his  activity,  but  the 
business  has  generally  been  carried  out  on  the  me- 
chanical lines  which  he  was  so  instrumental  in 
establishing.  The  plant  has  continued  to  grow  until 
the  present  buildings,  which  are  said  to  be  among 
the  best  in  America  for  their  line  of  business,  have 
a floor  space  of  ten  acres,  and  employ  more  than 
2,500  men. 

To  Mr.  Brown  is  due  not  only  the  foundations 
of  the  mechanical  reputation  of  the  business,  but 
also  many  inventions  of  a far-reaching  importance 
in  the  mechanical  world.  Perhaps  encouraged  by 
his  familiarity  with  clock  mechanism  and  its  mak- 
ing, he  early  became  interested  in  making  scales 
of  measurement,  in  1852  producing  a linear  dividing 
engine — the  first  automatic  machine  of  the  kind  put 
in  use  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  In  the  following 
year  he  perfected  the  vernier  caliper,  which  was 
the  first  practical  tool  for  exact  measurements  which 
could  be  sold  at  a price  within  the  reach  of  the 
ordinary  machinist ; its  importance  in  the  attainment 
of  fine  work  can  hardly  be  over-estimated. 

Probably  the  most  noted  invention  made  by  him 
was  that  of  the  universal  milling  machine,  patented 
in  1865  ; a machine  which  is  used  over  the  world 
wherever  a progressive  machine  shop  exists. 
Others  were  cutters  that  can  be  sharpened  with- 
out changing  their  form,  patented  in  1864,  a re- 
volving-head screw  machine,  patented  in  1865,  the 
universal  grinding  machine,  devised  by  him  shortly 
before  his  death  and  patented  in  1877,  screw-slot- 
ting machines,  tapping  machines,  gear  cutting  at- 
tachment for  the  milling  machine,  friction  clutch 
pulley,  patented  in  1864,  and  a large  number  of 
gauges  and  exact  measuring  instruments,  which 
are  in  common  use  to-day. 

The  list  of  Mr.  Brown’s  inventions  suggests  the 
character  of  his  thoughts  throughout  his  life,  hut 
perhaps  does  not  include  his  reasons  for  his  work. 
He  worked  chiefly  because  it  was  his  greatest 
pleasure.  He  possessed  a genuine  love  for  all  me- 
chanical and  mathematical  problems,  and  he  was  as 
willing  to  take  up  some  difficulty  which  was  dis- 
turbing his  associates  as  he  was  to  work  out  some 
problem  pertaining  more  entirely  to  himself.  This 
earnestness  in  helping  other  people  and  this  love 
of  mechanics  were,  perhaps,  his  chief  attributes, 
and  these  qualities,  with  his  unusual  skill  and  his 
determination  to  sell  only  the  best  work,  were  the 
very  great  influences  which  he  contributed  to  the 
business.  He  had  no  ambition  to  make  a large 
amount  of  money,  or  to  establish  a very  large  in- 
dustry, but  his  inventions  were  of  such  a character 
that  when  made  known  they  were  at  once  ap- 
preciated, and  were  of  inestimable  value  to  the 


RHODE  ISLAND 


695 


business.  How  important  these  inventions  were 
and  how  permanent  is  their  usefulness  we  often 
do  not  fully  appreciate.  They  are  so  much  a matter 
of  every-day  use  we  frequently  take  them  as  a 
matter  of  course,  hut  the  principles  of  many  of 
them  were  entirely  novel,  and  they  will  be  as  perma- 
nent as  they  are  advantageous — for  instance,  the 
principle  embodied  in  the  cutters  that  can  be 
sharpened  without  changing  their  form  has  wonder- 
fully increased  the  efficiency  of  milling  and  gear- 
cutting machines,  and  probably  will  be  used  as 
long  as  these  machines  are  used. 

On  Sept.  18,  1837,  Mr.  Brown  was  married  to 
Caroline  B.  Niles,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Susan 
Niles  of  Providence,  who  died  in  1851.  On  May 
3,  1852,  he  married  Jane  F.  Mowry,  of  Pawtucket. 
Two  children  were  born  to  the  first  marriage,  of 
whom  one,  Lyra  Frances,  was  married  to  Ed- 
ward I.  Nickerson  of  Providence.  Mr.  Brown 
died  at  the  Isles  of  Shoals,  N.  H.,  July  3,  1876. 

ANDREWS.  (I)  John  McAndrews  or  An- 
drews, first  of  Kings  Towne,  came  from  Scotland, 
and  lived  in  Boston,  at  Cape  Cod,  and  is  known  to 
have  lived  in  Kings  Towne  before  May  20,  1671. 
He  died  there  before  Aug.  22,  1693,  for  at  that 
time  his  eldest  son,  John,  settled  his  father's 
estate.  By  his  first  marriage  he  had  two  children, 
John  and  William.  He  married  for  his  second  wife 
Mary  Ridgeley,  who  died  in  1716,  the  mother 
of  five  children:  Charles,  James,  Thomas,  Edward 
(called  also  Edmund)  and  Benoni.  In  the  course 
of  time  his  descendants  called  themselves  Andrews. 

(II)  William  Andrews,  son  of  John,  born  in 
East  Greenwich,  Aug.  23,  1679,  married  Sept.  25, 
1700,  Annie  Searle,  and  they  had  four  children: 
John,  Charles,  Mary  and  William,  Jr.  William, 
Sr.,  died  in  1762,  and  his  administration  was 
granted  to  his  eldest  son,  John  Andrews,  in 
Coventry. 

(III)  John  Andrews,  son  of  William,  born  in 
East  Greenwich,  March  23,  1702,  died  in  Coventry 
May  18,  1795.  He  married  Hannah  Greene, 
daughter  of  John  and  Abigail  D.  Greene,  and 
granddaughter  of  John  Greene,  of  London,  the 
traditional  regicide,  Judge  Clark,  who  like  others 
fled  when  Charles  II.  came  to  the  throne  of  Eng- 
land, lest  they  be  executed  for  deciding  against 
Charles  I.  John  Andrews  came  from  Frenchtown, 
East  Greenwich,  and  settled  on  Maple  Root  Plains, 
in  Coventry.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Maple  Root  Six  Principle  Baptist  Church.  They 
had  four  children:  Annie,  who  married  Jan.  4, 
1781,  Robert  Weaver,  of  Coventry;  Hannah,  who 
died  unmarried  at  an  advanced  age ; Elnathan,  born 
Feb.  22,  1732;  and  William,  who  married  Re- 
becca Greene,  of  Coventry,  daughter  of  Ebenezer. 

(IV)  Elnathan  Andrews,  son  of  John,  born 
Feb.  22,  1732  (the  same  day  that  the  birth  of  George 
Washington  occurred),  married  (probably)  June 
21 , 1757,  Jane  Greene,  of  Coventry,  daughter  of 


Ebenezer,  son  of  John  and  Abigail,  and  grandson 
of  John,  of  London.  Mr.  Andrews  died  June  21, 
1824,  aged  ninety-two  years.  He  had  five  children 
by  his  first  wife,  Waitey,  Bethana,  Timothy,  John 
and  Rebecca.  He  married  (second)  Elizabeth, 
widow  of  Ezekiel  Johnson. 

(V)  timothy  Andrews,  son  of  Elnathan,  born 
in  Coventry  Nov.  22,  1762,  died  in  West  Green- 
wich Sept.  5,  1843.  He  married  Russelle  Mattison, 
of  West  Greenwich,  daughter  of  William  and 
Sarah  (Lee)  Mattison,  the  former  a son  of  Joseph 
and  Martha  (Greene)  Mattison,  and  the  latter  the 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Rachel  (Russelle)  Lee. 
Mrs.  Andrews  was  born  in  1757,  and  died  Feb. 
2,  1847.  Their  children  were:  (1)  Bethana,  born 
in  Coventry  Jan.  2,  1785,  died  in  West  Green- 
wich Jan.  29,  1865.  She  married  July  28,  1807, 
Caleb  Sweet,  of  West  Greenwich.  (2)  Freelove, 
born  in  Coventry  July  13,  1786,  died  in  West  Green- 
wich Dec.  29,  1871.  In  1805  she  married  Benjamin 
Vickery,  of  Dighton,  Mass.,  by  whom  she  had  seven 
children,  and  she  married  (second)  Aug.  30,  1835, 
Amos  Mattison,  of  West  Greenwich.  (3)  Peleg, 
born  in  Coventry  April  29,  1790,  died  March  6, 
1855.  He  married  Marcey,  of  West  Greenwich, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Greene)  James, 
she  born  April  23,  1790,  and  died  April  nr 
1855,  the  mother  of  four  children.  (4)  Jane,  born 
in  Coventry  April  10,  1792,  died  there  Jan.  23, 
1881.  She  married  in  1809  Perry  Greene  James, 
of  West  Greenwich,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth 
(Greene)  James,  he  born  May  n,  1788,  died  in 
New  Haven,  Conn.,  April  27.  1881.  (5)  Charles, 

born  in  Coventry  in  1793,  died  when  about  twelve 
years  old.  (6)  Sally,  born  in  Coventry  in  1794, 
died  Nov.  27,  1842,  in  West  Greenwich.  She  was 
married  in  1817,  becoming  the  second  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Sweet,  of  West  Greenwich,  son  of  Barton  and 
Rachel  Sweet,  he  born  Aug.  30,  1784,  died  in  \\  est 
Greenwich  Oct.  23,  1843.  He  had  a family  of  nine 
children.  (7)  George,  born  in  Coventry  Aug.  7, 
1797,  dHd  O Noank,  Conn.,  April  7,  1872.  He 
married  Dec.  11,  1829,  Mary  Esther  Barnes,  of 
Ledyard,  Conn.,  daughter  of  Amos  and  Mary 
Barnes,  she  born  April  11,  1805,  died  in  Center 
Grcton,  Oct.  n,  1862,  the  mother  of  five  children. 
(8)  Mattison,  born  in  Coventry  in  1799,  died  in 
Natick,  R.  I.,  Jan.  27,  1852.  He  married,  in  the 
fall  of  1819,  Lucy  Sweet,  of  South  Kingstown,  who 
died  in  Natick  March  18,  1862.  They  had  nine 
children.  (9)  Jonathan,  born  in  Coventry  Oct. 
5,  1801,  died  in  Minnesota  Jan.  24,  1868.  He 
married  Aug.  30,  1825,  Ruby  Sweet,  of  \\  est 
Greenwich,  daughter  of  Burton  and  Rachel  Sweet, 
she  born  Nov.  2,  1802,  in  Crossville,  Tenn.,  died 
Aug.  10,  1869,  the  mother  of  seven  children.  (10) 
Joanna,  born  in  Coventry  in  1804,  died  there  Aug. 
14,  1879.  In  1824-25  she  married  Seneca  Williams, 
of  North  Stonington,  Conn.,  son  of  L riah  and  Jo- 
hanna Williams,  he  born  in  December,  1797,  died 
Aug.  24,  1881.  They  had  four  children.  (11)  John, 


6g6 


RHODE  ISLAND 


born  in  Coventry  July  4,  1806,  is  the  next  in  the  line 
we  are  tracing.  (12)  Nelson,  born  in  Coventry 
Oct.  30,  1808,  died  there  Aug.  28,  1882.  He  mar- 
ried Jan.  2,  1833,  Merebah  Whitman  Harrington, 
of  West  Greenwich,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  and  Hul- 
dah  (Johnson)  Harrington,  she  born  Sept.  1,  1812, 
died  in  Coventry,  Jan.  8,  1890.  They  had  nine  chil- 
dren. 

(VI)  John  Andrews,  born  in  Coventry  July 
4,  1806,  died  in  Cranston,  R.  I.,  Oct.  3,  1896.  He 
married  (first)  Aug.  25,  1827,  Antha  Sweet,  of 
W est  Greenwich,  daughter  of  William  and  Elsie 
Sweet,  she  born  Sept.  7,  1809,  died  Oct.  10,  1859, 
in  West  Greenwich,  leaving  thirteen  children.  John 
Andrews  was  baptized  and  joined  the  Maple  Root 
Church  in  May,  1819,  and  Antha,  his  wife,  in  July, 
1831.  He  married  (second)  Mary  (Battey)  Mat- 
tison,  of  West  Greenwich,  daughter  of  James  and 
Maplet  Battey,  and  widow  of  Thomas  Mattison. 
She  was  born  Sept.  7,  1809,  and  died  March  2, 
1895.  The  children  of  John  and  Antha  (Sweet) 
Andrews  were:  (1)  Timothy,  born  Nov.  30,  1828, 
married  Dec.  18,  1847,  Eunice  Mattison,  of  West 
Greenwich,  born  May  30,  1830,  daughter  of  Asa 
and  Merebah  (Potter)  Mattison.  (2)  William, 
born  in  West  Greenwich  Sept.  1,  1830,  married 
May  18,  1849,  Abbie  Woodmansee,  of  West  Green- 
wich, born  June  20,  1832,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Mahala  Woodmansee.  She  died  Aug.  26,  1854, 
leaving  three  children,  and  he  married  (second) 
in  1862  Ann  Mystilla  Tarbox,  of  East  Greenwich, 
born  Sept.  3,  1843,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Phebe 
Bailey  Tarbox.  They  had  five  children.  (3)  Elsie, 
born  in  West  Greenwich  April  15,  1832,  married 
Dec.  12,  1847,  John  Mattison,  of  West  Greenwich, 
born  Dec.  5,  1825,  son  of  Asa  and  Merebah  (Pot- 
ter) Mattison,  and  there  were  nine  children  born 
to  them.  (4)  Mary  Ann,  born  in  West  Greenwich 
May  7,  1834,  died  April  20,  1861.  She  was  married 
Sept.  11,  1852,  to  Samuel  Hoxie  Barber,  of  Exeter, 
R.  I.,  born  Dec.  14,  1825,  died  Nov.  5,  1874.  They 
had  four  children.  (5)  Jonah  Titus,  born  in  West 
Greenwich,  July  31,  1836,  is  mentioned  further  on. 
He  married  Sept.  10,  1857,  Mary  Ann  Sweet,  of 
West  Greenwich,  born  Aug.  2,  1839,  daughter  of 
Amos  and  Ruth  C.  (Brown)  Sweet.  (6)  Phebe, 
born  in  West  Greenwich  May  13,  1839,  died  Sept. 
8,  1843.  (7)  Abel,  born  in  West  Greenwich  April 
17,  1841,  died  Sept.  5,  1843.  (8)  Abbie  Frances, 

born  in  West  Greenwich  March  31,  1843,  died 
there  in  June,  1875.  She  was  married  July  7, 
i860,  to  Job  Whitman  Harrington,  born  July  23, 
1842,  in  West  Greenwich.  (9)  John  Francis,  born 
in  West  Greenwich  May  2,  1845,  died  Nov.  11. 
1878.  He  married  Dec.  25,  1866,  Mary  Elizabeth 
Howard,  born  Oct.  6,  1844,  and  she  died  April  10, 
1900,  leaving  two  children,  Edward  Blake  and  Min- 
nie Gertrude.  (10)  Lois  A.,  born  in  West  Green- 
wich April  15,  1847,  married  June  30,  1864,  Lucius 
E.  Cahoon,  born  Oct.  12,  1840.  (11)  Nelson,  born 

in  West  Greenwich  April  5,  1849,  married  June  11, 


1871,  Phebe  E.  Spencer,  of  East  Greenwich,  born 
in  1851,  died  Nov.  6,  1894,  the  mother  of  one 
child.  (12)  Frederick  Tillinghast,  born  in  West 
Greenwich  March  23,  1851,  married  Aug.  31,  1876, 
Clara  J.  Vaughn,  daughter  of  George  B.  and  Mary 
A.  Vaughn,  she  born  Sept.  29,  1855.  (13)  Jane, 

born  in  West  Greenwich  May  10,  1853,  married 
Oct.  12,  1876,  Halsey  James  Briggs,  of  West 
Greenwich,  born  May  9,  1842,  and  they  have  three 
children. 

(VII)  J.  Titus  Andrews  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  West  Greenwich  and  also  spent 
a short  time  at  a school  near  Spring  Lake,  in 
Coventry,  under  Israel  Parker.  He  left  school  at  the 
age  of  nineteen  years  and  until  twenty-two  years 
old  remained  at  home  with  his  father.  He  then 
went  to  the  southern  part  of  Coventry,  Conn., 
where  he  worked  a farm  which  his  father  had  pur- 
chased, remaining  there  ten  years.  In  1869  he 
purchased  his  present  farm,  known  then  as  the 
Judge  Burton  farm,  from  Jeremiah  Knight.  At 
that  time  it  consisted  of  147  acres,  and  to  this 
Mr.  Andrews  and  his  brother  Fred  have  added  for- 
ty-two acres  on  the  east,  also  owning  the  Snell 
place,  across  the  road,  consisting  of  thirty-five 
acres.  They  also  own  the  old  farm  at  one  time 
owned  by  Caleb  Congdon,  and  engage  in  general 
farming. 

Mr.  Andrews,  who  is  a self-made  man,  has  been 
a very  successful  agriculturist,  and  has  also  taken 
an  active  part  in  politics.  He  was  a member  of 
the  town  council  for  two  years,  and  was  elected 
senator  from  Cranston  for  six  years,  serving  as 
chairman  on  the  committee  to  lay  out  Pawtuxet 
avenue,  and  also  as  a member  of  the  committees 
on  Agriculture  (five  years),  Militia,  Printing, 
Special  Legislation  and  Fisheries.  Although  a 
stanch  Republican,  Mr.  Andrews  received  a large 
Democratic  vote.  He  is  a member  of  the  Six-Prin- 
ciple Baptist  Church  at  Maple  Root,  and  has  served 
as  a deacon. 

Frederick  T.  Andrews  is  a member  of  the  town 
council,  in  which  he  has  served  for  thirteen  years. 
He  and  his  brother  are  among  the  foremost  citizens 
of  the  community,  and  are  highly  esteemed  and  re- 
spected by  all. 

WEST  (Tiverton  family).  For  a hundred 
years  and  more  Tiverton  has  been  the  home  of  the 
West  family,  a family  of  distinction  in  Massachu- 
setts and  Rhode  Island  since  the  early  Colonial 
period.  Reference  is  made  to  the  family  of  the 
late  Samuel  West,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  of  Tiverton,  him- 
self a collegebred  man,  a student  who  for  some 
forty  years  practiced  medicine  in  that  town  and 
neighboring  towns  both  in  Rhode  Island  and  Massa- 
chusetts, was  the  son  of  a learned  physician  and 
cultured  gentleman,  and  as  well  the  grandson  of  an 
eminent  divine  and  distinguished  public  servant : 
these  being  Samuel  West,  M.  D.,  and  Rev.  Samuel 
West,  D.  D.,  respectively. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


In  the  early  Colonial  period  there  lived  in  the 
old  Massachusetts  town  of  Yarmouth  in  the  south- 
easterly part,  near  Swan  Pond,  Sackfield  West,  a 
physician  and  farmer,  a man  of  strong  mind,  who 
often  exhorted  the  Indians  in  their  meeting-house. 
Dr.  West  was  twice  married,  the  Christian  names 
of  his  wives  being  Mary  and  Ruth,  respectively.  To 
the  first  marriage  was  born  April  19,  1717,  a son 
Peleg,  and  to  the  second,  perhaps,  among  others, 
Samuel  and  Benjamin.  Dr.  West  became  one  of 
the  most  zealous  New  Lights  of  his  day.  These 
two  sons,  Samuel  and  Benjamin,  became  men  of 
celebrity,  the  latter  being  educated  at  Princeton  and 
Harvard,  a graduate  of  the  latter  institution  in 
1768.  This  Benjamin  West  studied  theology,  but 
soon  abandoned  this  profession  for  that  of  the  law. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1773  in  Charlestown. 
He  was  chosen  a delegate  from  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire  to  the  Continental  Congress  and  was 
elected  a member  of  the  Convention  that  framed  the 
Federal  Constitution  and  also  a representative  from 
New  Hampshire  to  the  first  Congress,  but  declined 
each. 

Samuel  West,  son  of  Sackfield  and  Ruth,  born 
March  13,  1729-30,  in  the  town  of  Yarmouth, 
Mass.,  married  (first)  March  7,  1768,  Experience, 
daughter  of  Consider  Howland.  She  became  the 
mother  of  six  children,  and  died  March  6,  1789. 
Mr.  West  married  (second)  Jan.  20,  1790,  Lovisa, 
widow  of  Benjamin  Jenne,  and  daughter  of  Jacob 
Hathaway,  of  Dartmouth,  Mass.  Both  wives  were 
women  of  uncommon  excellence,  and  it  is  said  that 
if  they  knew  little  of  the  subjects  that  most  en- 
gaged the  husband’s  thoughts  they  knew  better 
than  he  how  to  lengthen  out  the  shortcomings  of 
his  income  into  the  means  of  a comfortable  sup- 
port. The  first  Mrs.  West  was  a tall  woman  and, 
in  reference  to  that  and  in  connection  with  her 
Christian  name,  he  used  to  say  that  he  “had  learned 
from  long  Experience  that  it  was  a good  thing  to 
be  married.” 

Young  West’s  father  having  removed  to  Barn- 
. stable;  Mass.,  soon  after  his  birth,  the  son  was 
here  reared,  working  on  the  farm  until  he  had 
reached  his  twentieth  year ; but  during  that  time  he 
exhibited  such  traits  of  mind,  and  especially  such 
knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  as  to  attract  the  at- 
tention of  the  few  intelligent  men  who  happened 
to  know  him.  He  was  fitted  for  college  in  six 
months,  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Green  of 
Barnstable,  and  in  1750  entered  Harvard  College, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1754,  and  among 
the  most  distinguished  of  his  class,  in  which  was 
Governor  Hancock.  He  entered  the  ministry,  was 
settled  over  the  congregation  in  New  Bedford  in 
1761,  and  taught  the  doctrine  that  afterward  be- 
came known  as  Unitarian.  Immediately  after  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill  he  joined  the  American  army 
as  a chaplain,  remaining  several  months  with  it.  He 
was  a member  of  the  convention  that  framed  the 
■constitution  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  and  also 


697 

of  the  convention  for  the  adoption  of  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States. 

As  a preacher  Dr.  West  was  distinguished  for 
great  strength  of  mind  and  what  seemed  a com- 
plete mastery  of  the  difficult  subjects  which  he  was 
in  the  habit  of  bringing  into  the  pulpit.  He  had 
been  honored  in  1793  with  the  degree  of  D.  D., 
from  his  alma  mater.  He  withdrew  from  his  min- 
isterial labors  in  1803,  and  died  Sept.  24,  1807,  at 
the  house  of  his  son  in  Tiverton,  Rhode  Island. 

Among  his  publications  are  “A  sermon  that 
was  delivered  May  29,  1776,  being  the  anniversary 
for  the  election  of  the  honorable  council  for  the 
Colony” ; “A  sermon  on  the  Anniversary  of  the 
Landing  of  the  Fathers  at  Plymouth” ; and  “Essays 
on  ‘Liberty  and  Necessity’,  in  reply  to  Jonathan 
Edwards’s  ‘On  the  Will.’  ” 

Samuel  West  (2),  son  of  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel,  was 
born  in  Plymouth  county,  Mass.,  likely  in  New  Bed- 
ford, and  married  June  3,  17 — , Polly  (Mary) 
Whitridge,  daughter  of  Dr.  William  and  Alary 
Whitridge,  of  Tiverton,  R.  I.,  Dr.  Whitridge  being 
a man  of  marked  ability  and  a widely  known  physi- 
cian, as  were  three  of  his  sons.  Samuel  West  was 
for  many  years,  perhaps,  the  most  widely  known 
physician  in  the  whole  region  round  about  him  in 
Rhode  Island  and  in  the  neighboring  towns  of 
Massachusetts.  His  son  truly  said  of  him:  “Pos- 
sessed by  nature  of  a strong  mind,  rendered  vigor- 
ous by  cultivation,  he  entered  upon  the  study  of 
physic  when  it  was  in  its  comparative  infancy.  Yet 
by  his  own  industry  and  observation,  he  was  en- 
abled to  keep  up  with  the  times,  and  frequently  to 
come  to  conclusions  if  not  anterior  to,  at  least  in 
company  with,  those  who  enjoyed  the  advantages 
of  the  schools  and  the  hospitals.”  Dr.  West  had  a 
very  large  practice,  and  no  physician  was  more  fre- 
quently called  into  consultation  by  his  brethren  in 
the  profession  in  all  critical  cases,  and  none  was 
more  honored  or  relied  upon  by  the  community  at 
large. 

Dr.  Samuel  West  (3),  son  of  Dr.  Samuel  (2) 
and  Mary  (Whitridge)  West,  was  born  Aug.  9, 
1806,  in  the  town  of  Tiverton,  R.  I.  After  due 
preparation  he  entered  Brown  University  and  was 
graduated  therefrom  in  the  class  of  1828,  among 
his  classmates  being  LaFayette  Foster,  afterward 
for  years  United  States  senator  from  Connecticut, 
and  AI.  A.  De  Wolf  Howe,  afterward  Bishop  of  the 
Central  Diocese  of  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  West  and 
Judge  Foster  were  roommates  at  college,  and  at 
the  commencement  exercises  Foster  was  the  vale- 
dictorian, while  West  was  assigned  to  the  second 
part  of  the  class  exercises,  they  having  first  and 
second  honors,  respectively.  On  leaving  college 
young  West  desiring  to  enter  the  profession  of  his 
father  was  prepared  for  it  at  the  Harvard  Aledical 
School,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1831. 
Thus  liberally  educated  he  was  well  prepared  for 
his  calling,  a profession  he  began  and  followed  with 
energy  at  New  Bedford,  Alass.,  up  to  the  time  of  his 


698 


RHODE  ISLAND 


father's  death,  which  occurred  just  as  a successful 
career  was  opening  before  him  there.  This  event — 
the  circumstances  and  conditions  attending  it — 
made  it  necessary  that  he  return  to  the  home  in 
Tiverton,  R.  I.,  his  father  having  an  extensive  prac- 
tice and  as  well  a large  farm.  Here  he  assumed 
charge  of  the  farm  and  entered  actively  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  amid  the  scenes  and  friends 
of  his  earlier  years.  From  this  time  on  through 
the  long  period  of  approximately  forty  years  of  his 
professional  career  he  faithfully  administered  to  the 
sick  and  afflicted  in  a large  and  successful  practice, 
which  extended  not  only  through  the  town  of  Tiver- 
ton but  into  Little  Compton,  Portsmouth,  Fall  River 
and  Westport.  He  had  been  faithful  to  his  inherit- 
ance of  a rich  legacy  of  mental  power  and  his  own 
attainments  commanded  that  confidence  in  him  as  a 
physician  and  respect  for  him  as  a man  which  had 
long  been  accorded  to  his  father. 

Of  Dr.  West  the  Rev.  Dr.  George  W.  Briggs 
wrote  : "A  laborious  practice,  extending  over  a wide 
range  of  country,  left  him  little  opportunity  for 
large  study  of  books.  But,  like  his  father,  he  was 
a careful,  shrewd  and  conscientious  observer,  and 
in  long  rides  by  day  and  night  he  had  constant  op- 
portunities for  a true  study  of  the  cases  under  his 
care,  for  following  out  the  trains  of  thought  they 
might  suggest,  and  finding  out  what  might  be  quite 
as  valuable  in  his  profession  as  the  love  of  books. 
Though  living  apart  from  the  centers  of  medical 
instruction,  his  own  thought  kept  him  abreast  of  his 
time.  His  mind  was  very  active  in  whatever  direc- 
tion he  pursued  his  inquiries,  and  marked  by  a 
sturdy  independence  of  thought.  He  had  a deep 
interest  in  the  public  welfare.  He  wa-s  an  ardent 
advocate  of  temperance,  and  though  he  had  no 
children  was  a steadfast  friend  of  the  public  schools. 
He  was  loyal  in  his  friendships,  and  welcomed  the 
companions  of  youth  or  manhood  with  hearty  good 
will.  He  was  a lover  as  well  as  an  observer  of  na- 
ture, inheriting  his  father's  interest  in  agriculture, 
and  took  great  delight  in  the  management  of  a large 
farm.  Even  the  labor  itself  upon  it  seemed  to  be 
a joy.  Never  physically  strong,  for  many  years  he 
did  the  twofold  work  of  physician  and  farmer,  emi- 
nently successful  in  both,  as 'he  would  have  been  in 
any  pursuit  in  life,  until  his  health  greatly  failed." 

The  habits  of  life  of  Dr.  West  were  plain  and 
simple.  He  cared  little  what  others  said  or  thought 
unless  what  they  might  suggest  threw  light  upon 
his  pathway  of  duty.  His  life  was  singularly  cor- 
rect and  his  fidelity  to  the  right  was  his  strongest 
bond  of  allegiance.  With  a thoroughly  trained 
mind,  of  strong  powers  of  analysis,  which  enabled 
him  to  find  the  bottom  of  things,  and  a restless  spirit 
of  inquiry,  which  did  not  permit  him  to  rest  until 
he  had  compassed  every  subject  he  took  in  hand, 
he  distrusted  innovations  until  they  were  justified 
by  application.  He  had  convictions  on  almost  every 
subject  that  attracted  public  attention,  and  with 
chivalrous  courage  he  made  his  convictions  known, 


without  regard  to  result  upon  his  own  interests  or 
the  interests  of  his  party  or  friends.  He  was  free 
from  all  cant,  pretense  and  unreality.  His  religious 
belief  was  that  of  the  Unitarian  denomination.  His 
political  affiliations  were  with  the  Republican  party. 
He  was  in  every  sense  a conscientious  and  an  hon- 
est man. 

‘‘Late  in  life,”  wrote  Rev.  Dr.  Briggs,  ‘‘he  [Dr. 
West]  married  a daughter  of  Hon.  Judge  Job  Dur- 
fee,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Rhode 
Island,  and  sister  of  its  present  (1888)  chief  jus- 
tice [Hon.  Thomas  Durfee]  and  built  a home  on 
rising  ground  that  gave  him  a view  of  a portion 
of  Earragansett  Bay,  and  of  the  beautiful  Rhode 
Island  shore.  There  he  lived  in  his  latest  years, 
looking  out  every  day  upon  the  fair  prospect  always 
before  his  eyes,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  former  la- 
bors, practicing  occasionally  among  lifelong  friends, 
or  when  called  into  consultations,  until  an  accident, 
followed  by  brief  days  of  keen  suffering,  brought 
his  useful  and  honored  life  to  a close.  The  name  of 
Samuel  West  was  made  honorable  by  his  grand- 
father’s life  and  service.  Though  he  followed  a 
different  calling,  his  father  kept  it  equally  bright. 
And  the  subject  of  this  memoir  (Dr.  Samuel  West 
(3),  the  last  that  bore  it)  left  it  without  a stain.” 

Mrs.  Mary  (Durfee)  West,  the  widow  of  Dr. 
West,  whose  life  has  just  been  portrayed,  was  born 
Oct.  23,  1827,  in  Tiverton,  R.  I.,  daughter  of  the 
late  Judge  Job  and  Judith  (Borden)  Durfee,  of 
Tiverton,  he  a descendant  of  Thomas  Durfee,  a na- 
tive of  England,  who  came  to  New  England  pre- 
vious to  1664,  settling  in  the  town  of  Portsmouth, 
R.  I.,  from  whom  his  lineage  is  through  Job,  Jjolm 
and  Thomas  Durfee.  The  marriage  of  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  West  occurred  Oct.  27,  1869.  Dr.  Samuel 
West  died  in  Tiverton  Jan.  7,  1879,  in  the  seventy- 
third  year  of  his  age. 

Mrs.  Judith  Borden  Durfee,  mother  of  Mrs. 
West,  died  Oct.  30,  1884,  at  the  ripe  old  age  of 
eighty-eight  years,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  family 
cemetery.  Of  the  children  of  Judge  Job  and  Judith 
Durfee  Amy  died  on  the  homestead  June  18,  1902; 
Lucy,  who  married  Thomas  Hicks  Borden,  died 
July  26,  1900;  Thomas,  late  Chief  Justice,  is  men- 
tioned in  full  elsewhere  in  these  volumes ; Sarah 
Ann  and  Mrs.  West  reside  together  on  the  old 
Judge  Job  Durfee  homestead.  Mrs.  West  is  a charm- 
ing lady  of  the  Old  school,  and  is  noted  for  her 
charities  and  her  kindness  to  all.  She  still  retains 
the  Dr.  Wrest  home,  but  has  it  in  the  charge  of  a 
caretaker. 

GEORGE  HUNT,  deceased,  equally  well 
known  as  a manufacturer  of  gold  jewelry  and  a 
lover  and  master  of  botany — a happy  combination 
of  the  prosperous  man  of  affairs  and  the  enthusias- 
tic, lovable  man  who  lives  close  to  nature — was  for 
sixty-five  years  a resident  of  Providence,  and  during 
that  long  period  the  process  by  which  he  became 
established  in  the  confidence  and  affection  of  the 


RHODE  ISLAND 


699 


people  was  continuous  and  unvarying.  The  son  of 
Peter  and  Sarah  (Wheeler)  Hunt,  he  was  born 
in  Sudbury,  near  Concord,  Mass.,  his  descent  be- 
ing traced  through  English  ancestry  and  a line  of 
American  forefathers,  the  latter  of  whom  were  na- 
tives of  these  places.  The  Massachusetts  genealogy 
is  as  below. 

(I)  William  Hunt,  of  Concord,  born  in  Eng- 
land in  1605,  came  to  New  England  in  1635.  He 
married  (first)  Elizabeth  Best,  and  (second)  Mercy 
Rice. 

(II)  Isaac  Hunt,  of  Concord,  born  in  1647, 
married  Mary  Stone. 

(III)  Isaac  Hunt  (2),  of  Sudbury,  born  in 
1668,  married  Mary  Willard. 

(IV)  Isaac  Hunt  (3),  of  Sudbury,  married 
Martha  Goodnow. 

(V)  William  Hunt  (2),  of  Sudbury,  born  April 
3,  1726,  married  Mary  Wheeler. 

(VI)  William  Hunt  (3),  of  Sudbury,  born 
March  7,  1753,  married  Mary  Plimpton. 

(VII)  Peter  Hunt,  of  Sudbury,  born  March 
3,  1781,  married  in  1805  Sarah  A.  Wheeler. 

(VIII)  George  Hunt  was  born  Jan.  3,  1811. 
His  father  died  when  he  was  but  eight  years  of 
age,  and  the  boy  then  went  to  live  with  his  grand- 
father, William  Hunt.  His  work  upon  the  farm 
and  his  free  outdoor  life,  joined  to  a naturally 
observant  and  susceptible  nature,  aroused  in  him  a. 
love  for  plants  and  dowers,  which  but  strengthened 
with  time  and  close  contact  with  city  life.  Al- 
though his  literary  advantages  wrere  such  only  as 
were  afforded  by  the  country  schools  of  the  early 
portion  of  his  century,  he  was  so  quick,  active  and 
bright  that  he  was  able  to  provide  for  himself  when 
only  thirteen  years  of  age.  His  elder  sister  had 
already  settled  in  Providence  as  the  wife  of  Peter 
Church,  member  of  the  firm  of  Church  & Metcalf, 
manufacturing  jewelers,  and  when  about  nineteen 
years  of  age  George,  ambitious  for  a broader  life, 
removed  to'  the  city  and  made  his  home  with  her. 
He  was  apprenticed  to  the  firm  of  Church  & Met- 
calf, then  located  on  Steeple  street,  and  thoroughly 
mastered  the  trade.  In  1841  he  formed  a partner- 
ship with  Ezekiel  Owen,  under  the  name  of  Hunt 
& Owen,  for  the  manufacture  of  solid  gold  jewelry. 
Their  establishment  was  located  at  No.  7 President 
street  (now  Waterman),  the  site  at  present  occu- 
pied by  the  Rhode  Island  School  of  Design.  At  the 
outset  both  Mr.  Hunt  and  Mr.  Owen  worked  at 
the  bench  themselves,  and  relied  entirely  on  hand 
power.  In  1847  they  removed  to  the  north  side 
of  Steeple  street,  and  in  1855  to  the  corner  of 
Dorrance  and  Weybosset  streets,  where  they  re- 
mained for  thirty-two  years,  or  until  the  firm  re- 
tired from  business  in  1887.  At  that  time  the  busi- 
ness had  developed  into  one  of  the  most  extensive 
in  the  city,  the  manufactory  being  provided  with 
the  most  modern  machinery  and  appliances. 

Outside  his  important  business  interests  Mr. 
Hunt  was  deeply  concerned  in  civic  affairs  and  was 
a prominent  participant  in  the  municipal  govern- 


ment. He  served  as  a member  of  the  common 
council  from  1851  to  1854,  and  from  1861  to  1863- 
In  politics  he  was  first  a Whig  and  later  a Re- 
publican. 

Like  most  of  those  who  retain  a cheerful  and 
elastic  nature  to  a good  old  age,  Mr.  Hunt  enjoyed 
a lifelong  recreation  which  kept  both  his  body  and 
his  mind  in  active  exercise.  In  his  case  the  sea- 
soning of  the  serious  concerns  of  life  was  the  study 
of  the  natural  sciences.  To  the  last  lie  found  time 
to  indulge  his  love  of  nature  by  long  rambles  in 
the  woods,  and  by  visits  to  the  botanical  haunts  of 
the  State,  with  which  he  was  very  familiar  and 
which  he  explored  year  after  year  with  as  much 
pure  enjoyment  after  his  eightieth  year  as  in  his 
younger  days.  With  the  study  of  botany  he  joined 
later  that  of  entomology,  accumulating  both  an 
extensive  herbarium  and  a large  collection  of  in- 
sects, presented  after  his  death  to  Brown  University 
by  his  daughter. 

At  the  time  of  his  decease  Mr.  Hunt  was  a 
Fellow  of  the  American  Association  for  the  Ad- 
vancement of  Science.  He  was  also  a charter  mem- 
ber of  the  Horticultural  Society  of  Providence,  in- 
stituted in  1845,  and  for  a period  of  fifty  years  was 
an  active  participant  in  its  committee  work  and 
general  proceedings,  serving  as  its  president  from 
1876  to  1879.  He  was  also  a member  of  the 
Franklin  Society,  being  its  vice-president  from  1869 
to  1878. 

The  following  suggestive  extract  from  the  Provi- 
dence Journal  is  an  epitome  of  Mr.  Hunt’s  char- 
acter— a character  sketch  well  worthy  of  preserva- 
tion, which  appeared  in  that  publication  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  in  Providence,  on  Feb.  21,  1895  : 

"Although  engaged  in  the  active  duties  of  a 
manufacturer,  he  never  gave  up  the  pursuits  of  a 
floriculturist.  One  never  went  to  him  with  a rare 
plant,  especially  if  indigenous  to  Rhode  Island, 
without  learning  correctly  its  name,  its  haunts,  its 
habits  and  its  peculiar  characteristics.  He  showed 
in  the  Horticultural  Society,  as  he  did  everywhere, 
the  breadth  of  his  knowledge,  and  there,  as  every- 
where, he  was  the  quiet,  modest,  unassuming 
gentleman,  who  could  express  in  the  clearest  man- 
ner the  thought  which  possessed  him,  and  with  a 
degree  of  persuasiveness  yvhich  carried  conviction. 
But  let  no  one  imagine,  because  he  was  persuasive, 
that  he  lacked  firmness,  or  the  courage  of  his  con- 
victions and  the  willingness  to  express  them  when 
they  differed  from  those  of  others  around  him. 
Truthful  and  frank  to  a degree  seldom  equalled, 
he  was  so  gentle  in  his  manner,  so  considerate  of 
others,  so  just  in  his  judgment,  so  wise  in  his  de- 
cisions ami  so  courteous  in  stating  them,  that  he 
won  a host  of  friends ; and  ‘once  a friend,  always  a 
friend,’  could  be  said  of  him  as  of  few  others.  It 
would  seem  as  if  the  very  flowers  of  the  field  would 
miss  him,  and  if  the  highways,  and  stone  walls, 
and  the  hills  and  dales  are  not  conscious  of  some- 
thing gone,  those  whose  privilege  it  was  to  tramp 
with  him  will  not,  while  life  lasts,  forget  the  keen 


7°° 


RHODE  ISLAND 


•enjoyment  which  has  been  vouchsafed  to  them  in 
being  able  to  accompany  him  and  share  with  him 
a close  communion  with  nature.  One  could  not 
know  him  without  having  a higher  idea  of  the 
worth  and  dignity  of  human  nature,  and  a consci- 
ousness that  one  may  grow  old  in  years  and  remain 
youthful  and  cheerful  in  spirit,  and  keep  in  touch 
with  the  young  life  of  an  ever  renewing  present. 
As  was  once  said  of  Stephen  Longfellow,  of  Port- 
land, an  uncle  of  the  poet,  so  may  it  be  said  in 
closing  of  Mr.  Hunt,  ‘Such  men  never  die.’  ” 

George  Hunt  was  married  in  June,  1841,  to 
Evelina  Metcalf,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Eunice 
Dench  (Houghton)  Metcalf,  and  her  biography  is 
given  below.  Her  death  occurred  twelve  years 
previous  to  that  of  her  husband,  and  they  were  the 
parents  of  two  daughters : Mary  Eva,  born  Nov. 
14,  1845,  was  married  in  March,  1869,  to  Andrew 
Ingraham,  of  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  now  deceased, 
and  they  had  four  children,  George  Hunt,  Mar- 
garet (deceased),  Arthur  and  Edward;  Miss  Ellen 
G.,  born  Oct.  7,  1849,  *s  a resident  of  Providence, 
Rhode  Island. 

Evelina  Metcalf  (as  the  wife  of  George  Hunt 
was  known  before  marriage)  was  born  in  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  Jan.  30,  1820,  and  died  in  ber  native 
city  Aug.  23,  1883.  She  came  of  a family  which 
since  the  early  portion  of  the  eighteenth  century 
had  been  identified  with  the  history  of  Providence. 
About  1737  Eleazer  Metcalf,  of  Dedham,  Mass., 
located  at  Providence,  and  in  1780  Joel  and  Lucy 
(Gay)  Metcalf,  of  Attleboro,  Mass.,  became  resi- 
dents of  the  place.  The  two  Joels,  Jesse,  Joseph 
G.,  Col.  Edwin,  Major  George,  Alfred,  Franklin, 
Jesse  H.,  Stephen  O.  and  Edward  P.  Metcalf  have 
all  impressed  themselves  upon  the  history  of 
Providence.  It  is  the  branch  of  the  family  repre- 
sented by  Joel  Metcalf,  of  Attleboro,  to  which  Mrs. 
Hunt  belongs.  He  was  her  paternal  grandfather, 
born  in  that  place  in  1755,  and  his  wife,  Lucy  Gay, 
was  also  a native  of  Attleboro.  Jesse,  their  son 
and  the  father  of  Mrs.  Hunt,  was  born  May  15, 
1790,  and  died  in  the,  prime  of  life,  June  20,  1838. 
His  marriage  to  Eunice  D.  Houghton,  daughter  of 
John,  occurred  April  19,  1812,  and  she  died  May 
5,  1858,  the  mother  of  nine  children,  of  whom  Eve- 
lina was  the  fourth.  Her  early  education  was  ob- 
tained under  Oliver  Angell,  who  taught  a flourish- 
ing school  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Mill  streets. 
Later  she  attended  a school  at  Charlestown,  Mass., 
and  the  Greene  street  school,  of  Providence,  of 
which  Hiram  Fuller  was  the  head.  While  at  the 
latter  institution  she  came  under  the  influence  of 
that  remarkable  woman,  Margaret  Fuller,  and 
from  her  imbibed  a keen  love  of  literature,  espe- 
cially of  poetry,  while  her  spiritual  nature  was 
stimulated  at  the  same  time  and  strengthened. 

Mrs.  Hunt’s  married  life  commenced  when  she 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  during  the  forty 
years  of  its  duration  she  was  especially  identified 
with  the  philanthropies  of  Providence,  ever  con- 


tributing to  the  relief  and  enjoyment  of  others. 
At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  she  became  an 
active  figure  in  the  work  of  the  Sanitary  Commis- 
sion, and  labored  unceasingly  to  alleviate  suffering, 
both  at  the  front  and  among  the  families  of  the 
soldiers  at  home.  In  her  religious  belief  she  was 
a Unitarian  ever  upholding  that  faith  by  thought, 
word  and  deed.  During  the  last  twenty  years  of 
her  life  she  was  an  invalid,  but  though  physically 
unable  to  enter  into  much  of  the  work  and  so- 
ciability about  her  she  never  lost  an  opportunity 
to  do  good,  or  allowed  her  interest  to  flag  in  the 
welfare  of  family  and  friends,  especially  of  the 
young.  Her  death  was  a distinct  loss  to  the  culture 
and  spirituality  of  the  community. 

GARRETTSON.  The  family  bearing  this  name 
at  Newport,  where  for  a quarter  of  a century  it  has 
been  represented,  and  latterly  prominently  in  the 
social  and  business  life  of  the  city  by  the  Hon. 
Frederick  P.  Garrettson,  who  has  served  the  city 
as  its  chief  executive  officer,  is  one  of  many  years’ 
standing  in  the  States  of  Maryland  and  New  York. 
A family  conspicuous  in  itself,  its  members  have 
become  allied  by  marriage  and  connected  with  some 
of  the  historic,  most  distinguished  and  wealthy 
families  of  the  State  of  New  York.  For  fifty  and 
more  years,  beginning  with  the  Revolution,  the 
name  of  Rev.  Freeborn  Garrettson,  the  zealous, 
earnest  and  talented  itinerant  Methodist  minister 
and  missionary,  was  almost  a household  word  from 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  Nova  Scotia.  By  the  Gar- 
rettson alliance  with  the  Livingstons  the  family  be- 
came interwoven  with  the  Beekmans,  the  Jays,  the 
Van  Brughs  and  the  Montgomerys,  historic  names  in 
and  about  New  York,  and,  as  well,  illustrious;  Hon. 
John  Jay,  statesman  and  jurist,  chief  justice  of  the 
United  States  Supreme  court,  and  governor;  Hon. 
William  Livingston  (Yale,  1741),  member  of  the 
First,  Second  and  Third  Continental  Congresses, 
brigadier-general  and  commander-in-chief  of  the 
militia  of  New  Jersey  and  that  State’s  first  gov- 
ernor ; Hon.  Philip  Livingston,  one  of  the  signers 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence ; Hon.  Robert 
R.  Livingston,  the  eminent  lawyer,  and  a justice  of 
the  New  York  Supreme  court,  member  of  Congress, 
etc.,  and  many  others  of  scarcely  less  note. 

The  Garrettsons  were  an  early  Maryland  family ; 
the  immigrant  ancestor,  coming  from  Great  Britain, 
was  among  the  first  settlers  in  the  Province  of 
Maryland,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Chesapeake  bay, 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Susquehanna  river.  Here 
was  born,  Aug.  15,  1752,  Rev.  Freeborn  Garrettson, 
a grandson  of  the  settler  and  a son  of  worthy  par- 
ents, both  members  of  the  Church  of  England — 
the  father  a man  of  good  moral  character,  and  the 
mother  an  earnest  Christian,  somewhat  of  the 
Whitefieldian  school.  Freeborn  in  time  made  a pro- 
fession of  religion  and  became  deeply  concerned  for 
the  spiritual  interests  of  others,  and  especially  of  his 
own  friends.  He  became  convinced  that  it  was  his 


RHODE  ISLAND 


701 


duty  to  become  a minister,  and  at  the  Conference 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  1776,  held  in 
Baltimore,  he  was  admitted  on  trial,  and  appointed 
on  the  Frederick  circuit.  Previous  to  this  time,  he 
had,  in  obedience  to  a strong  conviction  of  duty, 
manumitted  his  slaves.  He  next  served  on  Fairfax 
circuit,  and  at  the  Conference  held  in  1777  he  was 
appointed  to  Brunswick  circuit,  in  Virginia.  He 
next  served  on  various  circuits  through  the  South 
and  East,  including  the  States  of  Pennsylvania  and 
New  Jersey,  preaching  from  ten  to  twelve  sermons 
per  week  and  with  great  diligence  and  success.  In 
1780  he  was  appointed  to  Baltimore,  and  during 
this  year,  as  in  preceding  ones,  had  large  exper- 
ience of  the  preserving  goodness  of  God,  and  of  the 
bitter  hostility  of  men.  In  1781  he  was  appointed 
to  Sussex  circuit  in  Virginia,  where  he  was  greatly 
obstructed  in  his  labors  by  the  all-engrossing  scenes 
of  the  Revolution.  During  the  year  he  traveled 
about  five  thousand  miles  and  preached  about  five 
hundred  sermons,  then  labored  next  on  the  Somer- 
set and  Talbot  circuits.  In  1784  Mr.  Garrettson 
was  present  at  the  famous  Christmas  Conference 
in  Baltimore,  at  which  the  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Church  was  organized— lie  had  been  active  in  bring- 
ing about  that  important  measure — and  was  one  of 
the  eleven  who  were  ordained  elders  during  the  ses- 
sion. At  this  Conference  lie  volunteered  his  ser- 
vices as  a missionary  to  Nova  Scotia.  He  founded 
the  Methodist  Society  in  Halifax.  He  continued  in 
Nova  Scotia  for  two  years.  On  his  return  from 
that  territory  in  1787  by  way  of  Boston,  lie  found  at 
the  latter  point  three  Methodists — the  remnant  of 
a society  founded  there  seventeen  years  before,  by 
Mr.  Boardman,  one  of  Mr.  Wesley's  original  mis- 
sionaries in  America.  Not  finding  admission  to  the 
city  pulpits  he  preached  several  sermons  in  private 
houses,  and  then  passed  on  to  Providence  and  New- 
port, R.  I.,  where  he  was  more  cordially  received 
and  preached  with  good  acceptance.  He  continued 
his  route  to  the  Baltimore  Conference.  In  1787  he 
was  appointed  presiding  elder  in  the  Baltimore  Con- 
ference. In  1788  he  set  out,  by  the  advice  of  Bishop 
Asbury,  for  New  England,  with  a view  to  plant 
Methodism  in  the  eastern  States ; but  he  was  de- 
tained in  the  city  of  New  York  until  the  ensuing 
conference,  in  consequence  of  the  illness  of  the 
preacher  who  was  stationed  there,  and  thus  was 
prevented  from  carrying  out  his  purpose.  At  the 
conference  of  1789  he  was  appointed  presiding  elder 
of  the  New  York  district,  having  under  his  care 
twelve  young  preachers,  whom  he  designated  to  cir- 
cuits along  the  Hudson,  as  far  northward  as  Lake 
Champlain.  Several  of  these  routes  of  ministerial 
travel  bordered  on  New  England ; and  thus  Gar- 
rettson became  a coadjutor  with  Jesse  Lee  in  intro- 
ducing Methodism  into  that  part  of  the  country. 

In  1790  Rev.  Mr.  Garrettson  made  a tour 
through  New  England,  and  preached  in  most  of 
the  larger  towns  in  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island 
and  Connecticut.  At  the  New  York  Conference  of 


1791  his  district  was  divided,  and  he  was  appointed 
to  that  section  of  it  which  lay  along  the  New  Eng- 
land border.  In  1782  he  traveled  through  the  Al- 
bany district,  which  included  portions  of  New  Eng- 
land, and  in  1793,  the  Philadelphia  district.  In 
1794  and  1795  he  traveled  the  district  including 
Pittsfield  ; in  1796,  the  New  London  district ; in  1797,. 
the  New  York  district;  in  1798,  the  Albany  district;, 
in  1799,  the  New  Jersey  district;  and  from  1800  to 
1803,  the  New  York  district.  In  1804  he  was  sta- 
tioned at  Rhinebeck ; and  in  1805  and  1806,  at  New 
York  City.  In  1807  he  was  conference  missionary. 
In  1808  lie  was  stationed  at  Rhinebeck;  and  in  1809 
and  1810  he  was  conference  missionary  again. 
From  1811  to  1814  he  was  on  the  New  York  dis- 
trict again.  In  1815  he  was  without  an  appoint- 
ment, by  his  own  request;  and  in  1816  was  again 
conference  missionary.  At  the  conference  of  1817 
he  was  returned  on  the  supernumerary  list;  and 
from  this  time,  during  the  remainder  of  his  life,  he 
continued  to  labor  at  large,  extending  his  travels 
through  the  greater  part  of  New  England  and  the 
Middle  States,  and  scarcely  abating  his  wonted  ac- 
tivity, notwithstanding  the  growing  infirmities  of 
age. 

On  June  20,  1793,  Mr.  Garrettson  was  married 
to  Catherine,  daughter  of  Hon.  Robert  R.  Living- 
ston, which  connected  him  and  his  posterity  with 
some  of  the  historic  and  most  distinguished  fam- 
ilies of  New  York  State.  His  wife  received  from 
her  mother  a farm  upon  which  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gar- 
rettson began  their  married  life.  Here  in  the  local- 
ity they  built  a small  Methodist  church.  In  some 
four  or  five  years  they  exchanged  their  farm  for  one 
which  had  a frontage  on  the  Hudson  river.  Upon 
this  land  they  built  a new  and  handsome  house  into 
which  they  moved  in  October,  1799.  This  later  was 
“Wildercliff”  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  long  one 
of  the  celebrated  country  seats  in  the  town  of 
Rhinebeck.  It  is  said  that  it  was  through  the  in- 
fluence of  Dr.  Thomas  Tillotson — a former  friend 
of  Mr.  Garrettson  in  Maryland,  a surgeon  in  the 
army  in  the  Revolution  and  a prominent  public  man 
in  Maryland  just  after  the  war,  who  later  settled 
in  Rhinebeck — that  Mr.  Garrettson  came  to  the 
latter  point  to  preach,  and  on  that  occasion  met  the 
woman  he  later  married. 

On  her  maternal  side  Mrs.  Garrettson,  her 
mother  being  Margaret  Beekman,  descended  from 
(I)  William  Beekman,  who  was  born  in  1623  at 
Plasselt  and  came  to  New  Amsterdam,  N.  Y.,  at 
the  commencement  of  Governor  Stuyvesant  s ad- 
ministration, being  then  in  the  employ  of  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company.  He  married  in  1649  Cather- 
ine, daughter  of  Frederic  Hendricks  de  Boogh, 
captain  of  a Hudson  river  trading  vessel.  William 
Beekman  was  appointed  in  1658  vice-director  of  the 
Dutch  Colony  at  the  mouth  of  the  Delaware  river. 
He  was  chosen  in  1653-64-65-66-67  one  of  the 
schapens  of  New  Amsterdam.  In  1670  he  pur- 
chased a farm  in  the  vicinity  of  the  present  Beek- 


702 


RHODE  ISLAND 


man  street  and  fronting  on  the  river  road  now  Pearl 
street,  New  York  City.  Mr.  Beekman  was  alder- 
man at  twelve  different  times  under  the  English 
till  1696,  when  he  retired  from  public  life.  He  was 
a man  of  high  repute  among  the  citizens  of  his  day. 
He  died  in  1707.  From  William  Beekman  Mrs. 
Garrettson’s  lineage  was  through  Henry,  Henry 
(2)  and  Margaret  Beekman. 

(II)  Col.  Henry  Beekman  married  Joanna  de 
Lopes,  and  settled  in  Kingston,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
became  county  judge,  served  in  the  Legislature, 
and  was  colonel  cf  militia,  etc.  He  was  a deacon 
and  elder  in  the  Protestant  Reformed  Church. 

(III)  Henry  Beekman  (2),  horn  in  1688,  mar- 
ried Janet,  daughter  of  Robert  Livingston. 

(IV)  Margaret  Beekman,  baptized  in  1724, 
married  Judge  Robert  R.  Livingston. 

On  the  paternal  side  Mrs.  Garrettson's  lineage 
is  through  (I)  Robert  Livingston,  a native  of 
Anerum,  Scotland,  son  of  John  Livingston,  a Scot- 
tish Presbyterian  divine,  the  latter  of  whom  was 
banished  in  1663  for  non-conformity,  and  went  to 
Rotterdam,  where  he  died  in  1672.  Robert  came  to 
America,  to  Charlestown,  Mass.,  in  1673,  and  set- 
tled in  Albany,  and  as  early  as  1675  became  secre- 
tary of  the  commissionaries,  which  he  held  until 
Albany  became  a city,  in  1686.  He  held  various 
offices,  was  town  clerk,  member  of  the  Colonial 
Assembly  from  the  city  and  county  of  Albany,  and 
later  from  his  manor,  and  was  speaker  in  1718. 
In  1686  he  received  from  the  governor  a large 
tract  of  land  which,  in  1715,  was  confirmed  by  a 
royal  charter  from  George  I,  erecting  the  manor 
and  lordship  of  Livingston.  This  tract  embraced 
large  parts  of  what  are  now  the  counties  of  Dutch  - 
ess and  Columbia,  N.  Y.,  and  is  still  known  as  the 
Livingston  Manor.  He  married,  in  1679,  Alida, 
widow  of  Rev.  Nicholas  Van  Rensselaer  and  daugh- 
ter of  Philip  P.  Schuyler.  One  of  his  grandsons, 
Philip  Livingston,  was  a signer  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence. 

(II)  Robert  Livingston  (2). 

(III)  Robert  Livingston,  born  in  1718,  in  New 
York,  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Henry  Beek- 
man, and  resided  on  Broadway,  near  Bowling 
Green,  and  at  his  country  seat,  “Clermont."  He 
is  said  to  have  been  the  richest  landholder,  without 
exception,  in  New  York.  One  of  his  daughters, 
Janet,  married  Gen.  Richard  Montgomery,  of  Rev- 
olutionary fame.  Mr.  Livingston  became  an  emi- 
nent lawyer.  In  1760  he  was  appointed  judge  of 
the  Admiralty  court  in  New  York  and  three  years 
later  was  made  a justice  of  the  New  York  Supreme 
court.  He  was  for  years  a member  from  Dutchess 
county  of  the  Provisional  Congress.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Congress  of  1765,  which  opposed 
the  measures  compelling  the  adoption  of  stamps, 
otherwise  the  Stamp  Act. 

(IV)  Catherine  Livingston,  horn  Oct.  14,  1752, 
married  in  1793  Rev.  Freeborn  Garrettson. 

Having  thus  shown  in  detail  how,  by  marriage. 


the  Garrettsons  are  related  to  the  historic  Living- 
stons and.BeeKmans  of  New  York,  the  direct  ge- 
nealogy of  the  family  is  traced,  as  follows : 

Thomas  Garrettson,  great-grandfather  of  Fred- 
erick P.  Garrettson,  ex-mayor  of  Newport,  was 
born  in  Hartford  county,  Md.,  and  died  there.  He 
married  a Miss  Maddux,  of  Eastern  Maryland, 
where  he  was  an  extensive  planter. 

Freeborn  Garrettson,  the  grandfather,  was  a 
worthy  connection  and  namesake  of  one  of  the 
great  pioneers  of  Methodism  in  Maryland,  Virgi- 
nia, the  Middle  States  and  New  England.  He  was 
born  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland,  May  14, 
1793,  and  died  in  Rhinebeck,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  12,  1866, 
at  tne  age  of  seventy-three  years.  He  studied  law, 
but  never  practiced  the  profession.  He  resided  on 
the  large  estate  at  Clifton  Point,  on  the  Hudson 
river,  the  greater  portion  of  which  was  afterward 
purchased  by  the  late  William  Astor.  He  was  a 
man  of  standing  and  influence,  as  well  as  of  com- 
fortable fortune,  and  for  several  years  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  New  York  State  Legislature.  To  him 
and  his  wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Francis  Waters, 
of  Baltimore,  Md.,  were  born  the  following  chil- 
dren: Francis  T.,  is  mentioned  below;  Freeborn, 
Jr.,  died  in  Rhinebeck,  in  1904;  Rutland  is  a real 
estate  dealer  in  New  York;  Robert  Livingston  is  a 
lawyer  residing  in  New  Paltz,  N.  Y. ; Lyttelton,  a 
lawyer,  died  in  New  York;  Susan  (deceased),  was 
the  wife  of  William  S.  Waters,  a Baltimore  lawyer, 
who  is  also  deceased ; and  Mary  C.,  unmarried,  is 
living  at  Asheville,  North  Carolina. 

Francis  Thomas  Garrettson,  father  of  Freder- 
ick P.,  was  born  in  Rhinebeck,  N.  Y.,  May  26,  1826. 
He  received  a thorough  preliminary  education,  and 
was  a graduate  of  Wesleyan  College,  at  Middle- 
town,  Conn.  In  early  life  he  was  a commission  mer- 
chant in  New  York  City  and  later  in  Liverpool, 
England,  but  subsequently  studied  law  in  Rhinebeck 
and  New  York  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  New 
York  in  1851.  He  immediately  took  up  the  practice 
of  his  chosen  profession  in  New  York  City,  where 
he  now  resides,  in  retirement  and  in  the  quiet  en- 
joyment of  the  home  life  to  which  he  is  so  much  at- 
tached. He  still  retains  his  office  in  New  York, 
although  not  engaged  in  active  practice.  His 
church  affiliations  are  with  the  Episcopal  denomi- 
nation. To  him  and  his  wife,  who  was  formerly 
Miss  Helen  Jay  Prime,  daughter  of  Frederick 
Prime,  of  New  Rochelle,  N.  Y.,  and  great-grand- 
daughter of  John  Jay,  were  born  three  children, 
namely:  Frederick  P.,  who  is  mentioned  below; 
Elizabeth,  widow  of  S.  Howland  Russell,  of  New 
York;  and  Helen  Jay,  living  at  home,  unmarried. 

Nathaniel  Prime,  great-grandfather  of  Freder- 
ick Prime  Garrettson,  on  his  mother’s  side,  was  the 
son  of  Joshua  Prime,  and  a descendant  of  Mark, 
the  settler.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  old  banking 
house  of  Prime,  Ward  & King,  which,  though  un- 
der another  name,  is  still  doing  business.  He  was 
of  the  Rowley  (Mass.),  family  of  Primes,  a de- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


703 


scendant  of  Mark  Prime,  one  of  three  brothers  of 
an  excellent  family  who  left  Liverpool,  England, 
and  settled  themselves  in  Massachusetts.  One  of 
them  remained  there,  locating  at  Rowley,  where 
he  was  a proprietor  before  1650. 

(I)  Augustus  Jay,  son  of  Pierre  and  Judith 
(Francois)  Jay,  he  a merchant  of  La  Rochelle,  was 
born  in  1665  at  La  Rochelle,  France.  The  family 
were  Huguenots,  and  on  the  revocation  of  the  Edict 
of  Nantes,  in  1685,  tied  from  France  to  England, 
where  the  father  died.  Augustus  came  to  America, 
landing  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  He  became  a prosper- 
ous merchant  of  New  York  City.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  1751.  He  had  married,  in  1697,  Anna 
Maria  (or  Marie),  daughter  of  Balthazar  Bayard, 
granddaughter  of  Nicholas  and  Anna  (Stuyvesant) 
Bayard,  and  great-granddaughter  of  Balthazar  Bay- 
ard, and  of  Governor  Stuyvesant. 

(II)  Peter  Jay,  son  of  Augustus,  born  in  1704, 
in  New  York  City,  married  in  1728  Mary,  daughter 
of  Jacobus  and  Eva  (Philips)  Van  Cortlandt,  of 
Yonkers,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Jay  was  a merchant  of  New 
York  City.  He  retired  to  Rye,  N.  Y.,  in  1744,  and 
died  at  Fishkill,  N.  Y.,  in  1777. 

(III)  John  Jay,  seventh  child  and  sixth  son  of 
Peter  Jay,  born  Dec.  12,  1745,  in  New  York  City, 
married  in  April,  1774,  Sarali  Van  Brugh,  youngest 
daughter  of  Gov.  William  Livingston,  of  New  Jer- 
sey, and  two  sons  came  to  them,  Peter  Augustus 
and  William,  and  daughters  Susan,  Maria,  Ann 
and  Sarah  Louise.  Mr.  Jay  was  the  celebrated 
Chief  Justice  Jay  of  the  United  States.  He  died  in 
1829,  at  Bedford,  New  York. 

(IV)  Peter  Augustus  Jay,  son  of  Chief  Justice 
John  Jay,  born  Jan.  20,  1776,  at  Elizabethtown,  N. 
J.,  married  in  1807  Mary  Rutherford,  daughter  of 
Gen.  Matthew  and  Mary  (Rutherford)  Clarkson. 
Mr.  Jay  was  a lawyer  of  New  York  City,  where 
he  died  Feb.  20,  1843. 

(V)  Mary  Rutherford  Jay,  daughter  of  Peter 
Augustus,  born  April  16,  1810,  in  New  York  City, 
married  April  30,  1829,  Frederick  Prime,  youngest 
son  of  Nathaniel  and  Cornelia  (Sands)  Prime. 

(VI)  Helen  Jay  Prime  married  Francis  T.  Gar- 
rettson. 

Frederick  Prime  Garrettson,  eldest  of 
the  children  of  Francis  T.  and  Helen  Jay 
(Prime)  Garrettson,  was  born  in  Rhinebeck,  N.  Y., 
July  30,  1857.  His  education  was  acquired  in  St. 
Paul’s  School,  Concord,  N.  H.,  and  at  Dartmouth 
College,  with  the  class  of  1879.  After  leaving  col- 
lege he  took  up  the  study  of  law  with  his  father 
for  a time,  but  soon  decided  upon  a business  career, 
which  he  inaugurated  with  a two  years’  clerkship 
in  tlie  counting-house  of  Howland  & Aspinwall,  on 
South  street,  New  York.  Mr.  Garrettson  then  es- 
tablished the  firm  of  F.  P.  Garrettson  & Co.,  whole- 
sale and  retail  dealers  in  fine  teas,  coffees  and  fine 
olive  oils  at  No.  150  Front  street,  New  York,  and 
under  his  energetic  and  shrewd  guidance  the  busi- 
ness has  steadily  and  rapidly  increased,  until  to-day 


the  firm  of  F.  P.  Garrettson  & Co.  is  one  of  the 
largest  importing  houses  in  its  line  in  New  York. 
In  the  spring  of  1884,  at  the  solicitation  of  a num- 
ber of  friends,  Mr.  Garrettson  opened  a store  in 
Newport,  R.  I.,  carrying  a large  and  complete  stock 
of  fancy  groceries  and  fine  wines,  etc.  For  about 
six  months  after  coming  to  Newport  his  store  was 
located  on  Bellevue  avenue,  but  in  the  latter  part 
of  the  year  (1884)  he  removed  his  business  to 
Washington  Square,  where, he  has  since  continued, 
having  met  with  deserved  success.  In  1907  Mr. 
Garrettson  was  elected  a member  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Newport  Trust  Company. 

Socially  Mr.  Garrettson  is  a member  of  the 
LTnion  Club  of  New  York  and  the  Newport  Reading 
Room,  and  fraternally  is  a member  of  Newport 
Lodge,  No.  104,  B.  P.  O.  Elks.  During  its  exist- 
ence he  was  also  identified  with  the  Business  Men’s 
Association  of  Newport,  and  for  two  years  served 
as  its  president.  Being  a direct  descendant  of  Gov. 
William  Livingston,  lie  secured  membership  in  the 
Society  of  Sons  of  the  Revolution,  being  first  vice- 
president  and  secretary  of  the  Newport  Chapter; 
he  is  now  president. 

The  business  position  which  Mr.  Garrettson 
soon  acquired  in  Newport  made  him  one  of  its  most 
influential  citizens.  Capable,  progressive  and  en- 
terprising in  any  movement  with  which  he  became 
connected,  his  Republican  friends  decided  to  put 
him  forward  as  their  municipal  leader.  In  October, 
1900,  he  was  made  the  party  nominee  for  mayor, 
and  in  the  following  month  defeated  Patrick  J. 
Boyle,  the  Democratic  candidate.  Mr.  Garrettson’s 
election  was  a signal  triumph  as  a marked  personal 
endorsement,  as  he  was  the  first  Republican  mayor 
that  Newport  had  returned  for  many  a year. 
He  gave  the  city  such  a good  business-like 
administration  that  he  was  defeated  the  fol- 
lowing year  by  only  a small  majority  by  his 
former  opponent.  In  commenting  at  the  time 
on  the  nomination  of  Mr.  Garrettson  one  of 
the  local  papers  said : “In  Mr.  Garrettson 
the  Republicans  have  an  energetic,  progressive  cit- 
izen— a man  who  has  the  best  interests  of  the  city 
at  heart,  and  who  has  the  wisdom  and  ability  to 
make  a mayor  to  be  proud  of.  There  ought  to  be 
no  question  about  his  election.’’  In  1907  Mr.  Gar- 
rettson was  elected  a member  of  the  Representative 
Council  from  the  Third  ward  for  the  three-year 
term. 

Mr.  Garrettson  is  a liberal  supporter  of  Trinity 
Episcopal  Church  of  Newport,  while  his  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  denomination.  He  was 
married  Nov.  19,  1884,  to  Marie  Angele  Frith, 
daughter  of  Edward  Frith,  of  New  York  City,  and 
they  have  had  one  daughter,  Emily  Binsse  Garrett- 
son. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Frederick  P.  Garrettson 
was  an  Englishman  by  birth,  a native  of  Sheffield. 
He  was  engaged  in  the  steel  business  in  England, 
and  later  came  to  New  York,  where  he  was  agent 


704 


RHODE  ISLAND 


for  Sanderson  Brothers,  of  England,  being  their 
American  representative.  Mrs.  Garrettson’s  mother 
was  Emily  Victoria  Binsse,  daughter  of  Louis 
Binsse.  Louis  Binsse  married  Victoria  Bancle, 
who  was  “lady-in-waiting”  to  Queen  Marie  Antoin- 
ette. Her  family  was  forced  to  leave  France  when 
Marie  Antoinette  was  beheaded. 

The  pleasant  home  of  the  Garrettsons,  which 
Mr.  Garrettson  purchased  in  1900,  is  historic 
ground.  It  is  on  Mill  street,  facing  Truro  Park 
and  the  old  stone  mill,  which  was  originally  owned 
and  occupied  by  the  Carr  family,  members  of 
which  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Newport. 
It  later  became  the  home  of  Gov.  Benedict  Arnold, 
and  still  later  the  residence  of  the  Tillinghast  fam- 
ily, a member  of  which  rebuilt  the  house  in  1720. 

Mr.  Garrettson  is  capable,  energetic  and  pro- 
gressive, possessing  unusual  business  acumen.  His 
manner  is  affable  and  courteous,  his  politeness,  be- 
ing inborn,  is  natural.  As  a citizen  of  Newport 
he  has  ever  been  active  in  public  affairs  and  alive 
to  the  interests  which  have  for  their  object  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  city.  He  has  refined  tastes  and 
is  a lover  and  patron  of  the  fine  arts  and  of  stand- 
ard literature,  his  library  being  well-stocked  with 
the  works  of  the  noted  authors,  in  the  reading  of 
which  most  of  his  leisure  moments  are  spent. 

FREEMAN  (Central  Falls  family).  The  Free- 
mans of  New  England  have  been  here  since  1630, 
and  of  the  Cape  Cod  Freemans,  says  Rich  in  his 
work  on  Truro,  Cape  Cod,  "Probably  no  family  has 
been  more  prominent  on  the  Cape,  nor  has  main- 
tained through  so  many  generations  the  race  char- 
acteristics of  fine  physical  proportions  and  average 
mental  endowments  of  their  old  English  ancestry.” 
“Edmund  Freeman,”  continues  Rich,  “is  the  ances- 
tor of  all  on  Cape  Cod  of  the  name.” 

Samuel  Freeman,  from  Mawlyn,  in  the  County 
of  Kent,  England,  born,  it  is  said  by  some,  in  Dev- 
onshire, settled  in  Watertown,  Mass.,  in  1630,  and 
was  one  of  the  principal  proprietors,  owning  one- 
seventh  of  the  town.  He  built  a house  there  in 
1631,  but  died  in  England,  leaving  sons  Henry  and 
Samuel,  the  former  of  whom  owned  the  Watertown 
estate.  Henry  died  in  Boston  without  issue.  Sam- 
uel Freeman  (2),  styled  Deacon  Samuel,  son  of 
Samuel,  was  born  in  Watertown  in  1630,  and  was 
of  Eastham  in  1638.  He  married  Mercy,  daughter 
of  Constant  Southworth,  of  Plymouth,  whose 
mother  became  the  wife  of  Governor  Bradford. 
Constant  Freeman,  son  of  Deacon  Samuel,  born  in 
1669,  was  a proprietor  of  Truro,  Mass.,  and  one  of 
his  sons,  Jonathan,  removed  to  Gorham,  Maine, 
where  he  became  the  ancestor  of  a branch  of  the 
Maine  Freemans.  The  male  descendants  of  the 
Truro  branch  of  Samuel  Freeman  did  not  increase 
and  the  name  has  long  been  extinct  there. 

Edmund  Freeman,  referred  to  in  the  foregoing, 
with  his  wife  Elizabeth  and  their  children,  Alice, 
Edmund,  John  and  Elizabeth,  came  over  from  Eng- 


land in  1635  in  the  “Abigail,”  settling  first  at  Sau- 
gus, and  then  removed  to  Sandwich,  being  of  the 
first  settlers  there.  Mr.  Freeman  was  a prominent 
man,  of  good  business  habits,  liberal  in  politics,  and 
tolerant  in  his  religious  opinions.  He  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Sandwich  Church,  which  had  the  repu- 
tation of  being  one  of  the  most  bigoted  and  intoler- 
ant of  the  Colony,  yet  Mr.  Freeman  is  said  not  to 
have  imbibed  the  persecuting  spirit.  He  lived  to 
be  ninety-two  years  of  age,  dying  in  1682,  in  Sand- 
wich, Mass.  His  wife,  Elizabeth,  died  in  1676, 
aged  seventy-six  years.  Two  of  their  sons,  Major 
John  and  Samuel  Freeman,  married  daughters  of 
-Governor  Prince.  Major  John  Freeman,  it  is  said, 
was  a more  distinguished  man  than  his  father.  He 
removed  to  Eastham  and  in  1650  married  Mercy, 
daughter  of  Governor  Prince,  and  lived  to  a ven- 
erable old  age.  One  branch  of  this  Cape  Cod  fam- 
ily, descended  from  Edmund,  removed  from  Sand- 
wich, Mass.,  to  Mansfield,  Conn.,  early  in  the  sev- 
enteenth century ; another  branch  settled  later  at 
Dover,  N.  H.,  and  so  on. 

There  were  other  early  Freemans  in  New  Eng- 
land. Anthony  Freeman  came  in  the  “Hopewell,” 
in  1635,  and  of  him,  says  Savage,  nothing  more 
is  known.  And  John  Freeman,  husbandman,  came 
in  the  “Abigail”  and  settled  at  Sudbury,  where  he 
was  a proprietor  in  1639.  This  article,  however, 
is  to  deal  especially  with  the  Rhode  Island  branch 
of  one  of  the  Massachusetts  families  of  the  name — 
that  at  the  head  of  which  was  the  Hon.  Edward 
Livingston  Freeman,  of  Central  Falls,  R.  I.  Mr. 
Freeman  was  long  one  of  the  conspicuous  public 
men  of  the  State,  serving  in  one  branch  or  other  of 
the  General  Assembly  for  approximately  thirty- 
one  years,  and  for  a time  as  Speaker  of  the  House, 
and  was  also  State  commissioner  of  railroads.  As 
a business  man  he  won  the  reputation  of  being  one 
of  the  most  capable  in  the  State. 

For  years  the  family  home  of  the  Central  Falls 
branch  of  the  Freemans  was  at  Mendon,  Mass., 
where  the  grandparents  of  Hon.  Edward  Living- 
ston Freeman,  Edward  and  Sarah  (Thayer)  Free- 
man, were  born,  and  from  that  town  went  out  into 
the  world  their  son,  the  late  Rev.  Edward  Free- 
man, of  long  years  of  usefulness  in  the  service  of 
the  Master,  a minister  of  prominence  and  useful- 
ness in  the  Baptist  denomination. 

The  earlier  home  of  this  branch  of  the  family 
was,  perhaps,  at  Rehoboth,  whence  came  to  Attle- 
boro, Mass.,  David  and  Jonathan  Freeman,  who, 
says  Daggett,  in  his  history  of  that  town,  were  the 
probable  ancestors  of  all  the  Attleboro  Freemans. 
The  lineage  of  the  Central  Falls  family  is  traced  to 
Ralph  Freeman,  of  Attleboro,  Mass.,  and  later  of 
Winchester,  N.  H.  From  this  Ralph  Freeman  there 
follows  in  chronological  order  the  genealogy  and 
history  of  the  Central  Falls  family. 

Ralph  Freeman,  of  Attleboro,  Mass.,  and  Win- 
chester, N.  H.,  married  Sarah  Capron,  daughter 
of  Banfield  Capron,  who  was  born  March  11,  1708. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


705 


Their  children  were  : Ebenezer,  Benjamin,  Nathan, 
Ralph,  Samuel,  Dan,  Jemima,  Sarah,  Esther  and 
Sarah  (2). 

Ralph  Freeman  (2),  son  of  Ralph  and  Sarah, 
married,  Jan.  1,  1765,  Phebe,  daughter  of  Edward 
and  Margaret  Thompson,  both  of  whom  were  de- 
scendants of  Banfield  Capron.  Their  children 
were : Willard*  Ottis,  Ralph,  Ebenezer,  Phebe, 
Edward  and  Alpheus. 

Edward  Freeman,  son  of  Ralph  and  Phebe,  born 
April  19,  1781,  married  Feb.  4,  1804,  Sarah,  born 
April  5,  1784,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Thayer. 
They  died,  she  on  Aug.  10,  1824,  and  he  Jan.  30, 
1827,  and  both  are  buried  in  Bellingham,  Mass. 
Their  children  were : Phila  T. ; Edward,  born 
April  2,  1806;  Phila  T.  (2),  born  Feb.  12,  1809; 
and  Sarah,  born  March  31,  1811. 

Edward  Freeman,  son  of  Edward  and  Sarah 
(Thayer)  Freeman,  born  April  2,  1806,  in  Mendon, 
Mass.,  passed  his  early  life  in  agricultural  labor, 
not  entering  college  until  in  his  twenty-fourth  year, 
when  he  became  a student  in  Brown  University. 
He  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1833,  being  a 
classmate  of  the  late  Gov.  Henry  B.  Anthony  and 
United  States  Senator  Nathan  F.  Dixon.  After 
this  event  for  several  years  he  was  engaged  in 
teaching,  first  at  Bellingham,  Mass.,  and  afterward 
in  Waterville,  Maine.  In  1836  he  was  ordained  and 
settled  as  minister  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Old- 
town,  Maine,  where  he  remained  three  years.  Pie 
was  subsequently  settled  for  the  same  period  in 
Camden,  Maine,  and  for  two  years  at  Bristol,  R. 
I.  In  1843  he  returned  to  Camden,  and  there 
passed  the  remaining  years  of  his  life.  Here  he 
purchased  a farm  of  fifty  acres,  and  for  many  years 
kept  a classical  school,  which  was  highly  prosper- 
ous. He  also  preached  in  churches  without  a min- 
ister, and  was  for  a time  chaplain  to  the  State 
Prison  of  Maine. 

In  November,  1834,  Mr.  Freeman  married 
(first)  Harriet  E.  Colburn,  of  Dedham,  Mass.,  who 
died  in  June,  1852.  He  married  (second)  in  March, 
1853,  Susan  Glover,  of  Camden,  Maine,  who  died 
in  February,  1867.  In  1868  lie  married  (third) 
Mrs.  Kate  Blackinton,  of  Camden,  who  survived 
him.  Mr.  Freeman  died  Jan.  28,  1882,  at  Camden, 
Maine,  aged  seventy-five  years,  nine  months  and 
twenty-six  days.  Mrs.  Harriet  E.  (Colburn) 
Freeman,  who  was  born  in  1815,  was  a liberally 
educated  woman,  having  graduated  with  high  hon- 
ors at  the  Medfield  (Mass.)  School,  and  for  several 
years  taught  both  Latin  and  French.  The  children 
of  Rev.  Edward  P'reeman  were:  Edward  Livings- 
ton, born  Sept.  10,  1835 ; Sarah  Capron,  March 
15,  1838;  Ellis  Colburn,  Feb.  22,  1840;  Maria 
Wood,  Sept.  30,  1842;  Perrin  Polk,  Nov.  16,  1845; 
Wayland  Baker,  March  22,  1847;  Milton  Heman, 
June  19,  1848;  Harriet  Dillingham,  Feb.  n,  1850; 
Celia,  May  4,  1851;  Frank  Draper,  June  9,  1852 
(all  to  the  first  marriage)  ; Julia  Crabtree,  Tan.  10, 


1854;  John  Clarendon,  Feb.  24,  1856;  Phila,  June 
8,  1857  (of  the  second  marriage). 

Edward  Livingston  Freeman,  son  of  Rev. 
Edward  and  Harriet  Ellis  (Colburn)  Freeman, 
born  Sept.  10,  1835,  in  Waterville,  Maine,  mar- 
ried Nov.  10,  1858,  Emma  E.  Brown,  daughter 
of  Samuel  Brown,  of  Central  P'alls,  R.  I.,  and  seven 
children  blessed  the  union. 

Mr.  P'reeman  was  partially  prepared  for  college 
under  the  direction  of  his  father,  but  he  did  not 
enter,  preferring  to  learn  the  printer's  trade,  for 
which  he  exhibited  great  liking.  In  the  spring  of 
1850,  in  his  fifteenth  year,  he  was  apprenticed  to 
Mr.  A.  W.  Pearce,  of  Pawtucket,  for  the  purpose 
just  cited  and  under  that  gentleman  acquired  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  trade.  Following  his. 
term  of  apprenticeship  he  entered  the  employ  of 
Hammond,  Angell  & Co.,  Providence  (the  old 
Providence  Journal  job  office)  and  remained  with 
them  several  years,  holding  a partnership  in  the 
firm  during  the  last  two  years  of  his  connection  ; 
during  the  period  he  was  an  employee  of  this  com-  • 
pany  he  worked  for  a time  in  Washington,  D.  C., 
and  was  present  at  the  inauguration  of  President 
Buchanan.  Disposing  of  his  interest  in  the  Provi- 
dence concern  in  1863,  he  opened  a printing  office 
in  a small  room  in  the  large  three-story  brick  build- 
ing at  Central  P'alls,  R.  1.,  which  subsequently  be- 
came his  property,  his  staff  consisting  of  three  men 
and  one  boy,  and  from  this  modest  beginning  Mr. 
P'reeman  developed  one  of  the  largest  printing  and 
publishing  establishments  in  Rhode  Island. 

As  his  sons — William  C.  and  Joseph  W.  Free- 
man— grew  up  they  were  trained  in  the  business 
under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Freeman,  and  in  1885 
and  1896,  respectively,  were  admitted  to  a part- 
nership, the  style  of  the  firm  becoming  E.  L.  P'ree- 
man & Sons.  These  younger  men  gave  to  the  bus- 
iness new  vim  and  vigor  and  have  been  important 
factors  in  its  growth.  The  printing  and  binding 
establishment  of  the  firm  has  been  maintained  from 
the  start  at  Central  P'alls,  and  in  1880  they  pur- 
chased the  book  and  stationery  concern  in  Provi- 
dence of  Valpey,  Angell  & Co.  In  1888  a large 
stationery  store  was  opened  at  Pawtucket.  Since 
1878  this  firm  has  had  contracts  for  the  State 
printing,  and  employment  is  given  to  about  seventy- 
five  hands  in  Central  Falls,  and  fifteen  in  the  stores. 

In  1869  Mr.  Freeman  began  the  publication  of 
the  Weekly  Visitor , a journal  that  contributed 
greatly  to  the  growth  and  development  of  Central 
P'alls  and  vicinity.  This  paper  he  conducted  most 
successfully  for  twenty-one  years,  disposing  of  it 
in  1S90.  it  should  have  been  stated  above  that  from 
1873  to  1885  Mr.  John  E.  Goldsworthy  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  firm,  during  which  time  the  business 
was  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  E.  L.  Free- 
man & Co.,  and  it  was  on  the  retirement  of  Mr. 
Goldsworthy  that  Mr.  Freeman’s  oldest  son  came 
into  the  concern.  For  several  years  the  younger 


706 


RHODE  ISLAND 


son  of  the  elder  Freeman  was  the  manager  of  the 
printing  department,  and  now  has  full  charge  of 
the  whole  business,  Mr.  E.  L.  Freeman  having 
practically  retired  from  active  participation  in  the 
business,  though  retaining  his  interest  up  to  his 
■death. 

Mr.  Freeman's  early  established  reputation  for 
activity,  persistence,  business  ability  and  integrity 
resulted  in  his  holding  many  positions  of  financial 
trust  and  responsibility,  and  his  interest  in  public 
affairs  led  to  his  being  called  to  an  uninterrupted 
period  of  service  in  public  office  for  many  years. 
His  political  affiliations  were  with  the  Republican 
party,  and  he  was  chairman  of  the  Rhode  Island 
delegation  to  the  Republican  National  Convention 
in  June,  1896;  he  was  also  a delegate  to  the  Na- 
tional Convention  at  which  President  Grant  was 
nominated  for  his  second  term,  and  to  the  one 
which  nominated  Rutherford  B.  Hayes.  His  pub- 
lic record  was  a distinguished  one.  Early  devel- 
oping a remarkable  capacity  for  the  clear  and  com- 
prehensive understanding  of  public  business,  and 
being  a man  of  progressive  and  advanced  thought, 
his  strong  personality  and  forcefulness  left  its  im- 
press upon  the  legislation  of  the  State.  For  nearly 
twenty  years  he  was  one  of  the  board  of  fire  wards 
of  Central  Falls,  and  there  he  also  served  as  school 
trustee.  He  was  a representative  of  the  old  town  of 
Smithfield  in  the  General  Assembly,  1868-70;  Sen- 
ator from  that  town,  1870-71  ; the  first  Senator  from 
the  new  town  of  Lincoln,  1871-72;  representative 
from  Lincoln,  1874-77,  1879-89,  and  was  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Representatives  from  May, 
1874,  to  1876.  Upon  retiring  from  that  office  he 
was  presented,  by  the  members  of  the  House,  a 
magnificent  gold  watclg  a testimonial  which  has 
been  rare  indeed  in  the  legislative  history  of  the 
State.  He  was  again  chosen  senator  from  Lincoln 
in  1892,  and  was  re-elected  from  that  town  and 
the  city  of  Central  Falls  until  1902,  and  during  all 
that  time  resided  in  the  same  house,  the  setting  off 
of  Central  Falls  as  a city,  in  1895,  making  him  a res- 
ident of  the  latter.  He  was  elected  president  of  the 
Senate  several  times,  which  was  the  first  time  in 
the  history  of  the  State,  and  upon  his  retirement 
from  that  body,  in  1902,  the  Senate  presented  him 
highly  appreciative  resolutions  and  a silver-mounted 
gavel.  During  his  long  service  his  keen  insight 
and  capabilities  in  the  practical  business  of  the  leg- 
islation of  the  State  gave  him  a place  on  import- 
ant committees,  among  them  that  of  chairman  for 
ten  years  of  the  Judiciary  committee  of  the  Senate, 
a position  rarely  held  except  by  a member  of  the 
legal  profession,  and  for  several  years  chairman  of 
the  Finance  committee  of  the  House.  Mr.  Freeman 
won  the  reputation  of  being  among  the  best  business 
men  and  most  capable  public  men  of  Rhode  Island 
— the  peer,  perhaps,  of  any  one  of  his  day.  He  was 
clear-headed,  of  quick  perception  and  of  positive 
character,  and  as  well  a versatile  and  fluent  speaker. 
From  May,  1889.  to  February,  1907,  Mr.  Freeman 


held  the  office  of  State  Commissioner  of  Railroads, 
having  been  first  appointed  to  that  office  by  Gov. 
Royal  C.  Taft. 

In  his  earlier  life  Mr.  Freeman  found  time  to 
give  some  attention  to  military  affairs,  and  was  for 
many  years  identified  with  the  State  militia  as  a 
member  of  the  Union  Guards  of  Central  Falls,  ris- 
ing from  the  ranks  to  the  colonelcy.  In  1855  he 
united  with  the  Central  Falls  Congregational 
Church,  and  for  twenty  years  served  as  superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday-school  of  that  church.  He  was 
active  and  prominent  in  many  social  and  fraternal 
organizations,  being  especially  prominent  as  a Ma- 
son. I11  Masonry  lie  held  the  office  of  grand  mas- 
ter of  Masons  in  Rhode  Island;  grand  high  priest 
of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Rhode  Island ; and  grand 
commander  of  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Knights 
Templar  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island;  he 
had  also  taken  the  cryptic  degrees  and  those  of  the 
A.  and  A.  Scottish  Rite.  He  was  president  of  the 
Masonic  Temple  Company,  of  Pawtucket,  from  its 
organization.  Among  other  fraternal  organizations 
INI r.  Freeman  belonged  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F. ; the  I. 
O.  R.  M.,  in  which  he  was  past  grand  sachem  ; and 
to  the  K.  of  P.,  in  which  he  was  an  honorary  past 
chancellor  commander. 

Mr.  Freeman  was  interested  in  a number  of 
financial  institutions  and  business  corporations,  be- 
ing a director  for  a number  of  years  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Pawtucket,  until  that  bank  was 
merged  with  the  Industrial  Trust  Company  of 
Providence,  after  which  time  he  was  a member  of 
the  hoard  of  managers  of  the  Pawtucket  branch  of 
the  latter  institution : lie  was  a director  of  the  Paw- 
tucket Hair  Cloth  Company  and  the  American  Hair 
Cloth  Company ; and  director  and  president  of  sev- 
eral other  companies.  He  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  the  Pawtucket  Business  Men’s  Asso- 
ciation, and  had  been  its  president.  He  was  one 
of  the  three  trustees  under  the  will  of  the  late 
Stephen  L.  Adams,  who  bequeathed  to  the  city  of 
Central  Falls  the  sum  of  $35,000  for  the  purpose 
of  building  and  maintaining  a public  library. 

Mr.  Freeman  died  of  pneumonia  Feb.  24,  1907. 
after  an  illness  of  less  than  a week,  in  his  seventy- 
second  year.  His  wife,  Emma  E.  Freeman,  was  at- 
tacked with  the  same  disease  the  day  after  his 
death  and  she  lingered  until  April  10th,  when  she 
too  passed  away,  aged  seventy  years.  She  was  a 
woman  of  quiet  tastes  and  sterling  virtues  and  her 
companionship  and  help  for  forty-eight  years  were 
undeniably  great  factors  in  the  success  of  her  hus- 
band in  his  business  and  political  career. 

Editorially  the  Providence  Tribune  of  Feb.  25th 
said  of  Mr.  Freeman:  “The  death  of  the  Honor- 
able Edward  L.  Freeman,  after  a worthy  life 
marked  by  uncompromising  personal  integrity  and 
filled  with  modest  good  works,  is  hardly  less  a loss 
to  Rhode  Island  because  with  the  accumulating 
years  his  activities  have  of  late  necessarily  been 
somewhat  decreased.  In  public  life  *he  filled  many 


RHODE  ISLAND 


707 


offices  with  assiduous  fidelity ; in  business  he  ex- 
emplified the  old-fashioned  virtues  of  honesty,  per- 
severance and  thrift;  in  social  life  he  was  a genial 
companion  and  a loyal  friend,  and  in  the  more 
intimate  relations  of  the  family  he  amply  deserved 
the  love  that  was  his.  Thus  to  have  discharged 
all  duties  entitles  a man  to  a 'well  done’  here  that 
the  believer  confidently  feels  will  be  also  bestowed 
elsewhere.” 

Of  the  seven  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Edward  L.  Freeman  but  three  are  now  living : 
(1)  William  Capron  (died  July  26,  1904)  is  men- 
tioned below.  (2)  Helen  R.  died  in  infancy. 
(3)  Joseph  W.  is  mentioned  below.  (4)  Emma 
R.  married  John  A.  Moore,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  and 
both  are  now  deceased,  he  dying  March  28,  1902, 
and  she  July  22,  1903.  They  left  two  children, 
Edward  Freeman  and  Jeannette,  who  now  make 
their  home  with  their  aunt,  Miss  Lucy  J.  Freeman. 
(5)  Edward,  born  April  14,  1867,  was  formerly 
a minister  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  but  is  now  a 
lawyer  practicing  at  Marlboro,  Mass.,  having  been 
admitted  to  the  Massachusetts  Bar.  He  married 
Ida  Louise  Prince,  and  they  have  one  daughter, 
Dorothy.  (6)  Mabel  C.,  born  Dec.  20,  1868,  died 
March  11,  1876.  (7)  Lucy  J.,  the  youngest,  is  a 

graduate  of  Wellesley  College  and  of  the  Woman’s 
College  of  Brown  University.  She  has  spent  sev- 
eral years  in  Europe  studying,  and  takes  a deep 
interest  in  art ; she  is  the  author  of  “Italian  Sculp- 
ture of  the  Renaissance,  and  is  editor  of  the  “Key 
Books,”  a series  which  deals  with  painting,  sculp- 
ture and  kindred  subjects. 

William  Capron  Freeman,  son  of  Edward 
L.  and  Emma4 E.  (Brown)  Freeman,  born  Aug. 
11,  1859,  in  Central  Falls,  R.  I.,  married  Aug.  27, 
1888,  Grace  Maud  Cleveland,  of  Indianapolis,  Ind., 
daughter  of  Samuel  T.  and  Malinda  M.  (Tolman) 
Cleveland. 

Mr.  Freeman  received  his  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  his  native  place,  then  further  pursued 
his  studies  in  the  noted  English  and  Classical 
School  of  Mowry  & Goff  at  Providence.  From  this 
latter  institution  he»  entered  the  book  and  stationery 
business  of  his  father  in  Providence,  and  in  time 
became  manager  of  the  store,  and  in  1885  a member 
of  the  firm.  In  the  year  named  he  succeeded  in  the 
firm  Mr.  John  E.  Goldsworthy,  who  had  been  a 
partner  in  the  business  with  his  father  from  1873. 
On  his  entrance  into  the  firm  it  became  E.  L. 
Freeman  & Son.  Mr.  Freeman  continued  in  charge 
of  the  Providence  store  until  1888,  in  which  year 
the  concern  founded  at  Central  Falls  the  business 
of  the  Artogravure  Company,  which  operated  a 
plant  for  gelatine  printing;  and  from  that  time  on 
until  1893  Mr.  Freeman  gave  his  chief  attention  to 
the  new  business,  still  retaining,  however,  an  over- 
sight of  the  stationery  stores  at  Providence  and 
Pawtucket,  a store  having  been  subsequently  opened 
in  the  latter  city. 

In  1893  the  Artogravure  Company  was  con- 
solidated with  the  Art  Publishing  Company,  of 


Gardiner,  Mass.,  and  Charles  Taber  & Sons,  of 
New  Bedford,  Mass.,  under  the  name  of  the  Taber 
Art  Company,  and  all  the  plants  were  moved  to 
New  Bedford,  and  of  the  new  company  Mr.  Free- 
man was  chosen  president,  a relation  which  he 
sustained  with  that  company  until  1898,  when  the 
company  was  consolidated  with  the  L.  Prang  Com- 
pany, and  the  business  then  became  known  as  the 
iaber-Prang  Art  Company,  and  was  removed  to 
Springfield,  Mass.,  after  which  time  Mr.  Free- 
man remained  with  the  company  as  one  of  the  di- 
rectors. He  then,  in  1898,  became  manager  of  the 
Providence  stores  of  E.  L.  Freeman  & Sons,  re- 
maining in  that  capacity  until  his  death,  in  1904. 

The  work  of  the  Artogravure  Company  was  the 
reproduction  of  masterpieces  of  painting  and  sculp- 
ture, photographs  of  buildings  and  scenes  of  inter- 
est, some  being  executed  in  black  and  others  beauti- 
fully tinted,  and  all  were  finely  finished,  artistic 
in  conception  and  treatment.  The  business  of  the 
original  plant,  as  had  been  that  of  the  Taber  Art 
Company,  was  very  successful.  In  the  year  fol- 
lowing his  election  to  the  presidency  of  the  com- 
pany, Mr.  Freeman  removed  his  family  to  New 
Bedford,  where  he  resided  until  1898.  Himself  a 
good  salesman,  he  knew  the  requirements  of  the 
trade  and  was  a judge  of  salesmen,  so  that,  prac- 
tical, too,  himself,  in  the  mechanical  work  of  the 
business,  he  was  well  fitted  for  the  responsible 
position  intrusted  to  him.  He  occasionally  made 
trips  in  the  trade  to  the  larger  cities  and  was  kept 
fully  occupied.  The  company  executed  work  of 
all  descriptions  in  the  line  of  modern  process  pic- 
tures, including  gelatines,  photographs,  etchings, 
artotypes,  and  manufactured  picture  frames  of  all 
styles  and  varieties,  giving  employment  to  from 
200  to  400  persons.  Besides  this  business  connec- 
tion Mr.  Freeman  continued  to  retain  his  interest  as 
a partner  in  the  business  of  E.  L.  Freeman  & Sons 
until  his  death. 

During  the  service  of  the  Hon.  William  P. 
Sheffield  in  the  United  States  Senate,  filling  the 
unexpired  term  in  that  body  of  the  late  Hon.  Henry 

B.  Anthony,  Mr.  Freeman  held  the  position  of 
private  secretary  to  the  new  Senator,  and  continued 
the  same  relation  for  some  two  years  to  the  newly 
elected  senator,  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Chace. 

Mr.  Freeman  was  a member  of  the  Rhode  Is- 
land Master  Printers  Association  and  of  all  the 
Masonic  bodies  of  Pawtucket  and  of  the  A.  and  A. 
Scottish  Rite  of  Rhode  Island.  He,  was  also  a 
member  of  the  Pawtucket  Business  Men’s  Asso- 
ciation, and  of  the  To  Kalon  Club,  while  a resident 
of  that  city.  He  was  a member  of  the  Wamsutta 
Club,  of  New  Bedford,  during  his  residence  in 
that  city. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Freeman  were  born  children 
as  follows : William  B.,  born  Dec.  8,  1889 ; May 

C. ,  Feb.  19,  1891;  Harold  B.,  July  20.  1892:  Lin- 
coln W.,  Oct.  8,  1894  (died  Aug.  2,  1897)  ; Albert 
M.,  June  25,  1897;  Maud  E.,  Nov.  1,  1900.  Mr. 
William  C.  Freeman  passed  away  at  his  home  in 


RHODE  ISLAND 


70S 

Providence  July  26,  1904,  at  the  age  of  forty-five 
years,  survived  by  his  widow  and  five  children. 
Mrs.  Freeman  subsequently  became  the  wife  of 
Edwin  P.  Dawley,  engineer  of  construction  with 
the  New  York,  New  Haven  & Hartford  Railroad 
Company. 

Joseph  Wood  Freeman,  son  of  Edward  L. 
and  Emma  E.  (Brown)  Freeman,  born  May  9, 
1863,  in  Central  Falls,  R.  I.,  married  June  23,  1886, 
Elizabeth  King  Fales,  daughter  of  the  late  George 
S.  and  Frances  (Baker)  Fales,  of  Pawtucket.  Mr. 
Fales  was  an  extensive  leather  manufacturer  and 
leading  citizen  of  Pawtucket,  and  brother  of  John 
R.  Fales,  of  the  Fales  & Jenks  Machine  Company, 
they  being  sons  of  the  late  David  G.  Fales,  of  the 
family  of  that  name,  long  prominent  in  the  indus- 
trial life  of  that  section  of  the  State. 

Joseph  W.  Freeman  in  early  boyhood  attended 
the  public  schools  of  Central  Falls,  and  after  four- 
teen years  of  age  furthered  his  education  and  pre- 
pared for  college  in  the  Mowry  & Goff  English 
and  Classical  School  at  Providence.  Entering 
Brown  University,  he  was  graduated  therefrom  in 
the  class  of  1885,  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  later, 
in  1889,  receiving  from  that  institution  the  degree 
of  A.  M.  From  the  time  of  his  graduation  until 
its  sale  in  1890  Mr.  Freeman  was  the  editor  of  the 
Central  Falls  Weekly  Visitor,  a paper  established 
by  his  father.  Since  1890  he  has  given  his  time  and 
energies  to  the  business  of  the  firm  of  E.  L.  Free- 
man & Sons,  the  history  of  which  is  outlined  in  the 
sketch  of  his  father  in  this  article,  he  having 
had  charge  of  the  Central  Falls  printing  office 
since  1893.  He  is  now  president  and  treasurer  of 
the  E.  L.  Freeman  Company,  the  business  having 
been,  incorporated  in  1906. 

Mr.  Freeman  has  been  alive  to  the  interests  of 
Central  Falls  and  active  in  various  lines  of  effort 
in  the  city's  behalf,  both  municipal  and  otherwise. 
He  held  several  offices  in  the  town  of  Lincoln  be- 
fore Central  Falls  was  cut  off,  having  been  clerk 
and  moderator  of  the  voting  district  of  Central 
Falls,  a member  of  the  Lincoln  School  committee, 
and  secretary  and  chairman  of  the  board  of  sewer 
commissioners.  He  was  one  of  the  special  super- 
visors at  the  town  election  in  1890,  at  the  time  the 
notorious  "tissue  ballot’’  frauds  were  discovered, 
and  it  was  largely  owing  to  his  determined  opposi- 
tion to  the  count  made  by  the  election  officials  on 
election  day,  and  his  record  then  made,  supported 
by  his  testimony  before  the  Supreme  court  later, 
that  the  fraud  was  detected,  the  usurpers  ousted, 
and  the  election  given  to  the  successful  persons. 
In  1900  Mr.  Freeman  was  elected  mayor  of  Central 
Falls,  and  served  the  city  in  that  capacity  for  the 
year  1901,  declining  a renomination.  He  was  again 
elected  in  1906  and  served  during  the  following 
year.  In  1900  he  was  also  elected  a member  of  the 
school  committee,  in  which  capacity  he  served  until 
1907,  and  from  1901  was  chairman.  He  served 
the  State  as  deputy  railroad  commissioner  from 
May,  1899,  to  February,  1907.  Mr.  Freeman  was 


librarian  of  the  Free  Public  Library  of  Central 
Falls  from  its  establishment  in  1882  until  1899, 
since  which  time  he  has  served  as  member  of  its 
board  of  trustees.  To  its  development  and  manage- 
ment he  has  given  special  attention,  the  result  of 
which  is  that  the  library  has  been  advanced  from  a 
modest  collection  of  900  volumes  to  one  of  the 
largest  and  best  in  Rhode  Island,  the  equipment 
of  books  frequently  being  favorably  commented 
upon.  Mr.  Freeman  is  one  of  the  three  trustees 
under  the  will  of  the  late  Stephen  L.  Adams,  who 
bequeathed  $35,000  for  the  purpose  of  building 
and  maintaining  a public  library  in  Central  Falls. 

Mr.  Freeman,  like  his  father  before  him,  has 
been  active  and  greatly  interested  in  Masonry  and 
is  prominent  in  that  fraternity.  In  1893  he  was 
made  worshipful  master  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  10, 
A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of  Pawtucket.  He  is  also  a mem- 
ber of  Pawtucket  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  No.  4 ; 
Pawtucket  Council,  No.  2,  Royal  and  Select  Mas- 
ters; Holy  Sepulchre  Commandery,  No  8,  K.  T. ; 
Palestine  Temple,  Mystic  Shrine;  and  the  Scottish 
Rite  bodies.  He  served  as  master  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Chapter  of  Rose  Croix  for  three  years.  In 
September,  1907,  he  was  made  a thirty-third  degree 
Mason  at  the  ninety-sixth  annual  meeting  of  the 
Supreme  Council  of  the  Northern  Masonic  Juris- 
diction held  at  Boston.  In  May,  1905,  he  was 
elected  grand  master  of  Masons  of  Rhode  Island, 
having  during  most  of  the  previous  year  acted  in 
the  same  capacity,  because  of  the  death  of  the 
grand  master.  He  belongs  to  various  societies, 
among  them  the  Central  Falls  Veteran  Firemen’s 
Association,  the  Lincoln  Republican  Association, 
the  To  Kalon  Club  of  Pawtucket,  the  Rhode  Island 
Historical  Society,  and  the  Rhode  Island  Master 
Printers  Association,  of  which  latter  body  he  has 
served  as  president.  Mr.  Freeman  is  a director  of 
the  Industrial  Trust  Company,  Pawtucket  Branch, 
and  is  president  of  the  Eastern  Advertising  Com- 
pany of  Pawtucket. 

Mr.  Freeman  has  devoted  a portion  of  his  time 
to  research,  has  prepared  a number  of  historical 
papers  and  is  the  compiler  of  many  catalogues  and 
reports. 

Children  as  follows  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Freeman:  (1)  David  Lincoln,  born  June  8, 
1887,  died  Jan.  30,  1905.  (2)  Edward  Livingston, 

born  July  10,  1891.  (3)  Elizabeth  King  Fales, 
born  Oct.  28,  1893.  (4)  Frances  Louise,  born 
July  2,  1895.  (5)  Joseph  Wood,  born  March  24, 

1899,  died  in  his  second  year.  (6)  Richard  Fales, 
born  June  14,  1901.  (7)  Joseph  Wood,  Jr.,  born 

Dec.  28,  1906. 

Mr.  Freeman  is  a regular  attendant  at  St. 
George’s  Episcopal  Church  of  Central  Falls,  of 
which  his  wife  is  a communicant,  and  to  which 
they  give  liberal  support. 

BROWN  (Bristol  family).  The  Browns  of 
that  part  of  Rhode  Island  and  Massachusetts  on 
either  side  of  the  line  now  separating  the  two  States 


RHODE  ISLAND 


709 


have  been  a continuous  family  in  this  region  since 
its  first  settlement.  One  John  Brown  became  ac- 
quainted with  the  Pilgrims  at  Leyden,  Holland, 
prior  to  1620.  He  came  to  this  country  prior  to 
1634,  and  he  was  made  a freeman  that  year.  He 
was  a man  of  large  intelligence,  great  energy  of 
character  and  deep  and  earnest  piety.  He  was 
elected  assistant  each  year  for  seventeen  years  be- 
ginning with  1636.  He  was  a grand  pioneer  in  the 
settlement  of  the  towns  on  the  west  of  old  Plym- 
outh. He  lived  in  Plymouth,  Duxbury  and  Swan- 
sea or  Rehoboth,  he  being  one  of  the  purchasers 
of  the  latter  town  in  1643.  He  removed  thither 
prior  to  June,  1645.  IR  the  latter  year  he  became 
sole  proprietor  of  lands  which  originally  included 
a portion  of  the  present  towns  of  Rehoboth,  Swan- 
sea, Barrington,  Seekonk  and  East  Providence.  On 
the  consolidation  of  the  several  Colonies  for  their 
welfare  and  defense  in  1643  Mr.  Brown  represented 
Plymouth  Colony  for  twelve  years,  as  commissioner 
to  the  meetings  of  the  confederacy.  Mr.  Brown 
probably  brought  with  him  from  England  his  wife 
Dorothy,  and  their  children  James,  Mary  and  John. 
Of  these  James  removed  to  Rehoboth  with  his 
father  and  John  followed  in  1647. 

The  Brown  family  record  of  Rehoboth,  Mass., 
according  to  Arnold,  begins  with  the  family  of  John 
Brown,  whose  children  were:  John,  born  in  Sep- 
tember, 1650;  Lydia,  born  Aug.  5 or  6,  1656; 
Amah,  born  Jan.  29,  1657;  Joseph,  April  9,  1658; 
and  Nathaniel,  born  Jan.  9,  1661. 

From  this  family  has  descended  the  present 
Brown  family  of  Bristol,  the  head  of  which  is 
Walter  DeForest  Brown,  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  National  India  Rubber  Company  of  that 
point,  and  one  of  the  successful  and  representative 
men  of  his  community. 

From  (I)  John  Brown,  of  Rehoboth  record, 
Mr.  Brown’s  lineage  is  through  Joseph,  Jabez, 
Nicholas,  Nicholas  (2),  Eleazer,  Eleazer  A.  and 
Arnold  DeForest.  These  generations  in  detail,  so 
far  as  found,  follow. 

(II)  Joseph  Brown,  born  April  9,  1658,  married 
Nov.  10,  1680,  Hannah  Fitch. 

(III)  Jabez  Brown  was  born  Dec.  30,  1683. 

(IV)  Nicholas  Brown  married  in  Smithfield, 
R.  I.,  April  22,  1744,  Hope  Whipple,  born  April 
28,  1723,  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Whip- 
ple. 

(V)  Nicholas  Brown  (2)  married,  June  3,  1770, 
Susanna,  daughter  of  Amos  Arnold,  of  Cumber- 
land, Rhode  Island. 

(VI)  Eleazer  Brown,  son  of  Nicholas  and  Sus- 
anna (Arnold)  Brown,  born  Oct.  13,  1773,  married 
Betsey  Cole,  daughter  of  John  Cole.  Two  of  their 
children  are  of  Cumberland  (R.  I.),  town  record: 
Susanna,  born  Dec.  12,  1793;  and  Abigail,  born 
Aug.  1,  1796.  A son,  Eleazer  A.,  was  born  Sept. 
13,  1800. 

(VII)  Eleazer  A.  Brown,  son  of  Eleazer  and 
Betsey  (Cole)  Brown,  born  Sept.  13,  1800,  married 
Oct.  7,  1827,  Charlotte  W.,  born  March  15,  1808, 


daughter  of  Sylvanus  and  Charlotte  (Wright) 
Peck,  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  and  they  lived  in  that 
town.  Their  children  in  part  are  of  town  record 
there.  Those  of  whom  there  is  public  record 
found  were:  Charlotte  W.,  who  died  March  12, 
1856,  in  her  twenty-fourth  year ; Arnold 
DeForest,  born  in  1838;  Edward  Payson,  born  in 
1840;  James  P.,  born  Nov.  4,  1844.  "ho  died  Aug. 
23,  1865,  at  Donaldsonville,  La.,  aged  twenty  years; 
John  C.,  born  Aug.  23,  1846,  who  died  in  his 
second  year;  George  C.,  born  Aug.  28,  1848;  and 
Walter  1?.,  born  Dec.  8,  1850.  The  father  of  these 
died  May  30,  1889,  aged  eighty-eight  years,  eight 
months,  seventeen  days,  and  the  mother  passed 
away  April  11,  1888,  aged  eighty  years,  in  Reho- 
both, Mass.,  where  a record  of  their  deaths  appear. 

(VIII)  Arnold  DeForest  Brown,  born  in  1838 
in  Woodstock,  Conn.,  married  July  12,  i860,  when 
“twenty-two  years  of  age,”  Amanda  M.  Horton, 
daughter  of  Tamerline  V . Horton,  of  Rehoboth, 
Mass.  Mr.  Brown  died  Dec.  26,  1874,  in  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  aged  thirty-six  years.  He  had  two 
children : Walter  DeForest  and  Cora,  the  latter 
of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Brown  served  in  the 
Civil  war  as  second  lieutenant  in  the  2d  Rhode 
Island  Cavalry.  He  was  a machinist  and  followed 
that  trade  during  his  life. 

(IX)  Walter  DeForest  Brown  was  born 
Nov.  6,  1861,  in  the  town  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  and 
acquired  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
Rehoboth,  at  the  State  street  intermediate  school 
at  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  the  Benefit  street  gram- 
mar school,  and  for  two  years  attended  the  Rogers 
nigh  school  of  Newport.  He  then  took  a course 
in  the  commercial  school  of  Bryant  & Stratton,  in 
Providence,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  having 
finished  his  schooling,  he  became  entry  clerk  in  the 
wholesale  grocery  house  of  Bugbee  & Brownell, 
where  he  remained  for  about  four  and  ar  half  years. 
He  then  was  employed  in  the  wholesale  grain  house 
of  Messrs.  Day,  Sons  & Co.,  on  Dyer  street,  where 
he  remained  about  four  and  a half  years.  In  1889 
he  became  bookkeeper  with  the  National  India 
Rubber  Company  upon  its  re-organization,  and  con- 
tinued in  such  position  until,  in  1894.  he  was  elected 
secretary,  which  latter  position  he  has  held  to  the 
present  time.  In  June,  1905,  he  was  elected  treas- 
urer of  the  company  and  now  holds  the  double 
position  of  secretary  and  treasurer.  I he  National 
India  Rubber  Company  employs  about  nineteen 
hundred  people  and  does  a large  and  extensive  busi- 
ness. Mr.  Brown  has  been  with  the  company  since 
its  re-organization  with  the  exception  of  the  first 
year. 

Mr.  Brown  was  married,  in  1883,  to  Martha  1., 
daughter  of  Edward  D.  Jones,  Jr.,  of  Newport. 
One  daughter,  Viola  T.,  was  born  to  them  Aug.  27, 
1888. 

In  fraternal  circles  Mr.  Brown  is  a member  ot 
Capital  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Providence,  and 
has  passed  through  all  the  chairs.  He  is  a member 
of  the  New  England  Order  of  Protection  - the  A. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


710 

O.  L.  \\  . ; the  M.  W.  A.;  and  the  Workmen’s 
Benefit  Association.  He  is  also  a member  of  the 
Washington  Park  M.  E.  Church  of  Providence. 

Mr.  Brown’s  success  in  life  is  largely  due  to  his 
constant  and  careful  attention  to  whatever  is  en- 
trusted to  him  to  do  and  the  most  indefatigable 
labor.  He  is  a genial,  approachable  gentleman,  and 
one  greatly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 

KAULL.  The  Ivaull  family  is  of  record  in 
Rhode  Island  as  early  as  the  Revolutionary  period, 
while  for  perhaps  a century  the  name  has  been 
identified  with  Newport  and  that  vicinity,  where 
William  Kaull  settled.  For  several  generations  his 
descendants  have  been  among  the  city’s  substantial 
men  and  women,  and  they  are  allied  by  marriage 
to  some  of  the  oldest  and  most  honored  families  of 
Newport  county,  including  the  Barker,  Anthony, 
Burdick  and  Gifford  families. 

At  some  time  prior  to  the  Revolution  one  John 
Kaull,  born  in  Germany  about  1750,  found  his 
way  to  the  Colonies,  and  when  the  struggle  for 
independence  came  espoused  the  Patriot  cause.  He 
fought  under  Rochambeau  and  later  received  a 
pension  for  his  services.  He  died  in  the  town  of 
Bristol,  R.  I.,  March  31,  1839,  aged  eighty-nine 
years.  One  of  his  sons,  Hiram,  died  in  Newport 
Oct.  28,  1824,  at  the  age  of  nineteen.  Another  of 
the  name,  a William  Kaull,  Jr.,  is  recorded  as 
serving  as  ensign  and  then  lieutenant  in  a.  New- 
port company  of  the  State  militia  from  1836  to 
1839,  inclusive. 

William  Kaull  was  born  on  Newport  Island, 
and  died  in  the  city  of  Newport'.  A man  of  rugged 
constitution  and  great  strength,  he  followed  the 
calling  of  a blacksmith  and  continued  to  work  at 
it  till  greatly  advanced  in  years.  Originally  estab- 
lished in  Middletown,  he  later  moved  his  shop  to 
Newport,  where  the  rest  of  his  life  was  spent. 
In  character  he  was  industrious  and  thrifty,  with 
quiet  and  unassuming  demeanor,  and  his  life  was 
one  consistent  with  the  professions  of  a member  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church.  On  May  26,  1815, 
he  married  Betsey  (or  Elizabeth)  Cox,  of 
Newport,  and  they  had  several  children,  among 
them  George  C.,  William,  Jr.,  and  Thomas  F. 

I homas  F.  Kaull  was  born  in  November,  1825, 
and  while  still  very  young  learned  the  blacksmith’s 
trade  with  his  father.  He  worked  at  this  trade 
for  a few  years  and  then  turned  his  attention  in- 
stead toward  floriculture.  When  he  had  made  him- 
self familiar  with  the  latter  business  he  opened  a 
florist's  establishment  on  Howard  street,  and  was 
engaged  there  till  his  death,  meeting  with  very 
flattering  results  from  his  labors.  His  demise  oc- 
curred in  June,  1875,  at  the  comparatively  early  age 
of  fifty  years.  While  not  a member  of  any  de- 
nomination, he  was  a regular  attendant  upon  the 
Thames  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In 
politics  a Republican,  he  took  no  share  in  party 
work  save  casting  his  vote. 


Mr.  Kaull  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  C.  Bur- 
dick, daughter  of  the  late  Clark  Burdick,  of  New- 
port. Mrs.  Kaull  passed  away  at  her  home  in 
November,  1887,  the  mother  of  eleven  children. 
Only  four  of  these  survive,  Thomas  F.,  Harry  C., 
Grace  G.  and  Elizabeth,  the  last  named  residing 
in  Newport,  unmarried.  Harry  C.  is  a gardener 
by  profession;  he  married  Miss  Nancy  Littlefield, 
of  New  Shoreham,  R.  I.,  and  they  have  one  daugh- 
ter, Marjorie  Burdick  Kaull.  Grace  G.  is  the  wife 
of  Samuel  P.  Gladding,  a wood-turner  of  Newport, 
by  whom  she  has  had  one  daughter,  Bessie  Glad- 
ding. 

Thomas  Frederick  Kaull  was  the  oldest  child 
of  his  parents,  the  date  of  his.  birth  being  June  4, 
1853.  He  was  sent  first  to  the  grammar  schools 
in  Newport,  then  entered  the  King  high  school, 
and  remained  a student  there  till  he  was  fifteen 
years  old,  at  which  age  he  began  work.  He  then 
became  employed  as  a clerk  by  his  uncle,  ex-Mayor 
J.  Truman  Burdick,  who  was  then  the  proprietor 
of  a meat  and  provision  store,  and  continued  in  that 
capacity  for  sixteen  years.  In  1884  Mr.  Burdick’s 
interest  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Kaull  and  his 
brother-in-law,  Charles  G.  Anthony,  and  the  re- 
sulting firm  of  Kaull  & Anthony  carried  on  the 
business  most  successfully  till  Oct.  1,  1905.  Mr. 
Kaull  then  bought  out  Mr.  Anthony  and  is  now 
the  sole  owner.  They  had  removed  in  1902  to  Nos. 
39 1 -393  Thames  street,  as  the  increasing  business 
demanded  larger  quarters,  and  Mr.  Kaull  remains 
at  that  location.  The  building  is  one  with  many 
associations,  as  it  was  at  one  time  the  home  of 
Captain  Taylor,  who  was  under  the  command  of 
Commodore  Perry  at  the  Battle  of  Lake  Erie. 
The  house  descended  to  a son,  Rear-Admiral  Tay- 
lor, and  still  later  became  the  home  of  the  late 
Hon.  William  Gilpin. 

On  Nov.  24,  1875,  Mr.  Kaull  was  joined  in 
matrimony  to  Miss  Eliza  A.  Anthony,  daughter  of 
the  late  Benjamin  M.  Anthony,  of  Newport.  Mrs. 
Kaull  is  very  active  in  benevolent  and  charitable 
organizations,  and  is  also  a leading  worker  in  Wil- 
liam Ellery  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  of  Newport.  Mr. 
Kaull  is  eligible,  through  the  maternal  line,  to  mem- 
bership in  the  Society  of  Sons  of  the  Revolution. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  St.  Paul’s  Lodge,  No. 
14,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  and  to  Coronet  Council,  No. 
63,  Royal  Arcanum,  of  Newport.  He  has  always 
been  specially  active  in  Christian  work  and  for 
several  years  he  was  a director  of  the  Young  Men’s 
Christian  Association  of  Newport.  During  the 
more  than  thirty  years  his  name  was  enrolled  in 
the  membership  of  the  Thames  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Newport,  he  was  indefatigable 
in  his  work  there.  He  served  as  recording  steward 
for  over  thirteen  years,  was  Sunday-school  superin- 
tendent for  fifteen  years,  and  on  four  different  oc- 
casions was  a delegate  to  the  Lay  Electoral  Con- 
ference, which  convenes  every  four  years.  Upon 
two  occasions,  also,  he  was  elected  alternate  to  the 


RHODE  ISLAND 


711 


General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  In  1905  Mr.  Kaull  became  affiliated  with 
the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Newport, 
in  which  he  holds  several  prominent  positions.  He 
has  never  mingled  in  politics,  as  his  business  took 
his  whole  time,  but  he  supports  the  Republican 
party,  and  in  1907,  under  the  new  charter  of  the 
city,  he  was  elected  a member  of  the  representative 
council  from  the  Second  ward,  for  a term  of  three 
years.  He  holds  a high  place  in  both  business  and 
social  circles,  with  the  confidence  of  the  whole  com- 
munity, for  his  reputation  is  that  of  a careful  and 
thoroughly  upright  business  man,  at  the  same  time 
conservative  and  progressive. 

^ THOMAS  CROSBY.  In  the  death  of  the  late 
Thomas  Crosby,  who  passed  away  in  Newport, 
Aug.  1,  1905,  after  a lingering  illness  of  several 
months,  that  city  lost  one  of  its  substantial  and 
successful  business  men.  He  belonged  to  the  well 
known  Crosby  family  of  Rhode  Island,  a history 
of  which  appears  elsewhere  in  these  volumes. 

Mr.  Crosby  was  born  in  Newport  March  9, 
1829,  the  eldest  son  of  the  late  John  Hookey  and 
Virtue  C.  (Hubbard)  Crosby,  of  that  city.  He 
attended  the  public  schools  of  his  birthplace  until 
he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  then  embarked 
for  himself  in  a business  venture  that  was  destined 
to  grow  to  large  proportions  and  to  engross  his 
attention  until  his  retirement  from  active  life.  This 
enterprise  was  the  renting  of  bathing-houses  on 
Easton's  beach.  At  first  they  were  portable  ones, 
which  he  built  himself,  and  so  popular  did  they 
prove  that  in  a year  he  needed  a partner  in  order 
to  manage  the  business.  He  and  William  Tew 
formed  the  firm  of  Crosby  & Tew,  which  con- 
tinued for  several  years,  when  Air.  Tew  withdrew. 
From  that  time  until  he  had  a son  old  enough  to 
assist  him  Mr.  Crosby  carried  on  the  business  alone. 
After  a time  he  discarded  the  portable  bathhouses 
and  installed  stationary  ones  instead.  There  were 
also  in  connection  with  these  a pavilion  and  a 
restaurant  conducted  for  some  years  bv  Mr.  Cros- 
by’s brother.  Albert  G.  After  the  son  was  taken 
into  partnership  the  firm  name  was  Thomas  Crosby 
& Son,  and.  they  carried  the  business  on  very  suc- 
cessfully until  a few  years  prior  to  Thomas  Crosby’s 
death,  when  both  father  and  son  retired.  From 
1898  until  his  death  Mr.  Crosby  served  as  a di- 
rector of  the  Union  National  Bank  of  Newport. 
He  also  served  as  a commissioner  of  the  Newport 
Asylum  for  several  years. 

On  Jan.  21,  1861,  Thomas  Crosby  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Martha  E.  Winslow,  daughter  of 
Eben  and  Jane  Holt  (Vickery)  Winslow,  of  New- 
port, who  throughout  the  more  than  forty  years  of 
their  married  life  proved  herself  a true  helpmate. 
She  survives  her  husband  and  still  makes  her  home 
in  Newport.  Three  children  were  born  to  them, 
namely : William  A.,  unmarried,  who  was  his 
father's  partner ; Martha  E.,  who  lived  only  nine 


years ; and  Thomas,  also  unmarried,  a graduate  of 
Brown  University,  and  now  assistant  professor  of 
English  in  that  university. 

I lie  late  Ihomas  Crosby  was  a man  of  modest 
and  retiring  disposition,  domestic  in  his  habits  and 
devoted  to  his  family,  but  quiet  though  he  was, 
among  his  intimate  friends  he  displayed  a geniality 
and  a gift  for  social  intercourse  which  greatly  en- 
deared him  to  all  who  really  knew  him.  He  natur- 
ally cared  nothing  for  public  life,  although  he  was 
always  a loyal  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party. 
I11  religious  matters  he  was  connected  with  Zion’s 
Episcopal  Church.  Fraternally  he  had  been,  since 
1871,  a member  of  Rhode  Island  Lodge,  No.  12, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  was  at  one  time  a member  of 
the  board  of  trustees  of  that  organization.  He  also 
belonged  to  Aquidneck  Encampment,  No.  5,  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  and  to  Coronet  Council,  No.  63,  Royal  Ar- 
canum. 

Mr.  Crosby  represented  the  best  type  of  American 
citizen,  for  while  he  was  eminently  successful  in 
business,  his  was  a success  never  gained  by  any 
unfairness  or  disregard  of  the  rights  of  others. 
He  left  a name  which  stood  for  honor;  ability  of  a 
high  order  and  genuine  manliness,  and  his  death  ,■ 
was  widely  lamented. 

ALEXANDER  JAMES  ANDERSON,  M.  D.r 
one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  Newport,  comes 
of  a sturdy  and  noted  line  of  Scotch  ancestry,  sev- 
eral members  of  which  have  been  eminent  divines, 
physicians  and  surgeons.  Alexander  Anderson, 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  staff  surgeon  in 
the  Royal  Navy,  and  received  his  degree  of  M_ 
D.  at  the  University  of  Edinburgh. 

Dr.  David  Hawley  Burn-Anderson,  son  of 
Alexander,  was  born  Aug.  21,  1844,  in  Edinburgh, 
Scotland.  He  studied  medicine  at  the  University 
and  Royal  College  of  Surgeons  of  Edinburgh,  and 
at  St.  Bartholomew’s  Hospital,  London.  He  later 
went  to  India,  where  he  served  as  surgeon  of  the 
Twenty-first  Regiment,  Royal  Scots  Fusileers,  with 
the  title  of  Regimental  Surgeon.  Dr.  Anderson 
held  the  degree  of  M.  D.  and  C.  M.,  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Edinburgh;  M.  R.  C.  S.,  of  England; 
and  L.  S.  A.,  of  London.  The  Doctor  died  in 
1887,  at  Porto  Bello,  near  Edinburgh,  Scotland.  He 
married  Clara  Carpenter,  of  Hereford,  Hereford- 
shire, England,  who  is  still  residing  at  Porto  Bello. 
To  this  union  were  born  eight  children,  of  whom 
Alexander  James  is  the  eldest. 

Alexander  James  Anderson,  M.  D.,  was  born 
Jan.  2,  1869,  at  St.  Thomas’  Mount,  near  Madras, 
India,  where  his  father  was  serving  as  a member  of 
the  Medical  Department  of  the  British  army.  After 
attending  the  Royal  High  school  of  Edinburgh, 
where  the  present  King  Edward  VII  was  a pupil 
in  boyhood,  Dr.  Anderson,  in  1886,  entered  the 
University  of  Edinburgh,  from  which  noted  institu- 
tion of  learning  he  was  graduated  in  1891,  with 
the  degrees  of  M.  B.  and  C.  M.  He  then  attended 


712 


RHODE  ISLAND 


the  Royal  College  of  Surgeons  of  Edinburgh,  af- 
ter which  he  took  up  the  private  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Pembroke,  South  Wales,  where  he 
continued  for  four  years,  during  which  time  lie 
was  surgeon  to  the  infirmary,  and  consulting  phy- 
sician to  the  Pembrokeshire  and  Haverfordwest  In- 
firmary. Dr.  Anderson  was  also  surgeon-lieuten- 
ant in  the  Third  Volunteer  Battalion  of  the  Welsh 
Regiment.  During  his  stay  in  South  Wales  Dr. 
Anderson  enjoyed  a large  practice  in  the  army 
and  navy,  and  among  nobility  and  gentry  around, 
lie  next  established  himself  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Ashford,  Middlesex,  England,  and 
there  received  the  government  appointments  of 
medical  officer  to  the  Staines  Union  Infirmary,  also 
parochial  medical  officer  of  Ashford  District,  and 
medical  officer  to  St.  Joseph’s  Inebriate  Home.  Dr. 
Anderson  remained  in  practice  at  Ashford  for  about 
four  years,  following  which  he  took  up  post-gradu- 
ate work  in  London  for  some  time. 

In  January,  1902,  Dr.  Anderson  came  to 
America,  and  took  a post-graduate  course  at  Johns 
Hopkins  Hospital  and  Medical  School  at  Balti- 
more, Md.  After  spending  several  months  in 
traveling  in  the  United  States,  the  Doctor  in  Janu- 
ary, 1903,  passed  the  Rhode  Island  State  Board 
of  Health  examination,  and  opened  an  office  for  the 
practice  of  his  profession  in  Newport,  where  he  has 
since  continued. 

Dr.  Anderson  is  a member  of  the  Newport 
Medical  Society,  the  Rhode  Island  State  Medical 
Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 
The  Doctor  is  a member  and  has  been  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Tubercu- 
losis of  Newport;  is  the  president  of  St.  Andrew's 
Society,  and  honorary  physician  of  the  same.  He 
is  a visiting  physician  and  surgeon  of  the  Newport 
Hospital.  The  Doctor  is  a member  of  the  Nat- 
ural History  Society  of  Newport,  and  takes  a 
great  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  natural 
. history.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Newport 
Horticultural  Society.  As  a Mason  he  is  affiliated 
with  St.  Paul’s  Lodge,  No.  14.  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; 
and  Newport  Chapter,  No.  2,  R.  A.  M.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Newport  Reading  Room.  The  Doctor 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  Trinity  Episcopal 
.Church,  of  Newport. 

On  June  9,  1896,  Dr.  Anderson  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Margaret  Tiffany,  in  St. 
Mary  Abbott's  Church,  Kensington,  London,  Eng- 
land. Mrs.  Anderson  is  a daughter  of  Lyman  Tif- 
fany, of  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  a descendant  of 
one  of  America’s  oldest  and  most  prominent  fami- 
lies, being  of  the  tenth  generation  of  the  Tiffany 
family  born  on  the  Tiffany  estate,  “Fox  Hurst, 
Westchester,  N.  Y.,  which  has  been  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  family  since  1636.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Anderson  have  been  born  two  children,  namely  : 
Lillian  Alexandra,  born  April  10,  1900,  and  David 
Alexander  Burn-Anderson,  born  May  17,  1905. 


DANIEL  LUTHER  WILLMARTH,  who  has 
been  engaged  as  a contractor  and  builder  in  Paw- 
tucket for  over  thirty  years,  is  a native  of  Seekonk, 
Mass.,  born  Oct.  5,  1849,  and  belongs  to  a family 
long  settled  in  that  locality. 

(I)  John  Wilmot  or  Wilmarth  appears  in  Reho- 
botli,  Mass.,  where  Feb.  6,  1671,  he  was  married 
to  Ruth  Kendrick,  and  their  children  of  Rehoboth 
town  record  (according  to  Arnold)  were:  Ruth, 
born  Oct.  5,  1673 ; Mehetabel,  June  19,  1675 ! Na- 
thaniel, Dec.  29,  1677 ; Dorothy,  Aug.  26,  1680 ; 
Sarah,  Dec.  21,  1682;  John,  Dec.  11,  1685;  Mercy, 
May  2,  1689;  Noah,  May  5,  1691;  and  Timothy, 
Nov.  4,  1692.  The  mother  of  these  died  Feb.  19, 
1706,  and  the  father  probably  in  1719. 

(II)  Nathaniel  Willmarth,  born  Dec.  29,  1677, 
married  (first)  March  27,  1704,  Joanna  Luther,  of 
Swansea,  Mass.  She  died  May  31,  1706,  and  he 
married  (second)  June  29th  of  that  year  Mary 
Perry,  of  Scituate,  Mass.  One  child,  Joanna,  born 
May  24,  1705,  came  to  the  first  marriage,  and  the 
following  children  to  the  second  union : Ruth, 
born  Oct.  12,  1707  ; Daniel,  Nov.  5,  1709;  Mehet- 
abel, Sept.  16,  1 7 1 1 ; Nathaniel,  Feb.  23,  1713-14; 
Elizabeth,  in  January,  1715-16;  Thomas,  Nov.  13, 
1717;  Mary,  Jan.  2,  1718-19;  and  Keziah,  Jan.  5, 
1721-22. 

(III)  Daniel  Willmarth,  born  Nov.  5,  1709, 
married  April  18,  1733,  Bethiah  Beverly,  and  their 
children  of  Rehoboth  town  record  (according  to 
Arnold)  were:  Nathaniel,  born  June  8,  1734; 
David,  Nov.  15,  1735;  Mary,  July  15,  1738;  and 
Daniel,  Oct.  21,  1750. 

(IV)  Daniel  Willmarth  (2),  born  Oct.  21,  1750, 
married  Susannah,  and  their  children  of  Rehoboth 
town  record  (according  to  Arnold)  were:  Lucy, 
born  Jan.  27,  1772;  John,  Nov.  22,  1773;  Nancy, 
Jan.  25,  1776;  Sally,  April  15,  1778;  Rebekah,  July 
17,  1780  ; Polly,  May  20,  1783;  Cyrus  Wilson,  April 
12,  1785;  Joseph,  Oct.  31,  1786;  Samuel  Nelson, 
March  21,  1789;  Olive,  Aug.  20,  1791;  Daniel 
Luther,  Oct.  5,  1793;  and  George  Wilson,  June  5, 
1799. 

(V)  John  Willmarth,  born  Nov.  22,  1773,  mar- 
ried Feb.  14,  1802,  perhaps  in  Seekonk,  Mass., 
where  he  likely  lived,  Rachel,  born  May  7,  1780, 
daughter  of  Ebenezer  Fuller.  Their  children,  same 
of  record  in  both  Rehoboth  and  Seekonk,  were ; 
Willson  Willard,  born  Feb.  15,  1803;  Pascal  Ellery, 
Jan.  30,  1805;  John,  March  8,  1807;  Abigail  Fuller, 
Feb.  18,  1809;  John  Fristram  (or  Tristram),  May 
4,  1 8 1 1 ; Rachel  Emeline,  Nov.  19,  1813;  and  Olive 
Fuller,  June  13,  1817. 

(VI)  Pascal  Ellery  Willmarth,  born  in  Seekonk, 
Mass.,  Jan.  30,  1805,  married  Abby  Maria  Day ; 
and  their  children  of  Seekonk  town  record  were : 
Pascal  Ellery,  born  Aug.  11,  1839;  and  Augustus 
Day,  born  Aug.  30,  1841.  Mr.  Willmarth  married 
Dec.  20,  1846,  for  his  second  wife,  Mary  E.  Web- 
ster, who  was  born  Dec.  5,  1827,  in  Freetown  or 


RHODE  ISLAND 


7i3 


Taunton,  Mass.,  and  died  in  Seekonk  Aug.  7,  1894. 
The  children  of  this  union  were  as  follows : Daniel 
W.,  who  died  in  early  childhood ; Daniel  Luther, 
who  is  mentioned  below ; John  W.,  born  Dec.  8, 
1850,  who  is  a contractor  and  builder  in  Pawtucket ; 
Nicholas,  born  Sept.  15,  1855,  who  is  a carpenter  in 
Providence;  Mary  A.,  born  Nov.  1,  1857,  who  mar- 
ried Frank  Luther,  of  Attleboro,  Mass.,  where  he 
is  engaged  in  farming;  and  Abby  M.  D.,  born  June 
16,  1861,  who  married  a Mr.  Almy,  of  Seekonk, 
Mass.  The  father  of  this  family  died  March  26, 
1864,  in  Seekonk.  He  was  engaged  all  his  life  at 
teaming  and  farming,  and  was  a man  of  rugged 
health  and  constitution,  and  worked  hard  to  gain 
a livelihood  for  himself  and  family. 

(VII)  Daniel  Luther  Willmarth  was  obliged 
to  help  in  the  hard  work  of  the  home  farm  from 
such  an  early  age  that  his  opportunities  for  obtain- 
ing even  the  rudiments  of  learning  were  limited. 
He  received  what  education  he  acquired  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  Seekonk,  and  remained  in  that 
vicinity  until  he  reached  young  manhood,  in  1868 
coming  to  Pawtucket,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
Entering  upon  a three  years’  apprenticeship  with 
Slade  & Perry,  to  learn  the  trade  of  carpenter,  he 
served  his  time  and  then  worked  for  Henry  A. 
Smith  two  or  three  years,  after  which  he  was 
second  hand  for  a year  in  the  construction  of  the 
“Narragansett  Hotel,”  at  Providence.  In  1873  he 
started  in  business  on  his  own  account  as  a con- 
tractor and  builder,  and  by  his  preseverance,  energy 
and  honorable  dealing  he  has  built  up  a large  and 
profitable  patronage.  Among  the  numerous  struc- 
tures which  he  has  put  up  are  the  Union  Wadding 
Company's  office  building ; the  branch  of  the  In- 
dustrial Trust  Company  at  Pawtucket;  the  Cole 
block ; the  residences  of  Samuel  M.  Conant,  George 
W.  Kent,  H.  O.  Phillips,  Mrs.  Sarah  Durfee,  Mrs. 
Smith  Grant,  and  many  others.  The  character  of 
the  work  upon  which  he  has  been  engaged  speaks 
well  for  Mr.  Willmarth’s  standing  in  his  calling, 
and  his  buildings  are  their  own  recommendation, 
for  he  is  the  kind  of  workman  who  does  a thing 
with  zest,  taking  pride  in  the  products  of  his  mind 
and  hands  and  pleasure  in  a task  well  done.  He  is 
a well-known  member  of  the  Pawtucket  Business 
Men’s  Association. 

Mr.  Willmarth  has  been  active  in  municipal 
affairs  for  a number  of  years,  having  served  as  a 
member  of  the  common  council  and  of  the  alder- 
manic  board,  and  for  one  year  as  inspector  of  public 
buildings  in  his  city.  He  was  appointed  to  the  last 
named  position  by  Mayor  James  Brown,  and  proved 
eminently  satisfactory,  displaying  proper  interest 
in  the  public  welfare  and  a thorough  understanding 
of  the  requirements  of  the  office.  He  was  first 
chosen  a member  of  the  common  council  in  1895 
and  was  re-elected  to  that  body  in  1896  and  in  1897, 
the  last  time  on  the  Independent  ticket,  though  he 
is  a stanch  Republican  in  his  views.  Later  he  served 
one  year  on  the  board  of  aldermen.  Mr.  Willmarth 


attends  the  Park  Place  Congregational  Church  of 
Pawtucket. 

On  May  18,  1874,  Mr.  Willmarth  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Alice  Hawes  Smith,  born 
July  19,  1853,  daughter  of  Orin  and  Sally  Hutchin- 
son (Williams)  Smith,  of  Lincoln,  R.  I.  [See 
sketch  elsewhere  of  Orin  Smith.]  They  have  had 
one  son,  Daniel  Luther,  born  in  Pawtucket,  April 
27,  1892,  who  is  now  a student  at  the  Moses  Brown 
school  in  Providence. 

Mr.  Willmarth  is  painstaking  and  precise  in  all 
his  undertakings,  and  as  a builder  he  has  few 
equals  and  no  superiors  in  that  section. 

COGGESHALL.  The  early  Coggeshalls  of 
Rhode  Island  were  among  the  more  wealthy  and 
prominent  families  of  the  Providence  Plantations. 
John  Coggeshall,  the  progenitor  of  the  family,  was 
born  in  1599  in  the  County  of  Essex,  England.  The 
family  there  was  of  Norman  origin  and  possessed 
of  large  estates  in  Essex  and  Suffolk,  including 
the  Manor  of  Little  Coggeshall  and  Codham  Hall, 
Wethersfield,  in  the  vicinity  of  Coggeshall-on-the- 
Blackwater.  The  oldest  families  followed  the  us- 
ages of  the  Normans,  writing  the  name  with  the 
preposition,  as  Thomas  de  Coggeshall,  who  was  the 
owner  of  these  vast  estates  in  the  reign  of  King 
Stephen  of  Bloss,  grandson  of  the  Conqueror,  1135- 
1154.  Five  of  the  family,  several  of  whom  were 
Knights,  were  sheriffs  of  Essex,  which  until  1556 
included  Herefordshire.  Coggeshall  Abbey,  the 
most  famous  of  the  Cistercian  order,  was  built  by 
King  Stephen,  1142,  and  endowed  by  his  Queen, 
Matilda  of  Boulogne,  and  his  son  Eustace,  with 
their  lands  in  France. 

(I)  John  Coggeshall,  who  was  a merchant, 
immigrated  to  New  England  in  1632,  arriving  in 
Boston  on  the  ship  “Lion”  and  bringing  with  him 
his  wife  Mary  and  their  three  children,  John, 
Joshua  and  Ann.  He  and  his  wife  soon  joined  the 
church  at  Roxbury,  formed  that  year.  He  removed 
to  Boston  in  1634  and  in  April  became  a member  of 
that  church,  with  which  his  wife  also  became  con- 
nected, and  he  was  soon  chosen  a deacon.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  board  of  selectmen  of  Boston,  1634, 
was  also  a deputy  that  year,  and  served  in  the  same 
capacity  seven  times.  He  was  one  of  the  seventy- 
five  supporters  of  Anne  Hutchinson  who  were  dis- 
armed. He  was  one  of  sixteen  persons  who  in 
1638  went  to  Providence  and  bought  from  the  Nar- 
ragansetts  the  Island  of  Aquidneck,  subsequently 
called  Rhode  Island.  They  soon  became  incor- 
porated in  a body  politic  and  began  the  settlement 
of  Pocasset  (Portsmouth).  Mr.  Coggeshall  was 
one  of  the  leading  men  of  Portsmouth  who  settled 
in  Newport  in  1639.  In  1640  Portsmouth  and  New- 
port were  united  and  Mr.  Coggeshall  was  chosen 
one  of  the  assistants.  He  had  been  one  of  the  elders 
in  Portsmouth,  chosen  in  1639-  In  1644  t"he  several 
establishments  were  united,  becoming  Providence 


/i4 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Plantations,  but  the  organization  was  not  effected 
till  1647.  Mr.  Coggeshall  became  president  of 
Providence  Plantations  and  died  in  office,  Nov.  23, 
1647.  His  widow  died  Dec.  17,  1684. 

(II)  Joshua  Coggeshall,  born  in  1623,  married 
(first)  Dec.  22,  1652,  Joan  West,  born  in  1631. 
She  died  in  1676,  and  he  married  (second)  June 
21,  1677,  Rebecca  Russell.  Mr.  Coggeshall  was  of 
Newport  and  Portsmouth,  R.  I.  He  was  a member 
of  the  Society  of  Friends,  was  deputy  much  of  the 
time  from  1664  to  1672,  and  was  assistant  much  of 
the  time  from  1669  to  1676.  He  died  May  1,  1688. 
His  children,  all  born  to  the  first  marriage,  were: 
Mary,  born  in  1655;  Joshua,  1656;  John,  1659; 
Josiah,  1662:  Daniel,  1665;  Humility,  1671;  Caleb, 
1672;  and  Isaac. 

(III)  Joshua  Coggeshall  (2),  born  in  May, 
1656,  in  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  married  (first)  May 
13,  1681,  Sarah.  She  died  March'  20,  1697,  and 
he  married  (second)  Aug.  26,  1697,  Sarah.  Mr. 
Coggeshall  was  a resident  of  that  part  of  Newport 
which  became  Middletown,  and  was  near  Ports- 
mouth. His  children  were:  Joshua;  John,  born 
Dec.  14,  1683 ; Thomas,  March  29,  1685  ; Elizabeth, 
March  29,  1686;  Thomas,  June  24,  1688;  Josiah, 
Dec.  12,  1690:  Richard,  Feb.  11,  1692;  Mary,  March 
15,  1695;  Caleb,  July  25,  1698;  Sarah,  March  22, 
1700;  James,  March  17,  1701;  a daughter,  Jan. 
15,  !7°3 ; Benjamin,  Jan.  31,  1705;  Ann,  Nov.  18, 
1707;  Waite,  Jan.  11,  1709;  Comfort,  April  22, 
1 7 1 1 ; and  Benjamin  (2),  Nov.  15,  1714. 

(IV)  Thomas  Coggeshall,  born  June  24,  1688, 
in  Newport,  R.  I.,  married  March  11,  1708,  Mercy, 
born  in  1691,  daughter  of  Gideon  Freeborn,  and 
they  resided  in  Middletown,  R.  I.,  he  being  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  died  Jan.  26,  1771,  and  she 
passed  away  May  26,  1776;  both  are  buried  in  the 
Coggeshall  burying-ground  in  Middletown.  Their 
children  were:  Elizabeth,  born  Aug.  30,  1710; 
Comfort,  Sept.  17,  1712;  Mercy,  June  30,  1714; 
Sarah,  Aug.  20,  1715;  Wait,  Jan.  4,  1717;  Mary, 
March  27,  1720;  Joshua,  March  11,  1722;  Mercy, 
Feb.  23,  1724;  Gideon,  April  20,  1726;  Thomas, 
Aug.  26,  1728  ; and  Hannah,  May  20,  1731. 

(V)  Thomas  Coggeshall  (2)  was  born  Aug. 
26,  1728,  and  died  Jan.  17,  1803.  He  married  July 
4,  1750,  Hannah,  daughter  of  William  and  Han- 
nah (Thurston)  Cornell,  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  who 
was  born  Nov.  22,  1730.  Their  children  according 
to  the  Middletown  records  were : John,  born  May 
7,  1751;  Josiah.  Aug.  13,  1752;  and  William,  Jan. 
7,  1757.  Two  other  sons  are  named  in  family 
records. 

(VI)  Josiah  Coggeshall  married  Oct.  10, 
1776,  Mary  Horswell,  and  they  had  a son  Free- 
born. 

(VII)  Freeborn  Coggeshall  was  born  in  Mid- 
dletown in  1780,  and  died  there  Oct.  10,  1827.  when 
only  forty-seven  years  old.  He  established  himself 
in  Newport  as  a general  merchant  at  No.  162 


Thames  street,  and  was  very  successful  in  his  busi- 
ness, being  at  the  height  of  prosperity  when  his- 
untimely  death  occurred.  He  was  married  Oct- 
12,  1811,  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  Dennis- 
and  granddaughter  of  the  Capt.  William  Dennis- 
who  commanded  twenty-six  vessels  during  the 
Revolution.  Six  children  were  born  to  them:  (1) 
Ann  Dennis,  May  21,  1813,  married  William  Alger,. 
of  Newport.  (2)  Mary  H.,  July  17,  1815,  married 
Alexander  B.  Burdick,  of  Newport.  (3)  Freeborn,. 
June  12,  1817,  is  mentioned  further  on.  (4)  Robert 
D.,  Nov.  15,  1818,  followed  the  trade  of  a black- 
smith all  his  life,  but  was  also  a great  student  of 
geology  and  attained  some  reputation  in  that  line. 
He  died  in  Newport,  April  12,  1901,  having  been, 
three  times  married,  first  to  Sarah  Ann  Hunt,  (sec- 
ond) to  Margaret  Peckham  and  (third)  to  Nancy 
Peckham.  (5)  Emmy  Eliza,  Nov.  12,  1820,  died 
at  the  age  of  thirteen  months.  (6)  Aaron  Shef- 
field was  the  father  of  Frederick  B.  Coggeshall. 

(VIII)  Freeborn  Coggeshall  (deceased), 
who  was  engaged  in  business  at  No.  23  South  Main 
street,  Providence,  for  over  fifty  consecutive  years, 
was  born  June  12,  1817,  son  of  Freeborn  and  Eliza- 
beth (Dennis)  Coggeshall. 

Mr.  Coggeshall  was  educated  in  Newport, 
where  he  attended  the  private  schools  of  Levi 
Tower  and  Mr.  Joslin.  Upon  the  establishment 
of  the  first  public  free  schools  in  Newport  he  be- 
came one  of  the  first  pupils.  He  continued  in  school 
until  about  twenty-one  years  old,  thus  receiving 
rather  better  advantages  than  were  offered  to  young 
men  who  did  not  take  a college  training.  From 
the  time  he  was  twenty-one  until  he  was  twenty- 
seven,  or  from  1838  to  1845,  he  was  serving  an 
apprenticeship  at  his  trade  with  William  Brownell, 
of  Newport.  Having  formed  the  acquaintance  of 
the  Hon.  Amos  C.  Barstow,  in  1848,  to  become 
a member  of  the  firm  of  what  was  afterward  known 
as  Coggeshall  & Barstow,  Mr.  Barstow's  half- 
brother  being  the  partner,  a friendship  sprang  up 
between  Mr.  Coggeshall  and  Mr.  Barstow  which 
suffered  no  interruption  for  nearly  a half  a century. 
This  partnership  continued  for  four  years,  being 
dissolved  in  1851.  In  1852  Mr.  Coggeshall  removed 
across  the  river  to  No.  23  North  Main  street, 
where  lie  remained  ever  after.  He  had  probably 
the  oldest  business  continuous  in  one  place  in  the 
city  of  Providence.  He  was  for  the  first  thirty 
years  engaged  in  selling  stoves  and  ranges,  and 
after  that  time  sold  steam,  hot  water  and  hot  air 
furnaces.  Throughout  his  long  business  career  he 
enjoyed  uninterrupted  success. 

Mr.  Coggeshall  was  a member  of  the  school 
board  for  twenty  years  and  took  an  active  part  in 
that  branch  of  the  municipal  government.  Public 
positions  always  came  to  him  unsought.  He  was 
always  a stanch  Republican.  For  twenty-five- 
years  he  was  a member  of  the  vestry  of  St. 
Stephen’s  Church  of  Providence,  and  at  a meeting. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


7iS 


of  the  vestry,  held  July  22,  1906,  the  following 
minute  was  adopted : 

The  vestry  of  St.  Stephen’s  parish,  Providence,  called 
together  by  the  death  of  their  long-time  colleague  and 
friend,  Freeborn  Coggeshall,  Esq.,  desire  to  record  their 
veneration  of  his  character  and  their  appreciation  of  his 
services  to  the  parish. 

Mr.  Coggeshall  first  entered  the  vestry  in  1855.  serv- 
ing until  1857.  In  1879  he  again  consented  to  accept  an 
election  and  had  held  office  continuously  since.  Devoted 
to  the  parish,  and  loyal  to  its  history  and  traditions,  he 
had  ever  been  a stanch  supporter  of  the  clergy,  a valuable 
adviser,  and  a distinct  element  of  strength  and  sympathy 
in  the  corporation,  vestry  and  congregation.  A sound 
Catholic-minded  churchman,  a sterling  Christian  man  of 
simple,  devout  and  consistent  life,  he  has  furnished  a 
wholesome  and  good  example  to  all  his  fellow-men.  A 
loving  husband  and  father,  a good  neighbor,  a useful  citi- 
zen, interested  in  the  highest  public  concerns,  especially 
education,  Mr.  Coggeshall  has  been  a light  and  a help  to 
the  community  in  which  he  has  lived  so  long  and  so  well. 

He  has  served  his  generation  by  the  will  of  God. 

His  name  and  memory  will  be  historic  in  the  annals  of 
the  parish,  and  will  be  always  affectionately  treasured. 

“Grant  him,  O Lord,  eternal  rest  and  may  light  per- 
petual shine  upon  him.” 

(Signed)  W.  H.  Phillips, 

Parish  Clerk. 

Living  to  his  eighty-ninth  year,  and  still  active 
in  business,  Mr.  Coggeshall  had  seen  the  city  of 
his  adoption  increase  in  population  from  a few 
thousands  to  nearly  200,000,  and  was  the  con- 
temporary and  co-worker  with  many,  now  gone, 
who  were  most  active  in  the  promotion  of  this 
growth. 

Freeborn  Coggeshall  married  (first)  Eliza  L. 
Sherman  and  (second)  Abby  Sabin,  and  his  chil- 
dren were:  Rev.  Freeborn,  deceased,  and  Annie 
N.,  born  in  1848,  who  resides  at  home. 

(IX)  Rev.  Freeborn  Coggeshall,  son  of 
Freeborn  and  Eliza  L.  (Sherman)  Coggeshall,  was 
born  Dec.  31,  1845,  hi  Newport,  R.  I.  His  parents 
removed  to  Providence  when  he  was  a child  and 
there  he  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  and  the  Providence  high  school.  This  he 
supplemented  with  a course  at  Brown  University, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1867,  with  high 
class  honors,  delivering  the  valedictory,  and  being 
class  poet.  Following  this  he  entered  the  General 
Theological  Seminary  in  New  York,  and  after  a 
three  years’  course  was  graduated  in  1870.  Dur- 
ing his  course  in  that  institution  he  spent  some  time 
in  England  and  on  the  Continent.  He  was  or- 
dained a deacon  in  the  Episcopal  Church  by  Bishop 
Clarke,  June  12,  1870,  and  was  admitted  to  pres- 
byter’s orders  by  Bishop  Odenheimer,  of  New  Jer- 
sey, Dec.  22,  1871. 

After  having  received  deacon’s  orders,  in  1870, 
Rev.  Mr.  Coggeshall  took  charge  of  a missionary 
station  at  Elmwood,  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  after 
receiving  presbyter’s  orders,  in  1871,  he  was  settled 
as  assistant  rector  in  the  “House  of  Prayer,”  in 
the  city  of  Newark,  N.  J.  From  Newark  he  went 
to  Boston,  Mass.,  accepting  an  appointment  as  one 
of  the  assistant  rectors  of  the  Church  of  the  Ad- 
vent. He  served  this  charge  until  the  summer  of 
1874,  when  he  severed  his  connection  with  it  to 


further  pursue  his  theological  studies  abroad.  He 
became  a novice  in  the  order  of  St.  John  the  Evan- 
gelist, and  studied  at  the  Mission-House  of  this 
order  at  Cowley,  England.  While  engaged  in 
study  in  that  institution  he  was  also  occupied  as 
a mission  priest  of  the  society  of  St.  John  the 
Evangelist.  He,  too,  had  charge  of  morning  re- 
ligious services  in  Oxford  and  the  neighboring  vil- 
lages. He  passed  two  years  at  Oxford,  happily 
for  himself,  and  with  spiritual  profit  to  those  L> 
whom  he  ministered.  When  nearing  the  time  for 
his  homeward  trip  he  was  taken  with  disease  which 
terminated  a young  and  promising  life,  his  death 
occurring  Oct.  6,  1876. 

TILLEY  (Line  of  John  Tabour  of  Newport). 
The  family  bearing  this  name  in  Newport  is  one 
of  the  oldest  of  that  town,  the  forerunner  settling 
there  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  years  ago.  The 
late  Hon.  Benjamin  James  Tilley,  of  Newport,  a 
former  representative  from  that  town  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  State  and  a most  useful  and 
valuable  citizen,  was  a descendant  in  the  fourth 
generation  from  William  Tilley,  the  first  American 
ancestor  of  this  branch  of  the  Tilley  family.  From 
this  emigrant  settler  the  late  Benjamin  J.  Tilley’s 
descent  is  through  Deacon  William,  and  John  Ta- 
bour Tilley.  These  generations  in  detail  and  in 
the  order  given  follow.  The  widow  and  only  child r 
a son,  Risbrough  Hammett  Tilley,  are  residents  of 
Newport,  where  the  latter  has  for  years  been  active 
in  historical  research. 

(I)  William  Tilley,  born  about  1685  in  Devon,. 
England,  came  to  America  about  1710  and  settled 
at  Boston.  He  was  a son  of  John  Tilley,  of  Ide- 
ford,  Devon,  England,  and  with  brothers,  John  and 
James,  came  to  Boston  to  work  for  their  uncle, 
William  Tilley,  a rope-maker,  who  had  preceded 
them  and  resided  in  Boston,  the  uncle  being  a mem- 
ber of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery  Com- 
pany and  of  Old  South  Church  at  his  death  in  1 7 1 7 - 
He  removed  to  Newport,  R.  I.,  in  1732,  an<I  estab- 
lished himself  in  the  rope-making  business.  He 
married  Dorcas,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth 
(Slocum)  Earle,  of  Portsmouth.  He  died  in  New- 
port about  1755. 

(II)  Deacon  William  Tilley,  born  Oct.  19, 
1738,  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  married  Oct.  28,  1759, 
Elizabeth  Rogers,  of  Middletown,  R.  I.,  daughter 
of  Jeremiah  and  Patience  Rogers.  He,  too,  was 
a rope-maker.  He  owned  much  land  east  of  Mt. 
Vernon  Street,  and  on  Touro  street  to  the  burial 
ground  on  Kay  street,  on  which  his  extensive  walks 
were  located.  His  residence  was  on  Elizabeth  street,, 
near  the  Jewish  cemetery.  Mrs.  Tilley  died  Aug. 
28,  1800,  aged  fifty-nine  years,  and  he  married 
(second)  in  January,  1802,  Catherine  Sabine,  of 
Rehoboth,  who  died'  Oct.  15,  1817.  He  married 
(third)  Nov.  4,  1821,  widow  Elizabeth  Boone,  for- 
merly Elizabeth  Reed,  who  died  Jan.  3,  1836,  aged 
eightv-six  years.  Dir.  Tilley  was  a prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  Second  Baptist  Church  in  Newport,  hav- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


716 


ing  held  the  office  of  deacon  for  forty  years.  Mr. 
Tilley  died  April  14,  1825.  Of  his  seventeen  chil- 
dren, all  born  to  the  first  marriage,  thirteen  lived 
to  mature  years.  His  children  were : Mary,  Wil- 
liam, William  (2),  Sarah,  James,  Thomas,  Betsey, 
William  (3),  Elizabeth,  Dorcas,  George,  Abraham, 
Patience,  John,  George  (2),  Benjamin  and  Nancy. 
On  the  death  of  the  father  of  this  family  the  New- 
port Mercury  paid  him  the  following  tribute : 

“If  sixty  years  of  a conscientious  discharge  of 
religious  and  moral  duties  joined  to  the  endearing 
and  affectionate  domestic  ties  of  husband,  father, 
son,  brother  and  friend  shall  claim  from  our  all 
wise  and  beneficent  Creator,  reward  and  mercy, 
he  now  enjoys  all  the  heavenly  felicity  promised  by 
the  Gospel  of  Christ.  His  life  was  a life  of  piety  and 
usefulness  and  to  the  last  moments  of  that  life,  his 
faith  and  confidence  was  unshaken  in  Christ,  the 
son  of  God.  He  left  a numerous  progeny  as  well 
as  numerous  friends  to  mourn  his  departure,  ten 
children,  seventy-nine  grandchildren  and  forty- 
four  great-grandchildren.” 

(III)  John  Tabour  Tilley,  born  April  5,  1778, 
in  Newport,  married  April  (or  August)  20,  1800, 
Margaret,  born  March  23,  1780,  daughter  of  John 
and  Sarah  (Boutin)  Nicoll,  great-granddaughter  of 
Speaker  William  Nicoll,  son  of  Mathias  Nicoll, 
third  mayor  of  New  York.  Mr.  Tilley  died  Aug. 
22  (or  23),  1828,  and  Mrs.  Tilley  passed  away 
Oct.  1,  1864.  Mr.  Tilley  followed  the  occupation 
-of  his  forefathers,  that  of  a rope-maker.  Their 
children  were:  Sarah  R.,  John  T.,  Ann  B.,  Mary 

S. ,  Charles  N.,  William  J.,  Margaret  H.,  Margaret 

T.  and  Benjamin  James. 

(IV)  Benjamin  James  Tilley,  born  Nov. 
20,  1821,  in  Newport,  married  Dec.  2,  1849,  Mary 
Chapman,  born  June  24,  1825,  daughter  of  Capt. 
Edward  Easton  and  Rebecca  (Chapman)  Taylor, 
of  Newport,  and  to  the  marriage  came  one  child, 
Risbrough  Hammett  Tilley. 

When  seven  years  of  age  Benjamin  James  Tilley 
sustained  an  injury  to  one  of  his  hips  which  made 
him  a cripple  for  life.  He  received  a good  common 
school  education  and  later  attended  the  school 
of  the  distinguished  teacher,  Levi  Tower.  For 
some  time  he  was  a clerk  in  the  commission  house 
of  William  Vose.  As  a boy  he  sold  newspapers, 
then  beginning  a business  in  which  he  prospered 
through  life.  Young  Tilley  in  1848  opened  a store 
on  Thames  street,  establishing  the  first  successful 
news  depot  in  Newport.  Of  him  personally  writes 
his  biographer  in  the  “Biographical  Cyclopedia  of 
Rhode  Island”:  “Mr.  Tilley  was  one  of  the  most 
useful  citizens  of  Newport,  and  such  was  his  per- 
sonal popularity  that  he  was  twice  elected  to  the 
Rhode  Island  General  Assembly,  in  1864  and  1865, 
though  honestly  differing  politically  with  the  ma- 
jority of  his  constituents.  During  the  Rebellion 
lie  exhibited  much  patriotism  and  kindness  by  his 
■constant  endeavors  to  supply  the  wants  of  disabled 
soldiers  at  the  Portsmouth  Grove  Hospital,  and 


by  his  kind  and  sympathetic  attentions  at  the  bed- 
side of  the  sick  and  dying.  His  earnest  and  self- 
sacrificing  labors  in  that  direction  called  forth  ex- 
pressions of  gratitude  from  hundreds  of  soldiers. 
Mr.  Tilley  was  a prominent  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  having  been  advanced  to  the 
highest  degree  in  the  order.”  Mr.  Tilley  died 
July  31,  1866,  in  Newport. 

(V)  Risbrough  Hammett  Tilley,  only  child 
of  Benjamin  James,  born  Sept.  1,  1850,  married 
Nov.  23,  1874,  Susan  Jouvet,  daughter  of  Fred- 
erick A.  and  Susan  (Nason)  Barlow,  of  Newport, 
R.  I.  One  child,  Edith  May,  born  Dec.  19,  1875, 
blessed  this  union,  who  is  descended  in  the  ninth 
and  tenth  generations  respectively  from  John  Al- 
den  and  William  Mullens  of  the  “Mayflower,” 
1620.  She  is  an  expert  genealogist  and  an  as- 
sistant in  the  library  of  the  Newport  Historical 
' Society.  She  is  a member  of  William  Ellery 
Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  of  which  she  is  Vice  Regent, 
and  of  the  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  May- 
flower Societies,  holding  the  office  of  Historian  in 
the  Rhode  Island  Society. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Tilley  has  been  identified 
with  historical  matters  in  his  native  town  and 
State ; has  been  for  twenty  and  more  years  the 
librarian  of  the  Newport  Historical  Society.  He 
has  prepared  genealogies  of  a number  of  families, 
among  them  that  of  his  own — the  Tilley  family, 
and  the  Taylor  family.  From  1884  to  1887  he  was 
the  editor  of  the  “Rhode  Island  Magazine,”  of  the 
“American  Genealogical  Queries,”  and  later  of  the 
“Magazine  of  New  England  History.”  He  has 
been  engaged  in  other  historical  work,  and  for  years 
has  been  a correspondent  for  the  press.  In  1896 
he  was  appointed  State  Record  Commissioner,  a 
position  he  still  holds  (1907). 

JOHN  HENRY  TILLEY.  The  name  of  Til- 
ley has  for  nearly  two  and  one-half  centuries  been 
a conspicuous  one  in  the  annals  of  Newport,  in 
which  city  the  various  members  of  this  time-hon- 
ored family  have  been  esteemed  and  respected  citi- 
zens. This  article  is  to  particularly  treat  of  the 
branch  of  the  family  which  has  been  worthily  repre- 
sented by  the  late  Charles  N.  Tilley  and  his  son, 
the  late  John  Henry  Tilley.  A record  of  this 
branch  of  the  family  follows,  the  generations  being 
given  in  chronological  order. 

(I)  William  Tilley,  born  about  1685  in  Devon, 
England,  came  to  America  about  1710  and  settled 
at  Boston.  He  was  a son  of  John  Tilley,  of  Ide- 
ford,  Devon,  England,  and  with  his  brothers,  John 
and  James,  came  to  Boston  to  work  for  their  uncle 
William  Tilley,  a rope-maker,  who  had  preceded 
them  and  resided  in  Boston,  the  uncle  being  a mem- 
ber of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery  Com- 
pany and  of  Old  South  Church  at  his  death  in  1717. 
William  Tilley  (I)  removed  to  Newport,  R.  I.,  in 
1732,  and  established  himself  in  the  rope-making 
business.  He  married  Dorcas,  daughter  of  Joseph 


RHODE  ISLAND 


y\j 


and  Elizabeth  (Slocum)  Earle,  of  Portsmouth.  He 
died  in  Newport  about  1755. 

(II)  Deacon  William  Tilley,  born  Oct.  19,  1738, 
in  Newport,  R.  I.,  married  Oct.  28,  1759,  Elizabeth 
Rogers,  of  Middletown,  R.  I.,  daughter  of  Jeremiah 
and  Patience  Rogers.  He,  too,  was  a rope-maker. 
He  owned  much  land  east  of  Mt.  Vernon  street, 
and  on  Touro  street  to  the  burial  ground  on  Kay 
street,  on  which  his  extensive  rope  walks  were 
located.  His  residence  was  on  Elizabeth  street, 
near  the  Jewish  cemetery.  Mrs.  Tilley  died  Aug. 
28,  1800,  aged  fifty-nine  years,  and  he  married 
(second)  in  January,  1802,  Catherine  Sabine,  of 
Rehoboth,  who  died  Oct.  15,  1817.  He  married 
(third)  Nov.  4,  1821,  Widow  Elizabeth  Boone, 
formerly  Elizabeth  Reed,  who  died  Jan.  3,  1836, 
aged  eighty-six  years.  Mr.  Tilley  was  a promi- 
nent member  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church  in 
Newport,  having  held  the  office  of  Deacon  for 
forty  years.  He  died  April  14,  1825.  Of  his  seven- 
teen children,  all  born  to  the  first  marriage,  thirteen 
lived  to  mature  years.  His  children  were : Mary, 
William,  William  (2),  Sarah,  James,  Thomas,  Bet- 
sey, William  (3),  Elizabeth,  Dorcas,  George,  Abra- 
ham, Patience,  John,  George  (2),  Benjamin  and 
Nancy.  On  the  death  of  the  father  of  this  family 
the  Newport  Mercury  paid  him  the  following  trib- 
ute : 

"If  sixty  years  of  a conscientious  discharge  of 
religious  and  moral  duties  joined  to  the  endearing 
and  affectionate  domestic  ties  of  husband,  father, 
son,  brother  and  friend  shall  claim  from  our  all- 
wise and  beneficent  Creator  reward  and  mercy,  lie 
now  enjoys  all  the  heavenly  felicity  promised  by  the 
Gospel  of  Christ.  His  life  was  a life  of  piety  and 
usefulness  and  to  the  last  moments  of  that  life 
his  faith  and  confidence  were  unshaken  in  Christ, 
the  son  of  God.  He  left  a numerous  progeny  as 
well  as  numerous  friends  to  mourn  his  departure, 
ten  children,  seventy-nine  grandchildren  and  forty- 
four  great-grandchildren.” 

(III)  John  Tabour  Tilley,  born  April  5,  1778, 
in  Newport,  followed  the  occupation  of  his  fore- 
fathers, that  of  a rope-maker.  He  married  April 
(or  Aug.)  20,  1800,  Margaret,  born  March  23, 
1780,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Boutin)  Nicoll, 
great-granddaughter  of  Speaker  William  Nicoll, 
son  of  Mathias  Nicoll,  third  mayor  of  New  iork. 
Mr.  Tilley  died  Aug.  22  or  23,  1828,  and  Mrs.  Til- 
ley passed  away  Oct.  1,  1864.  Their  children  were: 
Sarah  R.,  John  T.,  Ann  B.,  Mary  S.,  Charles  N., 
William  J.,  Margaret  H.,  Margaret  T.  and  Ben- 
jamin James. 

(IV)  Charles  Nicoll  Tilley,  born  Sept.  16, 
1808,  passed  away  in  Newport  Sept.  9,  1894.  In 
early  life  he  kept  a store  at  No.  142  Thames  street, 
and  was  also  agent  for  the  New  Jersey  Steam  Navi- 
gation Company,  of  New  York,  for  a number  of 
years.  He  was  also  an  auctioneer.  He  eventually 
retired  from  the  mercantile  business,  and  in  the 
early  fifties  became  cashier  and  bookkeeper  of  the 
"Bellevue  Hotel,”  on  Catherine  street,  continuing 


in  that  capacity  until  1854.  In  1855  he  became 
deputy  collector  of  customs  under  Gilbert  Chase, 
and  continued  in  this  responsible  position  until 
Nov.  15,  1880,  when  he  resigned  from  active  busi- 
ness life,  spending  the  remainder  of  his  days  in 
well-earned  ease.  He  was  a notary  public  and  until 
his  death  kept  an  office — more  as  a place  in  which 
he  could  spend  a few  hours  each  day  and  where  his 
friends  might  congregate.  In  early  life  he  was  an 
old-line  Democrat,  but  in  1854,  on  the  organization 
of  the  Republican  party,  he  joined  forces  with  that 
organization.  Mr.  Tilley  was  a member  of  Zion 
Episcopal  Church  and  served  as  warden  and  vestry- 
man for  many  years. 

On  Nov.  3,  1830,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Abby  Chappell,  daughter  of  Henry  Chappell,  of 
Newport,  where  she  was  born  Dec.  22,  1808,  and 
died  May  31,  1886,  the  only  child  to  this  union  be- 
ing John  Henry. 

(V)  John  Henry  Tilley,  son  of  Charles  N.,  and 
the  subject  proper  of  this  review,  was  born  Aug. 
29,  1831,  in  Newport,  and  received  his  early  edu- 
cational training  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
city.  Upon  leaving  the  same,  at  the  age  of  ten 
years,  he  was  employed  by  his  father  for  several 
years  in  the  freight  business  in  connection  with 
the  New  Jersey  Steam  Navigation  Company.  He 
then  entered  the  dry-goods  store  of  Carr  & Brown, 
on  Thames  street,  as  a clerk,  remaining  in  their 
employ  until  1853,  when  he  became  clerk  in  the 
store  of  Francis  Lawton  & Bro.,  with  whom  he 
remained  for  five  years.  In  1858  he  took  up  photog- 
raphy in  its  various  branches,  and  this  he  followed 
in  Newport  and  New  York  for  about  one  year.  On 
Dec.  30,  1859,  Mr.  Tilley  entered  the  Newport 
custom  house  as  an  inspector,  in  which  capacity  he 
remained  until  November,  1880,  a service  of  almost 
twenty-one  years.  The  following  spring  he  became 
cashier  of  the  "Ocean  House,”  at  the  corner  of 
Bellevue  avenue  and  Bowery  street,  a position  he 
held  for  ten  years,  after  which  time,  until  within 
a short  time  of  his  death  he  was  actively  engaged 
in  the  insurance  business,  representing  among  other 
companies  the  Equitable  Fire  and  Marine  Insur- 
ance Company,  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  of  which  he 
had  been  agent  since  June,  1884.  Mr.  Tilley  was 
also  a notary  public  for  many  years,  receiving  his 
first  commission  over  forty  years  ago.  Fraternally 
he  was  connected  with  Weenat  Shassit  Tribe,  No. 

6,  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  of  which  he  was 
a past  sachem.  He  was  also  a past  great  sachem 
and  a member  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  He  joined  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  in  1871,  holding  membership 
in  Redwood  Lodge,  No.  11,  of  Newport,  of  which 
he  was  a past  chancellor  commander,  and  he  had 
also  served  as  grand  outer  and  inner  guard  and 
grand  prelate  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Mr.  Tilley  was 
for  a number  of  years  a member  of  the  volunteer 
fire  department  of  Newport,  serving  as  an  active 
member  thereof  from  1850  to  1874,  and  for  twelve 
years  was  clerk  of  the  Old  Hercules  Company,  No. 

7.  Mr.  Tilley  and  his  estimable  wife  were  consist- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


718 

ent  members  of  the  Charming  Memorial  Church  of 
Newport,  to  which  they  gave  their  liberal  support. 

On  March  23,  1856,  Mr.  Tilley  was  married 
to  Louise  Hammett  Marsh,  daughter  of  the  late 
Joseph  and  Lydia  Wood  (Davenport)  Marsh,  of 
Newport,  and  a descendant  of  some  of  Newport  s 
oldest  settled  families.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  1 illey  led 
a happy  wedded  life  of  over  fifty  years,  and  were 
honored  and  respected  citizens  of  the  city  in  which 
they  were  both  born  and  where  their  long  and  use- 
ful’lives  have  been  spent.  Charitable  and  benevo- 
lent, they  were  always  known  as  good  and  kindly 
neighbors.  INI r.  Tilley  passed  away  at  his  home  in 
Newport,  on  Sept.  21,  1907,  after  an  illness  lasting 
several  weeks,  and  is  survived  by  his  widow. 

THOMAS  C.  GLADDING,  one  of  the  ener- 
getic and  prominent  merchants  of  Providence,  R. 
I.,  and  now  proprietor  of  an  extensive  industry 
devoted  chiefly  to  the  manufacture  of  sausages  and 
the  curing  of  meats,  is  a member  of  the  old  his- 
toric family  which  for  nearly  one  hundred  and 
fifty  years  has  been  so  closely  identified  with  the 
progress  of  Providence  and  Newport.  John  Glad- 
ding, the  original  American  ancestor,  first  appears 
in  the  records  of  Newbury,  Mass.,  in  1666.  The 
descent  is  then  traced  through  John  (2),  Jonathan, 
of  Bristol,  Nathaniel,  Nathaniel  (2),  Abraham  S. 
and  Abraham  S.  (2),  all  of  Providence,  to  Thomas 
C.,  of  the  eighth  generation. 

(I)  John  Gladding  (Glading)  is  of  record  at 
Newbury,  Mass.,  in  1666,  as  marrying  on  July  17th 
of  that  year  Elizabeth  Rogers,  and  their  children 
of  record  in  Newbury  were : Susannah,  born  Oct. 
6,  1668;  John,  Oct.’ 11,  1670;  William,  July  25, 
1673;  Elizabeth,  Sept.  15,  1676;  Marv,  Jan.  14, 
1679;  and  Hannah,  Nov.  8,  1681.  Additional  chil- 
dren, of  record  in  Bristol,  of  John  Gladding  and 
his  wife  Elizabeth  were : Joshua,  born  May  6, 
1685;  Daniel,  Nov.  8,  1687;  and  Sarah,  Nov.  20, 
1691.  According  to  family  manuscripts  John 
Gladding  died  April  27,  1726,  aged  eighty-four 
years. 

(II)  John  Gladding  (2),  born  Oct.  11,  1670, 
married  Oct.  31,  1692,  Alice,  born  Dec.  27,  1670, 
daughter  of  Uzal  Wardwell.  Their  children  were: 
Mary,  born  Nov.  30,  1693;  John,  Sept.  8,  1694; 
William,  Oct.  13,  1698;  Jonathan,  Jan.  5,  1700-01; 
Ebenezer,  Dec.  8,  1702 ; Joseph,  Oct.  2,  1704;  Alice, 
March  24,  1705-06;  Elizabeth,  Sept.  13,  1706;  Na- 
thaniel, Dec.  16,  1709;  Sarah  (died  May  27,  1712, 
aged  eight  days)  ; and  Sarah  (2),  May  2,  1 7 1 5- 
The  mother  of  these  children  died  March  3,  1720. 

(III)  Jonathan  Gladding,  of  Bristol,  was  born 
Jan.  5,  1701,  and  his  marriage  to  Sarah  Carey  pub- 
lished July  2,  1726.  Both  were  residents  of  that 
place.  Mr.  Gladding  died  Oct.  27,  1743,  and  his 
wife  Dec.  26,  1786,  when  eighty-three  years  of 
age.  The  children  born  to  their  union  were : 
Sarah.  Sept.  1,  1727;  Elizabeth,  Sept.  22,  1729; 
Priscilla,  April  9,  1733;  Nathaniel,  Oct.  6,  1735; 
Jonathan,  Oct.  12,  1737;  Timothy,  Nov.  18,  1740; 


and  Benjamin,  Tune  22,  1743.  According  to  tra- 
dition the  four  brothers.  Timothy,  Benjamin,  Jona- 
than and  Nathaniel,  removed  to  Newport,  and  at 
the  outbreak  of  the  Revolutionary  war  the  first 
two,  Timothy  and  Benjamin,  settled  in  Providence 
and  became 'the  progenitors  of  the  Claddings  in 
that  city.  The  other  two  were  the  progenitors  of 
the  Claddings  in  Newport. 

(IV)  Nathaniel  Gladding  was  born  Oct.  6, 
1735,  and  his  children  were:  Sarah,  Mary,  Betsey, 
Hannah,  Warren,  Nathaniel,  Jonathan  and  Hale. 

(V)  Nathaniel  Gladding  (2),  of  Providence, 
married  Caroline  I.  Thomas,  and  their  children 
were:  Abraham  S.,  Maria,  Hannah  (who  married 
John  Potter),  Jarvis  E.,  Lydia  (married  Daniel 
Perry)  and  Ann. 

(VI)  Abraham  S.  Gladding,  of  Providence, 
married  in  June,  1815,  (first)  Cynthia  W.  Carpen- 
ter, of  Rehoboth,  Mass.  The  children  born  to  this 
union  were:  Thomas  C.,  May  8,  1816;  Abraham 
S.  (2),  Nov.  19,  1819;  Nathaniel  B.,  July  21,  1821 
(died  same  day)  ; and  Mary  Ann,  Oct.  26,  1823. 
He  was  married  (second)  May  8,  1825,  to  Mary 
Day,  by  whom  he  had  the  following  children : 
Cynthia  M.,  born  June  8,  1826  ; Maria,  who  mar- 
ried (first)  Joseph  Bliss  and  (second)  T.  V.  Bor- 
den, and  died  Jan.  10,  1685;  and  Anna  R.,  born 
Nov.  8,  1831,  who  died  Nov.  23,  1833. 

(VII)  Abraham  S.  Gladding  (2),  of  Provi- 
dence, born  Nov.  19,  1819,  married  Ann  Eliza- 
beth, born  Sept.  27,  1822,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Ann  Eliza  Hathaway,  of  that  city.  The  issue  of 
their  marriage  was  : William  H.,  born  Aug.  28, 
1843;  Cynthia,  Oct.  18,  1845  (married  Isaac 
Turner)  ; Frank  H.,  May  7,  1848;  Walter  E.,  Jan. 
20,  1851;  Thomas  C.,  July  24,  1853;  Nellie,  Au- 
gust, 1859;  and  Louis  A.,  July,  1861.  Mr.  Glad- 
ding died  on  the  16th  of  August,  1876.  He  spent 
his  early  married  life  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  engaged 
in  farming,  although  by  trade  lie  was  a harness- 
maker.  He  afterward  removed  to  East  Providence 
Center,  R.  I.,  where  he  was  a butcher  and  did  a 
large  business  in  slaughtering  cattle  and  hogs  for 
others.  For  many  years  lie  was  also  employed  in 
merchandising  and  for  several  terms  was  post- 
master at  East  Providence  Center.  He  was  a 
Whig  and  a Republican  in  politics,  a member  of 
the  Newman  Congregational  Church,  of  that  place, 
and  a citizen  of  high  standing. 

(VIII)  Thomas  C.  Gladding,  son  of  Abra- 
ham S.  and  Ann  Elizabeth  (Hathaway)  Gladding, 
was  born  in  East  Providence  Center,  R.  I.,  July 
24,  1853.  There  he  attended  the  public  schools 
and  when  thirteen  years  of  age  entered  the  Rum- 
ford  store,  where  lie  was  employed  for  about  a 
year.  When  he  was  fourteen  he  came  to  Provi- 
dence, and  secured  a position  in  S.  B.  Champlain’s 
market,  located  on  the  present  site  of  the  Mason 
building.  He  remained  there  a few  months  and 
then  after  working  for  a short  time  with  George 
Marsh,  of  Elmwood,  accepted  a position  as  sales- 
man with  Comstock  & Co.,  on  Canal  street.  His 


RHODE  ISLAND 


719 


services  were  so  satisfactory  that  he  continued  in 
that  capacity  for  twenty-five  years,  during  that 
period,  in  connection  with  his  brother,  Walter,  also 
■operating  the  old  Providence  Hotel  stables.  In  1891, 
after  resigning  his  position,  he  bought  the  Market 
business  of  Calef  Brothers,  corner  of  North  Main 
and  Thomas  streets,  and  with  his  brother  Louis  also 
operated  the  Lonsdale  Market,  successfully  con- 
ducting these  joint  enterprises  for  a period  of  ten 
years.  He  was  the  first  man  in  Providence  to 
paint  a market  white,  his  establishment  being 
thereby  distinguished  for  some  years  from  all  others 
in  the  city.  In  1901  he  disposed  of  both  the  mar- 
ket and  boarding  stables,  and  for  about  three  years 
was  engaged  in  no  active  business.  In  1904  Mr. 
Gladding  formed  the  German  Sausage  Company 
(now  incorporated),  and  established  its  business  at 
No.  1 7 Paige  street.  At  first  he  had  only  two 
employees ; he  had  twelve  at  the  end  of  the  first 
year  and  was  doing  an  annual  business  of  about 
$70,000.  His  sales  are  both  wholesale  and  retail, 
and  besides  manufacturing  about  twenty  different 
kinds  of  sausages  the  establishment  turns  out  a 
number  of  varieties  of  cured  meats. 

Thomas  C.  Gladding  was  married  Oct.  8,  1879, 
to  Louisa  Vigndron,  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Christena,  and  they  have  two  sons : Herbert  Car- 
penter, born  Aug.  16,  1883 ; and  Harold  E.,  born 
June  14,  1885. 

Mr.  Gladding  is  a Mason  of  high  rank,  being 
a member  of  Nestell  Lodge,  the  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
son Chapter  and  St.  John’s  Commandery,  Scottish 
Rite,  and  Palestine  Temple,  Mystic  Shrine ; he  is 
also  affiliated  with  Hope  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.  In 
political  sentiment  he  is  a Republican,  but  nonpar- 
tisan in  local  matters,  looking  to  the  fitness  of 
-candidates  rather  than  to  their  politics. 

COWELL  (Providence  family).  Among  the 
early  emigrants  to  New  England  were  several 
Tearing  the  name  Cowell ; but  little,  however, 
■of  any  of  them  seems  to  have  been  written.  Of 
fihe  early  Boston  Cowells  there  have  been  traced 
several  of  the  earlier  generations,  these  the  descend- 
ants of  (I)  Capt.  Edward  Cowell,  of  Great  Island 
and  Boston,  1645,  a cordwainer.  He  was  for  a time 
a captain  in  King  Philip’s  war.  He  was  probably 
married  twice,  and  by  his  wife  Margaret  he  had 
three  children,  John,  Joseph  and  Elizabeth.  In 
June,  1668,  at  Hingham,  he  married,  perhaps,  Sarah 
Hobart. 

(II)  Joseph  Cowell,  son  of  Capt.  Edward,  was 
the  representative  in  this  line  of  the  second  genera- 
tion. 

(III)  Joseph  Cowell  (2),  son  of  Joseph,  was 
born  in  1673,  and  settled  in  Wrentham,  where  he 
-died  March  11,  1761.  On  May  7,  1701,  he  married 
in  Wrentham  Martha,  daughter  of  James  and  Ann 
Fales. 

(IV)  Joseph  Cowell  (3),  son  of  Joseph  (2), 
was  born  in  Wrentfiam  March  27,  1713,  and  died 


there  Oct.  3,  1740.  On  Jan.  2r,  1735,  lie  married 
in  Wrentham  Margaret  Dearing,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  (Mann)  Dearing. 

(V)  Samuel  Cowell  was  born  in  Wrentham 
Jan.  16,  1737,  son  of  Joseph  (3),  and  he  died  there 
beb.  23,  1824.  He  entered  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion at  the  first  “alarum”  and  continued  through- 
out the  war,  retiring  with  the  rank  of  major.  In 
his  son’s  diary  it  is  stated  that  his  “father  served 
one  campaign  in  the  old  French  war  in  Canada, 
when  he  was  not  more  than  eighteen  or  nineteen 
years  old.  ’ In  1760  Samuel  Cowell  married 
Jemima  Metcalf,  born  in  1744,  daughter  of  John 
and  Tamar  (Daniels)  Metcalf,  and  she  died  Aug. 
28,1793.  Their  children  were : Joseph,  Benjamin, 
Olivia,  Samuel,  William,  Jemima,  Myrtilla,  Martha, 
Mary  and  John. 

(VI)  Samuel  Cowell,  son  of  Samuel  and  Je- 
mima, married  Sarah  George,  and  the  children 
born  to  this  union  were : Hiram,  who  married 
Susan  Fisher;  Joseph,  who  married  Emily;  George; 
John,  who  married  Laura  Carpenter,  of  Foxboro, 
Mass. ; and  Henry,  who  went  to  California  in  1848, 
and  became  wealthy.  Samuel  Cowell,  the  father, 
was  a prominent  Mason. 

(VII)  George  Cowell,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born 
in  1811.  He  attended  Day’s  Academy,  as  did  also 
his  wife,  and  they  both  were  teachers  in  their  early 
days.  He  was  an  expert  mathematician,  and  his 
wife  was  noted  for  her  knowledge  of  English  and 
the  purity  of  her  diction.  He  learned  the  trade 
of  wheelwright,  and  followed  it  the  greater  part 
of  his  life.  He  married  Elvira  Ann  Fisher,  born 
in  1813.  daughter  of  James  and  Rebecca  (Harts- 
horn) Fisher,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  seven 
children : Maria  Fisher,  born  in  August,  1843.  was 
a prominent  teacher  in  Wrentham  for  many  years, 
and  died  in  1881 ; George  Oscar,  born  in  July, 
1846,  a well-known  and  successful  jewelry  manu- 
facturer of  Wrentham,  died  in  December,  1894; 
William  Gardner  died  in  infancy;  Henry  Cushing, 
born  in  1848,  was  a jeweler  in  Wrentham,  and  died 
in  1898;  John  Augustus,  born  April  1,  1850,  ;s 
mentioned  below;  Jeremiah  Hartshorn,  born  in 
1852,  makes  his  home  in  Wrentham,  Mass.;  and 
Hattie  Pratt,  born  in  1857,  married  Charles  Everett 
Holt  (born  in  1853,  died  in  1890),  and  has  one 
daughter,  Hattie  Maria,  born  Oct.  14,  1886,  now 
a student  in  Brown  University. 

(VIII)  John  Augustus  Cowell,  son  of 
George,  born  April  1,  1850,  was  given  the  benefits 
of  a public  school  education,  attending  until  just 
prior  to  his  graduation  from  high  school.  At  the 
age  of  sixteen  years,  in  1866,  he  came  to  Provi- 
dence, and  began  a business  career,  entering  as  a 
clerk  the  same  establishment  where  his  co-worker, 
Secretary  Noel  L.  Anthony,  of  the  Cowell  & An- 
thony Company,  for  the  past  thirty  and  more  years, 
first  began  his  labors  in  the  same  line.  Here  young 
Cowell  remained  until  Sept.  1,  1872,  when  he  re- 
signed his  position  to  become  a partner  in  the 


720 


RHODE  ISLAND 


furniture  house  of  Lowe,  Anthony  & Cowell,  which 
was  at  that  time  established  on  Broad  street,  now 
Weybosset  street,  the  individual  members  of  the 
co-partnership  being  Richard  Lowe,  Noel  L.  An- 
thony and  Mr.  Cowell.  At  this  beginning  the  busi- 
ness of  the  concern  was  small,  and  was  conducted 
in  a wooden  building  adjoining  what  is  now  the 
Hall  & Lyon  drug  store,  on  Weybosset  street 
Their  salesroom  was  small,  only  40  x 80  feet,  and 
with  storage  room  in  the  rear  they  occupied  less 
than  5,000  square  feet  of  floor  space,  and  gave  em- 
ployment to  not  over  a half  dozen  hands.  The 
business  was  continued  under  the  firm  name  as 
established  until  1877,  when  Mr.  Lowe,  desiring  to 
enter  other  fields  of  labor,  withdrew,  Messrs.  An- 
thony and  Cowell  becoming  sole  owners.  As  the 
years  passed  the  concern  grew  until  in  a few  years 
it  had  outgrown  its  quarters,  and  in  1878  it  was 
moved  into  a new  building  especially  constructed 
and  adjoining  the  former  place.  This  gave  a 
room  60x65  feet,  and  19,000  square  feet  of  floor 
space  for  the  sales  department  alone.  In  the  same 
year,  1878,  Mr.  Henry  Fry  was  admitted  as  a 
partner  and  continued  in  the  firm  until  1886,  when 
he  withdrew,  and  Messrs.  Anthony  and  Cowell 
again  became  sole  proprietors.  By  this  time  these 
men,  profiting  by  their  experience,  and  with  a 
foresight  of  the  possibilities  of  the  business  wisely 
conducted  and  managed,  began  to  plan  to  meet 
their  ideas  and  what  appeared  the  demand  of  the 
increasing  population  of  the  city.  They  then  be- 
gan a system  of  business  that  was  to  result  in  the 
building  up  of  the  largest  furnishing  establishment 
in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  and  one  of  the  largest 
in  the  United  States.  As  the  city  grew  in  impor- 
tance their  business,  through  their  enterprise  and 
careful  management,  kept  pace  with  this  growth, 
and  it  was  soon  found  necessary  to  look  for  more 
commodious  quarters.  The  firm  accordingly,  in 
1890,  purchased  what  was  known  as  the  Tefft 
block,  and  the  G.  & S.  Owen  building,  on  the  corner 
of  Snow  and  Chapel  streets,  and  to  still  further 
facilitate  matters  a corporation  was  formed  in  Sep- 
tember, 1893,  under  the  name  of  the  Anthony  & 
Cowell  Company,  with  a capitalization  of  $300.- 
000.  Of  this  corporation  Mr.  Cowell  was  made 
president,  and  Noel  L.  Anthony  treasurer.  After 
the  incorporation  of  the  business  extensive  alter- 
ations were  made  in  the  buildings  of  the  concern 
and  another  added,  increasing  the  floor  space  of 
the  establishment  to  about  175,000  square  feet.  On 
April  30.  1904,  the  building  and  contents  were 
destroyed  by  fire,  entailing  a loss  of  $300,000.  Re- 
building was  commenced  at  once,  on  a much  more 
extensive  scale,  the  business  being  now  conducted 
in  one  of  the  large  and  imposing  mercantile  struc- 
tures of  the  city,  a building  seven  stories  in  height. 
Every  department  is  well  arranged  for  the  display 
of  goods  and  the  convenience  of  customers.  The 
entire  establishment  is  of  modern  equipment,  and 
the  conduct  of  the  extensive  business  in  the  various 


departments  requires  the  services  of  a force  of  be- 
tween one  hundred  and  two  hundred  persons.  The 
house  makes  a specialty  of  furniture  for  school- 
houses  and  State  and  government  buildings,  and 
handles  all  grades  of  house  furnishings. 

Of  this  corporation  Mr.  Cowell  is  now  president 
and  treasurer,  and  Mr.  Anthony  is  secretary.  Both 
are  men  of  large  business  experience,  and  most 
capable  men,  who  have  established  themselves  in 
the  third  of  a century  of  their  business  life  in 
Providence,  and  with  one  institution,  in  high  repu- 
tation in  the  business  world.  Both  are  men  of  the 
New  England  type,  springing  from  early  ancestry 
of  this  section.  Mr.  Anthony  is  referred  to  per- 
sonally elsewhere. 

Mr.  Cowell,  in  March,  1903,  was  highly  honored 
in  being  chosen  a director  of  the  Furniture  As- 
sociation of  America,  and  one  of  four  chosen  from 
New  England.  The  board  of  directors  to  which 
he  was  elected  represents  twenty-five  of  the  largest 
furniture  houses  in  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Cowell  is  a thirty-second-degree  Mason, 
affiliated  with  What  Cheer  Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; 
Providence  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. ; Calvary  Command- 
ery,  K.  T. ; and  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  Iv.  of  P.,  while  socially 
he  belongs  to  the  West  Side  and  Central  Clubs. 
Fie  has  been  a contributing  member  of  the  Broad- 
way M.  E.  Church  since  1865.  In  politics  he  has 
been  an  independent  Democrat. 

Mr.  Cowell  married  Addie  L.  Capron,  daughter 
of  Burrill  Munroe  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Brown) 
Capron.  They  have  no  children. 

JOSEPH  W.  MILLER.  The  ancient  town  of 
Rehoboth,  in  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts,  included 
a territory  which  has  since  been  divided  in  several 
towns,  part  in  Massachusetts  and  North  Provi- 
dence, Cumberland  and  Pawtucket,  Rhode  Island. 
In  those  three  towns  have  dwelt  for  several  gen- 
erations the  ancestors  of  Joseph  W.  Miller,  a resi- 
dent and  well-known  business  man  of  Pawtucket. 

In  the  early  records  of  Rehoboth  the  name  of 
Miller  appears  almost  at  the  beginning,  first  in 
1643,  when  John  Miller  is  mentioned.  There  is 
recorded  April  18,  1680,  the  death  or  burial  of  his 
wife.  According  to  Savage  this  John  Miller  was 
probably  the  father  of  John,  Robert  and  Ichabod. 
There  also  appears  a “John  Miller,  Sr.,”  who  by 
the  town  records  of  Rehoboth  according  to  Ar- 
nold, had  children  born  as  follows:  Hannah,  Dec. 
23>  t653;  Sarah,  Oct.  15,  1655;  Samuel,  April  5, 
:658;  Joseph,  in  the  middle  of  August,  1660;  and 
Benjamin,  Sept.  22,  1662.  According  to  the  same 
records,  a “John  Miller,  Jr.,”  was  the  father  of 
Elizabeth,  born  in  the  middle  of  July,  1659;  Re- 
bekah,  middle  of  November,  1661 ; and  Samuel, 
Sept.  1,  1664.  John  Miller,  Jr.,  is  recorded  as  hav- 
ing been  slain  March  26,  1676.  A Robert  Miller 
also  of  Rehoboth.  was  a soldier  under  Captain  Tur- 
ner in  1676  and  was  probably  present  at  the  Falls 


RHODE  ISLAND 


7 21 


fight.  He  was  married  on  the  24th  of  the  10th 
month,  1662,  to  Elizabeth  Sabin,  and  their  chil- 
dren of  Rehoboth  record,  according  to  Arnold, 
were:  Elizabeth,  born  the  6th  of  the  12th  month, 
1663;  Robert,  June  12,  1666;  Nehemiah,  June  8, 
1668;  Josiah,  July  26,  1670;  Nathaniel,  March  31, 
1672;  Solomon,  March  6,  1674;  Mary,  June  4, 
1680;  Sarah,  Sept.  26,  1684  ; and  Experience,  May 
20,  1687. 

In  the  next  century  there  is  found  in  the 
records  of  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  under  the  date  Nov. 
13,  1766,  the  marriage  of  Peter  and  Ann  (Aldrich) 
Miller,  the*  great-grandparents  of  Joseph  W.  Miller. 
Their  children  were  born  as  follows:  Robe,  Jan. 
29,  1768;  Asa,  Feb.  13,  1769;  Cynthia,  March  21, 
1771;  Ephraim,  Aug.  5,  1773;  Squire,  Sept.  12, 
1775  ; Nancy,  March  7,  1778;  Nabby,  June  7,  1781  ; 
and  Welcome,  Nov.  29,  1784. 

Ephraim  Miller,  son  of  Peter,  was  born  in  Cum- 
berland, Aug.  5,  1773.  He  became  a large  land 
owner  and  engaged  in  farming  on  an  extensive 
scale.  His  death  occurred  in  Pawtucket  in  1851. 
He  married  Sally  Williams,  a direct  descendant  of 
Roger  Williams,  and  in  the  town  records  of  North 
Providence  their  children  are  given  as  follows : 
Pardon,  born  April  6,  1797;  Joseph,  April  30,  1799; 
Edward  Franklin,  Sept.  4,  1801  ; Sampson,  Jan.  17, 
1803;  Ephraim,  Jan.  7,  1815  ; Barton,  April  9,  1816; 
and  Cornelius,  June  10,  1818. 

Joseph  Williams  Miller,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Cum- 
berland April  30,  1799,  and  died  in  Pawtucket 
June  26,  1871.  He  came  to  the  latter  city  early  in 
life  and  in  due  time  established  himself  there  in 
business.  He  opened  a meat  and  grocery  store  and 
ran  it  most  successfully  for  many  years,  retiring 
finally  possessed  of  large  property  interests  whicli 
required  his  whole  attention.  He  was  also  con- 
cerned with  various  financial  enterprises  and  was 
for  a number  of  years  a director  of  the  North 
Providence  Bank  of  Pawtucket.  He  acted,  too,  for 
a long  time  as  overseer  of  the  poor,  being  elected  to 
that  position  as  a representative  of  the  Democratic 
party,  of  which  he  was  always  a loyal  adherent. 
Fraternally  he  was  a Mason,  affiliated  with  Union 
Lodge,  No.  10,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  while  he  was  also 
one  of  the  charter  members  of  Pawtucket  Chapter, 
No.  4,  R.  A.  M. 

Mr.  Miller  was  married  April  30,  1820,  to  Miss 
Charlotte  Bagiev,  born  April  5,  1799,  daughter  of 
David  Bagiev,  of  Pawtucket.  Mrs.  Miller’s  death 
occurred  June  18,  1859,  H the  city  which  had  been 
so  long  her  home.  She  was  the  mother  of  four  chil- 
dren, viz:  Sarah  W.,  born  June  13,  1821,  who  mar- 
ried the  late  Edward  K.  Fuller  and  resides  in  East 
Providence  ; Charlotte  B.,  born  Aug.  28.  1822,  died 
Jan.  12,  1875,  who  married  John  M.  Horton,  and 
had  one  son,  Frederick  Augustus,  a resident  of 
Providence;  Hannah  T.,  born  June  17,,  1827,  of 
Pawtucket,  widow  of  Dr.  George  C.  Cleveland : and 
Joseph  W.,  Jr.,  born  Oct.  12,  1829.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

' 46 


Miller  were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church  to 
which  they  gave  liberally. 

Joseph  W illiams  Miller,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Paw- 
tucket Oct.  12,  1829,  and  from  the  time  he  reached 
school  age  till  he  was  seventeen  he  attended  the 
•public  schools  of  that  city.  He  then,  before  choos- 
ing a calling  for  himself,  worked  a couple  of  years 
as  a clerk  in  his  father’s  grocery  store,  in  1848  en- 
tering definitely  upon  an  apprenticeship  as  a ma- 
chinist. For  nearly  four  years  he  worked  in  the 
machine  shop  of  the  late  Thomas  J.  Hill,  of  Provi- 
dence, after  which  he  was  employed  two  years  as  a 
journeyman  for  the  Pawtucket  Hair  Cloth  Company, 
foi  the  late  James  S.  Brown,  of  Pawtucket,  for 
one  year  and  for  Northrup  & Thurber,  of  Central 
*' alls-  f°r  over  two  years.  After  the  last  firm  failed 
Mi.  Miller  gave  up  that  line  of  work  and  went  into 
business  for  himself  as  proprietor  of  a retail  fruit 
store,  locating  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  North 
Main  streets.  There  he  remained  three  or  four 
years  and  did  a very  successful  business,  but  after 
his  father  s death  he  found  the  management  of  the 
property  would  require  most  of  his  time,  so  in  1872 
he  sold  out  his  fruit  store  and  has  since  devoted 
himself  to  his  real  estate  interests.  In  January, 
1873,  the  old  building  in  which  his  old  fruit  place 
had  been  located  burned,  and  he  at  once  erected 
the  present  Miller  Brick,  as  the  building  is  called, 
which  was  completed  by  Christmas  Day  of  that 
same  year. 

Mr.  Miller  has,  in  addition  to  conducting  his 
private  affairs,  served  the  city  in  an  official  capacity. 
Always  a loyal  Republican,  he  was  elected  on  that 
ticket  in  1892  an  alderman  from  the  Fourth  ward, 
and  held  the  position  five  years.  He  has  also,  in 
the  days  of  the  volunteer  fire  department,  done  the 
city  good  service  as  a member  of  the  Rough  and 
Ready  Company,  to  which  he  belonged  for  a num- 
ber of  years. 

On  Oct.  22,  1852,  Mr.  Miller  was  married  to 
Miss  Hannah  Elizabeth  Hamlin,  a native  of  Provi- 
dence, and  they  enjoyed  a wedded  life  of  over 
twenty  years.  Mrs.  Miller  passed  away  in  Paw- 
tucket Elay  7,  1873,  leaving  two  sons,  Frank  W. 
and  Charles  M.  The  family  were  all  attendants 
and  liberal  supporters  of  the  Congregational 
Church. 

Frank  Webster  Miller,  oldest  son  of  Joseph 
W.,  was  born  in  Pawtucket  Nov.  12,  1853.  He  was 
sent  first  to  the  city  schools  and  then  to  the  East 
Greenwich  (R.  I.)  Academy.  On  leaving  school  he 
went  into  business  and  soon  formed  a partnership 
with  Allen  Anderson,  conducting  a fish  store  un- 
der the  firm  name  of  Anderson  & Miller.  When 
they  finally  dissolved  partnership  Mr.  Miller  estab- 
lished himself  in  South . Attleboro,  Mass.,  in  the 
grocery  line,  also  serving  several  years  as  post- 
master of  that  town.  He  has  been  twice  married, 
(first)  to  Miss  Eva  Baker  and  (second)  to  Miss 
Emma  Dunham,  both  of  Pawtucket.  By  the  sec- 


722 


RHODE  ISLAND 


ond  union  there  have  been  two  children,  Jessie  Dun- 
ham and  Carleton  Brooks. 

Charles  Mortimer  Miller,  the  youngest  sou 
of  Joseph  W.,  was  born  July  25,  1868.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  city,  Pawtucket,  and 
then  entered  Mowry  and  Goff’s  English  and  Classi- 
cal School,  at  Providence,  from  which  he  was 
.graduated  in  1887,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  he 
•entered  Brown  University  as  a member  of  the  class 
of  1891.  He  did  not,  however,  complete  the  course 
there,  but  left  to  spend  several  months  in  travel 
through  the  Western  States.  On  his  return  to 
Pawtucket  he  took  a clerkship  in  the  Slater  Na- 
tional Bank  and  in  various  capacities  remained  with 
that  institution  seven  years.  The  following  three 
years  he  was  assistant  city  clerk,  and  has  since 
then  been  engaged  in  business  as  a stock  and  in- 
vestment broker,  with  an  office  in  the  Miller  block. 

Mr.  Miller  is  prominent  in  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, holding  membership  in  Union  Lodge,  No. 
10,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Pawtucket  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
No.  4;  Pawtucket  Council,  No.  2,  R.  & S.  M. ; Holy 
Sepulchre  Commandery,  No.  8,  K.  T. ; Palestine 
Temple,  Mystic  Shrine ; and  the  Rhode  Island  Con- 
sistory, thirty-second  degree  of  Masonry.  Mr.  Mil- 
ler is  also  a member  of  the  To  Kalon  Club,  of  Paw- 
tucket. He  has  always  been  fond  of  travel,  and  has 
visited  not  only  a large  part  of  his  own  country 
but  many  points  of  interest  in  foreign  countries,  in- 
cluding Egypt,  where  he  spent  some  time.  Mr. 
Miller  is  unmarried. 

ANDREW  KYRAN  QUINN,  treasurer  of  the 
Newport  Gas  Light  Company,  is  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative Irish-American  citizens  of  Newport,  R. 
I.,  where  he  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  as  a 
citizen  of  true  worth  and  a man  who  has  risen  from 
the  bottom  of  the  ladder  to  a position  of  honor 
and  trust,  by  close  application  to  business  and  a 
determination  to  succeed. 

John  Quinn,  his  father,  was  a farmer  in  Ire- 
land, where  he  died  when  his  son  Andrew  was  an 
infant.  He  married  Mary  Rogers,  and  to  them 
were  born  five  sons,  as  follows : William,  who  is 
a resident  of  Erie,  Pa.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the 
undertaking  business  ; Patrick,  who  died  at  Annapo- 
lis, Md. ; Francis,  who  is  connected  with  the  U. 
S.  Naval  Academy  at  Annapolis,  Md. ; Andrew 
Kyran;  and  John,  Jr.,  who  died  in  infancy.  After 
the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Quinn  emigrated 
with  he'r  boys  to  America  and  settled  in  Newport, 
where  she  passed  away  in  1900,  having  lived  to  see 
her  sons  grown  up  and  holding  positions  of  trust 
and  honor  in  the  business  world. 

Andrew  Kyran  Quinn  was  born  in  Ireland 
March  17,  1851,  and  was  brought  to  America  by 
his  mother  in  the  spring  of  1852..  After  attending 
St.  Mary's  parochial  school  until  about  fourteen 
years  old  he  was  obliged  to  seek  employment,  to 
assist  his  widowed  mother,  bor  about  three  years, 
even  while  he  was  yet  a schoolboy,  he  carried 


newspapers  for  the  late  Benjamin  Tilley.  In  1866 
he  became  a clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Newport 
Gas  Light  Company.  In  this  position  he  displayed 
marked  ability,  and  by  strict  attention  to  business 
so  won  the  approbation  of  his  employers  that  he 
was  advanced  steadily,  in  1886  being  given  the 
responsible  position  of  treasurer,  which  he  has  since 
held  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  entire  satis- 
faction of  the  company.  In  1890  Mr.  Quinn  was 
elected  a member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  this 
company. 

Mr.  Quinn  was  one  of  the  original  incorporators 
of  the  Aquidneck  Mutual  Insurance  C6mpany,  of 
Newport,  and  he  has  served  on  its  board  of  direc- 
tors since  its  incorporation.  In  1907  he  was  elected 
a director  of  the  Newport  Trust  Company,  In 
political  faith  Mr.  Quinn  is  a Democrat,  although 
in  city  affairs  he  takes  a neutral  stand.  In  1901 
his  party  honored  him  by  electing  him  a member 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State,  from  New- 
port, in  which  body  he  served  on  the  committee 
on  Education.  Mr.  Quinn  has  also  served  his 
adopted  city  as  a member  of  the  board  of  tax  as- 
sessors, and  was  also  one  of  the  overseers  of  the 
poor  for  several  years.  In  1906,  at  the  first  election 
held  under  the  new  charter  granted  the  city  of  New- 
port, Mr.  Quinn  was  elected  a member  of  the 
representative  council  from  the  Fourth  ward,  for 
the  one-year  term.  Mr.  Quinn  and  his  family  are 
consistent  members  of  St.  Mary’s  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  of  Newport,  of  which  they  are  liberal  sup- 
porters. 

On  April  15,  1891,  Mr.  Quinn  was  married  to 
Miss  Teresa  Martin,  daughter  of  John  Martin,  of 
Newport,  and  to  them  have  been  born:  John  K., 
now  (1907)  aged  sixteen  years;  Andrew  P.,  aged 
fourteen;  Mary,  aged  ten;  Francis,  aged  seven; 
and  Catherine,  aged  four.  Mr.  Quinn  is  a quiet, 
unostentatious  man,  very  highly  esteemed  in  the 
community  in  which  he  makes  his  home. 

READ  (Providence  family).  This  Attleboro- 
Providence  family,  the  head  of  which  was  the  late 
Orin  A.  Read,  long  one  of  the  most  useful  and 
highly  respected  citizens  of  his  adopted  city,  is  a 
branch  of  the  ancient  family  bearing  the  name  in 
the  town  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.  The  lineage  and  fam- 
ily history  of  Orin  A.  Read,  including  a brief  sketch 
of  himself,  follow. 

(I)  John  Read,  born  in  1598,  supposed  to  be  a 
son  of  William  and  Lucy  (Henage)  Read,  came  to 
this  country  in  1630,  and  in  1637  was  at  Weymouth. 
He  was  later  at  Dorchester  and  Braintree,  and  in 
1643  went  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Newman  and  his 
church  to  Rehoboth.  The  Christian  name  of  his 
wife  was  Sarah.  He  died  in  1685.  Their  children 
were:  Samuel,  William,  Abigail,  John,  Thomas, 
Ezekiel,  Zachariah,  Moses,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Dan- 
iel, Israel  and  Mehetabel. 

(II)  Daniel  Read,  born  in  March,  1655,  mar- 
ried Aug.  20,  1677,  Hannah  Peck,  and  they  lived 


RHODE  ISLAND 


723 


in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  where  Mr.  Read  died  in  1710. 
Their  children  were:  Hannah,  Daniel,  John,  Sarah, 
Noah  and  Abigail. 

(III)  Daniel  Read  (2),  born  Jan.  20,  1680,  in 
Rehoboth,  Mass.,  married  Elizabeth  Bozworth,  and 
(second)  Dec.  8,  1715,  Elizabeth  Ide.  The  chil- 
dren born  to  the  first  marriage  were : Beriah, 
lchabod,  Hannah,  Abigail,  Esther  and  Daniel ; 

, those  born  to  the  second  marriage  were : Daniel 
(2)  (at  Attleboro),  Norah,  Elizabeth,  Samuel,  Abi- 
gail (2),  Daniel  (3),  Rachel,  Benjamin,  Ebenezer 
and  Thankful. 

(IV)  lchabod  Read,  born  Oct.  8)  1708,  in  Reho- 
both, Mass.,  married  Elizabeth  Chaffee,  and  had : 
lchabod  (born  in  Attleboro),  Patience,  Amos,  Dan- 
iel, Olive,  lchabod  and  Jonathan.  Mr.  Read  mar- 
ried (second)  Elizabeth  Robinson,  and  had:  Eben- 
ezer, Dan,  Sarah,  Lemuel  and  Asareel  (who  lived 
and  died  at  the  homestead  at  Attleboro,  Massachu- 
setts) . 

(V)  Ebenezer  Read,  born  April  7,  1764,  in  At- 
tleboro, Mass.,  married  Betsey  Stanley,  and  their 
children  were:  Rosey,  born  March  6,  1796,  in  At- 
tleboro, married  Gideon  Young;  Russell,  born  July 
26,  1792,  is  mentioned  further  on;  Martha,  born 
Feb.  27,  1795,  married  Daniel  Bradley;  Dana  was 
born  July  16,  1803;  Haworth  was  born  Oct.  20, 
1807. 

(VI)  Russell  Read,  born  July  26,  1792,  at  At- 
tleboro, Mass.,  married  Susan  Albee,  and  their  chil- 
dren were:  Orin  A.,  born  in  1814,  in  Attleboro; 
and  Harriet  R.,  born  in  1816,  who  married  Loren 
Coes,  of  Worcester.  The  father  died  in  1816. 

(VII)  Orin  A.  Read,  son  of  Russell  and  Su- 
san (Albee)  Read,  was  born  July  9,  1814,  in  Attle- 
boro. He  began  his  business  career  in  Pawtucket, 
and  removed  to  Providence  in  1840.  Here  he 
opened,  on  the  corner  of  Steeple  and  Canal  streets, 
.and  conducted  until  1861,  a hardware  store.  In  the 
last  named  year  he  removed  his  business  to  the 
block  opposite  on  Steeple  street,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1872.  His  health  now  becoming  im- 
paired, he  felt  obliged  to  give  up  business,  and  con- 
cluded to  try  country  life.  He  purchased  a farm  in 
Attleboro.  Mass.,  to  which  he  moved  and  upon 
which  he  lived  until  1884,  when  he  again  came  to 
Providence,  which  was  ever  afterward  his  home. 

Mr.  Read  was  a most  lovable  character,  and 
won  the  friendship  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in 
contact.  In  his  business  relations  he  was  honest 
and  upright,  and  prospered,  being  successful  in  his 
undertakings.  He  was  always  of  delicate  health, 
yet.  such  was  his  sweet  disposition  and  uncomplain- 
ing nature  that  those  nearest  him  hardly  realized 
the  constant  pain  he  strove  to  forget  in  doing  for 
others. 

Mr.  Read  was  a devout  church  member  and  was 
one  of  the  original  founders  of  the  Central  Congre- 
gational Church,  at  Providence,  in  1852.  In  1888 
lie  was  elected  treasurer  of  the  Church  Society, 
which  office  he  resigned  only  at  the  beginning  of 


the  year  in  which  he  died.  He  was  actively  inter- 
ested in  the  welfare  of  all  about  him,  and  followed 
the  changes  which  had  taken  place  during  his  long 
and  useful  life  with  keen  interest  up  to  the  time  of 
his  death. 

In  1840  Mr.  Read  was  married  to  Ellen  Slater, 
a native  of  England,  born  Dec.  31,  1814,  daughter 
of  George  Slater,  and  their  children  were : Ellen 
Slater,  who  died  May  8,  1904,  in  her  sixty-third 
year,  unmarried;  John  Russell,  a resident  of  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  who  married  Martha  Alden ; and 
Frances,  now  the  widow  of  Nathan  H.  Baker,  of 
Providence.  The  parents  celebrated  their  golden 
wedding  anniversary  Aug.  12,  1890.  Mr.  Read 
died  June  14,  1898,  and  Mrs.  Read  passed  away  June 
23,  1904,  in  her  ninetieth  year  ; she  was  buried  beside 
her  husband  in  the  family  yard  in  South  Attleboro, 
Massachusetts. 

Nathan  Hale  Baker,  one  of  the  best  known 
and  most  prominent  business  men  of  Providence, 
was  a descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of 
Ipswich,  Mass.,  which  for  many  generations  was 
the  home  of  this  branch  of  the  family.  Mr.  Baker 
was  born  in  Providence,  June  11,  1844,  son  °f 
George  and  Mary  Ann  (Towne)  Baker,  and  died 
Aug.  5,  1906.  For  many  years  he  was  interested  in 
the  cotton  manufacturing  business  of  the  State,  be- 
ing connected  for  a long  time  with  the  Bolton 
Bleaeheries,  and  for  twenty-four  years  holding  a 
prominent  position  with  the  Richmond  Print 
Works.  During  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  he 
conducted  a commission  merchant's  business,  with 
an  office  at  No.  3 7 Weybosset  street.  He  always 
took  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  city,  and  in 
1882  he  was  sent  to  the  city  council  as  a represen- 
tative of  the  First  ward.  He  also  held  other  posi- 
tions in  the  city  government,  always  discharging 
his  duties  with  a sacred  regard  for  the  rights  ot 
his  constituents.  He  had  an  honorable  army  record, 
having  enlisted  in  the  10th  Rhode  Island  Volun- 
teers when  only  seventeen  years  of  age. 

On  April  14,  1868,  Mr.  Baker  was  married  to 
Frances  Elizabeth  Read,  daughter  of  Orin  A.  and 
Ellen  (Slater)  Read,  and  six  children  blessed  this 
union:  (1)  Elizabeth  Choate.  (2)  Ellen  Read  is 
the  wife  of  Herbert  A.  Richards  and  resides  in 
Montclair,  N.  J. ; they  have  two  children,  Orin  R. 
and  Francis  B.  (3)  Marian  Towne,  who  graduated 
from  Smith  College  in  1898,  married  Walter  Lloyd, 
and  resides  in  Montclair,  N.  J. ; they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Marshall  and  Gault.  (4)  Dwight  Wood,  who 
graduated  from  Brown  University  in  1900.  is  now 
a resident  of  Pueblo,  Colo.  (5)  Richard  Slater 
died  in  infancy.  (6)  Samuel  Newhall,  who  grad- 
uated from  Brown  in  1905,  now  resides  in  Provi- 
dence. 

Mr.  Baker  was  an  active  member  of  the  Board 
of  Trade.  He  was  a member  of  Prescott  Post,  G. 
A.  R.  During  his  entire  life  he  was  interested  in 
local  history,  and  firmly  believed  in  keeping  careful 
and  accurate  records  of  events  that  make  history, 


724 


RHODE  ISLAND 


and  he  was  ever  keenly  interested  in  the  work  and 
researches  of  the  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society, 
of  which  he  was  a member. 

HON.  JOHN  RUSSELL  HICKS,  ex-State 
Senator  and  a well  known  dairy  farmer  of  North 
Tiverton,  is  a descendant  in  both  paternal  and  ma- 
ternal lines  from  some  of  the  earliest  settlers  of 
New  England.  He  was  born  on  the  Hicks'  home- 
stead in  the  town  of  Tiverton  Feb.  26,  1846.,  and 
still  resides  in  the  same  house  where  both  lie  and 
his  father  were  born. 

The  Tiverton  branch  of  the  Hicks  family  rep- 
resents one  of  the  very  oldest  of  New  England — 
one  whose  coming  thither  was  but  a year  after  the 
landing  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers.  A son  of  the  emi- 
grant settler  was  one  of  the  promoters  of  the  Dart- 
mouth settlement  and  removed  thither,  and  one  of 
his  sons  subsequently  removed  to  Rhode  Island. 
Here  at  Portsmouth  and  in  Tiverton  the  . earlier 
generations  figured,  and  as  well  here  and  elsewhere 
have  continued  in  respectable  and  honorable  citi- 
zenship. Hon.  Thomas  Hicks,  son  of  the  Ports- 
mouth settler,  was  active  and  prominent  in  public 
life,  serviilg  many  times  from  Portsmouth  in  the 
Colonial  Assembly  from  1 7 1 3 to  1733.  Later  gen- 
erations have  well  maintained  the  standard  of  the 
earlier  family  in  good  and  useful  citizenship,  and 
in  the  line  following  the  family  name  in  Tiverton 
has  been  most  worthily  sustained  in  the  person  of 
the  present  Hon.  John  Russell  Hicks,  long  promi- 
nent in  public  life,  former  representative,  senator, 
etc.,  of  his  native  town,  Tiverton. 

(I)  Robert  Hicks,  from  Southwark,  County 
Surrey,  England,  came  to  Plymouth  Colony  in  the 
ship  "Fortune"  in  1621.  His  wife  Margaret  came 
in  the  ship  "Ann"  in  1623,  bringing  with  her  sev- 
eral children.  The  father  drew  lots  for  himself, 
his  wife  and  two  children  in  1623.  He  was  made 
a freeman  in  1633.  His  children  were : Samuel, 
Ephraim,  Lydia  and  Phebe.  He  died  March  24, 
1647.  Of  his  children  Lydia  married  Edward 
Banks,  and  Phebe  married  George  Watson. 

(II)  Samuel  Hicks,  son  of  Robert,  married  in 
1645,  Lydia  Doane,  daughter  of  Deacon  John 
Doarie.  Mr.  Hicks  was  in  Plymouth  as  late  as  1643, 
thence  went  to  Nauset,  which  in  1651,  became  the 
town  of  Eastham.  He  next  went  to  Barnstable 
and  afterward  to  Dartmouth.  He  was  admitted  an 
inhabitant  of  the  town  of  Barnstable  Oct.  3,  1662, 
but  had  resided  in  the  town  several  years.  He  was 
representative  from  Nauset  (Eastham)  in  1649. 
He  was  engaged  in  the  promotion  of  Dartmouth. 
He  had  children:  Dorcas,  born  Feb.  14,  1651-52; 
Margaret,  born  March  9,  1654;  Thomas;  and  proba- 
bly others. 

(III)  Thomas  Hicks,  son  of  Samuel,  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  John  and  Dorothy  Albro.  Mr. 
Hicks  was  a carpenter  and  a resident  of  Dart- 
mouth, Massachusetts,  and  Portsmouth,  Rhode 
Island,  respectively;  was  made  a freeman  of 


Portsmouth  in  1673.  He  held,  it  seems,  an  interest 
in  Seaconnet,  as  he  sold  a quarter-share  there  in 
1679.  He  died  in  1698.  His  widow  died  after 
1710.  Their  children  were:  Sarah,  Thomas,  Sam- 
uel, Ephraim,  Susanna,  Abigail  and  Elizabeth.  In 
1707,  when  the  father's  estate  was  administered, 
Thomas  and  Ephraim  were  of  Rhode  Island,  and 
Samuel  of  Tiverton  (then  in  Massachusetts). 

(IV)  Samuel  Hicks  (2),  son  of  Thomas,  mar- 
ried Jan.  1,  1701-02,  Susanna,  born  Aug.  29,  1674, 
daughter  of  Abraham  and  Alice  (Wodell)  An- 
thony and  lived  in  Tiverton.  There  he  died  in 
1742,  and  his  wife  before  1736.  Their  children 
were : Samuel,  Sarah,  Alice,  Leah,  Susanna,  Abi- 
gail and  Mary. 

(V)  Samuel  Hicks  (3),  son  of  Samuel  (2), 
born  Aug.  15,  1704  married  (first)  Mary  Mumford. 
She  died  March  4,  1737,  in  her  twenty-second  year, 
and  he  married  (second)  Susanna  Akin.  Mr.  Hicks 
died  May  8,  1790,  aged  eighty-six  years.  His  chil- 
dren were:  Thomas,  born  June  2,  1735  ; Stephen, 
born  April  21,  1741  ; Samuel,  born  Nov.  10,  1742; 
Mary,  born  May  28,  1744;  Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  23, 
1746;  John,  born  Jan.  26,  1747;  Ann,  born  Feb.  5, 
1752;  George,  born  May  7,  1755  ; Peace,  born  1757, 
Elihu,  born  April  22,  1759;  Susanna,  born  May  2, 
1761  ; and  Weston,  born  June  30,  1764.  The  fam- 
ily first  settled  in  Tiverton  on  land  west  of  the  high- 
way leading  from  the  Stone  Bridge  to  Fall  River, 
nearly  opposite  the  stone  house  formerly  occupied 
by  the  late  Charles  R.  Hicks.  This  land  extended 
from  the  highway  to  the  shores  of  Mt.  Hope  Bay. 

(VI)  John  Plicks,  son  of  Samuel  (3),  was 
born  Jan.  26,  1747,  and  on  reaching  manhood  en- 
gaged for  a time  in  the  mercantile  business  in  New- 
port, but  later  settled  down  to  farming  in  Tiverton, 
where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and 
where  he  died.  On  Dec.  7,  1803,  'le  married  Lydia 
Wing,  of  Sandwich,  Mass.,  daughter  of  Edward 
and  Edith  Wing;  she  died  Nov.  8,  1828.  Their 
children  were : Lydia  Wing,  born  March  27,  1805, 
died  Aug.  8,  1842;  John  Russell,  born  Dec.  16, 
1807;  Susanna,  born  Aug.  8,  1809;  Elizabeth,  born 
Jan.  2,  1812;  and  Mehitabel,  born  Dec.  26,  1813. 
Both  John  Hicks  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  Mr.  Hicks  being  the  last  sur- 
vivor of  the  Old  Society.  In  his  sketch  of  the  town 
of  Tiverton,  Mr.  H.  W.  Blake  thus  alludes  to  some 
of  the  Friends  of  the  town:  "Among  the  early 
supporters  of  the  Tiverton  Meeting  were  Edward 
Wing  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  Nathan  Chase,  Abra- 
ham Barker,  Borden  Durfee,  Abigail  Durfee,  John 
Hicks,  Elisha  Estes  and  Ann  Hopkins,  who  was  a 
maiden  sister  of  Elizabeth  Wing.  Mrs.  Wing  was 
the  minister  for  several  years.  Mr.  Barker  and 
Mr.  Hicks  were  the  last  of  the  old  society.  These 
two,  faithful  to  their  earnest  belief,  sat  alone  in 
their  house  of  worship  many  a First  Day  and  si- 
lently worshipped  God.” 

(VII)  John  Russell  Hicks,  son  of  John,  was 
born  Dec.  16,  1807,  on  the  farm  in  Tiverton,  where 


RHODE  ISLAND 


lie  spent  his  life.  He  owned  and  operated  a farm 
•of  forty-eight  acres  near  to  the  homestead,  formerly 
known  as  the  Cook  farm,  devoting  much  of  his  at- 
tention to  dairying,  and  finding  a market  for  his 
product  in  Fall  River.  He  was  successful  in  all 
his  undertakings.  In  his  political  principle  he  was 
first  a Whig  and  later  a Republican.  In  his  relig- 
ious faith  he  was  a Friend.  He  died  on  his  farm 
Sept.  4,  1883.  On  May  6,  1832,  he  married  Emma 
Gardner,  who  was  born  in  Tiverton  Jan.  25,  1809, 
a daughter  of  Capt.  Samuel  and  Catherine  (Bor- 
den) Gardner,  the  latter  a daughter  of  Benjamin 
Borden,  granddaughter  of  Samuel  Borden,  and 
great-granddaughter  of  Richard  Borden.  Capt. 
Samuel  Gardner's  family  was  one  of  prominence  in 
Tiverton ; he  was  from  Swansea,  Mass.,  settling  in 
Tiverton  about  the  time  of  his  marriage,  Jan.  1, 
1795.  Mrs.  Emma  (Gardner)  Hicks  died  May  14, 
1887.  To  John  Russell  and  Emma  Hicks  were  born 
children  as  follows : Charles  Russell  and  an  in- 
fant (twins)  born  Feb.  18,  1834,  the  latter  dying 
the  same  day,  while  the  former  survived  until  Jan. 
22,  1901  ; George  H.,  born  Dec.  12,  1836,  married 
Alice  A.  Borden,  and  died  Jan.  8,  1901  ; Edward 
Wing,  born  Oct.  20,  1838,  resides  in  Tiverton  ; Al- 
bert G.,  born  Oct.  7,  1844,  died  the  same  month; 
John  Russell,  born  Feb.  26,  1846;  Joseph  L.,  born 
March  29,  1847,  resides  in  Fall  River;  and  Samuel 
Gardner,  born  July  3,  1849,  resides  at  Westport, 
Massachusetts. 

(VIII)  John  Russell  Hicks,  son  of  John  Rus- 
sell, Sr.,  was  born  in  Tiverton,  R.  I.,  Feb.  26,  1846, 
and  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town  received  his 
elementary  education,  later  furthering  his  studies  in 
the  Friends'  School  in  Providence.  He  resides  on 
the  old  homestead,  and  is  engaged  extensively  in 
farming  and  dairying,  and  disposes  of  his  milk  in 
Fall  River.  He  keeps  some  forty  milch  cows,  and 
for  years  has  dealt  in  cattle  and  horses.  He  owns 
land  in  Tiverton,  and  is  also  interested  in  real  es- 
tate in  Fall  River. 

Ever  since  the  completion  of  his  school  days, 
Air.  Hicks  has  taken  an  active  and  prominent  part 
in  the  public  affairs  of  the  community,  town  and 
State,  and  has  ever  been  interested  in  the  welfare 
of  the  people  and  the  development  of  his/  native 
town.  His  fellow  citizens  have  repeatedly  called 
him  to  positions  of  trust  and  honor,  and  in  the  per- 
formance of  them  all  he  has  given  a good  account  of 
himself.  A stanch  Republican,  he  has  for  years 
served  as  a member  of  that  party’s  town  committee ; 
has  served  in  the  town  council ; was  one  of  the 
board  of  assessors.;  a justice  of  the  peace;  a notary 
public;  long  moderator  in  voting  district  No.  2,  etc. 
He  was  representative  from  Tiverton  in  the  Rhode 
Island  Assembly  from  1885  to  1887,  and  from  1888 
to  1889,  and  Senator  from  May,  1896,  to  January, 
1900.  While  a member  of  the  House  he  served  on 
the  committee  on  Accounts  and  Claims  and  on  the 
ccntmittee  on  Special  Legislation,  and  while  in  the 
senate  as  chairman  of  the  committees  on  Education 
and  Fisheries.  He  was  alternate  to  the  Republican 


National  Convention  held  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  in 
June,  1892,  voting  in  that  body,  Benjamin  Harrison 
receiving  the  nomination.  In  his  religious  views 
Mr.  Hicks  is  very  liberal  and  in  his  habits  is  tem- 
perate. He  is  unmarried.  Senator  Hicks  is  one  of 
the  substantial  and  influential  citizens  of  Newport 
county,  enjoying  the  respect  of  the  entire  com- 
munity. 

CAPT.  SAMUEL  GARDNER,  grandfather  of 
Hon.  John  Russell  Hicks,  was  born  in  Swansea, 
Mass.,  son  of  Samuel  Gardner.  In  1795  he  came 
to  Tiverton,  locating  in  the  north  part  of  the  town 
on  a farm  known  as  the  Samuel  Borden  farm. 
Here  he  engaged  in  general  farming,  making  many 
improvements  on  the  farm,  and  here  his  death  oc- 
curred July  18,  1830,  when  he  was  aged  sixty-one 
years.  He  married  Catherine  Borden,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  and  Rachel  (Cobb)  Borden.  She  was 
born  in  1773,  and  died  in  1813.  Their  children 
were:  Rachel,  born  April  14,  1796,  married  Abram 
Allen,  and  died  in  1883 ; Samuel  Borden,  born  in 
February,  1798,  died  Dec.  18,  1861  ; Joseph,  born 
Aug.  12,  1800;  Catherine,  born  Nov.,  1802;  Eliza, 
born  October,  1804,  married  Judge  Joseph  Osborn, 
and  died  April  19,  1866;  Julia  Ann,  born  in  1807, 
married  Obediah  Chase,  of  Fall  River,  and  died  in 
1880;  Emma,  born  Jan.  25,  1809,  married  John 
Russell  Hicks,  Sr.,  and  Benjamin,  born  in  1811, 
died  at  Tiverton  April  7,  1875. 

JOHN  JAMES  KENYON,  a well-known 
manufacturer  and  prominent  citizen  of  Pawtucket, 
R.  I.,  died  at  his  home  on  Clay  street,  that  city,  Feb. 
9,  1906.  He  was  known  throughout  the  city,  where 
he  had  lived  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  and  had 
served  as  a public  official,  his  record  being  second 
to  none.  Mr.  Kenyon  was  born  in  Lancashire, 
England,  Nov.  25,  1836,  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah 
(Hill)  Kenyon. 

James  Kenyon,  grandfather  of  John  James,  was 
a hand-loom  weaver  by  trade  and  followed  that  oc- 
cupation in  his  native  country,  England,  where  he 
spent  his  entire  life.  He  married  and  had  a family 
of  ten  children,  among  whom  was  Thomas,  born  in 
Lancashire,  England,  whose  death  occurred  in 
Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  April  17,  1872.  In  his  native 
country  Thomas  Kenyon  had  followed  the  occupa- 
tion of  stationary  engineer  for  thirty  years,  but  on 
coming  to  this  country,  in  1864,  he  engaged  with 
his  son,  John  J.,  in  the  manufacture  of  tapes  and 
braids  on  East  avenue,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Thomas  Kenyon  & Son.  Thomas  Kenyon  married 
Sarah  Hill,  daughter  of  John  Hill,  of  Lancashire, 
England,  who  died  Feb.  13,  1899,  in  Pawtucket, 
aged  eighty-six  years.  At  the  time  of  her  death 
she  had  seventy-seven  living  descendants,  twenty- 
five  having  died.  Children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Thomas  Kenyon  as  follows:  John  James; 
Thomas,  Jr.,  a dyer  by  trade,  who  passed  away  in 
Lawrence,  Mass.;  Edmund,  a boss. dyer,  who  died 
in  Pawtucket;  James  R.,  a carpenter  and  builder 


RHODE  ISLAND 


726 

of  Australia ; Alice  E.  J.,  who  married  Walter  Ben- 
nett, and  now  resides  in  Pawtucket,  a widow;  Wil- 
liam M.,  who  resides  in  Fall  River,  Mass.,  a boss 
finisher  in  the  employ  of  the  Globe  Yarn  Company; 
Mary  S.  L.,  who  married  John  Horrocks,  and  died 
in  Pawtucket;  George  W.,  ,a  stationary  engineer, 
residing  in  Pawtucket ; and  Sarah  Ellen,  the  wife  of 
John  Hyde,  of  Pawtucket. 

At  the  age  of  eight  years  John  James  Kenyon 
went  to  work  as  a tier  boy  to  block  printers,  but 
meanwhile  attended  school  as  a "half  timer”  until 
he  was  fourteen.  He  was  then  apprenticed  to  Wal- 
ker & Son,  of  Manchester,  with  whom  he  learned 
the  manufacture  and  finishing  of  cloth  in  all  its 
branches,  including  spinning,  weaving,  bleaching, 
dyeing  and  printing.  Thus  equipped,  he  came  in 
1859  to  the  United  States,  and  secured  employment 
at  the  old  Pemberton  Mill,  Lawrence,  Mass.,  where 
he  narrowly  escaped  death  by  the  collapse  of  the 
building  in  i860,  a disaster  which  caused  great 
loss  and  attracted  widespread  attention.  He  then 
went  to  Philadelphia  and  remained  until  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war,  when  he  returned  to  Eng- 
land and  stayed  there  until  1863.  Coming  back  to 
this  country  he  located  at  Pawtucket,  and  with  his 
father  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  tapes  and 
braids  in  the  old  Greene  Mill,  at  No.  56  East 
avenue,  the  name  of  the  firm  being  Thomas  Ken- 
yon & Son.  Upon  the  death  of  his  father  he  oper- 
ated the  industry  under  his  own  name.  The  busi- 
ness increased  rapidly  and  extended  to  such  pro- 
portions that  the  old  mill  could  not  accommodate 
it.  and  shops  in  four  different  buildings  were  oper- 
ated eventually.  P’nder  these  circumstances  it  be- 
came difficult  for  Mr.  Kenyon  to  give  the  various 
departments  the  personal  supervision  necessary, 
and  in  1895  he  erected  at  Darlington  a four-story 
factory,  300  feet  long  and  50  feet  in  width,  com- 
pletely equipped  with  machinery  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  tapes,  braids,  boot,  shoe  and  corset  lacings, 
shoe  webs,  stay  bindings,  glazed  yarns,  tying-up 
twines,  etc.  The  business  is  now  conducted  under 
the  name  of  the  John  T.  Kenyon  Manufacturing 
Company. 

Air.  Kenyon  was  a member  of  the  Pawtucket 
Business  Men’s  Association,  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  and  the 
Order  of  Alfredians.  He  was  elected  to  the  board 
of  aldermen  in  1898  and  the  following  year  was 
re-elected.  His  second  term  he  was  chosen  pre- 
siding officer,  and  Mayor  Cronin  dying  while  in  the 
office  of  chief  executive  Mr. . Kenyon  was  acting 
mayor  for  several  months.  In  political  sentiment 
he  was  a stanch  Republican. 

Mr.  Kenyon  was  married  about  1855  to  Sarah 
Olive,  who  died  fifteen  months  later,  leaving  one 
son,  James.  On  Sept.  27,  1864,  he  was  married 
(second)  to  Alary  Nickerson,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
who  died  in  Pawtucket  Nov.  3,  1904,  and  four  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  union : Robert  A.,  John  F., 
Mary  and  Elizabeth. 

The  following  account  of  the  funeral  of  Mr. 


Kenyon  is  copied  from  one  of  the  local  papers  of 
Feb.  12,  1906:  "This  afternoon  the  funeral  of 
John  J.  Kenyon  was  held  from  his  late  residence,. 
No.  58  Clay  street.  There  was  a large  attendance 
of  relatives  and  friends,  as  well  as  the  prominent 
men  of  the  business  houses  of  the  city  and  the 
members  of  the  city  government,  the  deceased  hav- 
ing been  prominent  a few  years  ago  as  president 
of  the  board  of  aldermen  and  as  acting  mayor.  The 
latter  office  he  held  during  the  last  illness  of  Mayor 
William  J.  Cronin.  At  the  request  of  Mayor  Hig- 
gins the  offices  of  the  city  departments  were  closed 
during  the  hours  of  the  funeral,  and  at  2 o’clock 
the  mayor,  members  of  the  city  council  and  heads 
of  departments  assembled  at  the  city  hall  and 
marched  to  the  residence  of  the  deceased.  There 
were  also  present  representatives  of  the  Republican 
city  committee  and  the  manufacturing  concerns  of 
the  city,  and  it  was  a representative  body  as- 
sembled to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  respect  to  a good 
citizen. 

"The  services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Frank  J.. 
Goodwin,  pastor  of  the  Pawtucket  Congregational 
Church,  who  spoke  in  praise  of  the  deceased  and 
his  private  and  public  life,  his  words  being  accepted 
as  very  befitting  the  man  they  had  known  so  long 
and  well.  The  place  of  interment  was  Oak  Grove 
cemetery.  The  flags  of  the  city  were  at  half-mast, 
they  having  been  so  placed  immediately  after  Air. 
Kenyon's  death. 

“The  floral  offerings  made  up  a large  and 
pretty  display.  In  addition  to  a large  gates-ajar, 
with  the  word  ‘Father,’  from  the  children,  there 
was  a mammoth  pillow  with  the  word  ‘Grandpa,’ 
from  the  grandchildren ; a wreath  of  galax  leaves 
with  flowers  from  the  Republican  city  committee  ~r 
pillow  from  the  Order  of  Red  Men,  shield  from  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  anchor  on  standard,  and  a host 
of  others  from  friends.” 

Speaking  editorially,  the  Pawtucket  Gazette  and 
Chronicle  had  the  following  to  say,  at  the  time  of 
Air.  Kenyon’s  death : 

"The  passing  of  John  J.  Kenyon  means  much 
to  the  city  of  Pawtucket,  for  to  no  man  in  much 
greater  measure  can  there  be  attributed  more  that 
tended  to  the  promotion  of  the  city’s  business  in- 
terests, and  no  man  occupied  a warmer  spot  in  the 
hearts  of  his  fellow-men.  Coming  from  a foreign, 
country,  well  equipped  for  the  manufacture  which 
he  established  here,  he  made  a success  of  the  sniall 
business  that  marked  his  advent  here  until  the 
large  and  flourishing  manufactory  erected  on  the 
‘plains'  in  1895  stands  as  a monument  to  his  busi- 
ness ability,  and  as  a source  of  revenue  to  those  he 
has  left  behind.  Plain,  honest,  good  and  humble 
citizen,  he  was  beloved  by  all  who  had  the  good 
fortune  to  call  him  friend,  and  as  a member  of  the 
city  government  he  disposed  of  his  duties  in  such 
a manner  that  there  was  no  blemish  on  his  fair 
name.  Having  been  called  to  perform  the  duties 
of  mayor  at  a time  when  the  city’s  executive  was 
stricken  with  what  proved  his  fatal  illness,  he  so^ 


RHODE  ISLAND 


• 

conducted  himself  as  to  win  the  approbation  of  the 
late  mayor,  and  he  also  merited  the  sanction  of 
every  person  familiar  with  his  duties  at  that  time. 
When  called  on  to  do  certain  things  within  his 
scope  as  acting  mayor,  he  invariably  replied:  ‘I 
want  to  do  everything  as  much  as  possible  in  accord 
with  the  mayor,  or  as  he  would  do  if  he  were  here.' 
It  was  another  way,  if  you  please,  of  exemplifying 
the  Golden  Rule,  and  in  the  life  of  John  J.  Kenyon 
that  rule  seems  to  have  been  followed  by  him  in 
every  walk  of  life.  His  funeral  was  held  on  Mon- 
day, and  the  respect  shown  him  by  his  fellows 
of  all  political  beliefs  spoke  volumes  for  his  worth 
as  a man  and  a citizen.  His  home  life  needs  no 
work  of  eulogy,  for  there  the  merit  of  the  good 
man  shone  all  the  brighter,  even  than  in  his  busi- 
ness and  official  life.  There  are  many  good  men 
in  Pawtucket,  but  the  death  of  John  J.  Kenyon 
has  reduced  the  number  by  taking  one  of  the  most 
conspicuous.  The  sympathy  for  the  bereaved  fam- 
ily has  already  found  that  expression  which  comes 
when  the  truly  worthy  are  called  to  their  long 
home.” 

Mr.  Kenyon’s  sons,  James,  Robert  A.  and  John 
F.,  are  mentioned  below ; Elizabeth,  who  resides  in 
Pawtucket,  is  unmarried;  and  Mary,  who  married 
George  H.  Davis,  a mechanical  draughtsman  of 
Pawtucket,  where  they  reside. 

James  Kenyon,  only  child  of  the  late  John 
James  and  Sarah  (Olive)  Kenyon,  was  born  in 
Radcliffe,  Lancashire,  England.  He  acquired  his 
educational  training  at  St.  Thomas’  parish  school 
in  his  native  town,  which  he  attended  until  his 
thirteenth  year,  making  his  home  with  his  grand- 
father, James  Olive.  After  leaving  school  he 
served  a three  years’  apprenticeship  at  the  weaver’s 
trade  in  the  Walker  Allen  mills,  at  Radcliffe,  and 
then  worked  in  different  positions  in  a coal  mine, 
his  grandfather  being  a mining  engineer.  He  con- 
tinued at  this  vocation  until  twenty-two  years  of 
age,  when  he  came  to  America,  sailing  from  Liver- 
pool on  the  ship  “Samaria,”  and  arriving  in  Paw- 
tucket, R.  I.,  in  1880.  Upon  arriving  in  Pawtucket 
young  Kenyon  went  to  work  for  his  father  for 
about  a year  and  then  for  several  months  was  en- 
gaged at  the  construction  of  water-wheels  in  the 
old  Slater  cotton-mill.  He  later  returned  to  his 
father’s  employ  as  engineer  and  machinist,  at  which 
he  continued  until  the  following  spring,  when  he 
returned  to  England  to  spend  several  months. 
Coming  again  to  America  Mr.  Kenyon  re-entered 
the  employ  of  his  father,  continuing  with  him  as 
an  employe  until  the  incorporation  of  the  John  J. 
Kenyon  Manufacturing  Company,  in  March,  1897, 
when  he  was  made  a member  of  the  company  and 
superintendent  of  the  concern,  a position  which  he 
capably  filled  until  August,  1906.  After  the  death 
of  his  father  Mr.  Kenyon  served  as  vice-president 
of  the  company  during  his  subsequent  connection 
therewith. 

Mr.  Kenyon  is  a member  of  Eureka  Lodge,  No. 


727 

5,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  Union  Lodge,  No.  4, 
Uniform  Rank,  K.  P.,  which  he  has  served  as  pre- 
late ; he  is  connected  with  the  New  England  Order 
of  Protection  ; Barney  Merry  Lodge,  No.  29,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  of  Pawtucket;  the  Pawtucket  Business  Men’s 
Association,  and  the  Darlington  Social  Club.  In  poli- 
tical faith  he  is  a stanch  Republican.  Mr.  Ken- 
yon attends  the  Good  Shepherd  Episcopal  Church, 
to  which  lie  gives  his  liberal  support,  and  of  which 
his  wife  is  a member  and  active  worker.  She  be- 
longs to  the  Women’s  Guild,  and  has  been  an  officer 
thereof  for  several  years ; and  to  the  New  England 
Order  of  Protection,  in  which  she  has  filled  all  the 
chairs. 

On  April  24,  1882,  Mr.  James  Kenyon  . was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Hargreaves, 
born  in  Oldham,  Lancashire,  England,  daughter  of 
David  and  Jane  (Saunders)  Hargreaves,  and  two 
children  have  come  to  this  union : Edith  Alvesta, 
born  Sept.  30,  1883,  who  married  Alvin  Charles 
Seifert,  of  Pawtucket,  and  has  two  children:  James 
Theodore  and  Charles  Alvin;  and  James  Arthur, 
born  July  17,  1892. 

Robert  Alexander  Kenyon,  eldest  son  of  the 
late  John  James  and  Mary  (Nickerson)  Kenyon, 
was  born  Feb.  13,  1867,  in  Pawtucket,  and  received 
his  schooling  in  the  public  schools  and  the  gram- 
mar school  of  his  native  city,  graduating  from  the 
latter  in  1883.  He  then  became  a clerk  in  the  office 
of  the  old  Slater  cotton-mill,  continuing  in  this  ca- 
pacity for  about  two  years,  when  lie  entered  the 
employ  of  his  father,  acquiring  a thorough  knowl- 
edge of  the  details  of  the  business.  Upon  the  in- 
corporation of  the  business,  in  March,  1897,  he  be- 
came vice-president  of  the  company,  and  in  that 
capacity  continued  until  the  death  of  his  father,  in 
February,  1906,  when  he  was  made  president,  a 
position  he  now  holds,  in  addition  to  that  of  general 
manager.  Mr.  Kenyon  is  a member  of  the  Paw- 
tucket Business  Men’s  Association;  of  Jenks  Lodge, 
No.  24,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  and  of  Enterprise  Lodge, 
No.  22,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Pawtucket.  He  is  a stal- 
wart Republican  and  has  served  as  a member  of 
the  common  council  for  two  years.  He  has  also 
served  as  representative  in  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  State  from  Pawtucket,  and  has  been  a mem- 
ber of  the  committee  on  Charities  and  Corrections. 
Mr.  Kenyon  attends  the  Episcopal  Church  of  the 
Good  Shepherd,  of  which  his  wife  is  a member. 

Mr.  Kenyon  was  married  Jan.  10,  1894,  to  Mary 
Hodgert,  daughter  of  Edward  Hodgert,  of  Paw- 
tucket, and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born  two 
children : Eva,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years ;. 
and  John  James. 

John  Foster  Kenyon,  second  son  of  the  late 
John  Tames  and  Mary  (Nickerson)  Kenyon,  was 
born  Aug.  12,  1868,  in  Pawtucket,  and  his  early 
education  was  acquired  in  the  public  schools,  which 
he  left  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  to  enter  the 
employ  of  his  father.  By  close  application  he  ac- 
quired” a thorough  knowledge  of  the  business,  but 


GENEALO 

7 6 73'  c .! 


728 


RHODE  ISLAND 


left  after  three  years  in  the  service  to  take  a course 
at  Bryant  & Stratton's  Business  College,  Provi- 
dence, making-  a special  study  of  bookkeeping.  Re- 
turning to  his  father's  employ  he  continued  therein 
until  March  18,  1897?  when  the  John  J.  Kenyon 
Manufacturing  Company  was  incorporated,  and 
Mr.  Kenyon  was  elected"  secretary  of  the  company. 
Since  the  death  of  his  father  Mr.  Kenyon  has  also 
been  serving  as  treasurer. 

John  F.  Kenyon  is  a member  of  the  Pawtucket 
Business  Men  s Association,  and  also  holds  mem- 
bership in  Enterprise  Lodge,  No.  22,  I.  O.  O.  F.. 
of  Pawtucket.  In  political  faith  he  is  a Republican, 
and  he  served  as  the  first  clerk  of  what  was  origi- 
nally the  First  ward  in  the  First  district,  and  as 
warden  of  the  First  ward  lie  has  served  since  the 
present  enumeration  of  wards  was  adopted.  He  at- 
tends the  First  Congregational  Church  of  Paw- 
tucket and  has  served  several  years  as  treasurer  of 
Darlington  Chapel,  which  is  a mission  of  the  First 
Congregational. 

On  June  24,  1892,  Mr.  Kenyon  was  married  to 
Miss  Jennie  Bray,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Isa- 
belle (Sheridan)  Bray,  of  Pawtucket,  and  two 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union:  Elsie  M., 
born  June  9,  1893:  and  Dorothv  I.,  born  Mav  28, 
1898. 

INMAN  (Burrillville  and  vicinity).  Since  the 
early  settlement  of  the  Providence  Plantations  the 
name  of  Inman  has  been  a continuous  one  in 
Northern  Rhode  Island,  the  posterity  of  Edward 
Inman  being  largely  in  the  town  of  ancient  Provi- 
dence and  subdivisions  later  created  out  of  it — - 
Glocester  and  Burrillville.  Here  they  have  been 
among  the  progressive,  enterprising  and  substan- 
tial citizens,  prominently  identified  with  the  indus- 
trial and  financial  life  of  that  section  of  the  State. 
Especially  has  this  been  the  occupation  of  the 
descendants  of  the  late  James  Inman,  of  what  is 
now  the  town  of  Burrillville. 

(I)  Edward  Inman,  the  earliest  known  ancestor 
of  this  Providence  county  branch  of  the  family, 
a glover  by  trade  and  occupation,  appears  recorded 
as  an  inhabitant  of  Warwick  in  1648,  in  1651  being 
granted  land  as  a townsman  of  Providence.  Mr. 
Inman  became  one  of  the  prominent  public  men  of 
the  town  and  colony,  being  commissioner  in  1658, 
and  deputy  many  times  beginning  with  1666.  His 
second  wife  was  Barbara  Phillips,  probably  widow 
of  Michael,  and  they  died,  he  in  1706,  and  she  after 
that  time.  Mr.  Inman’s  children  were : Joanna, 
who  married  Nathaniel  Mowry ; John,  who  married 
Mary  Whitman,  and  was  of  Providence ; and  Ed- 
ward, Jr. 

(II)  Edward  Inman,  Jr.,  son  of  Edward,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Bennett.  He  was  of  Providence 
and  Smithfield,  residing  in  the  east  part  of  the  lat- 
ter town,  and  owning  a farm  and  grist  mill,  the 
latter  being  located  at  what  is  now  called  Slaters 
Upper  Dam.  His  death  occurred  June  14,  1755. 

(III)  Elisha  Inman,  son  of  Edward,  Jr.,  was  a 


resident  of  that  part  of  Smithfield  which,  in  173°" 
31,  became  Glocester,  now  Burrillville.  His  mar- 
riage to  Abagail  Darling  is  of  record  as  occurring 
in  Glocester " Jan.  16,  1745,  and  the  following 

children  are  of  record  in  that  same  town : Susanna, 
Abagail,  Penelope,  Anna,  Samuel,  Elisha,  Martha, 
tfrisceUa,  Elizabeth  and  Mary.  From  this  couple 
descended  the  Inmans  of  Burrillville,  with  whom 
this  article  particularly  deals.  Elisha  Inman  died 
June  23.  1809,  aged  eighty-nine  years  and  nine 
months.  Abagail,  his  wife,  died  Aug.  3,  1809,  aged 
eighty-five  years. 

(IV)  Samuel  Inman,  son  of  Elisha  and  Aba- 
gail, was  born  April  2,  1746,  was  a farmer  and 
resided  in  the  Mt.  Pleasant  section  of  what  is  now 
the  town  of  Burrillville.  There  he  died  Aug.  9, 
1822.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends.  He  married  March  19,  1772, 
Ann  Buffurn,  of  Smithfield,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Margaret  (Osborne)  Bufifum,  and  to  the 
union  were  born  children  as  follows : Daniel,  born 

Jan.  15,  1773;  George,  born  Sept.  18,  .1774,  died 

Aug.  9,  1842;  Samuel,  born  Dec.  23,  1776,  died 

Nov.  3,  1778;  Hannah,  born  Nov.  22,  1779,  died 

unmarried  Sept.  11,  1875;  Bufifum,  born  Feb.  17, 
1783,  died  April  14,  1790;  James,  born  Jan.  13, 
1785  ; Edward,  born  Sept.  11,  1789,  died  Oct.  22, 
1839;  and  Anna,  born  March  23,  1793,  died  Feb. 
26,  1828.  Ann  Bufifum,  the  mother  of  the  above  chil- 
dren. was  born  Nov.  27,  1751,  and  died  Feb.  8, 
1840. 

4+gr^V)  James  Inman,  son  of  Samuel  and  Ann, 
was  born  Jan.  13,  1785.  and  lived  in  the  town  of 
Burrillville  where  he  died  March  21,  1850.  For 
twenty  years  and,  perhaps,  more  he  had  been  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  scythes  at  Inman  Vil- 
lage, near  Nasonville.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  were  par- 
ticularly earnest  in  their  religious  devotion.  Several 
of  his  sons  became  men  of  considerable  prominence 
in  their  community.  James  Inman  was  married 
Sept.  1.  1808,  to  Nancy  Thompson,  of  Smithfield, 
born  April  9,  1792,  daughter  of  Qlney  and  Hyrena 
(Paine)  Thompson.  She  survived  her  husband  many 
years,  and  died  Jan.  14,  1875,  at  Oakland,  in  the 
town  of  Burrillville,  of  which  village  she  had  been 
a resident  for  many  years.  The  children  born  to 
James  and  Nancy  Inman  were : William  Henry, 
born  Aug.  27.  1810,  died  Sept.  29,  1811;  William 
Albert,  born  July  21,  1812,  died  March  19,  1841  ; 
Dorcas,  born  April  27,  1815,  was  married  Nov.  1, 
1837,  to  Ezekiel  Daniels,  .and  died  July  10,  1884; 
Francis  Henry,  born  April  19,  1817,  was  married 
Oct.  10.  1840,  to  Hannah  Marsh,  and  died  in  Wor- 
cester, Mass. : Hyrena  Paine,  born  Sept.  24,  1819, 
died  March  21,  1838:  Mary,  born  March  7,  1822, 
died  May  9.  1844:  Betsey,  born  Sept.  19,  1824, 
died  July  28,  1825  ; Oliver  Arnold,  born  June  2, 
1826;  James  Osborne,  born  July  4,  1829;  Ann 
Bufifum,  born  June  29,  1832,  was  married  Nov.  1, 
1848  to  Horace  Daniels,  and  resides  at  Worcester, 
Mass. ; and  Charles  Barnes,  born  May  10,  1838, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


729 


married  Avis  Babcock,  and  resided  ill  Providence, 
a member  of  the  firm  of  Inman  & Bearse,  and  died 
Feb.  7,  1903. 

(VI)  Oliver  Arnold  Inman,  son  of  James  and 
Nancy  (Thompson)  Inman,  and  in  his  day  one  of 
the  best  known  citizens  of  the  town  of  Burrillville, 
was  born  in  that  town  June  2,  1826,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  was 
graduated  at  the  Friends  school  in  1847.  He  then 
became  a clerk  in  a hardware  store  in  Worcester 
for  one  year,  and  from  1848  to  1854  engaged  in 
farming,  carrying  on  a lumber  business  in  connec- 
tion therewith.  The  next  five  years  were  spent  by 
Mr.  Inman  in  conducting  a country  store,  also  in 
being  bookkeeper  for  James  Callahan.  In  1859  he 
became  a bookkeeper  for  Charles  H.  Whipple,  and 
this  position  he  held  until  1862.  From  then  until 
1873  he  was  assessor  of  internal  revenue,  and  rep- 
resented the  town  of  Burrillville  in  the  General  As- 
sembly for  two  years,  being  also  president  of  the 
town  council  for  four  years.  Mr.  Inman  for  a 
long  period  in  connection  with  his  other  duties, 
held  many  other  offices.  He  was  deputy  sheriff  for 
twenty-four  years,  auctioneer  for  twenty-eight 
years,  moderator  of  the  town  meetings  for  thirty- 
three  years,  assessor  of  taxes  for  thirty-six  years, 
and  justice  of  the  peace  and  notary  public  for  forty 
years.  Such  was  the  confidence  reposed  in  him 
because  of  his  ability  and  integrity  that  besides 
electing  him  to  these  various  positions  his  fellow- 
townsmen  intrusted  him  with  a great  deal  of  their 
most  important  business.  He  was  administrator 
of  a large  number  of  estates,  was  exceedingly  well 
posted  in  the  common  branches  of  law,  and  his 
advice  was  much  sought  for  in  matters  pertaining 
thereto.  The  townspeople  universally  called  him 
“Squire”  Inman.  In  his  politics  he  was  an  active 
and  uncompromising  Republican.  Oliver  A.  In- 
man was  a man  of  strong  force  of  character,  some- 
what brusque  in  manner  and  apparently  possessed 
of  a rough  exterior,  which  concealed  a kindly  heart. 
He  found  great  pleasure  in  the  association  of 
friends,  and  deeply  enjoyed  their  society.  He  was, 
however,  domestic  in  his  tastes  and  inclinations, 
and  his  devotion  to  his  family  was  only  equaled 
by  their  devotion  to  him.  Mr.  Inman  remained  ac- 
tive in  his  many  duties  until  the  last,  his  final  ill- 
ness lasting  a few  days  only,  and  he  died  March  2, 
1904,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Pascoag. 
The  funeral  services  were  attended  by  one  of  the 
largest  gatherings  that  has  attended  a service  of  the 
kind  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State  for  some  time 
and  included  prominent  men  from  various  sec- 
tions of  Rhode  Island. 

On  Nov.  1,  1850,  Mr.  Inman  was  married  to 
Matilda  E.,  daughter  of  Bethel  and  Margaret 
(Davis)  Beckwith,  of  Alstead,  N.  H.,  and  she 
died'  Nov.  4,  1887,  the  mother  of  two  children: 
William  A.,  born  Sept.  29,  1855 ; and  Irene  I., 
born  Dec.  2,  1858,  who  married,  March  24,  1881. 
Warren  W.  Logee,  postmaster  at  Pascoag.  Oliver 
A.  Inman  was  married  (second)  November  13, 


1888,  to  Angenette  F.,  daughter  of  Amory  and 
Susan  (Taft)  Thayer,  of  Douglas,  Mass.,  and  she 
died  July  17,  1889. 

(VII)  William  Albert  Inman,  son  of  Oliver 
A.,  was  born  Sept.  29,  1855,  at  Mohegan,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
town  and  in  the  Friends  School,  Providence.  At 
the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  began  his  experience 
in  the  woolen  manufacturing  business  in  the  fac- 
tory of  his  uncle,  James  O.  Inman,  beginning  at 
the  bottom  and  working  through  every  department 
until  he  became  a designer,  as  well  as  having  a 
full  knowledge  of  the  business.  He  remained  in 
the  employ  of  his  uncle  until  1877,  when  he  formed 
a partnership  with  Richard  Driver  and  Luther 
Laraway,  under  the  firm  name  of  Driver,  Laraway 
& Inman,  and  they  operated  the  mill  at  Gazza,  in 
the  manufacture  of  worsteds,  the  firm  meeting 
with  success  from  the  start.  Wishing  to  engage 
in  business  alone,  Mr.  Inman  withdrew  from  the 
firm,  and  in  1882  purchased  the  privilege  and 
ruins  at  Graniteville,  of  the  Graniteville  Manufac- 
turing Company,  the  old  mill  having  burned  down 
in  1879.  Mr.  Inman  at  once  erected  the  present 
substantial  plant  there  and  continued  his  success 
in  the  manufacture  of  worsteds  and  woolens  until 
1899,  when  it  was  sold  to  the  American  Woolen 
Company.  Mr.  Inman  became  resident  agent  of 
this  mill  for  the  corporation,  and  two  years  later 
became  agent  of  the  Sheffield  Mills  in  addition, 
these  properties  being  now  known  as  the  Anchor 
Mills. 

Mr.  Inman  has  a large  acquaintance  in  his  line, 
and  is  known  as  a first-class  business  man  who 
has  met  with  success  because  of  his  individual 
worth  and  merit.  In  his  political  faith  he  is  a stanch 
Republican,  but  has  always  declined  public  office. 
He  is  a 32d  degree  Mason,  and  is  affiliated  with 
Granite  Lodge,  No.  26,  A.  F.  & x\.  M.,  at  Harris- 
ville,  of  which  he  is  past  master ; of  Union  Chapter 
No.  5,  R.  A.  M. ; Woonsocket  Council  No.  4,  R.  &* 
S.  M.,  at  Woonsocket;  Calvary  Commandery  No. 
13,  Knights  Templar,  at  Providence;  the  Rhode 
Island  Consistory;  and  Palestine  Temple,  Mystic 
Shrine. 

On  Sept.  29,  1877,  Mr.  Inman  was  married  in 
Pascoag  to  Edna  F..  daughter  of  Sylvester  R.  and 
Celia  F.  (Wood)  Manchester,  and  to  this  union 
there  have  been  born  two  sons:  Fred  Oliver,  born 
May  4,  1880,  who  is  treasurer  of  the  Falcon  Wor- 
sted Company,  at  Pascoag;  and  Edward  Sylvester, 
April  5,  1882,  who  is  president  of  that  company. 
Messrs.  Fred  O.  and  Edward  S.  Inman  are  both 
32d  degree  Masons,  belonging  to  Granite  Lodge, 
Union  Chapter,  Woonsocket  Council,  Woonsocket 
Commandery  No.  24,  Rhode  Island  Consistory  and 
the  Mystic  Shrine. 

(VI)  James  Osborne  Inman,  son  of  James  and 
Nancy  Thompson  Inman,  was  born  July  4,  1829, 
in  Burrillville,  R.  I.  On  July  2,  1854,  he  married 
Ruhama  P.  Whaley,  born  Dec.  4,  1829,  daughter 
of  John  and  Lydia  Wdialey,  of  South  Kingstown, 


730 


RHODE  ISLAND 


R.  I. ; she  died  Nov.  4,  1893.  This  marriage  was 
blessed  with  children  as  follows : Mary  E.,  who 
married  Albert  E.  Sweet,  of  Burrillville,  and  died 
March  7,  1884  in  her  twenty-eighth  year;  Olney  T. ; 
Orianna,  who  married  Williston  A.  Cady,  and  died 
May  17,  1906,  in  Providence;  Cora  M.,  who  mar- 
ried Roscoe  S.  Steere,  of  Providence ; Isabel  A., 
wife  of  Walter  F.  Slade  of  Hackensack,  New  Jer- 
sey; and  Francis  A.,  president  of  the  Laurel  Hill 
Yarn  Company,  who  married  Maud  Shepard. 

James  O.  Inman  received  his  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  Burrillville  and  the  Friends  School. 
Providence.  While  yet  a young  man  he  worked  in 
a woolen  mill  at  Mohegan,  then  conducted  by  a 
Mr.  Callahan.  Subsequently  he  leased  the  privilege 
at  Bridgeton  and  manufactured  satinets  until  about 
the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war.  In  1865 
he  purchased  the  Marsh  estate,  on  which  formerly 
stood  the  mill  (burned  in  1861)  of  George  W. 
Marsh  and  son  Edward,  who  were  engaged  from 
1844  in  manufacturing  Kentucky  yarns  and  fancy 
cassimeres,  respectively.  This  was  on  Clear  river, 
near  Pascoag,  the  site  formerly  of  an  enterprise  of 
the  Sayleses,  where  had  stood  a forge  from  1793, 
operated  by  Daniel  Sayles.  Mr.  Inman,  on  pur- 
chasing the  estate,  erected  thereon  a substantial 
stone  mill  and  outbuildings,  and  fitted  the  mill  with 
four  sets  of  woolen  machinery,  which  were  put  in 
operation  in  the  spring  of  1866,  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  fine  cassimeres,  known  in  the  market  as 
“Clear  River  Woolens.”  In  1877  an  addition  was 
built  to  the  mill,  making  it  52  x 150  feet,  and  two 
additional  sets  of  machinery  were  put  in,  and  still 
later  another,  making  seven  sets  in  all,  giving  it  a 
capacity  for  consuming  400,000  pounds  per  annum, 
and  employing  approximately  150  hands.  In  1893 
the  factory  and  property  of  the  J.  O.  Inman  Com- 
pany was  leased  to  the  firm  of  W.  F.  Slade  & Co., 
who  operated  it  for  several  years  under  the  name 
of  the  Clear  River  Woolen  Mills.  Later  the  mill 
was  leased  to  the  Saxondale  Worsted  Company, 
who  were  operating  it. when  it  burned.  In  1904  the 
Clear  River  Mills  Corporation  was  formed  and 
erected  a new  mill. 

James  O.  Inman  made  what  was  probably  the 
most  honest  class  of  woolens  that  was  made  in  New 
England  in  his  day.  A most  conscientious,  straight- 
forward and  upright  man,  he  would  use  nothing 
but  the  best  of  material  in  his  product.  One  promi- 
nent characteristic  of  this  gentleman  was  his 
method  of  conducting  his  business,  whereby  he 
knew  the  inside  workings  thereof  in  every  detail. 
He  would  not,  however,  discuss  his  business  affairs, 
nor  would  he  permit  his  employes  to  discuss  on 
the  outside  what  had  occurred  within  the  mill. 
From  January,  1885,  until  his  death,  Mr.  Inman 
was  president  of  the  Pascoag  National  Bank,  was 
a director  in  the  Industrial  Trust  Company  at 
Providence,  and  of  the  old  Providence  & Spring- 
field  railroad.  He  was  a member  of  the  committee 
of  the  Friends  school  at  Providence,  and  took  a 


deep  and  active  interest  in  the  success  of  that  in- 
stitution. 

He  was  a man  of  the  highest  integrity,  and  held 
the  confidence,  esteem  and  respect  of  those  with 
whom  he  came  in  business  contact  and  those  who 
knew  him  socially.  His  death  occurred  at  his  home 
in  Burrillville,  July  5,  1890,  and  he  was  buried  in 
the  cemetery  at  Pascoag. 

(VII)  Olney  T.  Inman,  son  of  James  O.  and 
Ruhama  P.  (Whaley)  Inman,  was  born  Nov.  25, 
1859,  in  Burrillville,  and  passed  his  boyhood  in  his 
native  town.  His  education  in  main  was  received 
in  the  Friends  School  at  Providence,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1877.  After  his  school  days  were 
over  he  entered  the  mills  of  his  father,  and  there 
learned  the  business  under  his  direction,  passing 
through  the  different  grades.  He  became  superin- 
tendent of  the  mill  in  1884,  and  two  years  later, 
Jan.  1,  1886,  was  made  a partner  in  the  business. 
From  that  time  until  the  death  of  the  father  in  July, 
1890,  the  business  was  conducted  under  the  firm 
name  of  J.  O.  Inman  & Son,  and  in  that  year  was 
incorporated  as  the  J.  O.  Inman  Manufacturing 
Company,  O.  T.  Inman  becoming  treasurer.  When 
the  Clear  River  Mills  Corporation  was  formed,  for 
the  manufacture  of  yarns,  Mr.  Inman  became  agent 
for  the  concern.  He  is  also  treasurer  of  the  Laurel 
Hill  Yarn  Company,  incorporated  in  1902.  Mr. 
Inman  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been 
quite  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  town.  He  has 
served  as  president  of  the  town  council,  member  of 
the  school  committee,  and  one  year  as  a member 
of  the  General  Assembly.  Upon  the  death  of  his 
father  he  succeeded  him  as  president  of  the  Pas- 
coag National  Bank,  serving  in  that,  capacity  until 
the  institution  was  absorbed  by  the  Industrial  Trust 
Company,  and  he  also  succeeded  his  father  as  a 
director  of  the  latter.  He  had  served  for  many 
years  on  the  board  of  directors  of  the  National 
Bank.  Mr.  Inman  is  connected  fraternally  with 
Granite  Lodge  No.  26,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  at  Harris- 
ville,  of  which  he  is  past  master ; Lmion  Chapter 
and  Woonsocket  Council  at  Woonsocket,  and 
Woonsocket  Commandery  No.  24,  Knights 
Templar.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  and  most  active 
members  of  the  Laurel  Hill  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  at  Bridgeton,  having  served  as  chairman 
of  the  board  of  trustees,  and  he  is  now  filling  the 
office  of  steward  in  that  church. 

Mf.  Olney  T.  Inman  was  married  in  1886  to 
Leanora  M.  Salisbury,  daughter  of  Edward  M. 
and  Mary  A.  P.  (Hawkes)  Salisbury  of  Pascoag, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  three  children : 
Elsie  Salisbury,  James  Olney  and  Edward  Salis- 
bury. 

ABNER  ATWOOD.  From  John  Atwood,  of 
Plymouth,  Mass.,  who  is  said  to  have  been  a man 
of  prominence  in  the  affairs  of  the  town  and  to 
have  accumulated  considerable  property,  have  de- 
scended many  of  the  name  who  have  been  dis- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


73* 


tinguished  in  the  political,  business  and  social  walks 
of  life,  among  these  being  the  late  venerable  Deacon 
Abner  Atwood,  for  years  president  and  general 
manager  of  The  Atwood,  Crawford  Company,  a 
manufacturing  concern  of  Pawtucket,  R.  I.  Mr. 
Atwood  descended  from  the  Plympton-Carver 
branch  of  the  old  Plymouth  (Mass.)  family  of  At- 
woods, his  descent  from  John  Atwood,  as  given  in 
the  recent  history  of  Pawtucket,  being  through  Na- 
thaniel, Nathaniel  (2),  Nathaniel  (3),  Joshua  and 
Joshua  Atwood  (2).  These  generations  follow  in 
regular  order. 

(I)  W.  T.  Davis,  in  his  “Ancient  Landmarks  of 
Plymouth,”  says : The  various  branches  of  the 
Atwood  family  of  that  town  are  descended  from 
John  Wood,  of  Plymouth,  1643;  and  there  was  a 
John  Atwood  in  Plymouth  in  1636  who  died  with- 
out children.  Pope,  another  authority,  has  John 
Wood,  or  Atwood,  Plymouth,  proprietor,  1636; 
juryman,  1638;  able  to  bear  arms,  1643;  married 
Sarah  Masterson.  John,  of  Plymouth,  1643,  called 
Wood,  alias  Atwood,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of 
Richard  Masterson,  and  their  children  were:  John, 
born  March  4,  1649;  Nathaniel,  born  in  February, 
1651;  Isaac,  born  Feb.  27,  1653;  Mary,  who  mar- 
ried Rev.  John  Holmes,  of  Duxbury,  and  Maj. 
William  Bradford;  Sarah,  who  married  John  Fal- 
lowed ; Abigail,  who  married  Samuel  Leonard ; 
Elizabeth ; and  Hannah,  who  married  Richard 
Cooper. 

(II)  Nathaniel  Atwood,  son  of  John,  born  in 
February,  1651,  had  by  wife  Mary  children  as  fol- 
lows: John,  born  in  1684;  Elizabeth,  1687;  Joanna, 
1689;  Mary,  1691;  Nathaniel,  1693;  and  Isaac, 
1695. 

(III)  Nathaniel  Atwood  (2),  son  of  Nathaniel, 
born  in  1693,  married  (first)  Mary,  daughter  of 
Francis  Adams,  and  (second)  Abigail.  Mr.  At- 
wood lived  in  Plympton,  Mass.  His  children  were : 
Mary,  born  in  1723;  Nathaniel,  born  in  1725;  Fran- 
cis, born  in  1728  (all  to  the  first  marriage)  ; Sarah ; 
Mercy;  Ebenezer,  born  in  1735;  Keziah,  born  in 
1737;  William,  born  in  1740;  Joseph,  born  in  1741 ; 
and  Ichabod. 

(IV)  Nathaniel  Atwood  (3),  son  of  Nathaniel 
(2),  married  Lydia  Boult.  They  lived  in  Plympton, 
Mass.,  and  their  children  were : Abner,  Levi,  Na- 
thaniel, Joshua,  Mary  (who  married  a Shurtleff), 
Joanna  (who  married  Aaron  Carey),  Mercy  (who 
married  David  Shurtleff)  and  Hulda  (who  married 
a Vaughn). 

(V)  Joshua  Atwood,  son  of  Nathaniel  (3),  born 
in  1769,  in  Carver,  Mass.,  died  there  in  1848,  in 
the  house  in  which  his  birth  occurred.  He  was  a 
farmer  all  his  life.  Mr.  Atwood  married  Polly 
Benson,  born  in  1773,  who  died  in  1857,  and  their 
children  were:  Joshua;  Warren,  who  went  West; 
Zenas,  a carpenter,  who  died  in  Providence ; Seth, 
a farmer,  who  died  in  Wareham,  Mass. ; Polly,  wife 
of  Nelson  Gammons ; and  Elias,  a cooper,  who  died 
in  Kansas. 

(VI)  Joshua  Atwood  (2),  son  of  Joshua,  born 


in  1794  in  Carver,  Mass.,  died  Sept.  26,  1880,  in 
Plymouth,  Mass.  He  married  Hannah  Thomas,  of 
Middleboro,  Mass.,  daughter  of  Isaiah  and  Hannah 
(Shaw)  Thomas,  the  latter  the  daughter  of  Moses 
Shaw,  of  Middleboro.  Mr.  Atwood  was  engaged 
in  peddling,  although  he  had  been  an  agriculturist 
in  Carver,  Mass.,  but  was  incapacitated  for  farm 
work  on  account  of  a felon  on  his  hand.  Although 
a member  of  no  church  Mr.  Atwood  was  a Chris- 
tian, and  was  a hard-working,  industrious  man  and 
a good  citizen.  His  children  were : Sarah,  the 
widow  of  Alvarado  Wrightington,  of  Taunton,. 
Mass.,  resides  in  Brockton ; Abner  is  mentioned  be- 
low ; Henry  Lewis  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years ; Hannah  T.,  who  died  in  Plymouth,  was  the 
wife  of  Ephraim  Churchill,  of  Plymouth  ; Joshua  was 
killed  in  his  first  battle,  the  battle  of  the  Wilder- 
ness, by  a sharpshooter ; Thomas,  a bolter  by  trade, 
who  served  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil 
war,  married  May  Etta  Berry;  Frederick  M.,  who 
has  been  engineer  for  the  Douglas  Shoe  Company 
ever  since  beginning  to  work,  married  Lucy  Terry,, 
sister-in-law  of  ex-Governor  Douglas,  of  Massa- 
chusetts; and  Isaiah  Francis,  a stove  molder,  who 
died  in  1893  in  Plymouth,  married  Thankful 
Holmes,  of  Plymouth. 

(VII)  Abner  Atwood,  son  of  Joshua  (2),  was 
born  March  5,  1825,  in  Carver,  Mass.,  in  the  house 
that  had  sheltered  three  successive  generations  of 
the  family,  and  his  youth  was  passed  like  that  of 
most  hoys  of  his  time  in  New  England  towns.  He 
attended  the  district  schools  and  assisted  with  the 
work  on  the  home  farm  until  he  had  attained  his 
nineteenth  year,  being  also  engaged,  during  the 
summers,  in  shoemaking  at  East  Middleboro,  for 
Jacob  Atwood.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he 
went  to  Taunton,  Mass.,  and  entered  the  employ  of 
William  Mason  & Co.,  then  one  of  the  largest  cot- 
ton machinery  building  concerns  in  the  country, 
to  learn  the  trade  of  machinist,  serving  for  over 
five  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  took  charge 
of  the  pumps  and  connections  departments  of  the 
Taunton  Locomotive  Company.  He  served  at  this 
work  until  1858,  having  several  mechanics  under 
him,  and  .in  the  year  last  named  formed  a partner- 
ship with  his  brother-in-law,  the  late  James  O. 
Draper,  in  old  Bedford,  Mass.,  for  the  manufacture 
of  soaps,  the  firm  name  being  Draper  & Atwood. 
In  1862  this  firm  removed  to  Pawtucket,  and  the 
business  was  carried  on  successfully  at  the  latter 
place  until  1866,  in  which  year,  on  the  death  of  the 
junior  partner  of  the  firm  of  R.  & G.  Cushman, 
Mr.  Atwood  was  invited  by  the  surviving  partner, 
his  brother-in-law,  to  take  an  interest  in  the  busi- 
ness. Until  1875  the  style  of  the  firm  was  Cush- 
man, Phillips  & Co.,  but  in  that  year  Mr.  Cush- 
man withdrew  and  the  firm  became  Atwood,  Craw- 
ford & Company,  Mr.  Atwood  taking  into  partner- 
ship John  H.  and  Fred  C.  Crawford.  In  1890  this 
company  was  incorporated  as  The  Atwood,  Craw- 
ford Company,  Mr.  Atwood  being  made  president 
and  manager  of  the  company,  positions  which  he 


732 


RHODE  ISLAND 


retained  for  some  years,  relinquishing  the  active 
management  of  the  company  for  a few  years  pre- 
vious to  his  death.  The  firm  employs  over  sixty 
hands,  and  does  general  wood-turning  of  every  de- 
scription, spools  for  silk  and  thread  being  their 
specialty. 

In  early  life,  while  living  in  Taunton,  Mass., 
Mr.  Atwood  was  a member  of  the  Good  Templars 
and  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  and  he  was  always 
an  active  worker  in  the  cause  of  temperance.  He 
was  a charter  member  of  the  Pawtucket  Business 
Men's  Association.  Mr.  Atwood  was  first  a Whig 
in  politics,  later  became  a Free-Soiler,  then  a 
Know-Nothing,  and  finally  a Republican.  He  served 
as  a member  of  the  Pawtucket  school  committee  for 
about  six  years.  Mr.  Atwood  was  very  active  and 
in  full  possession  of  all  of  his  faculties,  in  fact  he 
was  remarkably  vigorous  for  his  years,  having  been 
over  eighty  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
Nov.  23,  1906.  In  the  years  that  he  was  in  busi- 
ness in  Pawtucket  he  became  known  as  a substan- 
tial man,  of  unquestionable  integrity,  and  he  was 
respected  and  esteemed  by  all  who  had  the  pleasure 
of  his  acquaintance. 

Mr.  Atwood  was  a member  of  the  Central  Falls 
Congregational  Church,  and  served  as  deacon 
thereof,  from  1884.  He  was  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school  at  Adamsdale,  Mass.,  for  a period  of 
twenty-one  years,  during  which  time  be  drove  to 
service  every  Sunday,  rain  or  shine.  Mr.  Atwood 
was  very  fond  of  travel,  and  every  year  he  and  his 
wife  went  to  Florida,  where  Mr.  Atwood  had  spent 
eighteen  winters. 

On  May  21,  1851,  Mr.  Atwood  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Lydia  Ann  Draper,  the  estimable 
daughter  of  Ebenezer  Draper,  of  Attleboro,  Massa- 
chusetts. 

BROWNELL  (Line  of  Stephen  Fish  Brownell, 
of  Smithfield,  R.  I.).  The  Brownell  family  is  one 
of  long  and  honorable  standing  in  New  England, 
its  coming  to  this  section  reaching  back  250  and 
more  years,  to  the  infancy  of  the  colonies.  The 
Rhode  Island-Massachusetts  branch,  more  specific 
the  Little  Compton- Westport  (Mass.)  family,  of 
which  this  article  deals,  has  allied  itself  by  marriage 
to  the  first  families  of  New  England,  and  in  several 
lines  its  posterity  trace  their  ancestry  to  the  Pil- 
grims of  the  “Mayflower,”  and  others  who  arrived 
soon  after.  Many  of  the  name,  too1,  have  made  for 
themselves  enduring  places  in  the  history  of  their 
country.  Of  this  branch  of  the  family  Major  Syl- 
vester Brownell  of  the  Revolution,  the  Rt.  Rev. 
Thomas  Church  Brownell,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  the  first 
president  of  Trinity  College  and  third  Protestant 
Episcopal  bishop  of  Connecticut,  and  the  latter  s 
nephew,  Henry  Howard  Brownell,  author  and  poet, 
have  brought  honor  to  the  name.  Dr.  Brownell,  a 
brother  of  Dr.  Thomas  Church  and  of  Major  Syl- 
vester, was  long  a prominent  physician  of  Provi- 


dence. Here  in  Providence  the  name  today  stands, 
as  it  has  long  stood,  at  the  head  of  leading  business 
concerns  of  the  city,  and  as  well  is  represented 
creditably  in  the  legal  profession. 

Stephen  Brownell,  of  the  representatives  in 
Providence  of  this  branch  of  the  Brownell  family, 
is  a descendant  in  the  seventh  generation  from 
Thomas  Brownell,  the  first  American  ancestor  of 
the  Brownell  family,  from  whom  his  lineage  is 
through  George,  Joseph,  Joseph  (2),  Stephen  and 
Stephen  Fish  Brownell.  These  generations  in  de- 
tail and  in  the  order  given  follow. 

(I)  Thomas  Brownell  came  from  Derbyshire, 
England.  The  Christian  name  of  his  wife  was 
Ann.  He  was  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  in  1647,  on 
May  20th  of  which  year  he  was  appointed  "Water 
Bailie”  for  the  Colony.  He  was  commissioner  in 
1655,  1661,  1662  and  1663,  and  Deputy  in  1664.  He 
died  about  1665.  His  children  were  : Mary,  Sarah, 
Martha,  George,  William,  Thomas,  Robert  and 
Ann. 

(II)  George  Brownell,  born  in  May,  1646,  mar- 

ried Dec.  4,  1673,  Susanna  Pearce,  born  Nov.  20, 
[652,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Susanna  (Wright) 
Pearce,  and  was  of  Portsmouth.  He  was  deputy 
in  1699,  and  1702,  and  assistant  from  1706  to  1711, 
inclusive.  He  died  April  20,  1718,  and  his  widow 
passed  away  Dec.  24,  1743.-  Their  children  were: 
Susanna,  born  Jan.  25,  1676;  Sarah,  June  14,  1681  ; 
Mary,  Dec.  8,  1683;  Martha,  Feb.  18,  1686; 

Thomas,  June  1,  1688:  Joseph,  Dec.  5>  1690;  V aite, 
Oct.  3,  1693  : and  Stephen.  Dec.  3,  1695. 

(III)  Joseph  Brownell,  born  Dec.  5.  1690,  in 

Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  married  Jan.  5.  1717,  Ruth,  born 
Feb.  12,  1698,  daughter  of  George  and  Philadelphia 
(Estes)  Cornell,  and  was  of  Portsmouth,  possessing 
the  home  estate.  He  was  Deputy  in  1720,  1722, 
1724  and  1725.  He  died  Oct.  5.  1 757*  Dis  children 
were:  George,  born  June  23,  1 7 1 ^ ; Joseph,  April 
26,  1720;  Thomas,  Oct.  23,  1722;  Waite,  Feb.  6, 
1724-25 ; Philadelphia,  Dec.  15,  1726;  Martha, 

March  17,  1728-29;  and  George  (2),  Sept.  27, 
1736. 

(IV)  Joseph  Brownell  (2),  born  April  26,  1720, 
in  Portsmouth,  married  Dec.  22,  1742,  Rebecca, 
daughter  of  Abiel  and  Eleanor  (Waite)  Tripp,  and 
was  of  Portsmouth.  He  served  as  deputy  in 
1764-65,  and  as  assistant  in  1755,  1757  and  1758. 
He  died  March  10,  17—.  His  children  were: 
Stephen,  born  Feb.  12,  1743-44:  Jonathan,  May  30, 
1746;  Nathan,  Feb.  7,  1747-48;  Oliver,  Feb.  17, 
1749;  Philadelphia,  May  17,  1752;  Susanna,  March 
17,  1754;  Mary,  Dec.  6,  1757;  Amey,  Sept.  8,  1760; 
Thomas,  Dec.  16,  1762;  and  Rebecca,  born  Feb.  19, 
t/6  5- 

(V)  Stephen  Brownell,  born  Feb.  12,  1743-44. 
in  Portsmouth,  died  Nov.  23,  1815.  He  married 
Dec.  7,  1768,  Susanna,  born  Nov.  24,  1749,  daughter 
of  David  and  Jemima  (Tallman)  Fish  (the  latter 
the  daughter  of  a well-known  German  physician). 


RHODE  ISLAND 


733 


Mrs.  Brownell  died  Oct.  20,  1820.  Their  children 
were:  Rebecca,  born  Feb.  26,  1770;  David,  Feb. 
16,  1772;  John,  Sept.  12,  1775  ; Thomas,  March  7, 
1778;  Stephen  Fish,  Dec.  1,  1785;  and  perhaps  oth- 
ers. The  father  suffered  through  the  Revolutionary 
war  by  the  depredations  of  the  British. 

(VI)  Stephen  Fish  Brownell,  born  Dec.  1,  1785, 

in  Portsmouth,  married  May  14,  1809,  Susanna 
White,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue.  He  married  (sec- 
ond) Nov.  24,  1811,  Mary  White,  a sister  of  Su- 
sanna, and  both  daughters  of  Samuel  and  Hannah 
(Aldrich)  White,  of  Mendon,  Mass.  Mr.  Brownell 
was  a carpenter  by  trade,  and  while  yet  a boy  of 
fourteen  years  he  went  to  Smithfield,  R.  L,  where  he 
was  both  carpenter  and  husbandman.  His  death 
occurred  April  28,  1865,  in  Smithfield.  His  children 
by  his  second  marriage  were : ( 1 ) Hannah  Al- 

drich, born  Feb.  12,  1813,  married  May  29,  1837, 
W.  B.  M-owry,  and  resided  at  Boston,  Mass.,  where 
she  died  ; she  was  buried  in  her  family  lot  near  Union 
Village,  town  of  North  Smithfield.  Two  children 
survive,  Oscar  ttB-  Mowry,  a prominent  lawyer  of 
Boston,  and  Elizabeth  D.  Mowry.  (2)  Susan  Fish, 
born  Feb.  7,  1815,  married  Aug.  17,  1840,  George 
Darling  and  resided  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  where  sue 
died  April  25,  1906 ; she  was  buried  in  the  Brownell 
lot  near  Union  Village.  She  was  a widow  for 
many  years  and  was  survived  by  a daughter  and  a 
son.  (3)  Isaac  Albert,  born  May  6,  1817,  married 
Polly,  daughter  of  Ami  B.  Young,  a government 
architect.  Isaac  A.  Brownell  was  a merchant  in 
Boston  but  spent  the  latter  years  of  his  life  at 
Washington,  D.  C.  He  died  in  June,  1864.  (4) 

Lucy,  born  Jan.  10,  1820,  died  Sept.  13,  1821.  (5) 

Stephen  was  born  March  14,  1822.  (6)  Samuel, 

born  April  2,  1825,  died  May  2,  1827.  (7)  Mary 

White,  born  Oct.  15,  1828,  never  married  and  re- 
sided at  the  homestead  in  Union  Village.  (8)  Dex- 
ter Low,  Oct.  26,  1831,  is  a retired  woolen  manufac- 
turer and  resides  in  Providence. 

(VII)  Stephen  Brownell,  born  March  14,  1822, 
in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  received  a good  common  school 
and  academic  education,  attending  the  excellent 
academy  at  Union  Village.  In  young  manhood  he 
located  at  Providence,  engaging  in  the  commission 
business.  He  was  instrumental  in  forming  in  1859 
the  firm  of  Goff,  Cranston  & Brownell,  the  business 
of  which  was  soon  extended  all  over  the  country, 
and  as  well  into  Europe.  The  Union  Wadding 
Company,  the  outgrowth  of  the  business  of  the  firm 
of  Goff,  Cranston  & Brownell,  became  the  largest 
manufacturing  concern  of  cotton  wadding  in  the 
world.  Through  his  active  business  years  after 
1879  Mr.  Brownell  devoted  himself  to  the  care  of 
his  accumulated  real  estate.  He  has  been  prominent 
in  a number  of  financial,  educational  and  philan- 
thropic enterprises.  Since  1873  he  has  been  trustee 
of  the  Butler  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  and  but  one 
other  has  served  as  long.  He  was  a director  of  the 
Mechanics  National  Bank  for  many  years. 


Mr.  Brownell  was  married  Nov.  12,  1846,  at 
Grace  Church,  Providence,  by  Rev.  Bishop  Hen- 
shaw,  to  Henrietta,  daughter  of  Seth  Hunt,  Jr.,  a 
merchant  of  Providence.  She  died  in  March,  1899, 
and  was  buried  in  the  family  burial  plot  in  the 
North  Burial  Ground,  Providence,  where  also  the 
children  who  have  died  are  buried.  To  Stephen  and 
Henrietta  (Hunt)  Brownell  were  born  children  as 
follows:  (1)  Isabella  married  George  H.  Ames,  D. 
D.  S.,  and  has  one  child,  Stephen  Brownell.  (2) 
Henrietta  died  aged  ten  months.  (3)  Henrietta 
(2)  married  Thomas  A.  Jenckes,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Thomas  A.  Jr.,  and  Stephen  Hunt.  (4)  Seth 
Hunt  married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Alfred  Smith,  , 
of  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  is  deceased.  (5)  Stephen 
Fish  is  deceased.  (6)’  Winthrop,  who  died  March 
11,  1905,  married  Amey  Dorrance  Mauran,  (daugh- 
ter of  Gen.  Edward  C.  and  Mary  D.  W.  Mauran), 
who  died  in  April,  1905,  the  mother  of  two  children, 
Mary  Gertrude  and  Henrietta. 

White  (Line  of  Mary  of  Mendon,  Mass.,  and 
Smithfield,  R.  I.).  The  White  family,  like  that  of 
Brownell,  with  which  it  is  allied  by  marriage,  as  ap- 
pears in  the  foregoing,  is  one  ancient  and  prominent 
in  New  England,  and,  like  the  Brownell,  has  formed 
alliances  with  some  of  the  leading  families  of  this 
section. 

(I)  Thomas  White,  the  immigrant  settler  and 
progenitor  of  the  family  here  considered,  the  Men- 
don-Smithfield  branch  of  the  ancient  Weymouth- 
Mendon  family,  came  over  with  the  Pilgrims  as 
early  as  1636,  in  which  year  and  1637  he  was  of 
Weymouth.  He  was  a freeman  of  1636,  a repre- 
sentative in  that  year,  also  in  1637,  1657  and  again 
in  1670.  His  age  as  given  in  1659  was  sixty  years. 
He  died  in  the  year  1679,  leaving  children:  Joseph, 
of  Mendon ; Samuel ; Thomas,  of  Braintree ; Han- 
nah and  Ebenezer. 

Perhaps  the  more  notable  men  of  the  early  gen- 
erations of  the  posterity  of  Thomas  White  were 
Hon.  Samuel  and  the  two  Rev.  Ebenezer  Whites ; 
the  elder  Ebenezer,  a graduate  of  Harvard,  1692, 
was  minister  at  Bridgehampton,  Long  Island,  from 
1695  to  1748 ; and  the  younger  Ebenezer,  a graduate 
of  Yale  College,  1733,  was  for  upward  of  twenty- 
five  years,  minister  of  the  church  at  Danbury,  Conn. 
Three  of  his  sons  were  graduated  from  Yale.  I he 
two  Ebenezers  were  uncle  and  nephew,  the  elder 
Ebenezer  being  a son  of  Ebenezer  and  grandson  of 
Thomas  White,  the  immigrant ; while  the  younger 
Ebenezer  was  a son  of  Deacon  Thomas  White  and 
grandson  of  Capt.  Ebenezer  White.  And  Hon. 
Samuel  White,  of  Taunton,  was  speaker  of  the 
Massachusetts  house  of  representatives  at  the  time 
of  the  Stamp  Act,  whose  circular  as  speaker  called 
together  the  first  congress  which  assembled  at  New 
York  in  October,  1765,  an  act  which  was  deemed  by 
some  to  involve  the  crime  of  high  treason — by  oth- 
ers as  the  first  official  act  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion. Another  of  this  race  of  Whites  under  consid- 


734 


RHODE  ISLAND 


eration,  one  of  a later  generation  and  of  close  kin 
to  Mrs.  Mary  (White)  Brownell  and  one  taking 
the  name  of  both  parents,  was  Adams  White,  Esq., 
cashier  of  the  Windham  County  (Connecticut) 
Bank  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  nineteenth  century, 
a most  worthy  man  and  citizen,  highly  respected 
and  esteemed. 

(II)  Capt.  Joseph  White*  son  of  Thomas,  mar- 
ried Sept.  19,  1660,  Lydia  Rogers.  After  the  birth 
of  one  of  their  children  at  Weymouth,  which  oc- 
curred Dec.  17,  1662,  they  removed  with  the  first 
settlers  to  Mendon,  where  he  was  a man  of  con- 
siderable prominence,  serving  in  various  public  ca- 
pacities, and  where  likewise  for  generations  his  pos- 
terity lived  and  prospered,  some  tilling  responsible 
positions  of  trust. 

It  is  a matter  of  history  that  during  King  Philip's 
war,  1675-76,  the  town  of  Mendon  was  burned  and 
abandoned.  There  is  evidence  that  no  municipal 
government  was  organized  in  Mendon  until  after 
the  war,  which  was  essentially  terminated  with  the 
death  of  Philip,  Aug.  12,  1676.  At  the  first  town 
meeting  held  after  the  abandonment  of  the  town,  Jan. 
3,  1680,  Sergeant  Joseph  White,  as  he  was  then 
styled,  was  one  of  the  selectmen  chosen.  He  was 
elected  to  that  office  in  1681,  1685,  1686,  1687,  1688 
and  1689,  being  styled  in  the  last  named  year  “Cap- 
tain.” His  name  is  connected  with  other  public 
trusts,  evidencing  his  standing  in  the  community 
and  his  capability.  In  1682  he  was  one  of  the  com- 
mittee appointed  to  secure  a minister,  and  again  in 
1683  he  was  one  of  a committee  on  town  business. 
He  and  one  or  more  of  his  sons  were  for  years  on 
the  list  of  contributors  to  the  minister’s  salary.  On 
June  24,  1686,  he  was  nominated  by  his  fellow- 
townsmen  as  captain  of  the  householders  and  sol- 
diers of  Mendon  above  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and 
his  name  sent  to  the  governor  and  council  and  by 
them  the  act  was  confirmed  Jan.  29,  1689.  In  this 
military  connection  it  is  of  interest  to  note  that  on 
June  24,  1675,  just  after  the  attack  of  the  Indians 
on  Swansea,  and  Plymouth  Colony’s  appeal  for  aid, 
on  the  authority  of  the  General  Court,  Capt.  Daniel 
Henchman  in  command  of  a company  of  100  men 
raised  for  the  protection  of  the  settlements  entered 
upon  a campaign  through  the  country  threatened  by 
the  Indians.  From  an  official  report  of  his  maneuv- 
ers and  letters  is  extracted  the  following  from  its 
bearing  on  the  town  of  Mendon  and  the  White 
family : “Capt.  Henchman  marches  to  Mendon, 
arrives  on  the  2d  (September,  1775)  at  4 P-  m->  an4 
writes  immediately  that  ‘they  arrived  all  safe  and 
found  the  towne  in  like  condition’  and  ‘pressed 
four  horses  for  scouts  to  send  to  Hassonemeset’ 
[Grafton].  He  found  the  inhabitants  (Finds  the 
Garrison  in  charge  of  Sergt.  White,  in  whose  charge 
he  leaves  it)  ‘drawn  into  two  houses,’  and  ‘in  a pes- 
tered condition,’  and  holds  frequent  meetings  with 
them  in  order  to  prevail  upon  them  to  remain  at 
Mendon  contented.  * * *.”  [See  New  England 


Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  37,  page  71]. 

Captain  White  was  one  of  the  petitioners  to  the 
General  Court  in  1685  to  prohibit  the  sale  of  in- 
toxicant drinks  to  the  Indians.  He  may  have 
served  later  on  as  selectman  and  in  other  official 
relations,  as  Joseph  White,  Jr.,  was  a number  of 
times  selectman,  and  it  is  not  in  all  instances  easy 
to  distinguish  between  them.  Captain  White  and 
Joseph  White,  Jr.,  sometimes  styled  Sergeant,  and 
also  Thomas  White,  another  of  his  sons  or  kins- 
men, all  at  various  times  shared  in  the  divisions  of 
the  proprietors'  lands,  which  extended  through 
years.  Joseph  White,  Jr.,  was  constable  of  the  town 
in  1690.  He  or  another  Joseph  was  one  of  a com- 
mittee in  1715  to  secure  a minister,  which  resulted 
in  the  selection  of  Rev.  Joseph  Dorr,  the  fourth  min- 
ister of  the  town,  he  a graduate  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege. A Joseph  White  was  surveyor  of  Mendon  in 
1719  and  he  or  another  Joseph  had  laid  out  in  May, 
1669,  200  acres  of  land,  which  included  most  if  not 
all  of  the  present  town  of  Woonsocket,  R.  I. 
Thomas  White  was  elected  constable  in  1701,  and 
selectman  in  1704.  In  1708  he  \Vas  one  of  those 
chosen  to  instruct  the  selectmen.  He,  or  another 
Thomas  styled  Sergeant  Thomas,  was  town  clerk 
in  1719,  1720,  1725,  1726,  1727  and  1729.  And  dur- 
ing the  several  wars  of  the  Colonial  period  the 
Mendon  Whites  were  found  in  line  of  duty,  partici- 
pants in  them. 

After  the  removal  of  Joseph  White  to  Mendon 
he  had,  according  to  Savage,  these  children : Sam- 
uel, (born  Feb.  14,  1667),  John,  Ebenezer,  Experi- 
ence, Hannah,  Thomas,  Ann,  Joseph  (2), Lydia  and 
Mary.  There  were  eleven  in  all,  ten  of  these  be- 
ing legatees,  in  the  will  (1698)  of  their  Uncle  Sam- 
uel, who  left  no.  issue. 

(Ill  or  IV)  Now  as  to  the  next  ancestor  of 
Mrs.  Mary  (White)  Brownell,  Joseph  White,  Jr., 
is  set  forth  in  the  chart  of  the  family  as  such,  he 
marrying  Lydia  Adams,  who  died  May  8,  1729,  but 
according  to  Mr.  Elisha  Thayer,  of  Dedham,  in  his 
Family  Memorial  (1835),  Thomas  White  is  made 
this  ancestor  (the  former  version  differing  only  in 
the  excess  of  the  latter  of  one  generation,  Joseph, 
Jr.),  the  latter  of  whom  married  Deborah.  Their 
children  were:  Peregrine,  born  Jan.  11,  1711  ; Seth, 
Sept.  22,  1713:  Lydia,  Jan.  16,  1716;  Hopestill, 
July  15,  1717:  Samuel,  May  7 (or  17),  1719;  Deb- 
orah, Feb.  i6_,  1 722;  Nathan,  Jan.  31,  1732;  Jo- 
seph, April  29,  1733:  Phebe,  who  died  July  23, 
1734:  and  Asa,  born  May  11,  1735. 

(IY  or  V)  Samuel  White,  son  of  Thomas,  born 
May  17.  1719,  married  in  1744,  Abigail  Adams  and 
their  children  were:  Adams,  born  Feb.  17,  1745; 
Samuel,  March  24,  1747;  Nathan,  June  27,  1750; 
Barach,  May  3,  1752;  Margery,  Oct.  10,  1754;  Ar- 
temus,  March  3,  1757:  and  Antipas,  March  12, 
1760.  The  mother  of  these  died  Aug.  7,  1798. 

(V  or  VI)  Samuel  White  (2),  son  of  Samuel 
(1),  born  March  24,  1747,  married  Hannah,  born  in 


RHODE  ISLAND 


735 


February,  1754,  daughter  of  Caleb  and  Mary  (Ar- 
nold) Aldrich.  They  were  residents  of  Smithfield, 
R.  I.,  where  they  died,  he  May  12,  1819,  and  she, 
Oct.  4,  1809,  and  among  their  children  were:  Su- 
sanna and  Mary,  both  of  whom  respectively  mar- 
ried Stephen  Fish  Brownell. 

(VI  or  VII)  Mary  White,  daughter  of  Samuel 
(2),  married  Nov.  24,  1811,  Stephen  Fish  Brownell, 
of  Mendon,  Mass.,  and  Smithfield,  Rhode  Island.* 

(VII)  Mary  White  Brownell  (deceased), 
Union  Village,  Smithfield,  R.  I.  Miss  Brownell  was 
next  to  the  youngest  of  the  six  children  (two  of 
whom  are  living,  Stephen  and  Dexter  L.,  both  of 
Providence)  of  Stephen  Fish  and  Mary  (White) 
Brownell,  was  born  Oct.  15,  1828,  and  died 

Sept.  8,  1907,  at  her  home  on  the  Great  Road  at  the 
Old  Bank  in  the  town  of  Smithfield,  in  the  house  in 
which  she  was  born  and  which  her  father  built. 

The  following  tribute  to  her  memory  over  the 
signature  of  S.  M.  S.  appeared  in  the  Woonsocket 
Evening  Call  of  September,  1907: 

“Miss  Brownell  had  been  an  invalid  for  the  last 
five  years  and  has  at  times  suffered  extremely,  but 
when  partially  relieved  from  pain,  she  ever  wel- 
comed most  cordially  her  friends  and  acquaintances. 
Her  home  was  very  attractive  as  she  had  unusually 
good  taste  and  during  all  these  years  of  invalidism 
even  a stranger  brought  by  some  friend  would  be 
welcomed  graciously  and  would  go  away  impressed 
by  the  queenly  presence  of  this  remarkable  woman. 
She  was  very  appreciative ; there  were  always  fresh 
flowers  about  her,  the  gift  of  friends,  and  she  en- 
joyed the  distingishing  characteristics  of  the  dif- 
ferent flowers. 

“Her  experience  had  been  wide,  her  knowledge 
was  varied  and  she  was  possessed  of  a large  amount 
of  useful  information.  Her  counsel  was  sought  and 
given  sympathetically.  She  enjoyed  books  and  her 
conversation  showed  that  she  was  interested  in  all 
that  pertains  to  life,  philosophy,  religion  or  practical 
living. 

“She  had  an  excellent  memory  and  her  knowl- 
edge of  local  history  was  great  and  much  sought  for. 
She  remembered  humorous  as  well  as  important  in- 
cidents. She  was  ex-president  of  the  Round  Table 
Club  and  honorary  member  of  the  Woonsocket 
Fortnightly  Club. 

“We  have  spoken  of  her  queenly  presence ; she 
was  very  tall  and  a remarkably  well  proportioned 
woman  with  noble  features  and  all  these  later  years 

*Authorities. 

Brownell. — Amer.  Biog.,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  495!  Amer.  Biog., 
(Appleton),  Vol.  I,  p.  4*4 » Genealogical  Dictionary  of 
Rhode  Island,  Austin,  p.  29;  Ancestral  Dictionary,  Austin, 
p.  10;  Vital  Records  of  Rhode  Island,  by  Arnold,  Vol.  IV, 
p.  60;  Family  Records  of  Stephen  Brownell,  Esq.,  of  Prov- 
idence. ,T  , , 

White. — Savage,  Vol.  IV,  pp.  5I2>  5T4!  Yale  Biograph- 
ies and  Annals,  Dexter,  p.  499:  N.  E.  H.  and  G.  Register, 
Vol.  V.  pp.  102,  408:  N.  E.  H.  and  G.  Register,  Vol. 
XXXVII,  p.  71;  Annals  of  Mendon;  Proprietors’  Records, 
Mention. 


her  beautiful  wavy  hair  was  a crown  of  white. 
The  late  Judge  George  A.  Wilbur  once  said  that  the 
finest  looking  couple  he  ever  saw  was  in  Louisville, 
Ivy.,  when  General  Sherman  walked  across  the  hall 
with  Miss  Brownell  on  his  arm.  All  her  life  she 
was  a most  hospitable  hostess  and  it  is  not  common 
for  a woman  in  private  life  to  entertain  so  many 
of  her  friends  in  her  own  home.  She  was  fond  of 
life,  and  young  and  old  enjoyed  her.  On  her  last 
birthday  she  said  to  one  of  her  many  callers : ‘How 
lovely  it  is  to  have  lived  so  many  years  in  this  beau- 
tiful world.’  This  summer  she  followed,  day  by 
day,  the  itinerary  of  one  of  her  young  friends  who 
was  abroad,  reading  about  the  places  on  the  par- 
ticular day. 

“She  was  a true  neighbor,  helping  in  the  joys 
of  life  and  comforting  in  sickness ; she  lent  herself 
to  the  lives'  of  those  about  her.  On  a late  Christ- 
mas she  sent  out  little  gifts  to  seventy  different 
homes.  Only  a day  or  two  ago  she  received  a call 
from  a man  eighty  years  of  age,  who  attended  the 
academy  at  the  Old  Bank  when  she  was  his  scholar 
there.  The  academy  building  stood  nearly  oppo- 
site Miss  Brownell’s  home.  She  attended  Miss 
Southwick’s  school  held  there  and  later  that  of 
James  Bushee.  Miss  Brownell  is. the  last  of  that 
distinguished  coterie  of  women  who  have  lived  at 
the  Old  Bank  Village  for  seventy-five  years  in 
their  ancestral  home — women  of  rare  intelligence 
and  character.  No  one  of  them  has  entered  more 
generally  in  the  thoughts  of  her  neighbors,  none 
will  be  more  greatly  missed  or  sincerely  mourned.  ’ 

On  Wednesday  afternoon  following  her  death 
the  funeral  of  Miss  Brownell  was  held  at  her  late 
home  and  from  the  house  her  father  had  built — the 
house  in  which  she  was  born  and  from  whose  por- 
tals have  been  borne  to  their  last  resting  place  the 
mortal  remains  of  her  brother  Isaac  A.,  of  V ash- 
ington,  D.  C.,  of  her  sister,  Hannah  A.  (Mrs.  War- 
ren B.  Mowry,  of  Boston),  and  only  a few  months 
ago  of  her  sister  Susan  F.  (Mrs.  George  Darling, 
of  Detroit,  Mich.) — were  carried  to  the  cemetery 
near  Union  Village,  and  buried  in  the  Brownell  fam- 
ily lot  thus  all  that  was  mortal  of  Mary  V hite 
Brownell. 

The  following  tribute  was  paid  the  memory  of 
Miss  Brownell  by  the  Woonsocket  Fortnightly 
Club,  bearing  date  of  Nov.  15,  1907,  from  Woon- 
socket, R.  I.,  signed  by  the  committee,  Sarah  Mar- 
ble Shedd  and  Dency  A.  V ilbur : 

‘Diary  White  Brownell,  an  honored  member  of 
the  Woonsocket  Fortnightly  Club,  was  born  Octo- 
ber 15,  1828. 

“About  a hundred  years  ago  her  father  built 
the  house  in  which  he  reared  his  family  and  which 
Miss  Brownell  kept  as  her  home  during  her  long 
life. 

“Miss  Brownell  was  a woman  of  queenly  pres- 
ence and  great  grace  of  manner,  of  marked  intel- 
lectuality,  deeply  interested  in  local  history  and  pos- 


736 


RHODE  ISLAND 


sessed  of  a large  amount  of  useful  information. 
She  loved  life.  She  extended  a generous  and 
charming  hospitality.  Having  lived  so  many  years 
and  constantly  made  friends — for  all  who  met  her 
felt  her  kindly  interest  and  wished  to  meet  her 
again — she  had  during  her  later,  life,  what  falls  to 
the  lot  of  few,  a very  large  circle  of  appreciative 
friends — young  and  old,  rich  and  popr. 

“Miss  Brownell  died  September  8,  1907,  at  her 
home  on  the  Great  Road  in  Union' Village,  after  a 
long  and  painful  illness,  borne  with  heroic  Chris- 
tian fortitude. 

“During  her  active  membership  in  the  Woon- 
socket Fortnightly  Club,  her  unfailing  interest  in 
whatever  contributed  to  the  benefit  of  its  members 
or  to  the  betterment  of  civil  affairs  was  shown  by 
her  constant  and  efficient  works  for  the  club. 

“Each  of  us  will  miss  the  large-hearted,  whole- 
souled  friend,  who  loved  to  dispense  good  things, 
who  helped  all  with  whom  she  came  in  contact  by 
her  catholicity  of  spirit,  her  wise  counsel,  her  ten- 
der sympathy  and  her  appreciation  of  the  good  and 
beautiful  in  life. 

“We  desire  to  place  on  record  this  simple  testi- 
monial in  memory  of  our  valued  friend.” 

Another  tribute  expressive  of  the  beautiful  and 
useful  life  of  Miss  Brownell  was  paid  by  the 
Round  Table  Club,  of  which  she  had  been  president, 
and  still  another  by  "A  Friend”  of  her  girlhood  ap- 
peared in  the  Woonsocket  Evening  Call  of  Sept. 
17,  1907. 

OBADIAH  BROWN,  one  of  the  best  known 
men  in  Rhode  Island  in  his  time,  and  a man  who 
stood  foremost  among  the  advocates  of  practical 
up-to-date  husbandry  in  all  its  branches,  enjoyed  a 
high  reputation  as  an  authority  on  agricultural  sub- 
jects generally.  He  represented  in  the  broadest  and 
deepest  sense  throughout  life,  a gentleman  of  the 
soil.  He  was  especially  well-known  everywhere  in 
New  England  as  a stock -raiser — the  greater  part  of 
his  life  being  spent  in  raising  high  grade  cattle, 
chiefly  Ayrshires. 

Mr.  Brown  belonged  to  one  of  the  oldest  and 
most  prominent  families  in  Rhode  Island  history. 
The  Browns  have  been  closely  and  conspicuously 
interwoven  in  the  history  of  Providence  since  the 
coming  of  Chad  Brown  in  1638.  a leader  in  the 
Colony,  one  of  the  committee  to  formulate  the  first 
written  form  of  government  for  the  town,  and  the 
first  settled  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church.  James 
and  Obadiah  Brown,  of  the  fourth  generation,  were 
the  founders  of  the  extensive  commercial  house  of 
the  Browns,  which  in  the  succeeding  generation 
was  conducted  by  the  four  Brown  Brothers — Nicho- 
las, Moses,  John  and  Joseph — of  commercial  note 
and  wealth.  In  the  succeeding  generation  came 
Nicholas  Brown  (2),  an  eminent  merchant  and 
philanthropist,  whose  munificent  gifts  made  possible 
the  great  Brown  University  of  today,  as  well  as 
some  of  the  great  public  institutions  of  Providence, 


and  from  whom  the  University  derived  its  name, 
Obadiah  Brown  was  a representative  of  the  seventh 
generation,  from  Rev.  Chad  Brown,  the  line  of  de- 
scent being  shown  by  the  following  in  chronologi- 
cal order : 

(I)  Chad  Brown,  accompanied  by  his  wife 
Elizabeth,  son  John,  then  eight  years  of  age,  and 
perhaps  his  younger  sons,  emigrated  from  England 
in  the  ship  “Martin,”  which  arrived  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  July,  1638.  He  soon  removed  to  Providence, 
where  he  became  at  once  a leader  in  the  Colony 
and  one  of  the  most  valued  citizens.  In  1640  he 
was  one  of  a committee  who  reported  to  Providence 
Colony  the  first  written  form  of  government,  which 
was  adopted  and  continued  in  force  until  1644, 
when  Roger  Williams  returned  from  England  with 
the  first  charter.  In  1642  Chad  Brown  was  or- 
dained as  the  first  settled  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth,  and  their  children 
were:  John,  James,  Jeremiah,  Judah  and  Daniel. 

(II)  John  Brown,  born  in  1630,  died  about  1706. 
He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Rev.  Obadiah  and 
Catherine  Holmes,  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  resided 
in  Providence  at  the  North  End,  in  the  house  near 
the  one  afterward  occupied  by  his  son,  Elder 
James,  near  the  junction  of  North  Main  and  Ran- 
dall streets.  Like  his  father  he  was  a surveyor  as 
well  as  a Baptist  Elder.  He  served  in  various  im- 
portant capacities,  was  moderator,  member  of  the 
town  council,  deputy  in  the  legislature,  etc.  His 
children  were:  Sarah,  John,  James,  Obadiah,  Mar- 
tha, Mary  and  Deborah. 

(III)  James  Brown,  born  in  1666,  died  Oct.  28,, 

1732.  He  married  Dec.  17,  1691,  Mary,  born  Dec. 
17,  1671,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Mary  (Tew) 
Harris.  She  died  Aug.  18,  1736.  Mr.  Brown 

served  almost  continuously  as  a member  of  the 
town  council  from  1705  to  1725,  and  was  town 
treasurer  from  1714  to  1718.  He  was  pastor  or 
elder  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  succeeding  in 
1726  Rev.  Ebenezer  Jenckes,  and  he  remained  pas- 
tor until  his  death  in  1732.  His  children  were: 
John,  James,  Joseph,  Martha,  Andrew  (born  Sept. 
20,  1706),  Mary,  Anna,  Obadiah,  Jeremiah  and 
Elisha. 

(IV)  Joseph  Brown,  son  of  James,  born  May' 
5,  1701,  died  May  8,  1778.  He  was  a farmer  by 
occupation,  and  resided  in  North  Providence. 
He  married  (first)  Martha  Field,  daughter  of 
William,  of  Field’s  Point;  she  died  April  19, 
1736,  aged  twenty-six  yrears,  leaving  one  son, 
Gideon,  born  in  1726,  who  married  Ruth  Ruten- 
berg,  daughter  of  David  and  Hannah  (Jenks)  Rut- 
enberg,  and  their  children  settled  in  Johnston  (See 
sketch  of  Pardon  Fenner  Brown).  Joseph  Brown 
married  (second)  Abigail  Brown,  who  died  May- 
23,  1784,  in  seventy-third  year.  Their  children  were: 
Elisha,  Andrew  and  Joseph. 

(Y)  Andrew  Brown,  son  of  Joseph  and  Abi- 
gail, born  July  30,  1750,  died  Jan.  8,  1832.  He 
followed  farming  in  North  Providence.  On 


RHODE  ISLAND 


737 


Jan.  27,  1773,  he  married  (first)  Dorcas  Knight, 
daughter  of  Richard  Knight,  of  Cranston,  R.  I. 
He  married  (second)  Widow  Susie  Westcott, 
and  (third),  April  14,  1805,  Sarah  (Humphrey) 
Shorey,  widow  of  Miles  Shorey.  To  Andrew 
and  Dorcas  (Knight)  Brown  were  born  the  fol- 
lowing children : Abigail  Brown,  born  Sept.  30, 
1773,  married  Emor  Whipple,  and  settled  in 
North  Providence;  Waite,  born  Sept.  10,  1775, 
married  Asahel  Waterman,  and  settled  in  John- 
ston; Mary,  born  May  10,  1778;  Sarah  Brown, 
born  May  20,  1780;  Jeremiah,  born  June  14, 
1782,  married  Esther,  daughter  of  Deacon  John 
Whipple,  and  went  to  Vermont;  Joseph,  born 
May  10,  1784,  died  in  1803;  Ethan,  born  Oct. 
20,  1785,  went  to  Vermont;  and  Richard,  born 
June  17,  1789,  was  united  in  marriage  with  Pen- 
elope Earnum. 

(VI)  Richard  Brown,  son  of  Andrew  and 
Dorcas  (Knight)  Brown,  was  born  June  17, 
1789.  On  Feb.  23,  1812,  he  married  Penelope 
Farnum,  born  April  12,  1783,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Hannah  (Congdon)  Farnum.  Their  children 
were:  Sarah  Ann,  born  Feb.  11,  1813;  Martha  Ann, 
born  Feb.  16,  1815;  Dorcas  K.,  born  March  29, 
1818,  married  Benjamin  Teel,  and  died  Sept.  13, 
1861,  the  mother  of  three  daughters,  Martha  B., 
Dorcas  B.  and  Mary  A.,  the  latter  two  living ; Mary 
Jane,  born  April  6,  1821,  married  Andrew  Win- 
sor,  and  had  three  children,  Richard  Brown,  An- 
drew and  Mary  Jane  (all  deceased)  ; Obadiah, 
born  Nov.  30,  1823;  and  Joseph  Farnum,  born 
May  16,  1835.  Richard  Brown  was  a well-to-do 
farmer  and  a man  of  force  and  character.  He 
held  various  offices  of  honor  and  trust,  among 
which  was  that  of  representative  of  his  town  to 
the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island.  He 
died  in  1840,  at  the  age  of  fifty-one,  leaving 
Obadiah,  then  a youth  of  seventeen  years,  in 
charge  of  the  farm.  Penelope,  his  wife,  was 
born  April  12,  1793,  and  died  July  24,  1869.  Her 
father  was  a Quaker,  and  she,  too,  followed  in 
that  faith. 

(VII)  Obadiah  Brown,  son  of  Richard  and 
Penelope,  born  in  North  Providence,  Nov.  30, 
1823,  married  Sept.  18,  1849,  Amey  Randall  x\n- 
gell,  born  Aug.  8,  1827,  daughter  of  Nathaniel 
and  Asha.  (Smith)  Angell,  and  a descend- 
ant of  Thomas  Angell,  the  ancestor  of 
one  of  the  most  influential  families  in 
the  State.  Of  the  six  children  of  this  mar- 
riage four  lived  to  adult  years : Anna  Maria, 
born  Jan.  7,  1851  ; Barrett,  born  Jan.  20,  1856, 
died  Feb.  20,  1857;  Mabel,  born  June  8,  1862; 
Mary  Louise,  born  Oct.  20,  1858,  died  May  31, 
1876;  Adelaide  Victoria,  born  Nov.  19,  1867; 
and  Florence,  born  Aug.  2,  1871.  Obadiah  Brown 
was  raised  a farmer.  His  educational  advantages 
were  limited,  but  he  made  the  most  of  them. 
He  attended  the  common  district  school,  and 

47 


for  a time  the  Friends’  School  in  Providence, 
but  his  schooling  was  terminated  in  early  life  by 
the  death  of  his  father.  From  necessity  the 
management  of  the  interests  of  the  homestead 
fell  upon  his  shoulders  from  his  youth,  and  un- 
flinchingly he  assumed  the  responsibility,  and  by 
dint  of  hard  and  earnest  work,  long  hours  of  dili- 
gent toil  and  indomitable  will  he  made  the  farm 
a success.  To  his  share  of  this  property  he 
added  other  possessions,  comprising  the  beauti- 
ful site  on  which  his  late  residence,  built  in  1849, 
now  stands.  This  house  is  on  Chalkstone  ave- 
nue, on  a natural  elevation,  and  it  commands  in 
extent  one  of  the  most  delightful  views  in  the 
vicinity  of  Providence.  All  his  life  Mr.  Brown 
was  distinctively  a farmer  in  the  broadest  and 
best  sense  of  the  word,  and  a leader  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits.  No  man  in  Rhode  Island  took 
a greater  interest  in  husbandry  than  he,  nor  had  a 
firmer  belief  that  farm  work,  faithfully  followed, 
would  bring  good  results.  His  career  emphasizes 
the  greater  possibilities  of  the  more  intelligent  hus- 
bandman, who  supplies  the  world  with  the  sub- 
stantial products  of  life.  Mr.  Brown  secured 
prominence  throughout  New  England  because 
of  his  eminent  services  rendered  to  stock  raisers 
and  to  the  producing  class,  and  also  because  of 
the  high  position  he  held  in  State  and  County 
agricultural  societies.  Almost  from  his  youth 
he  was  prominently  identified  with  the  Rhode 
Island  Society  for  the  Encouragement  of  Do- 
mestic Industry,  as  also  was  his  brother  Joseph 
F.  Brown,  who  succeeded  him  in  the  vice-presi- 
dency and  in  the  presidency  of  the  society,  both 
of  which  offices  were  held  by  each  of  the 
brothers  for  several  years.  In  1863  Joseph  F. 
Brown  entered  into  co-partnership  with  Mr.  An- 
drew Winsor,  his  brother-in-law,  under  the  style 
of  Winsor  & Brown,  and  they  became  well 
known  and  extensive  lumber  dealers  of  Provi- 
dence. In  1884  Mr.  Obadiah  Brown  became  a 
member  of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  which 
position  he  held  many  years,  his  efficiency  being 
recognized  by  every  one.  This  board  was  origi- 
nated by  Mr.  Brown  when  he  was  a member 
of  the  Legislature,  and  he  continued  a member 
to  the  time  of  his  death.  One  of  the  greatest 
achievements  of  the  board  was  to  secure  a 
thorough  analysis  of  fertilizers.  • Mr.  Brown  de- 
voted much  time  to  raising  and  improving  fine  stock. 
His  barn,  built  in  1851,  is  adapted  for  the  housing 
of  cattle,  and  for  thirty-five  years  has  been  full  of 
some  of  the  finest  Ayrshires,  of  his  own  breeding, 
found  in  New  England.  The  many  gold  medals  and 
first  premiums  received  in  Rhode  Island  and  Massa- 
chusetts and  other  States,  bear  testimony  to  his 
good  judgment  in  this  matter.  At  the  Dairy  Show 
in  Madison  Square  Garden,  New  York,  in  1888, 
first  prizes  were  awarded  him — the  three  leading 
prizes — on  bull,  on  cow  and  on  herd.  In  politics 


-738 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Air.  Brown  was  a Republican.  He  held  numerous 
^offices:  In  1855,  1856  and  again  in  1857  he  was 
representative  of  the  town  of  North  Providence  in 
•the  General  Assembly,  under  the  gubernatorial  ad- 
ministrations of  W.  W.  Hoppin  and  Elisha  Dyer, 
in  1873  before  the  town  was  divided  he  was  elected 
State  Senator  from  North  Providence,  and  re- 
elected in  1874,  being  the  last  Senator  of  the  old 
town,  before  his  part  of  the  town  was  annexed  to 
the  city.  In  1884  the  city  elected  him  representa- 
tive to  the  General  Assembly  again,  and  he  served 
on  some  of  the  more  important  committees.  During 
his  entire  career  the  public  spirit  of  the  man  mani- 
fested itself.  The  city  of  Providence  made  him 
commissioner  of  public  highways,  and  subsequently 
he  was  appointed  a member  of  the  public  board, 
and  in  these  capacities  his  broad  views  crystallized 
and  became  a part  of  the  magnificent  institutions  of 
Rhode  Island,  and  were,  in  themselves,  monuments 
of  his  fitness  for  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility. 
Mr.  Brown  died  Feb.  2,  1907,  and  was  buried  by 
the  side  of  his  father,  in  the  North  Burial  Ground, 
Providence. 

(VII)  Joseph  Farnum  Brow'N,  son  of  Richard 
and  Penelope  (Farnum)  Brown,  was  born  in  Provi- 
dence May  16,  1835.  He  was  five  years  of  age  at 
the  time  of  his  father’s  death  in  1840,  and  he  was 
deprived  by  ill  health  of  school  advantages  until  he 
was  fifteen  years  of  age.  Subsequently  he  attended 
the  district  school,  and  then  spent  three  years  in 
the  Friends  Boarding  School  in  Providence.  After 
leaving  school  he  was  for  some  time  employed  on 
the  home  farm.  In  1854  with  his  brother-in-law, 
Andrew  Winsor,  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness, on  Hill’s  Wharf,  Providence,  the  firm  being 
Winsor  & Brown.  In  1856  he  sold  his  interest  in 
this  business  to  Mr.  Winsor,  and  for  about  three 
years  thereafter  he  was  engaged  in  farming  on  the 
homestead.  For  about  two  years  afterward  he  was 
employed  by  Mr.  Winsor,  and  then  removed  to 
Ivawkawlin,  Michigan,  where  from  1863  to  1865 
he  was  employed  by  an  extensive  lumber  manu- 
facturing company.  In  August,  1865,  he  again  be- 
came a partner  of  Mr.  Winsor,  their  business  being 
carried  on  at  the  corner  of  Broad  and  Pearl  streets, 
Providence,  under  the  firm  name  of  Winsor  & 
Brown.  He  continued  in  the  lumber  business  until 
the  time  of  his  death,  but  he  was  also  engaged  in 
farming,  having  one  of  the  finest  and  best  stocked 
farms  in  North  Providence.  For  many  years  he  de- 
voted considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  cattle, 
for  which  he  secured  high  prices  and  many  premi- 
ums at  the  fairs.  He  was  a member  of  the  Ayrshire 
Breeders  Association,  of  which  he  had  been  treas- 
urer from  1875.  He  had  also  imported  some  very 
valuable  Guernseys,  but  on  account  of  the  climate 
was  unable  to  make  a success  of  them.  Mr.  Brown 
was  frequently  called  upon  to  fill  public  positions 
of  trust.  For  nearly  fifteen  years  he  was  a member 
of  the  North  Providence  school  committee,  and  for 
three  years  represented  his  town  in  the  lower  house 


of  the  General  Assembly.  He  also  served  for  six 
years  as  a member  of  the  school  committee  after 
the  annexation  of  North  Providence  in  1873,  and  for 
two  years  in  the  House  of  Representatives  for  the 
city  of  Providence.  He  was  a member  of  the  Provi- 
dence Town  council  from  the  Tenth  ward  in  1877- 
78-79.  For  about  twenty  years  he  was  a member  of 
the  Rhode  Island  Society  for  the  Encouragement 
of  Domestic  Industry,  and  served  for  about  four 
years  as  a member  of  the  Standing  committee.  In 
1880  he  was  elected  Second  Vice  President  of  that 
society,  and  was  very  active  in  promoting  the  suc- 
cess of  the  organization.  He  was  also  president 
of  the  society.  Always  interested  in  politics  he  was 
prominently  identified  with  the  Whig  and  Republi- 
can parties.  He  was  a most  genial  man,  and  a man 
of  strong  influence  for  good  over  his  fellow  men. 
To  his  employes  he  was  uniformly  kind  and  just, 
and  in  turn  was  beloved  by  them.  Young  men 
were  much  attracted  to  him,  and  many  a one  could 
tell  of  substantial  help  given  him  by  Mr.  Brown. 
His  social  connection  was  with  the  Squantum  Club. 
In  early  life  he  attended  the  Friends  Church,  but 
later  in  life  became  identified  with  the  Union  Con- 
gregational Church.  His  death  occurred  Jan.  31, 
1886.  Joseph  Farnum  Brown  married  Adelaide 
Victoria  Ballou,  eldest  daughter  of  Orrin  A.  and 
Charlotte  (Angell)  Ballou,  of  Woonsocket.  She 
died  Feb.  10,  1880.  Five  children  were  born  to 
them:  Edith  Josephine,  who  died  unmarried; 

Elma  Sophia,  who  married  Edward  S.  Bowen,  of 
Pawtucket;  Richard,  who  died  young;  Ethel  Far- 
num, a kindergarten  teacher  in  Providence;  and 
Edna  Adelaide,  in  the  Rosenberg  Library  at  Gal- 
veston, Texas. 


Elisha  Brown,  son  of  Andrew,  married  Waite 
Waterman,  and  resided  in  North  Providence, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  farming.  He  is  buried 
in  the  North  End  Burying  Ground.  His  children 
were:  Welcome,  Waterman,  Elizabeth,  Lydia  (who 
married  a Latham),  Philena  (who  married  an  An- 
gell), Catherine  (who  married  a Fisher),  Susan 
(who  married  Jason  Young),  and  Waitstill  (un- 
married). 

SANBORN  (Newport  family).  While  the 
Sanborn  family  is  not  an  old  Rhode  Island  one,  it 
is  one  of  the  ancient  families  of  New  Hampshire, 
one  of  long  and  honorable  standing  there  and  here 
in  Rhode  Island.  At  Newport,  there  has  lived,  for 
nearly  forty  years  and  been  closely  and . promi- 
nently identified  with  the  best  interests  of  that  city 
and  section,  the  Hon.  John  Page  Sanborn,  the  pres- 
ent State  Senator  from  Newport,  where  for  thirty- 
five  and  more  years  he  has  conducted,  as  proprietor 
and  editor,  the  Newport  Mercury,  one  of  the  his- 
toric newspapers  of  this  country. 

Born  Sept.  9,  1844,  in  Fremont,  N.  H.,  Senator 
Sanborn  is  a descendant  in  the  eighth  generation 
from  Lieut.  John  Samborne,  an  officer  in  King  Wil- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


739 


liam’s  war,  from'  whom  his  lineage  is  through  Jo- 
seph, Abraham,  Daniel,  Sherburne,  Moses  H.  and 
Alvah  Sanborn,  the  latter  the  father  of  Senator 
Sanborn.  These  generations  in  detail  and  in  regu- 
lar order  follow. 

(I)  John,  William  and  Stephen  Samborne,  sons 
of  an  English  Samborne  (probably  William  of 
Brimpton,  Berks)  and  Anne,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Stephen  Bachiler,  are  said  to  have  come  to  Amer- 
ica with  their  grandfather  Bachiler  in  1632.  Of 
these  Lieut.  John  Samborne,  born  in  1620,  appears 
in  Hampton,  probably  in  1640,  since  he  was  then 
granted  a house-lot  and  a tract  of  land  there.  He 
was  often  selectman,  and  sustained  other  important 
public  relations  to  the  settlement.  He  was  twice 
married,  first  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Robert  Tuck. 
She  died  Dec.  30,  1668,  and  he  married  (second) 
Margaret  (Page)  Moulton,  daughter  of  Robert 
Page.  Their  children  were:  John,  Mary,  Abigail, 
Richard,  Mary,  Joseph,  Stephen,  Ann,  Dinah,  Na- 
thaniel, Benjamin  and  Jonathan. 

(II)  Joseph  Samborne,  born  March  13,  1659, 
in  Hampton,  married  Dec.  28,  1682,  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Capt.  Edward  Gove,  of  Hampton.  They 
lived  in  Hampton  Falls,  on  a farm  still  in  the  hands 
of  a descendant.  Mr.  Samborne  died  between  1722 
and  1724.  His  widow  remarried.  The  children 
born  to  Joseph  and  wife  were:  Abigail,  Huldah, 
Reuben,  Edward,  Abraham,  Mary,  Joseph  and 
David. 

(III)  Abraham  Samborn,  born  March  10,  1696, 
in  Hampton  Falls,  married  Jan.  22,  1718,  Dorothy, 
daughter  of'  John  Smith,  and  they  lived  in  Ken- 
sington. They  died,  he,  Sept.  2,  1757,  and  she  Jan. 
11,  1788.  Their  children  were:  Theophilus,  Jo- 
seph, Abraham,  John,  Daniel,  Theophilus  (2),  Jo- 
seph (2),  Abraham  (2),  John  S.  and  Dorothy. 

(IV)  Daniel  Sanborn,  born  May  28,  1728,  in 
Kensington,  married  (first)  Anna  Tilton,  daughter 
of  Sherburne  Tilton,  of  Kensington,  and  they  lived 
in  Kensington.  She  died  June  8,  1759,  and  he  mar- 
ried (second)  Mary  or  Marcy  Collins.  They  re- 
moved to  Fremont,  N.  H.,  where  Mr.  Sanborn  died 
May  25,  1812.  His  children  were:  Dorothy,  Anna, 
Mary,  Theophilus,  Sherburne,  Elijah,  Elijah  (2), 
Abraham  and  Daniel. 

(V)  Sherburne  Sanborn,  born  June  10,  1756, 
in  Kensington,  married  Molly,  daughter  of  John 
Hoyt,  of  South  Hampton  and  Chester,  N.  1^.,  who 
was  born  Jan.  26,  1764.  Mr.  Sanborn  was  a cord- 
wainer  of  Kensington.  He  was  a soldier  of  the 
Revolution,  serving  at  different  times  and  in  dif- 
ferent organizations  from  1775  to  1780,  being  in 
the  latter  year  a sergeant  in  Capt.  Gordon’s  com- 
pany enlisted  for  the  West  Point  campaign.  He 
was  a pensioner  in  1833,  living  in  Merrimack 
county,  New  Hampshire,  his  pension  dating  from 
1818.  He  died  in  Chester,  N.  H.,  May  8,  1836. 
His  children  were:  Moses  Hoyt,  born  in  1783; 
John  Hoyt,  April  2,  1789;  Dolly,  Aug.  17,  1791; 


Nancy,  Oct.  17,  1793;  and  Simon  Merrill,  Dec.  15, 
1796. 

(VI)  Moses  Hoyt  Sanborn,  born  Sept.  22, 
1783,  in  Poplin  (now  Fremont),  N.  H.,  married, 
Sept.  20,  1800,  Susanna,  born  in  1785,  daughter  of 
Jonathan  Brown,  of  Fremont,  N.  H.  Mr.  San- 
born was  a farmer  living  on  the  homestead  in 
Poplin  (now  Fremont),  on  the  place  later  owned 
by  Alvah  Sanborn,  and  died  there.  Mrs.  Sanborn 
passed  away  May  15,  1850.  Their  children  were: 
Sarah,  born  Oct.  14,  1801 ; Asa,  Jan.  30,  1803;  Fa- 
rena,  July  15,  1804;  Moses  N.,  Jan.  9,  1806;  True 
G.,  Jan.  8,  1808;  John  L.,  March  8,  1810;  Jonathan, 
Oct.  12,  1811;  Nancy,  May  2,  1813;  Sherburne, 
Dec.  18,  1814;  Nancy  (2),  May  2,  1818 ; Lewis,  July 
18,  1819;  Alvah,  March  6,  1822;  Alvah  (2),  Dec. 
31,  1823;  and  Nancy  (3),  Sept.  14,  1825. 

(VII)  Alvah  Sanborn,  born  Dec.  31,  1823,  in  Fre- 
mont, N.  H.,  married  Sept.  26,  1843,  Nancy,  born 
May  20,  1823,  daughter  of  John  Page,  of  Sandown, 
N.  H.  Mr.  Sanborn  occupied  the  old  Sanborn 
homestead,  which  he  had  greatly  improved,  substi- 
tuting new  and  commodious  buildings  for  the  older 
ones,  and  altogether  converting  the  property  into 
a model  and  prosperous  farm.  During  his  younger 
and  active  life,  he  was  a very  energetic  man  and 
was  successful  in  his  undertakings.  He  died  in 
1904.-  His  wife  is  still  living.  The  children  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sanborn  were:  John  Page,  born 
Sept.  9,  1844;  Susan  Emily,  Dec.  29,  1851;  Alden 
F.,  Aug.  20,  1855 ; Eugene  Dana,  born  Sept.  16, 

1868. 

John  Page  Sanborn  was  fitted  for  college  at 
Kingston  Academy  and  at  Hampton  Institute  in 
his  native  State.  He  then  entered  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege, from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in 

1869.  Immediately  after  this  event  he  entered  upon 
the  profession  of  teaching,  having  been  chosen 
principal  of  the  Toledo  (Ohio)  high  school.  He 
afterward  became  the  head  of  the  Franklin  Family 
School  for  Boys  at  Topsham,  Maine.  This  last  po- 
sition he  resigned  to  enter  upon  a journalistic  ca- 
reer, which  he  was  so  well  fitted  for  and  which  he 
has  so  admirably  pursued  all  of  these  years,  becom- 
ing in  1871  assistant  editor  of  the  Newport  (R.  I.) 
Daily  News.  Having  purchased  in  the  fall  of  the 
following  year  the  Newport  Mercury,  he  has  since 
been  its  editor  and  proprietor,  and  made  it  one  of 
the  first  weekly  publications  in  this  section. 

Mr.  Sanborn’s  political  career  began  in  the  late 
seventies.  He  was  elected  as  a Republican  to  the 
Lower  House  of  the  State  Assembly  from  .Newport 
in  1879,  and  by  successful  re-elections  was  con- 
tinued in  that  body  in  1880,  1881  and  1882.  In  May, 
1881,  he  was  unanimously  chosen  Speaker  of  the 
House,  and  was  similarly  re-elected  to  that  position 
in  the  following  year.  He  proved  himself  a useful 
and  influential  member  and  served  with  conspicuous 
ability.  In  August,  1882,  he  was  appointed  by  Pres- 
ident Arthur  one  of  a board  of  three  commissioners 


740 


RHODE  ISLAND 


to  examine  the  Northern  Pacific  railroad.  His 
general  fitness  for  and  his  great  interest  in  educa- 
tional affairs  influenced  his  election  in  1883  to  the 
Newport  school  board  for  a term  of  three  years; 
his  re-election  followed  for  the  succeeding  term, 
his  services  in  this  capacity  covering  a period  in  all 
of  seven  years.  He  was  elected  a State  Senator 
from  Newport  for  the  years  1885  and  1886,  and 
had  much  to  do  with  the  shaping  of  legislation  in 
those  seasons.  In  1898  he  was  again  chosen  to  the 
Lower  House,  and  was  re-elected  a member  of  that 
body  for  the  year  following.  While  a Senator  in 
1885  and  1886,  he  served  as  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee on  Finance,  and  was  a member  of  the  State 
Board  of  Sinking  Fund  Commissioners.  He  was 
a delegate  to  the  National  Republican  conventions 
of  1880  and  of  1896  when  Presidents  Garfield  and 
McKinley,  respectively,  were  nominated.  He  is 
now  again  State  Senator  from  Newport,  having 
filled  this  position  since  1905. 

It  goes  without  saying  that  Mr.  Sanborn  is  a 
cultured  gentleman,  and,  as  the  head  of  a newspaper 
for  so  long  a period,  is  one  of  Newport’s  most  en- 
lightened and  influential  residents.  He  is  both  an  en- 
terprising and  public-spirited  citizen,  deeply  inter- 
ested in  all  that  tends  to  the  advancement  of  his 
adopted  city  and  town,  and  the  greatest  good  for 
his  fellow  citizens  and  townsmen.  Senator  •San- 
born, too,  has  been  long  prominently  identified- 
with  the  Masonic  order,  having  held  many  import- 
ant positions  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  of 
Rhode  Island.  He  was  for  two  years  Grand  High 
Priest  of  the  grand  chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons 
of  the  State.  He  has  served  in  every  office  in  the 
Grand  Commandery  of  Knights  Templars  of  Mas- 
sachusetts and  Rhode  Island,  from  Grand  Warden 
to  Grand  Commander,  which  latter  position  he  held 
in  1900-1901. 

In  1871,  Senator  Sanborn  was  married  to  Isa- 
bella M.  Higbee,  of  New  Hampton,  N.  H.,  and 
three  children  have  come  to  bless  their  home. 

ANDREW  KIRK  McMAHON.  Men  of  true 
worth  are  a credit  to  any  community,  and  their 
ability  is  readily  recognized.  In  a list  of  this  class 
of  citizens  of  Newport  would  appear  the  name  of 
Andrew  K.  McMahon,  who  during  his  residence 
of  nearly  forty  years  in  that  city  has  been  progres- 
sive, and  ever  ready  to  lend  a helping  hand  in  every 
movement  which  has  for  its  object  the  advancement 
of  that  city’s  interests.  Mr.  McMahon  is  of  Irish 
extraction,  having  been  born  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  Emerald  Isle  on  March  1,  1841,  a son  of 
John  and  Sarah  (Kirk)  McMahon. 

Cornelius  McMahon,  grandfather  of  Andrew 
K.,  passed  his  life  on  his  native  heath,  in  the  time- 
honored  occupation  of  farming.  He  lived  to  the 
good  old  age  of  sixty-seven  years,  rearing  a family 
of  children  as  follows:  James,  Margaret,  John, 
William  (who  died  in  Canada),  Ann,  Eliza,  Charles 
(who  was  a soldier  in  the  British  service  and  was 


killed  during  the  Crimean  war,  at  Cape  Hope), 
and  Henry  (who  died  in  New  Jersey). 

John  McMahon,  the  father  of  Andrew  K.,  was 
born  Feb.  22,  1812.  He  was  a bleacher  by  trade, 
later  adding  that  of  shoemaker,  and  he  was  em- 
ployed at  both  trades  after  coming  to  America. 
For  several  years  he  was  engaged  as  watchman  by 
the  Hope  Company,  at  Scituate,  R.  I.,  and  later 
worked  at  shoemaking  in  Phenix,  R.  I.,  at  which 
he  continued  until  his  death,  which  occurred  June 
14,  1895.  He  had  resided  in  that  village  some 
thirty  years.  He  was  a man  of  strong  religious 
convictions,  served  as  steward  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  at  Phenix,  and  was  one  of  its 
best  and  most  active  workers.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried, first  to  Sarah  Kirk,  daughter  of  Andrew 
Kirk,  of  Ireland.  She  died  in  Taunton,  Mass.,  Nov. 
14,  1847,  aged  twenty-nine  years.  His  second  wife 
was  Margaret  McDonald,  of  Scituate,  R.  I.,  who 
survives  him,  residing  in  Phenix.  To  the  first  union 
were  born  six  children,  as  follows : Mary,  now  the 
widow  of  Thomas  Caldwell,  of  Everett,  Mass. ; 
Margaret,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years, 
unmarried ; Andrew  K. ; Anabelle,  who  died  young ; 
Eliza  Jane,  who  died  in  Phenix,  and  Sarah  Ellen, 
who  died  in  infancy.  To  the  second  marriage  were 
born : Sarah  Ellen,  who  died  at  the  age  of  six 
years,  and  John  Henry,  a brakeman  in  the  employ 
of  the  New  York,  New  Haven  and  Hartford  Rail- 
way Company,  who  married  Elizabeth  Jordon,  and 
resides  at  Phenix. 

Andrew  K.  McMahon  was  born,  as  stated  above, 
on  March  1,  1841,  and  at  the  age  of  five  years  left 
his  native  Ireland,  in  company  with  his  mother,  for 
America,  settling  in  Taunton,  Mass.,  where  they 
were  joined  by  the  husband  and  father,  who  had 
preceded  them  to  this  country.  His  early  child- 
hood was  spent  in  attending  school,  although  he  left 
the  schoolroom  before  he  had  reached  his  teens, 
going  to  work  in  the  cotton  mills  of  his  section.  His 
schooling  was  begun  at  Taunton  and  finished  at 
Hope,  R.  I.,  to  which  village  his  father  removed  in 
1848.  He  continued  employed  in  various  depart- 
ments of  the  mills  for  some  ten  or  more  years,  when 
he  promptly  responded  to  the  call  of  his  country, 
in  1861,  enlisting  in  Company  A,  of  the  2d  R. 
I.  V.  I.,  for  three  years  service.  He  served  his 
time  as , a member  of  this  organization  with  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  experiencing  much  hard 
fighting.  The  chief  engagements  in  which  he  parti- 
cipated were : First  and  second  Bull  Run  (pro- 
moted to  sergeant  after  the  first  battle  of  Bull 
Run),  Williamsburg,  Yorktown,  Seven  Pines,  the 
Seven  Days’  Fight,  Harrison  Landing,  Antietam, 
Fredericksburg  and  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights, 
in  which  latter  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the 
head  by  a bursting  shell.  After  an  active  service 
of  over  three  years  he  was  mustered  out  and  hon- 
orably discharged  on  June  17,  1864,  as  sergeant. 
Upon  returning  to  his  home  Mr.  McMahon  took  up 
work  on  the  farm  of  the  Lonsdale  Company,  at 


RHODE  ISLAND 


74i 


Lincoln,  R.  I.,  and  for  five  years  was  a trusted  em- 
ploye of  that  company.  He  was  then  sent  to  New- 
port in  the  capacity  of  manager  of  the  Robert  H. 
Ives  estate,  which  is  one  of  the  beautiful  estates 
of  that  city,  the  grounds  comprising  some  forty 
acres,  and  continued  to  serve  in  this  position  with 
efficiency  for  a period  of  about  fourteen  years.  In 
1884  Mr.  McMahon  was  appointed  to  the  superin- 
tendency  of  the  Island  cemetery  of  Newport,  which 
position  he  has  since  filled  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
concerned.  The  more  than  twenty  years  lie  has 
been  retained  in  this  responsible  capacity  speak 
eloquently  of  faithful  service  and  exemplary  per- 
formance of  duty.  He  has  served  for  several  years 
as  a director  of  the  Newport  Co-operative  Associ- 
ation for  Saving  and  Building,  being  vice-president 
of  the  same. 

Mr.  McMahon  is  affiliated  with  a number  of  the 
best  fraternal  and  social  organizations  of  the  city, 
in  all  of  which  he  takes  a deep  interest.  The  prin- 
cipal ones  are  St.  Paul’s  Lodge,  No.  14,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M. ; Newport  Chapter,  No.  2,  R.  A.  M. ; DeBlois 
Council,  No.  5,  R.  & S.  M. ; Washington  Com- 
mandery,  No.  4,  Knights  Templar,  of  Newport, 
and  Palestine  Temple,  Order  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
of  Providence,  of  which  latter  organization  he  was 
a charter  member  upon  its  formation  in  Newport. 
He  is  also  a member  of  St.  John's  Mutual  Beneficial 
Association,  of  Newport,  which  he  has  served  as 
vice-president  for  a number  of  years.  He  has 
served  as  treasurer  of  the  chapter  and  council  for 
several  years.  Mr.  McMahon  is  also  a member  of 
Rhode  Island  Lodge,  No.  12,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  which 
he  is  past  grand ; a member  of  Aquidneck  Encamp- 
ment, No.  5,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  which  he  is  past  chief 
patriarch,  and  also  of  Emma  Lodge,  No.  17,  Daugh- 
ters of  Rebekah.  He  also  holds  membership  in 
Coronet  Council,  No.  63,  Royal  'Arcanum,  is  senior 
past  grand  regent  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  in 
that  organization,  and  is  now  serving  as  secretary 
of  the  same.  He  has  been  active  and  prominent  in 
Grand  Army  circles,  holding  membership  in  Charles 
E.  Lawton  Post,  No.  5,  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, of  which  he  is  senior  past  commander,  and 
he  is  also  past  commander  of  the  Department  of 
Rhode  Island ; and  is  a member  of  the  commission 
appointed  to  build  the  Soldiers’  Home  at  Bristol, 
R.  I.,  having  been  a member  of  the  commission 
since  its  organization.  He  is  also  a member  of  the 
Newport  Horticultural  Society,  of  which  he  has 
served  as  treasurer  for  several  years. 

Mr.  McMahon  is,  in  political  faith,  a stalwart 
Republican,  and  as  such  has  served  the  city  of 
Newport  as  a member  of  the  common  council  and 
as  a member  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  as  a 
member  of  these  bodies  rendered  his  adopted  city 
valuable  services,  always  showing  a keen  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  the  community.  In  1906,  at  the 
first  election  held  under  the  new  charter  granted 
the  city,  he  was  elected  a member  of  the  representa- 
tive council  from  the  Second  ward  for  the  three- 


year  term.  Fie  also  served  as  a member  of  the 
building  committee  having  charge  of  the  construc- 
tion of  the  Goggeshall  school  building  of  Newport. 

Mr.  McMahon  has  reared  an  interesting  family, 
all  of  whom  are  occupying  honorable  positions  in 
the  social  and  business  world.  Mrs.  McMahon, 
whom  he  married  on  Nov.  24,  1869,  was  formerly 
Miss  Lydia  Maria  Titus,  daughter  of  Hiram  and 
Lucy  (Orocker)  Titus,  of  Smithfield,  R.  I.  The 
children  born  to  this  happy  union,  in  order,  are  as 
follows : Andrew  Sherman,  who  is  a gardener  by 
occupation,  resides  at  home,  unmarried ; Sarah 
Adelaide,  married  Frank  P.  King,  of  Newport,  who 
is  deputy  sheriff  of  Newport  county,  and  also  holds 
the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  Newport  Artil- 
lery Company,  the  oldest  active  military  organiza- 
tion in  the  United  States,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  three  children,  Anabelle  Sarah,  Margaret 
F ranees  and  Lucy  Adele  King,  the  last  named  dying 
July  16,  1907,  aged  eleven  years,  six  months,  twen- 
ty-five days;  John  W.,  who  is  a letter-carrier  of 
Newport,  there  married  Alida  Frances  King; 
William  Overton,  who  is  also  a gardener,  is  resid- 
ing at  home,  unmarried. 

Andrew  Iv.  McMahon  is  an  active  and  con- 
sistent member  of  Emmanuel  Episcopal  Church  of 
Newport,  of  which  Mrs.  McMahon  is  also  an  active 
member,  and  he  has  served  for  over  thirty  years  as 
junior  warden.  Possessed  of  a genial  and  social 
disposition,  Mr.  McMahon  has  a companionable  na- 
ture, and  in  his  pleasant  home  the  stranger  is  given 
as  cordial  a welcome  as  his  best  friend.  He  is  an 
honored  and  respected  citizen,  and  enjoys  the  esteem 
of  a large  host  of  friends  as  well  as  of  the  commu- 
nity at  large. 

ALLEN  MASON  THOMAS,  who  during  his 
life  was  one  of  the  well-known  business  men  and 
leading  citizens  of  Wickford,  R.  I.,  was  born  in 
the  town  of  North  Kingstown  July  25,  1806.  He 
was  a descendant  in  the  sixth  generation  from  John 
Thomas,  the  first  of  the  name  in  New  England. 
Although  the  Thomas  family  has  for  several  gener- 
ations been  identified  with  Rhode  Island,  the  first 
records  of  the  name  are  at  Swansea,  Mass.  It 
was  a brief  sojourn,  however,  lasting  but  a few 
years,  and  the  later  history  has  been  connected 
with  the  towns  of  Kingstown,  Conanicut  and  Ports- 
mouth. From  the  records  of  these  places  many 
facts  in  regard  to  the  founder  of  the  family  have 
been  gleaned  by  Judge  Elisha  C.  Potter. 

(I)  John  Thomas  was  born  in  Pembrokeshire, 
Wales,  about  1640.  Leaving  his  home  in  1662  he 
joined  a colony  of  Baptists,  driven  out  by  the  Act 
of  Conformity  passed  on  the  accession  of  Charles 
II,  and  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  John  Meyles 
sailed  with  them  from  Swansea  early  in  1663.  They 
settled  first  where  they  landed,  naming  the  little 
seaport  colony  Swansea,  and  there  John  1 homas 
probably  remained  until  about  1668,  although  pos- 
sibly it  was  not  until  after  1675  that  he  left,  as  the 


742 


RHODE  ISLAND 


war  with  King  Philip  then  compelled  the  original 
settlers  to  dee.  Many  went  to  the  island  of  Rhode 
Island.  John  Thomas  eventually  settled  in  Ports- 
mouth, as  he  is  on  record  there  as  a grand  juryman 
in  1688,  but  his  eldest  son  was  born  in  North 
Kingstown  Aug.  20,  1681,  and  there  is  reason  to 
suppose  that  the  father  had  come  to  that  place 
from  Conanicut  Island.  Later  Mr.  Thomas  moved 
to  a homestead  south  of  Wickford,  on  land  which, 
prior  to  1692,  belonged  to  Richard  Smith,  jr. 
From  1700  to  1706  he  is  again  found  on  Conanicut 
Island,  in  Jamestown,  but  in  the  latter  year  he  be- 
came a permanent  resident  of  Kingstown,  having 
purchased  a tract  of  land  from  Benedict  Arnold, 
the  drst  Colonial  governor  of  Rhode  Island.  By 
his  wife,  Abigail,  there  were  two  sons,  George  and 
John.  The  former  w'as  deeded  a tract  of  land  in 
1713  by  bis  father,  and  John  received  a right,  but 
the  actual  will  made  by  John  Thomas  was  dated 
as  late  as  1726,  only  two  years  before  his  death. 

(II)  Col.  George  Thomas,  born  Aug.  20,  1680 
or  1681,  married  in  1704  Alice  Gorton,  of  War- 
wick, a descendant  through  Benjamin  Gorton  of 
Samuel,  the  progenitor  of  the  Gorton  family.  They 
had  four  children:  George,  born  in  1708;  John, 
in  17 1 1 ; Benjamin,  in  1715;  and  Samuel,  in  1720. 
Col.  George  Thomas  died  in  1740. 

(III)  Samuel  Thomas,  born  in  1720,  died  in 
1780.  By  his  first  wife,  Ruth  Gould,  to  whom  he 
was  united  in  1739,  there  were  four  children, 
namely:  George,  born  in  1742;  Gould,  in  1744; 
C'apt.  Samuel,  in  1748;  and  Elizabeth,  in  1752.  In 
1756  he  married  (second)  Sarah  Marsh,  and  they 
had  one  son,  Isaiah,  born  in  1757. 

(IV)  Capt.  Samuel  Thomas  was  born  in  1748 
and  died  in  1839.  He  married  Hope  King,  and 
their  children  were  as  follows : Sarah,  born  in 
1775  ; Richard,  in  1777;  Waity,  in  1778;  and  Sam- 
uel, in  1785. 

(V)  Richard  Thomas  was  born  June  22,  1777, 
and  died  Aug.  12,  1859.  His  wife  was  Polly 
Nichols,  who  was  born  July  24,  1774,  and  died 
Feb.  29,  1868.  They  were  married  Feb.  17,  1799, 
and  had  three  children : Elizabeth  and  Nichols 
A.,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Allen  Mason,  born 
July  25,  1806.  Richard  Thomas  resided  in  Wick- 
ford and  was  justice  of  the  peace  from  1802  to 
1846.  Pie  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in 
the  double  house  which  was  later  occupied  for  the 
same  purpose  by  his  son  and  grandson,  and  this  he 
carried  on  with  much  success  for  over  thirty  years. 
During  the  Dorr  war  he  wras  a stanch  supporter 
of  law  and  order.  He  took  a deep  interest  in  pub- 
lic affairs,  and  was  active  in  every  movement  that 
tended  toward  the  well-being  or  progress  of  his 
town.  He  was  a member  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

(VI)  Allen  Mason  Thomas  was  born  July  25, 
[806,  in  the  town  of  North  Kingstown,  and  there 
grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education.  He 
worked  in  the  store  with  his  father,  and  later  be- 
came associated  with  him  in  business,  making 
merchandising  his  life  work,  in  which  he  wTas  as- 


sisted in  his  later  years  by  his  son,  Philander 
Jenckes.  Mr.  Thomas  was  successful  in  all  his 
undertakings,  and  was  noted  for  his  sterling  hon- 
esty. In  his  earlier  years  he  was  a Whig,  and 
during  the  Dorr  war  was,  like  his  father,  on  the 
side  of  law  and  order.  He  was  one  of  the  first  in 
his  section  to  support  the  candidacy  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  for  President.  He  was  a member  of  St. 
Paul’s  Episcopal  Church  at  Wickford,  and  for  fifty- 
two  years  he  served  as  clerk  of  the  parish,  and  for 
nearly  half  a century  was  warden.  Mr.  Thomas 
died  at  his  home  April  13,  1887,  at  the  ripe  old  age 
of  eighty-one  years,  and  was  buried  in  the  Episco- 
pal cemetery.  On  March  7,  1833,  he  married 
Charlotte  Proctor  Smith,  of  Pawtuxet,  R.  I.,  born 
Dec.  23,  1811,  daughter  of  Elisha  Peck  and  Han- 
nah (Phillips)  Smith.  Mrs.  Thomas  was  a true 
wife  and  mother  and  good  Christian  woman,  rear- 
ing her  children  to  reflect  honor  and  credit  on  the 
name  they  bear  as  well  as  on  the  communities  in 
which  they  dwell.  She  died  April  6,  1872,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Episcopal  cemetery.  Nine  children 
were  born  to  Allen  Mason  Thomas  and  his  wife, 
namely : Elisha  Smith,  born  March  2,  1834,  was 
the  Episcopal  bishop  of  Kansas  ; Philander  Jenckes, 
born  Sept.  30,  1837,  died  July  5,  1897;  Clarence 
Eugene,  born  Dec.  7,  1840,  died  April  1,  1882  (he 
married  June  16,  1869,  Harriet  Perry,  and  had  one 
child,  Hattie  Eugenie,  born  April  11,  1870,  who 
married  Horatio  Nightingale)  ; Nathaniel  Phillips, 
born  Nov.  9,  1842,  died  July  1,  1844;  Nathaniel 
Phillips  (2),  born  Nov.  17,  1844,  died  in  Providence 
May  12,  1890;  Aaron  Smith  was  born  March  26, 
1847;  Mary  Charlotte,  born  Oct.  3,  1849,  married 
Sept.  25,  1877,  Dr.  Robert  B.  Talbot,  of  No.  37 
West  Sixty-eighth  street,  New  York  City,  and  has 
one  son,  Harold  Richmond,  who  married  Nannie 
Wright  Brown;  Hannah  Allen,  born  Nov.  13,  1852, 
married  Jan.  30,  1877,  Waldo  Park  Clement,  and 
lives  in  New  York  City;  Allen  Mason,  Jr.,  born 
Sept.  26.  1855,  a well-known  physician  of  New 
York  City,  where  he  is  a member  of  the  Sons  of 
the  American  Revolution,  married  Annie  O’Nedl 
Miner,  of  New  York. 

(VII)  Tup  Right  Rev.  Elisha  Smith 
Thomas,  S.  T.  D.,  Second  Bishop  of  Kansas,  was 
born  in  Wickford,  R.  I.,  March  2,  1834,  and  died 
at  St.  John's  School,  Salina,  Kans.,  on  Saturday, 
March  9,  1895.  His  early  education  was  gained 
in  Providence,  whence  later  he  went  to  Yale  Col- 
lege, being  graduated  there  in  1858,  and  at  Berk- 
eley Divinity  School  in  1861.  In  the  meantime  he 
obtained  an  excellent  business  education  under  the 
care  of  his  father,  and  by  teaching  in  the  Louisiana 
School  for  the  Deaf  became  familiar  with  the  sign 
language.  On  Oct.  2,  1861,  he  married  Miss 
Georgine  Mary  Brown,  in  St.  Paul’s  Church, 
Wickford.  They  had  four  children,  two  daughters 
who  died  in  infancy,  and  two  sons,  the  elder  of 
whom,  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Seymour  Thomas,  is 
rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Apostles,  at 
Philadelphia ; he  married  Edith  Prince,  daughter 


RHODE  ISLAND 


743 


of  Col.  Edward  and  Virginia  (Arthur)  Prince; 
and  the  younger  son,  George  O.,  is  an  attorney  in 
Philadelphia. 

Bishop  Thomas  was  ordained  , deacon  in  1861, 
and  advanced  to  the  priesthood  soon  afterward. 
His  first  charge  was  St.  Paul’s  Church,  New 
Haven,  where  he  remained  until  1864,  when  he  was 
elected  rector  and  Professor  of  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ment Exegesis  in  Seabury  Hall,  Faribault,  Minn.  He 
spent  the  year  1869  in  Europe,  studying  the  Semitic 
languages  and  attending  lectures  on  New  Testa- 
ment Exegesis.  In  1870  he  was  elected  rector  of 
St.  Mark’s  Church,  Minneapolis,  and  remained 
there  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which,  his  health 
requiring  a change,  he  became  for  a time  a special 
agent  for  the  Society  for  the  Increase  of  the  Minis- 
try. In  1876  he  was  elected  rector  of  St.  Paul’s 
Church,  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  and  during  his  rectorship 
there  occurred  his  notable  controversy  with  Arch- 
bishop Ireland.  He  also  wrote  many  monographs 
and  pamphlets  which  are  distinguished  for  ac- 
curacy and  learned  research,  and  which  have  been 
of  great  use  to  the  clergy.  Yale  College  granted 
him  his  Doctorate  in  1889. 

Bishop  Thomas  was  several  years  president  of 
the  Standing  Committee,  three  times  deputy  to 
the  General  Convention,  and  working  member  of 
all  the  important  committees  of  the  Diocese  of 
Minnesota.  He  helped  to  found  the  Shattuck 
School,  and  left  his  mark  on  all  missionary  enter- 
prises, charities  and  institutions  of  learning  where- 
ever  his  footsteps  chanced  to  halt.  In  1887  he  was 
elected  Assistant  Bishop  of  Kansas  and  was  con- 
secrated in  his  own  church  in  St.  Paul  May  4, 
1887. 

The  unusually  dramatic  life  of  Bishop  Thomas 
has  furnished  the  basis  of  the  series  of  Narratives 
of  Western  Life  which  have  appeared  from  time 
to  time  in  the  magazines  and  in  several  of  the 
books  of  Cyrus  Townsend  Brady. 

Bishop  Vail  died  in  October,  1889,  and  Bishop 
Thomas  then  assumed  all  the  duties  of  diocesan, 
with  financial  responsibilities  which  were  appalling. 
From  that  time  until  he  fell  at  his  post,  worn  and 
weary,  he  gave  freely  not  only  of  his  means  but 
also  of  his  strength  for  the  church.  It  would  be 
impossible  here  to  outline  his  work  and  his  bene- 
factions. Every  step  of  building  upon  the  founda- 
tions laid  by  Bishop  Vail,  and  all  of  his  own  plant- 
ing and  marvelous  attention  to  wearisome  detail, 
testify  to  the  work.  Every  clergyman  and  many 
laymen  knew  his  loving  heart  and  have  seen  his 
open  hand.  His  rare  business  capacity  saved  and 
built  up  the  schools  and  carefully  preserved  the 
property  of  the  church.  He  knew  by  instinct 
that  he  who  would  influence  others  must  himself 
first  do  that  which  he  would  have  them  do ; that 
he  who  would  save  others  and  lift  them  up  to 
higher  planes  must  himself  pay  the  price  in  labor 
and  service,  and  often  in  gross  coin  as  well ; must 
be  one  from  whom  virtue  is  always  going  out  as 
from  an  inexhaustible  fount. 


Gentle  and  strong ; yielding  in  minor  matters 
and  firmest  of  all  in  essentials ; simple  with  those 
qualities  of  a child  which  a good  man  preserves ; 
dignified,  with  the  dignity  which  becomes  one 
whose  master  is  the  Lord  Christ ; wise,  learned, 
gentle,  meek,  strong  in  the  power  of  the  Lord, 
humble,  but  a mighty  warrior  for  God  and  truth, 
his  influence  will  never  die,  nor  will  it  cease  any- 
where among  the  generations  of  men  whose  lives 
his  influence  has  put  in  the  paths  of  righteousness. 

A special  meeting  of  the  clergy  and  laity  of 
the  Diocese  of  Kansas  was  called  on  Wednesday,. 
March  13,  1895,  by  Dr.  A.  Beatty,  president  of  the 
Standing  Committee,  to  meet  in  the  Chapel  of 
Bethany  College  at  2 130  p.  m.  The  meeting  having 
been  convened,  Dr.  Beatty  was  unanimously  elected 
to  act  as  chairman.  It  was  moved  and  seconded 
that  five  members,  three  clerical  and  two  laymen, 
act  as  a committee  to  draw  up  resolutions  relating 
to  the  death  of  the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese.  The 
committee  elected  was  as  follows:  A.  Beatty,  D. 
D.,  Rev.  Frank  R.  Millspaugh,  Archdeacon  Brady, 
C.  P.  Skinner  and  H.  W.  Gleason,  who  adopted 
the  following  resolutions : 

“The  Right  Reverend  Elisha  Smith  Thomas,  S. 
T.  D.,  the  Second  Bishop  of  Kansas,  has  entered 
upon  the  rest  prepared  for  him  by  the  Great  Bishop 
of  Souls. 

“The  clergy  and  laity  of  Kansas  bow  in  humble 
submission,  because  of  the  will  of  God  and  the  hap- 
piness which  is  his.  We  sorrow  because  of  the 
Diocese  of  Kansas.  The  diocese  loved  him.  Every 
individual  Priest,  Deacon  and  Layman  loved  him 
as  a shepherd,  esteemed  him  as  a scholar  and  theo- 
logian, respected  him  as  a director  in  the  temporal 
affairs  of  parishes  and  schools,  valued  him  for  a 
friendship  offered  without  partiality,  and  admired 
him  for  his  humility. 

“Words  are  too  poor  to  express  our  loss.  We 
are  in  no  mood  for  formal  resolutions.  We  only 
cry,  God  pity  us  and  raise  up  another  whose  qualifi- 
cations for  the  great  responsibilities  of  our  Diocese 
may  reach  to  some  degree  those. of  the  late  univer- 
sally beloved  Bishop  of  Kansas,  now  numbered 
with  Thy  Saints  in  Glory  Everlasting.” 

(VII)  Aaron  Smith  Thomas,  fifth  surviving 
son  of  Allen  Mason,  was  born  at  Wickford,  Wash- 
ington Co.,  R.  I.,  March  26.  1847.  He  attended 
school  at  home  and  at  a Warren,  R.  I.,  private 
school,  and  was  graduated  from  Yale  in  the  class 
of  1869  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  He  then  became  a 
clerk  in  a shoe  store  in  Providence,  learning  all 
the  details  of  the  business.  He  continued  there 
until  1877,  when  he  went  to  New  York  and  en- 
gaged in  shoe  manufacturing  in  Brooklyn,  in  the 
Williamsburg  district,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Thomas  & Co.,  and  for  upwards  of  thirty  years  he 
conducted  a successful  business.  In  1906  he  withdrew 
from  the  industry,  and  has  since  lived  retired  at  his 
home,  at  No.  133  West  Seventy-third  street,  New 
York  City.  In  his  political  principles  Mr.  Thon^as 
is  a Republican,  and  he  is  a member  of  the  Union 


744 


RHODE  ISLAND 


League  Republican  Club.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity.  He  succeeded  his  father  as 
warden  of  St.  Paul’s  Episcopal  Church  at  Wick- 
ford,  and  since  locating  in  New  York  has  attended 
Christ  Episcopal  Church.  He  has  taken  a keen 
interest  in  the  Thomas  family  history,  and  is  well 
posted  in  family  lore.  On*  Jan.  24,  1883,  Mr. 
lhomas  married  Miss  Clara  Louise  Jones,  born  in 
Newark,  N.  J.,  daughter  of  Abner  Jones,  and  to 
this  union  have  come  two  sons : Clarence  Proctor, 
born  Jan.  19,  1889,  and  Winthrop  Gordon,  born 
Sept.  14,  1892,  both  now  attending  college. 

(VII)  Philander  Jenckes  Thomas  was  born 
Sept.  30,  1837.  He  was  taken  into  business  with 
his  father  in  1859,  and  they  continued  in  partner- 
ship until  the  death  of  the  father,  in  1887.-  From 
that  time  the  son  carried  the  business  on  alone  un- 
til his  death,  July  5,  1897.  He  was  a public-spirited 
citizen,  doing  all  he  could  to  promote  the  growth  of 
V ickford,  and  at  one  time  served  as  town  treas- 
urer. He  married  June  14,  1864,  Ann  Eliza  Porter, 
of  Assonet,  Mass.,  who  was  born  Dec.  18,  1836, 
and  who  survives  her  husband.  Their  only  child 
was  a daughter,  Helena  Porter,  who  was  born  Sept. 
25,  1871.  She  became  Mrs.  Edward  Wanton  Rob- 
inson on  June  19,  1901,  and  is  the  mother  of  two 
children,  Edward  Wanton,  born  May  25,  1902,  and 
Thomas  Porter,  born  Feb.  10,  1905. 

Smith.  (I)  Christopher  Smith  was  in  Provi- 
dence as  early  as  1650,  in  the  fall  of  which  year  he 
was  taxed.  He  became  a freeman  in  1655,  and  for 
years  is  of  record  in  a number  of  land  transactions. 
The  Christian  name  of  his  wife  was  Alice.  At  the 
time  of  King  Philip’s  war,  when  so  many  took 
refuge  at  Newport,  he  went  to  that  point,  and  died 
there,  as  declared  by  the  Friends’  records,  which 
call  him  an  “ancient  Friend  of  Providence.”  His 
death  occurred  in  June,  1676.  His  children  were : 
Susanna,  Thomas,  Benjamin  and  Edward. 

(II)  Benjamin  Smith,  assumed  by  Austin,  the 
genealogist,  to  have  been  a son  of  Christopher, 
born  about  1631,  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Elizabeth  (Arnold)  Carpenter,  and  they 
lived  in  Providence  and  Warwick,  R.  I.  Mr.  Smith 
was  sergeant  for  a military  company  in  1654.  He 
was  assistant  much  of  the  time  from  1666  to  1704, 
and  deputy  much  of  the  time  between  1670  and 
1685.  His  death  occurred  Dec.  23,  1713.  His  wife 
died  Oct.  1,  1711.  Their  children  were:  Benja- 
min, born  in  1661  ; Joseph ; William,  born  Dec.  27, 
1664;  Simon  ; Lydia,  born  in  1668;  and  Elizabeth, 
born  in  1672. 

(III)  Benjamin  Smith  (2),  son  of  Benjamin, 
born  in  1661,  married  Dec.  25,  1691,  Phebe,  born 
Nov.  9,  1670,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Sarah 
(Smith)  Arnold,  and  they  resided  in  Warwick, 
R.  I.  They  died,  Mr.  Smith  April  27.  1730,  and 
Mrs.  Smith  after  that  year.  Their  children  were : 
Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  11,  1693;  Hannah.  Oct.  7, 
1694;  Sarah,  May  30,  1695;  Benjamin,  June  21, 
1697;  Phebe,  Dec.  5,  1699;  Philip,  Nov.  30,  1700; 


Almy,  June  17,  1703;  Lydia,  June  II,  1705;  Alice, 
Feb.  3,  1707;  Katherine,  Jan.  23,  1708;  Giffe,  April 
20,  1710;  and  Stephen,  Feb.  20,  1713. 

(IV)  Stephen  Smith,  son  of  Benjamin  (2), 
born  Feb.  20,  1713,  married  Mary  Sabin,  and  they 
resided  in  the  town  of  Warwick,  R.  I.  Their  chil- 
dren of  Warwick  town  record,  according  to  Arnold, 
were:  Stephen,  born  July  15,  1743;  Benjamin, 
Nov.  19,  1744;  Simeon,  March  6,  1745-46;  Mary 
Abbott,  Jan.  25,  1748;  and  Sarah,  June  7,  1754. 

(V)  Simeon  Smith,  son  of  Stephen,  born 
March  5 or  6,  1745-46,  married  Dec.  12,  1773, 
Martha,  born  Aug.  24,  1756,  daughter  of  Elisha 
and  Mary  (Arnold)  Peck,  he  a descendant  of 
Joseph  Peck  (?)  (who  was  baptized  in  1587  in 
Beccles,  County  of  Suffolk,  England,  being  a de- 
scendant in  the  twenty-first  generation  from  John 
Peck,  of  Belton,  Yorkshire,  England,  and  came  to 
New  England  with  other  Puritans  in  1638,  in  the 
ship  “Diligent”  of  Ipswich),  from  whom  his 
lineage  is  through  Nicholas  and  Elisha  Peck; 
and  she  a descendant  of  William  Arnold  (born  in 
1587,  in  Cheselbourne,  Dorsetshire,  England,  being 
a descendant  in  the  fourth  generation  from  Rich- 
ard Arnold  of  Cheselbourne,  and  came  to  New 
England,  sailing  with  his  family  May  I,  1635, 
from  Dartmouth,  England),  from  whom  Mrs. 
Smith’s  lineage  is  through  Stephen,  Israel,  Israel 
(2),  Israel  (3)  and  Mary  Arnold.  Simeon  Smith 
and  his  wife  lived  at  Pawtuxet,  in  the  town  of 
Warwick,  R.  I.  Mr.  Smith  died  March  3,  1843, 
and  Mrs.  Smith  passed  away  Jan.  6,  1833.  Their 
children  were:  Elisha  Peck,  born  in  1776;  Simeon, 
in  1779;  Remington,  April  3,  1782;  Nicholas,  in 
1787;  Sarah,  in  1791 ; Moses,  in  1794;  Aaron,  in 
1797;  and  Stephen. 

(VI)  Elisha  Peck  Smith,  born  in  Pawtuxet, 
in  1776,  died  in  1832.  He  married  Hannah  Phil- 
lips, of  Pawtuxet,  and  they  had  two  children : 
Charlotte  Proctor,  born  in  1811,  married  Allen 
Mason  Thomas,  and  died  in  1872;  and  Nathaniel 
Phillips  died  in  Warren,  Rhode  Island. 

CHARLES  SISSON,  treasurer  and  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Hope  Webbing  Company,  a repre- 
sentative business  man  of  Providence,  and  a citizen 
active  in  municipal  and  educational  affairs,  comes 
of  a family  for  nearly  260  years  resident  in  Rhode 
Island. 

(I)  Richard  Sisson,  born  in  1608,  was  a resi- 
dent of  Portsmouth,  R.  I. ; was  there  made  a free- 
man in  1653 ; and  of  Dartmouth,  Mass.,  in  1667. 
He  held  by  purchase  2-300  part  of  Conanicut  and 
Dutch  islands;  was  surveyor  of  highways  in  1671. 
The  Christian  name  of  his  wife  was  Mary.  He 
died  in  1684,  and  his  wife  in  1692.  Their  children 
were : George,  Elizabeth,  James,  John,  Anne  and 
Mary. 

(II)  James  Sisson  married  Lydia  Hathaway, 
born  in  1662,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Cook) 
Hathaway,  and  they  were  residents  of  Dartmouth, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


745 


Mass.  Mr.  Sisson  was  surveyor  of  highways  in 
1685,  constable  in  1686,  and  selectman  in  1689.  He 
died  in  1734,  and  his  wife  died  in  1714.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Richard,  Mary,  James,  Jonathan, 
Philip,  Thomas,  Content,  Sarah,  Hannah  and  Re- 
becca. 

(III)  Richard  Sisson  (2)  was  born  Feb.  19, 
1682,  and  with  his  wife,  Mehetabel,  whom  he  mar- 
ried in  1704,  lived  at  Dartmouth,  Mass.  Among 
their  children  was  Richard  (3). 

(IV)  Richard  Sisson  (3),  born  July  17,  1705, 
married  and  was  a resident  of  Dartmouth,  Mass., 
where  he  died  in  1790.  His  wife's  Christian  name 
was  Alice. 

(V)  Joseph  Sisson,  born  Sept.  11,  1728,  married, 
April  18,  1753,  Ruth  Sherman,  born  May  1,  1734, 
daughter  of  .Benjamin  and  Ruth  (Fish)  Sherman, 
of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  and  they  were  of  Newport, 
R.  I.,  and  Seekonk,  Mass.  Their  children  were : 
Susanna,  born  June  12,  1754;  Avis,  born  Aug.  10, 
1756;  Ruth,  born  Sept.  30,  1758;  Eunice,  born  Nov. 
28,  1760;  Hannah,  born  March  30,  1763;  Joseph, 
born  June  10,  1765  ; Lydia,  born  Oct.  20,  1767;  Asa, 
born  Jan.  7,  1770;  Lois,  born  Oct.  17,  1772;  and 
Isaac,  born  Dec.  20,  1775.  The  parents  died,  the 
father  on  Jan.  10,  1823,  and  the  mother  on  Sept. 
11,  1822. 

(VI)  Asa  Sisson,  born  Jan.  7,  1770,  likely  in 
Newport  or  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  married  (first)  May 
1,  1794,  Alice  Anthony,  of  North  Providence,  R.  I., 
and  one  child,  Alice,  was  born  to  them  Sept.  25, 
1796.  Mr.  Sisson  married  (second)  Aug.  15,  1798, 
Mercy  Dennis,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Hannah 
Dennis,  of  Portsmouth,  and  their  children  were 
Hannah,  born  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  June  6,  1799; 
Mary,  born  at  Newport,  Dec.  20,  1800,  died  Jan. 
16,  1821 ; Isaac,  born  at  Newport,  Nov.  14,  1802, 
died  April  22,  1803;  Joseph,  born  at  Newport,  Dec. 
31,  1803;  Robert,  born  at  Newport,  Dec.  16,  1805, 
died  in  Coventry,  R.  I.,  Aug.  14,  1822;  Isaac  (2), 
born  at  Newport,  May  31,  1807,  died  Jan.  17,  1808; 
Ruth,  born  at  Newport,  Nov.  20,  1808 ; Lydia,  born 
in  Warwick  June  4,  1813;  and  Asa,  born  at  War- 
wick, Oct.  5,  1815.  The  mother  of  these  died  Dec. 
27,  1816,  and  the  father  married  (third)  Dinah 
Collins,  and  one  child,  Sarah  Lewis,  was  born  to 
them,  probably  at  Plainfield  April  19,  1819.  Asa 
Sisson,  the  father,  was  engaged  as  a butcher  and 
farmer  in  Warwick,  R.  I.,  and  also  followed  me- 
chanical pursuits. 

(VII)  Asa  Sisson  (2),  born  Oct.  5,  1815,  in 
Warwick,  early  began  to  learn  the  trade  of  ma- 
chinist in  Maine,  although  his  apprenticeship  was 
completed  in  Coventry,  R.  I.  In  1839  he  became 
a partner  with  Perez  Peck  in  the  business  of  manu- 
facturing cotton  machinery,  the  firm  being  known 
as  Perez  Peck  & Co.  This  partnership  was  con- 
tinued until  the  latter  fifties.  In  1865  Mr.  Sisson 
located  in  Hamilton,  in  the  town  of  North  Kings- 
town, and  for  a few  years  was  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  cotton  yarn  at  the  Annaquatucket 


Mill.  I11  1850,  with  Perez  Peck,  Isaac  Peck  and 
S.  H.  Vaughan,  Mr.  Sisson  organized  the  Hamilton 
Company,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton 
yarn  at  Hamilton,  R.  I.,  which  village  was  so 
named  at  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Sisson.  Subse- 
quently for  two  years,  in  partnership  with  Ambrose 
E.  Vaughan,  he  conducted  the  Bayside  Iron 
Foundry  at  Wickford,  and  then  for  a time  was  con- 
nected with  the  Providence  Water  Works  as  an  in- 
spector at  the  foundries  of  the  iron  pipe  then  being 
cast  for  the  use  of  the  city  of  Providence.  In 
1873  he  became  identified  with  the  Hamilton  Web 
Company  at  Hamilton  in  an  official  capacity,  re- 
maining there  until  1883,  when  he  again  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Providence  Water  Works,  where 
he  continued  until  his  death,  Jan.  19,  1893,  at 
Anniston,  Ala.  His  remains  rest  in  the  Friends 
cemetery  at  Coventry,  Rhode  Island. 

Mr.  Sisson  was  a Republican  in  politics,  and 
while  a resident  of  Coventry  held  a few  minor 
offices.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  the  temperance 
cause,  and  was  an  active  worker  in  the  Sons  of 
Temperance.  He  also  belonged  to  the  Temple  of 
Honor,  and  other  temperance  organizations.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

In  Coventry,  R.  I.,  Asa  Sisson  was  married  to 
Mary  Ann  Peck,  who  was  born  in  that  town  July 
15,  1816,  daughter  of  Perez  and  Joanna  (Brown) 
Peck.  Perez  Peck  was  born  in  Rehoboth,  Mass., 
Sept.  14,  1786,  and  settled  at  Coventry  in  1805, 
becoming  one  of  the  first  manufacturers  of  cotton 
machinery  in  New  England.  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Sisson 
died  in  Coventry,  in  September,  1882,  the  mother 
of  four  children,  of  whom  the  first  died  in  infancy 
unnamed;  Harriet  P.,  born  May  25,  1845,  died 
Aug.  10,  1846;  Charles  was  born  Sept.  7,  1847;  and 
Emily,  born  Jan.  15,  1856,  married  Willis  H.  White, 
secretary  and  assistant  treasurer  of  the  Hope  Web- 
bing Company,  and  they  reside  in  Providence. 

(VIII)  Charles  Sisson  was  born  in  Coventry, 
R.  I.,  and  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
town,  completing  his  literary  training  in  the  Friends’ 
School,  Providence,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  18 66.  His  first  venture  in  the  industrial  and 
commercial  world  was  as  bookkeeper  for  Vaughan 
& Greene,  who  were  then  beginning  the  manufac- 
ture of  webbing  at  Hamilton,  R.  I.  In  a short 
time  he  had  learned  the  business,  and  was  made 
superintendent  of  the  works,  a position  he  held 
with  that  firm  and  with  their  successors,  the  Hamil- 
ton Web  Company,  until  1883.  In  that  year  he  re- 
moved to  Providence,  and  in  company  with  Oscar 
A.  Steere,  he  established  the  Hope  Webbing  Com- 
pany, on  Sprague  street.  In  1889  the  business  was 
incorporated,  and  the  following  year  was  removed 
to  Main  street,  Pawtucket,  occupying  the  large  plant 
built  especially  for  its  accommodation.  Mr.  Sisson 
became  president  upon  the  incorporation,  but  later 
resigned  the  presidency,  and  became  treasurer,  a 
relation  which  he  has  since  sustained.  To  him, 
more  than  to  any  one  man,  is  due  the  success  of 


746 


RHODE  ISLAND 


this  firm,  and  he  is  practically  the  father  of  that 
immense  concern,  which  is  the  largest  of  its  kind 
in  the  world.  Over  20,000  different  patterns  of 
webbing  are  made  by  the  company,  and  their  pro- 
duct penetrates  the  markets  of  the  world.  Mr.  Sis- 
son has  also  connection  in  an  official  capacity  with 
other  business  concerns,  being  president  of  the 
Frank  Mossberg  Company,  of  Attleboro,  Mass. ; 
president  of  the  Narragansett  Textile  Company  of 
Pawtucket ; and  president  of  the  Eastern  Machine 
and  Stamping  Company  of  Providence. 

In  his  political  faith  he  is  a Republican  on 
national  issues,  but  in  local  affairs  he  votes  for  the 
man  and  issue  regardless  of  party.  He  served  in  the 
town  council  of  North  Kingstown,  and  was  presi- 
dent of  that  body  in  1881,  and  chairman  of  the 
school  committee  from  1875  t0  1883,  the  year  he  re- 
moved from  that  town.  He  became  a member  of 
the  city  council  of  Providence  from  the  Second 
ward  in  1896,  and  continued  in  that  body  until 
1904,  when  he  was  elected  alderman,  and  served 
one  term.  In  1906  he  was  the  candidate  of  the 
Democrat  and  Lincoln  party  for  lieutenant-governor 
of  the  State,  and  also  received  the  endorsement  of 
the  Prohibition  party  for  the  same  office.  Like  his 
father  he  is  a strong  advocate  of  temperance,  and 
at  one  time  was  a member  of  the  Temple  of  Honor 
and  the  Sons  of  Temperance.  His  religious  .affili- 
ation is  with  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mr.  Sisson 
has  ever  been  active  and  prominent  in  educational 
matters,  was  for  three  years  president  of  the  Provi- 
dence Education  Association,  and  since  1892  has 
been  a member  of  the  Committee  in  charge  of  the 
Moses  Brown  (formerly  Friends)  school.  He  is 
a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society. 

In  financial  circles  Mr.  Sisson  has  been  equally 
prominent.  He  is  a member  of  the  Board  of  Mana- 
gers of  the  Pawtucket  branch  of  the  Industrial 
Trust  Company,  previous  to  which  he  was  a director 
of  the  Pacific  National  Bank  of  Pawtucket,  which 
was  absorbed  by  the  Industrial  Trust  Company,  and 
is  a member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  United 
National  Bank,  of  Providence,  having  originally 
been  vice-president  of  the  National  Eagle  Bank, 
prior  to  its  consolidation  with  the  United  Bank. 

On  Oct.  4,  1888,  in  New  York,  Mr.  Sisson  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Davies  Eyre,  a 
native  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  their  children  were: 
Charles  P.,  born  Feb.  9,  1890;  Russell  E.,  born  Aug. 
4,  1891 ; Hope,  born  Jan.  21,  1893;  Ruth,  born  Feb. 
10,  1894;  Alice,  born  Feb.  27,  1895,  died  Oct.  25, 
1896;  and  William  E.,  born  Feb.  2,  1898.  In  1896, 
Mr.  Sisson  completed  his  residence  at  the  corner 
of  Doyle  and  Hope  streets,  Providence,  and  there 
he  has  since  made  his  home. 

KNOWLES  (Providence  family).  The  Knowles 
family  of  Rhode  Island  is  one  ancient  and  hon- 
orable in  the  old  Colony  and  later  Commonwealth 
history.  Henry  Knowles,  early  of  Portsmouth  and 
Warwick,  is  of  record  in  the  former  town  as  early 


as  1644  and  was  on  the  freeman’s  list  of  Warwick 
of  1655.  He  was  born  in  1609  and  died  in  1670,  and 
in  his  will,  approved  in  January  of  that  year,  he 
bequeaths  to  his  wife,  not  giving  her  Christian 
name,  and  children.  The  latter  were:  John,  Wil- 
liam, Mary,  Martha  and  Henry.  Of  the  sons,  the 
first  and  last  named  died  unmarried,  leaving  the 
name  to  be  perpetuated  through  William  Knowles, 
of  Warwick  and  South  Kingstown,  respectively. 

This  William  Knowles,  son  of  the  settler, 
Henry  Knowles,  was  born  in  1643,  and,  with  the 
consent  of  his  father,  was  apprenticed  in  1661  for 
five  years  to  Thomas  Smith  of  Pawtuxet.  Ten 
years  later  he  was  of  Kingstown,  appointed  on  a 
committee  to  make  a rate  of  tax  for  the  town,  and 
was  more  or  less  actively  connected  with  public 
affairs  of  the  town:  he  served  as  deputy  in  1706 
and  1707.  His  wife  was  formerly  Alice,  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  and  Alary  Fish.  Air.  Knowles  died 
in  1727,  and  his  widow  passed  away  in  1734.  Their 
ten  children  were : Henry.  William,  Daniel,  Rob- 
ert, John,  Alice,  Rose.  Alartha,  Alary  and  Afargaret. 
These  sons  all  married  and  lived  in  South  Kings- 
town, R.  I.,  excepting  the  youngest  son,  John,  who 
lived  in  the  town  of  Richmond.  From  this  source 
came  the  Knowles  of  Rhode  Island  who  belong  to 
the  early  stock. 

For  a number  of  generations  there  have  re- 
sided at  Providence  the  posterity  of  Jonathan 
Knowles,  who,  June  3,  1736,  was  married  to  Ann 
Power.  Through  their  son.  Edward,  and  the  lat- 
ter’s son  Edward  Knowles  (2),  has  descended  one 
of  the  State’s  distinguished  families.  It  is  with 
this  branch  of  the  family  this  article  briefly  deals. 
Reference  is  made  especially  to  the  late  Rev.  Tames 
D.  Knowles,  a distinguished  divine  in  the  Baptist 
denomination.  Professor  in  the  Baptist  Theological 
Seminary,  Newton.  Alass.,  etc. : Hon.  Edward  Peck 
Knowles,  long  prominent  in  business  at  Providence, 
at  one  time  the  city’s  chief  executive  officer,  etc. 
Hon.  John  Power  Knowles,  a graduate  of  Brown 
University,  lawyer  and  judge  at  Providence;  and 
several  of  the  sons  of  Edward  Peck  Knowles,  no- 
tably the  late  Joseph  B.  and  Stephen  AT.  Knowles, 
long  noted  silversmiths  at  Providence. 

Edward  Knowles  (2),  son  of  Edward,  born 
Alarch  9,  1768,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  married  Alarch 
24,  1793,  Amev,  born  Aug.  6,  1772,  daughter  of 
Aaron  Peck,  a merchant  of  Providence  and  a de- 
scendant of  Nicholas  Peck,  who  came  from  Eng- 
land to  the  country  with  his  father,  Joseph  Peck,  in 
1638,  finally  settling  in  the  southwestern  part  of 
Seekonk,  Mass.,  his  lineage  being  through  Jonathan 
and  Deacon  Thomas  Peck,  of  Swansea,  Alass.  The 
children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knowles  were:  Two 
who  died  in  infancy,  and  Joseph  B.,  James  D., 
Henry.  Edward  P.,  John  P.  and  Amey  Ann  (who 
married  William  S.  Humphrey).  The  parents  died, 
Air.  Knowles  June  8,  1811.  and  Airs.  Knowles,  Oct. 
24,  1838. 

Edward  Peck  Knowles,  son  of  Edward  and 
Amey  (Peck)  Knowles,  born  April  13,  1805,  in 


RHODE  ISLAND 


747 


Providence,  R.  I.,  married  (first)  Feb.  15,  1827, 
Mary  F.,  daughter  of  Capt.  John  W.  Fry,  of  Provi- 
dence. She  died  May  2,  1848,  and  he  married  (sec- 
ond) May  10,  i860,  Alice  S.,  daughter  of  Jonathan 
Randall,  of  North  Providence.  She  died  Jan.  17, 
1871,  and  he  married  (third)  in  April,  1872,  Eliza- 
beth H.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Cowell,  of  Provi- 
dence. 

Mr.  Knowles’s  father  having  died  in  1811, 
leaving  a widow  and  six  children,  the  oldest  but 
fifteen  and  Edward  P.  but  six,  the  latter  was  early 
trained  to  habits  of  industry  and  self-dependence. 
At  twelve  he  was  taken  from  the  First  district 
school,  of  which  Oliver  Angell  was  preceptor,  and 
placed  as  an  operative  in  the  woolen  factory  since 
known  as  the  Allen  Print  Works.  At  an  early  age 
he  was,  by  a wise  mother,  apprenticed  first  to  the 
late  Arnold  Whipple,  a manufacturer  of  jewelry, 
and  subsequently,  with  the  consent  of  Mr.  Whipple, 
to  the  late  Franklin  Richmond,  the  leading  watch- 
maker of  that  day.  After  some  years’  service  with 
Mr.  Richmond,  and  while  yet  a minor,  with  Mr. 
Richmond’s  consent  he  re-engaged  in  the  business 
of  manufacturing  jewelry,  first  as  a journeyman 
and  afterward,  still  under  age,  as  a manufacturer 
on  his  own  account.  This  business  he  prosecuted 
for  many  years,  and  after  withdrawing  from  it 
was,  for  some  brief  periods,  interested  as  an  active 
or  silent  co-partner  in  other  mechanical  pursuits. 

It  was  as  a partisan  supporter  of  Governor  Ar- 
nold, as  against  the  Fenner  dynasty,  in  the  memor- 
able contest  of  1831  for  the  governorship,  that  Mr. 
Knowles  first  manifested  an  interest  in  public  af- 
fairs, national,  State  and  city  politics,  and  in  1834 
he  first  was  honored  by  an  election  to  office.  That 
year  he  was  chosen  a member  of  the  city  council  of 
Providence  from  the  First  ward,  an  office  which  he 
continued  to  hold  without  intermission  till  1841, 
when  he  was  elected  alderman,  of  the  Second  ward, 
and  continued  to  hold  that  office  till  1854,  when 
elected  mayor.  This  elevated  position  he  occupied 
only  a single  year,  an  indignant  refusal  on  his  part 
to  affiliate  with  or  do  homage  to  the  leaders  of  the 
Know-Nothing,  alias  American,  party,  that  day 
proving  an  insuperable  bar  to  his  candidacy  for  re- 
election.  His  term  of  office  ended  in  1855,  com- 
pleting a full  period  of  twenty  years’  continuous 
service  as  councilman,  alderman  and  mayor.  He 
thereafter  held  no  office  under  the  city  government, 
but  was  chosen  by  the  freeholders  a commissioner 
of  the  Dexter  donation. 

It  remains  to  be  added  that  Mr.  Knowles  was 
for  two  terms  (1846  and  1858)  a representative  in 
the  General  Assembly  from  the  city  of  Providence ; 
for  one  year  (1859)  a member  of  the  town  council 
of  North  Providence ; for  a year  or  two  president 
of  the  Association  of  Mechanics  and  Manufactur- 
ers ; and  a member  of  the  school  committee ; for  a 
long  period,  and  at  his  decease,  a vice-president 
of  the  Mechanics  Savings  Bank  and  of  the  Fifth 
National  Bank,  formerly  the  Mechanics  and  Manu- 
facturers ; for  a time  president  of  the  Butler  In- 


surance Company,  and  from  the  birthday  of  the 
temperance  movement  to  his  latest  breath  an  ar- 
dent, fearless  and  scrupulously  consistent  advocate 
and  supporter  of  that  reform,  in  caucus-room  and  at 
the  polls,  as  everywhere  else. 

Such,  in  brief,  were  Mr.  Knowles’s  opportuni- 
ties of  usefulness  as  a public  servant — it  may  be 
left  to  surviving  contemporaries  and  jurors  to  pass 
judgment  upon  his  claims  to  remembrance  and  the 
worth  of  his  example.  Should  that  judgment  be,  in 
effect,  as  is  confidently  anticipated,  that  over  his 
bier  it  may  be  truthfully  said  he  was  of  that  not  too 
numerous  class  of  public  servants  whom  the  old 
much  regret  to  lose  and  the  young  should  desire  to 
imitate,  not  of  him  were  it  enough  to  record : He 
lived ; he  died. 

Mr.  Knowles  died  at  his  home  in  Providence,  R. 

I. ,  Oct.  16,  1881.  His  children  alive  at  that  time 
were:  Abby  F.,  Joseph  B.,  Amey  (who  married 
Edwin  S.  Thurber),  Mary  Anna  (wife  of  Andrew 

J.  Smith),  Stephen  M.  (who  married  Nov.  20, 
1873,  Ellen  L.  Lewis  J,  and  Edward  R. — all  except- 
ing the  last  named  being  born  to  the  first  marriage, 
and  he  to  the  second. 

Joseph  B.  Knowles,  son  of  Edward  Peck  and 
Mary  F.  (Fry)  Knowles,  born  Dec.  15,  1829,  died 
Jan.  2,  1891.  On  Sept.  23,  1851,  he  married  Mary 
Manton,  who  died  Nov.  20,  1905.  Among  their 
children  were:  Edward  M..  born  June  10,  1853, 
died  in  1858;  Mary,  born  March  17,  1855,  died  m 
1838;  Fannie  Weeden,  born  Aug.  20,  1867,  married 
William  C.  Burwell,  a graduate  of  Brown  Univer- 
sity, born  in  Moriah,  N.  Y.,  and  they  had  three  chil- 
dren, Edith  (born  Sept.  27,  1888),  Joseph  Knowles 
(Feb.  2,  1892)  and  William  Russell  (March  24, 
1894)  ; and  Mary  Manton  (deceased)  married 
Walter  Irving  French,  of  Providence,  and  had  one 
daughter,  Helen,  now  deceased. 

Joseph  B.  Knowles  in  early  life  became  a prac- 
tical jeweler,  and  in  1852,  associated  with  Henry  L. 
Webster,  a practical  silversmith,  began  business  in 
their  line  in  a building  which  stood  on  Meeting 
street,  in  the  rear  of  what  is  known  as  the  Lons- 
dale block,  where  were  manufactured,  by  hand, 
spoons,  forged  from  the  stock,  as  the  custom  then 
was.  The  quality  of  their  work  was  the  prevail- 
ing one  of  coin,  as  the  English  standard  of  sterling 
was  not  introduced  into  this  country  until  1853, 
and  did  not  come  into  universal  use  among  manu- 
facturers for  several  years.  The  firm,  the  style  of 
which  was  Henry  L.  Webster  & Co.,  adopted  the 
new  standard  in  common  with  other  manufacturers 
and  after  that  their  trade-mark  stood  for  sterling 
silver  only.  The  practical  ability  of  these  two  men 
asserted  itself  in  two  ways,  first,  in  having  first- 
class  workmen,  and  second,  in  establishing  an  ap- 
prentice system. 

The  firm  of  Henry  L.  Webster  & Co.  was  suc- 
ceeded by  that  of  Knowles  & Ladd  in  1838,  in  which 
year  the  business  was  moved  from  the  Tingly  build- 
ing, on  South  Main  street  (it  having  been  moved 
thither  from  the  original  site  in  1854),  to  Eddy  and 


74§ 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Middle  streets;  and  in  1868  it  was  again  moved, 
this  time  to  No.  95  Pine  street,  the  firm  then  assum- 
ing the  name  of  J.  B.  & S.  M.  Knowles.  On  the 
death  of  the  senior  member  of  the  firm,  in  1891,  the 
business  was  incorporated  as  the  J.  B.  & S.  M. 
Knowles  Company,  and  in  1894  it  was  removed  to 
its  present  location  in  the  Talcott  building,  No.  91 
Sabin  street. 

The  reputation  of  this  house  has  always  rested 
on  the  flatware  production,  and  it  is  to-day  second 
to  none  in  the  country. 

Mary  Anna  Knowles,  daughter  of  Edward  Peck 
and  Mary  F.  (Fry)  Knowles,  married,  Jan.  28, 
1864,  Andrew  J.  Smith.  To  them  were  born  four 
children : Alice  Knowles,  who  married  James  T. 
Lockwood,  town  clerk  of  Warwick,  R.  I.,  and  has 
two  children,  Ernest  Lapham  and  Harold ; Mabel 
Smith,  who  married  Henry  B.  Scott,  and  has  a son, 
Kenneth ; Mary  F.,  who  married  George  J.  Holden, 
and  has  two  children,  Henry  Knowles  and  Chester ; 
and  Knowles  A.  Smith,  who  married  Emily  Ran- 
dall. and  has  two  daughters  and  one  son,  Mildred, 
Ruth  and  Andrew  J. 

Andrew  J.  Smith  was  born  at  Natick  Aug.  9, 
1832,  son  of  Horace  and  Hannah  Smith,  and  his 
death  occurred  at  his  home  in  Providence,  No.  149 
Benefit  street,  Nov.  11,  1906,  in  the  seventy-fifth 
year  of  his  age.  For  three  decades  he  had  been 
prominent  in  the  drug  business  in  Providence.  He 
began  his  study  of  pharmacy  when  he  was  but  sev- 
enteen. He  then  was  under  the  tutelage  of  Mr. 
Burrington,  a druggist  on  North  Main  street,  this 
city,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  opened  a store 
of  his  own  on  South  Main  street,  and  at  the  same 
time  started  the  first  drug  store  in  Olneyville.  The 
latter  was  soon  sold,  and  the  South  Main  street 
store  was  given  up  for  a more  central  location  on 
Westminster  street,  where  for  thirty-two  years  the 
business  was  carried  on  with  great  success.  Here 
Mr.  Smith  added  photographic  and  dental  supplies 
to  his  stock,  and  for  many  years  it  was  the  only 
place  of  the  kind  where  these  goods  could  be  ob- 
tained. When  the  building  in  which  he  was  located 
on  Westminster  street  was  to  be  torn  down  he 
moved  to  the  Alice  building,  on  the  same  street, 
there  dropping  his  drug  trade  entirely,  and  giving 
his  attention  wholly  to  the  newer  lines  of  business. 
Thus  he  continued  until  1896,  when  he  removed  to 
the  S warts  building,  at  No.  87  Weybosset  street, 
where  his.  place  became  a complete  dental  supply 
depot.  His  son,  Knowles  A.  .Smith,  and  son-in-law, 
George  J.  Holden,  were  associated  in  business  with 
him.  He  was  a man  of  quiet  disposition,  reserved 
in  manner  and  serene  in  bearing,  and  devoted  to  his 
home.  He  belonged  to  no  secret  societies,  and  his 
favorite  pastimes  were  hunting  and  fishing.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Yacht  Club. 
Besides  his  home  in  Providence  he  maintained  a 
summer  home  at  Old  Warwick,  where  he  spent  the 
greater  portion  of  each  year,  and  where  he  made  his 
legal  residence,  always  going  there  to  vote. 


OREN  WESTCOTT,  one  of  the  oldest  and 
best  known  bankers  of  Rhode  Island,  for  the  past 
thirty  years  cashier  of  the  Blackstone  Canal  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Providence,  and  one  of  that  city's 
highly  esteemed  and  representative  citizens,  is  a 
descendant  of  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of 
Providence  Plantations — Stukeley  Westcott. 

(I)  Stukeley  Westcott  (originally  Westcote, 
derived  from  locality),  of  Salem,  Mass.,  Providence 
and  Warwick,  R.  I.,  born  in  1592,  died  in  1677. 
He  was  received  an  inhabitant  of  Salem  in  1636. 
He*  was  one  of  the  twelve  who  had  a deed  from 
Roger  Williams  to  land  which  he  had  bought  from 
the  Indians.  He  was  of  Providence  that  year.  He 
was  one  of  twelve  original  members  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church  organized  at  Providence  in 
1639.  He  was  recorded  as  an  inhabitant  of  War- 
wick in  1648.  For  several  years  commencing  with 

1651  he  was  commissioner,  and  beginning  with 

1652  was  for  several  years  surveyor  of  highways. 
He  was  assistant  in  1653  ; and  deputy  in  1671.  His 
children  were : Damaris,  Robert,  Amos,  Mercy  and 
Jeremiah. 

(II)  Jeremiah  Westcott,  son  of  Stukeley,  mar- 
ried, July  27,  1665,  Eleanor,  daughter  of  William 
and  Elizabeth  England,  and  they  lived  in  the  town 
of  Warwick,  R.  I.  He  became  a freeman  in  1672. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  died  in  1686.  Their  children 
were:  Jeremiah,  born  Oct.  7,  1666;  Eleanor,  Oct. 
20,  1669  ; Persis,  in  1670;  Stukeley,  October,  1672 ; 
Josiah,  in  1675 ; and  Samuel,  William  and  Ben- 
jamin. 

(III)  Josiah  Westcott,  son  of  Jeremiah,  born 
in  1675,  married  Jan.  1,  1701,  Hannah,  daughter 
of  George  and  Tabitha  (Taft)  Gardiner,  and  they 
lived  in  Providence,  R.  I.  Mr.  Westcott  died  Nov. 
11,  1721,  and  his  widow  remarried.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Nicholas,  born  Aug.  27,  1702;  Han- 
nah, Aug.  11,  1704;  Tabitha,  Dec.  7,  1706;  Josiah, 
March  6,  1709;  Nathan,  March  23,  1711;  Damaris, 
June  12,  1713;  Caleb,  Dec.  6,  1716;  and  Oliver, 
Sept.  5,  1720. 

(IV)  Capt.  Oliver  Westcott,  son  of  Josiah, 
born  Sept.  5,  1720,  married  Dec.  30,  1744,  Hannah, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Martha  (Pray)  Wilkinson. 
He  lived  in  that  part  of  Providence  which  became 
Cranston,  and  about  1745  removed  from  there  to 
the  town  of  Scituate,  R.  I.,  where  he  died  Jan. 
20,  1795.  He  was  a weaver  by  trade  and  also 
followed  farming.  He  was  made  a freeman  in 
1744.  His  children  were:  John,  born  March  26, 
1746;  Prudence,  in  1747;  Sybilla,  Jan.  11,  1749; 
and  Caleb,  April  15,  1753. 

(V)  Caleb  Westcott,  son  of  Oliver,  was  born 
at  Scituate  April  15,  1753.  He  followed  the  oc- 
cupation of  farmer  and  also  worked  at  coopering. 
His  farm  was  located  on  Chopmist  Hill,  in  the 
northwestern  part  of  the  town.  He  died  in  1826. 
His  wife  was  Lydia  (Knowlton)  Borden,  widow 
of  Gale  Borden.  She  was  born  in  1757,  and  died 
in  1812.  Their  children  were:  Oliver,  born  in 


. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


749 


1782,  died  unmarried  in  1826;  Thomas  Knowlton, 
born  Feb.  24,  1787,  married  in  1817,  Lydia  W. 
Steere,  was  a farmer  in  Scituate,  and  there  died 
July  5,  1853;  Susannah,  born  in  1789,  married 
William  Waterman,  of  Scituate,  and  removed  to 
Newport,  N.  Y. ; John,  born  Dec.  3,  1791,  married 
Cecelia  Owen,  and  died  in  Providence,  May  12, 
1848  (his  son  was  the  late  Judge  Amasa  S.  West- 
cott, of  .Providence ; Lydia,  born  in  1793,  married 
Clark  Waterman,  and  removed  to  Newport,  N. 
Y. ; Mary,  born  in  1795,  died  unmarried  in  No- 
vember, 1853;  Nathan,  born  Nov.  3,  1797;  and 
Caleb,  born  Aug.  6,  1800,  married  Hannah  Phil- 
lips, and  died  Jan.  7,  1873  (record  elsewhere). 

(VI)  Nathan  Westcott,  father  of  Oren,  was 
born  Nov.  3,  1797,  in  Scituate,  and  learned  the 
trade  of  tanner,  which  he  followed  for  only  a few 
years.  For  a time  after  his  marriage  he  con- 
ducted a tanning  business  at  Little  Compton.  After 
a short  residence  at  Killingly,  Conn.,  he  came  to 
Providence  in  April,  1841,  and  followed  mechanical 
pursuits  the  rest  of  his  active  life,  and  died  July 
14,  1876,  and  was  buried  in  the  North  Burial 
Ground.  Mr.  Westcott  was  an  industrious  man  of 
quiet  manner  and  tastes,  and  was  much  esteemed 
and  respected.  In  early  life  he  united  with  the 
Free  Will  Baptist  Church  at  Scituate.  On  Dec. 
16,  1830,  he  married  Adah  Olney,  born  Oct.  28, 
1806,  daughter  of  Asa  and  Adah  (Dexter)  Olney, 
and  a descendant  in  the  seventh  generation  from 
Rev.  Thomas  Olney,  who  came  to  Rhode  Island 
with  Roger  Williams,  her  lineage  being  traced  back 
through  Asa,  Emor,  James,  Epenetus,  Epenetus 
and  Rev.  Thomas.  Mrs.  Westcott  survived  her 
husband  nearly  twenty-two  years,  and  passed  away 
at  the  home  of  her  son,  May  24,  1898,  in  the 
ninety-second  year  of  her  age.  Two  children  were 
born  to  Nathan  Westcott  and  wife:  (1)  Adah 
Dexter,  born  in  September,  1831,  married  James 
P.,  son  of  Josiah  Westcott,  of  Scituate.  She  died 
in  Providence,  Aug.  25,  1857,  leaving  no  chil- 
dren. (2)  Oren  was  born  Nov.  22,  1835. 

(VII)  Oren  Westcott  was  born  in  Scituate, 
and  was  a small  boy  when  his  parents  located  at 
Providence.  He  received  his  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools,  graduating  from  the  high  school.  For 
a few  months  after  leaving  school  he  was  employed 
as  a clerk  in  retail  stores,  and  then  became  a 
clerk  in  the  establishment  of  J.  H.  Read  & Co., 
dealers  in  woolen  goods,  and  where  he  remained 
about  a year  and  a half.  In  1854  lie  became  a clerk 
in  the  Mechanics  and  Manufacturers  Bank,  Mr. 
J.  H.  Read,  his  former  employer,  at  this  time  being 
president  of  the  bank,  and  he  remained  with  this 
institution  and  its  successor,  the  name  of  the  bank 
being  changed  to  the  Fifth  National  Bank  in  1865, 
until  October,  1869,  when  he  resigned  to  accept 
a position  as  bookkeeper  in  the  Blackstone  Canal 
National  Bank.  In  1871  he  became  teller,  and  in 
October,  1876,  he  was  elected  cashier,  succeeding 
John  Luther,  who  had  died,  and  Mr.  Westcott  has 


been  the  fourth  incumbent  of  that  position  since  the 
bank  was  established  in  1831.  He  has  served  as 
cashier  continuously  since  1876,  and  is  not  only 
the  oldest  cashier  in  point  of  active  service,  but 
one  of  the  oldest  active  bankers  in  the  State. 

On  Dec.  9,  1880,  in  Bellows  Falls,  Vt.,  Mr. 
Westcott  was  married  to  Caroline  Porter  Hapgood, 
a native  of  that  place,  and  a daughter  of  Charles 
and  Harriett  (Silsby)  Hapgood.  To  this  union 
came  children  as  follows : Adah  Dexter,  born  Oct. 
4,  1883 ; Charles  Hapgood,  born  Aug.  4,  1885, 
graduated  from  the  high  school,  and  has  since  been 
a clerk  in  the  Rhode  Island  Hospital  Trust  Com- 
pany; Margaret,  born  Oct.  17,  1887;  Nathan,  born 
March  17,  1889;  and  Dexter  Silsby,  born  May  31, 
1892,  died  April  6,  1895.  In  his  political  tendencies 
Mr.  Westcott  is  a Republican,  and  he  has  taken 
an  active  interest  in  public  affairs,  serving  as  a 
member  of  the  common  council  from  the  First 
ward  from  1875  to  1878;  he  was  commissioner 
of  the  North  Burial  Ground  from  Feb.  11,  1878, 
to  January,  1895  1 and  has  been  a member  of  the 
school  committee  from  the  First  ward.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Providence  Board  of  Trade,  which 
he  has  served  as  treasurer  since  January,  1887. 
In  1857  Mr.  Westcott  became  a communicant  of 
St.  John’s  Episcopal  Church,  and  has  ever  been  an 
active  member  of  that  parish,  for  many  years  be- 
ing warden,  and  since  1902  senior  warden.  Mrs. 
Westcott  and  the  three  older  children  are  also  mem- 
bers of  the  same  church. 

CASS  (Woonsocket  family).  For  perhaps 
only  a little  less  than  two  centuries  the  Cass  family 
have  been  inhabitants  of  portions  of  the  territory 
of  the  now  counties  of  Worcester,  [Massachusetts, 
and  Providence,  Rhode  Island.  One  John  Cass, 
the  progenitor  of  the  family,  appeared  at  Boston 
as  early  as  1648,  but  later  settled  in  Hampton,. 
New  Hampshire.  Since  the  earlier  years  of  the 
eighteenth  century  through  a grandson  of  the  set- 
tler, and  of  the  same  name,  John  Cass,  the  family 
have  been  a continuous  one  in  the  old  town  of 
Mendon,  Mass.,  and  in  towns  formed  from  it,  and 
for  a century  and  more  here  in  and  about  Woon- 
socket, this  State. 

It  is  with  this  early  Cass  family  in  Mendon, 
Bellingham  and  Woonsocket  this  article  is  to  deal 
briefly.  From  the  first  John  Cass  through  one  of 
his  sons  who  settled  in  the  State  of  Connecticut, 
descended  the  Michigan  statesman  of  the  name, 
Hon.  Lewis  Cass ; and  from  one  of  the  Mendon 
settlers  came  the  eminent  physician  and  surgeon, 
Dr.  Jonathan  Cass,  of  New  York.  Here  in  Woon- 
socket have  lived  several  generations  of  the  family, 
forefathers  of  the  present  postmaster  of  that  city, 
Hon.  John  W.  Cass,  long  one  of  the  prominent 
men  of  his  community.  The  genealogy  of  this 
Cass  family  in  part  follows  in  chronological  or- 
der from  the  earliest  known  American  ancestor. 

(I)  John  Cass  was  first  of  Boston,  and  went 


750 


RHODE  ISLAND 


from  there  to  Hampton,  N.  H.,  where  he  is  of  rec- 
ord selling  land  in  the  summer  of  1648,  and  he  may 
have  been  there  earlier.  Four  years  later  he 
bought  property  there.  In  1664  he  bought 
a farm  on  the  south  side  of  Taylor’s  river 
and  removed  thither.  In  1647  he  returned  to 
Boston,  and  in  that  year  he  married  at  Watertown, 
Mass.,  Martha,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Anne 
(Knapp)  Philbrick.  His  death  occurred  April  7, 
1675.  His  children  were:  John,  born  Aug.  21, 
1650;  Joseph,  Oct.  5,  1656;  Samuel,  July  3 (or 
13),  1659;  Jonathan,  Sept.  13,  1663;  Elizabeth, 
June  4,  1666;  Mercy,  Aug.  1,  1668;  Ebenezer, 
July  17,  1671;  and  Abigail,  Jan.  11,  1674. 

(II)  Samuel  Cass,  son  of  John,  born  July 
3 (or  13),  1659,  married  Dec.  7,  1681,  Mercy, 
daughter  of  William  Sanborn,  and  their  children 
were:  Martha,  born  Sept.  25,  1682;  John,  Oct. 
24,  1687;  Hannah,  March  1,  1695;  a son  killed  by 
the  falling  of  a tree  March  1,  1706,  aged  about  six 
years;  and  Mary,  born  Jan.  10,  1702. 

(III)  John  Cass  (2),  son  of  Samuel,  born 
Oct.  24,  1687,  married  Hannah  Grove.  Mr.  Cass 
purchased  300  acres  of  land  in  that  part  of  Mendon 
which  became  Bellingham,  Mass.,  and  settled  there 
in  1726.  His  children  were:  Mehetabel  and  Han- 
nah (twins),  born  Oct.  2,  1713;  Nathan,  July  2, 
171:5 ; John,  Feb.  15,  1717;  Mary,  Nov.  19,  1718; 
Hepzibah,  Sept.  7,  1720;  Jonathan  Grove,  Aug. 
23,  1722;  Daniel,  Nov.  29,  1725  (all  in  Hampton)  ; 
Ebenezer,  Dec.  4,  1726;  and  Samuel,  April  5,  1731, 
both  in  Mendon,  Mass. 

Of  the  fourth  generation  Nathan  Cass,  son  of 
John  (2),  resided  in  Mendon  for  several  years 
after  his  marriage.  He  had  children : Oliver,  born 
in  1739;  Nathan,  in  1740;  Hannah,  in  1741;  Jo- 
anna, in  1743;  and  Sarah,  in  1748.  From  this  date 
we  have  no  record  of  him. 

John  Cass  (3)  of  the  fourth  generation,  son  of 
John  (2),  married  in  1736,  Alice  Brown,  of  Bell- 
ingham, and  two  of  their  children  were  born  in 
Mendon,  namely:  Susannah  in  1736,  and  Joseph 
in  1739.  The  parents  then  removed  to  Cumber- 
land, R.  I.,  where  they  had  children:  Mary,  born 
in  1742;  Alice,  in  1743;  John,  in  1745;  and  David, 
in  1757.  Mr.  Cass  removed  before  1765  to  Rich- 
mond, N.  H.,  becoming  one  of  the  first  settlers 
there.  He  died  in  1802,  leaving  numerous  de- 
scendants. 

Daniel  Cass,  also  of  the  fourth  generation,  son 
of  John  (2),  married  in  1747  Mary  Cook,  and 
lived  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  where  nine  children  were 
born  to  them.  He  then  went  with  his  brother  John 
to  Richmond,  N.  H.,  where  two  more  children  were 
born  to  them 

(IV)  Jonathan  G.  Cass,  son  of  John  (2),  born 
Aug.  23,  1722,  in  Hampton,  married  in  1747,  Abi- 
gail Salisbury,  of  Cumberland.  He  inherited  his 
father's  homestead  in  that  part  of  Mendon  which 
became  Bellingham.  His  children  were : Sarah, 
born  in  1752:  Hannah,  born  in  1755;  Phebe,  born 


in  1757;  George,  born  in  1759;  John,  born  in  1761 
(left  a numerous  posterity,  among  whom  were  the 
eminent  physician  and  surgeon,  Dr.  Jonathan  Cass, 
who  died  in  New  York  in  1886;  Dr.  Francis  L. 
Babcock,  of  Dedham,  Mass.,  and  others  who  have 
won  distinction  in  the  medical  and  legal  profes- 
sions) ; Nathan,  born  in  1767,  who  settled  in  the 
West  where,  it  is  said,  his  parents  passed  their  last 
days  with  him. 

From  the  foregoing  source  came  the  present 
John  W.  Cass,  Esq. 

John  Cass  was  born  in  Mendon,  Mass.,  near 
Blackstone,  March  10,  1793.  He  grew  up  on  a 
farm  and  received  a district  school  education.  In 
his  young  manhood  he  learned  to  make  agricultural 
implements,  and  then  came  to  Rhode  Island,  lo- 
cating in  the  town  of  Cumberland,  now  a part  of 
Woonsocket,  and  there  erected  a shop  for  the 
manufacturing  of  farm  implements,  principally  hay 
rakes,  grain  cradles,  etc.  His  shop  stood  on  what 
was  known  as  Iron  Rock  River,  now  Cass  Pond, 
and  there  for  many  years  he  successfully  engaged 
in  business.  He  also  owned  a tract  of  seventy 
acres  of  land,  and  he  built  the  fine  dwelling  house 
and  barn  now  owned  by  his  son,  Jervis  J.  He  was 
quite  active  up  to  within  a few  years  of  his  death, 
when  his  eyesight  failed  him  and  he  passed  his 
remaining  years  on  his  farm.  He  attained  the 
ripe  age  of  eighty-two  years,  dying  in  1875,  and 
was  buried  in  Wheaton  Cemetery.  He  was  a man 
well  known  and  very  highly  respected,  and  he  took 
a deep  interest  in  the  town  and  in  his  home.  He 
was  an  old-line  Democrat,  but  never  sought  office. 
In  the  war  of  1812  he  served  as  a soldier  and  was 
stationed  near  Boston.  He  always  had  a taste  for 
military  life,  and  helped  to  form  the  Cumberland 
Rifles,  of  which  he  was  captain.  He  was  patriotic 
and  ready  at  all  times  to  defend  the  flag.  He  mar- 
ried (first)  Oct.  13,  1816,  in  Cumberland,  Lucy 
Jillson,  born  Nov.  19,  1793,  daughter  of  Nathaniel 
Jillson ; she  died  at  her  home  while  still  in  the 
prime  of  life  Feb.  26,  1835,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Wheaton  Cemetery,  Cumberland.  The  children  of 
this  marriage  were:  Caroline  Adelia,  born  June 
16,  1821,  married  William  Alkinson ; William 

Jillson,  born  July  5,  1823,  died  Dec.  14,  1848;  Jer- 
vis Jillson-,  born  Aug.  22,  1826;  and  Marion  Wal- 
lace, born  May  30,  1832,  married  Arnold  Wake- 
field, and  died  in  February,  1903.  Mr.  Cass  mar- 
ried for  his  second  wife,  Prusia  Estess,  who  died 
on  the  farm,  and  is  buried  in  Wheaton  Cemetery. 
His  third  wife,  Wealthy  Whipple,  also  died  on  the 
farm  and  is  buried  in  Wheaton  Cemetery. 

Jervis  Jillson  Cass  was  born  Aug.  12  (or  22), 
1826,  on  the  homestead  farm  in  Cumberland  and 
there  attended  the  district  school.  He  worked  from 
an  early  age  in  the  shop  with  his  father,  and  there 
learned  all  the  details  of  the  business,  and  when  a 
young  man  his  father  took  him  in  as  partner,  and 
the  business  thus  continued  with  marked  success 
during  his  father’s  active  business  life.  When  the 


RHODE  ISLAND 


751 


father  retired  Mr.  Cass  took  in  his  brother-in-law, 
Arnold  Wakefield,  as  a partner,  and  the  business 
was  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Cass  & 
Wakefield  until  1890,  when  Mr.  Cass  retired.  The 
product  from  the  shop  was  shipped  to  New  York 
and  points  west  as  well  as  to  New  England  States. 
Besides  manufacturing  Mr.  Cass  also  followed  farm- 
ing, operating  the  seventy  acres  of  the  homestead 
farm.  He  is  now  living  retired  and  the  weight  of 
four-score  years  rests  lightly  upon  him.  He  takes 
a deep  interest  in  all  questions  of  the  day.  His 
enterprises  have  been  successful,  and  he  has  main- 
tained a high  standard  of  business  integrity. 
Within  the  last  few  years  a part  of  the  farm  was 
sold  to  the  city  of  Woonsocket  for  a park,  which  is 
known  as  Cass  Park,  and  which  is  now  being  laid 
out  for  that  purpose.  Besides  the  home  place  Mr. 
Cass  has  other  real  estate  interests  in  Woon- 
socket. 

Mr.  Cass  is  broad-minded  and  liberal  in  his 
ideas,  and  is  generous  and  kindly  in  his  treatment 
of  all  men.  He  was  in  his  early  life  a Democrat, 
but  in  recent  years  he  has  supported  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party  and  votes  that  ticket,  but 
he  has  never  sought  office. 

Mr.  Cass  married  Fannie  Whipple,  who  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Cumberland,  daughter  of 
Wilder  and  Fannie  (Everett)  Whipple  (the  latter 
a relative  of  Edward  Everett,  of  Massachusetts). 
Mrs.  Cass  died  in  May,  1901,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Wheaton  Cemetery.  She  was  a member  of  the 
Universalist  Church.  They  had  three  children : 
Norman,  who  married  Emma  Chase,  and  is  de- 
ceased ; John  W. ; Lucy,  who  died  in  childhood. 

John  Wilder  Cass,  son  of  Jervis  J.  Cass,  was 
born  on  the  old  homestead,  Cass  avenue,  Woon- 
socket, Oct.  6,  i860.  He  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic, schools  of  the  city,  also  at  the  Bryant  & Strat- 
ton Business  College,  where  he  received  good  com- 
mercial instruction.  Starting  out  in  life  for  himself 
his  first  employment  was  with  the  Silver  Spring 
Bleaching  & Dyeing  Company,  and  there  he  spent 
four  years,  after  which  he  became  treasurer  and 
manager  of  the  Porter  Manufacturing  Company  of 
Boston,  with  which  firm  he  remained  until 
1889.  During  this  time  he  traveled  from  the  At- 
lantic to  the  Pacific  in  the  interest  of  his  company, 
visiting  all  the  business  centers.  During  Presi- 
dent Benjamin  Harrison’s  administration,  he  was 
appointed  examiner  of  Foreign  Merchandise  at  the 
port  of  Providence,  which  responsible  position  he 
filled  during  that  administration.  After  the  change 
of  Government  in  1892  he  resigned  his  position, 
and  was  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  business  in 
his  native  city  for  four  years.  When  the  late  Wil- 
liam McKinley  was  elected  President  he  appointed 
Mr.  Cass  postmaster  of  Woonsocket,  Aug.  26, 
1897,  and  he  has  faithfully  performed  the  duties  of 
that  office,  a position  of  trust  and  responsibility, 
to  the  general  satisfaction  of  the  public.  During 
his  administration  of  the  office  the  business  has 


increased  over  100  per  cent.,  and  since  his  appoint- 
ment as  postmaster  he  has  worked  hard  and  zeal- 
ously to  give  the  public  good  service.  Over  thirty- 
nine  mails  are  now  received  daily,  and  thirty-eight 
sent  out,  while  the  money  order  department  has 
increased  over  500  per  cent.  He  takes  a deep  inter- 
est in  his  work.  His  life  is  a busy  one,  and  he  is 
found  in  the  harness  at  his  office  before  seven  in 
the  morning,  showing  a devotion  to  duty  worthy 
of  emulation.  He  was  re-appointed  by  President 
Roosevelt,  his  term  expiring  in  1910.  In  recom- 
mending his.  re-appointment  Representative  Adin 
B.  Capron  said  that  he  considered  the  “Woon- 
socket post-office  one  of  the  best  conducted  in  the 
country.”  During  his  administration  Mr.  Cass 
was  instrumental,  with  the  assistance  of  representa- 
tives in  Congress,  in  securing  an  appropriation  of 
$111,000  for  a new  post-office  here. 

Mr.  Cass  is  a stanch  supporter  of  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party  as  laid  down  by  Lincoln, 
Blaine,  McKinley,  Roosevelt,  and  other  great  lead- 
ers, and  he  has  always  voted  that  ticket.  He  repre- 
sented the  Fifth  ward  in  the  city  council  for  seven 
years,  five  years  as  a member  of  the  common 
council,  and  two  as  president  of  the  board.  He 
served  two  years  as  a member  of  the  board  of 
aldermen,  and  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Fi- 
nance, and  other  important  committees,  and  was 
the  first  secretary  of  the  committee  appointed  to 
adopt  the  system  of  sewerage  for  the  city  of  Woon- 
socket, serving  on  the  committee  three  years.  He 
was  a member  of  the  committee  on  the  part  of  the 
city  council  for  the  purchase  of  the  court  house 
site,  and  was  the  original  mover  to  build  the  new 
Court  street  bridge.  He  was  chairman  of  the  Re- 
publican city  committee,  and  a member  of  the  Re- 
publican State  Central  Committee.  In  1892  he 
was  a delegate  to  the  convention  (for  Rhode  Is- 
land) which  nominated  Benjamin  Harrison  for  his 
second  term  as  president,  and  he  was  a member 
of  the  notification  committee  which  notified  the  late 
William  McKinley  of  his  nomination  in  1896,  be- 
ing a substitute  for  Col.  S.  P.  Colt. 

Mr.  Cass  is  a member  of  the  Postmasters’  As- 
sociation of  New  England,  and  is  now  serving  as 
president,  being  elected  to  that  office  at  the  annual 
meeting  Dec.  27,  1905.  He  is  also  a member  and 
chairman  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  Na- 
tional Association  of  Second  and  Third  Class 

Mr.  Cass  is  a member  of  the  Postmasters’  As- 
sociation of  First  Class  Postmasters;  president  of 
the  Woonsocket  Agricultural  Society;  first  vice- 
president  of  the  Business  Men’s  Association,  and 
also  chairman  of  its  committee  on  New  Industries 
and  Grievances,  and  as  such  he  has  greatly  in- 
creased the  freight  and  passenger  facilities  for  the 
people  of  Woonsocket ; and  member  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Golf  Club  Association.  His  religious  faith 
is  that  of  the  Universalist  Church,  and  he  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Universalist  Men’s  Club. 

Mr.  Cass  is  a man  popular  with  all  classes,  well 


752 


RHODE  ISLAND 


liked  and  respected.  He  is  domestic  in  his  tastes, 
and  is  devoted  to  his  home  and  family.  He  mar- 
ried (first)  Grace  Brown,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Brown.  After  her  death  he  married  (second) 
Elizabeth  Vose,  daughter  of  Adin  and  Zonie  (Sea- 
man) Vose.  They  have  one  child,  Zona  Frances, 
born  in  October,  1890. 

LEWIS  LAWTON  SIMMONS  (deceased) 
was  universally  recognized  as  one  of  the  honored 
and  respected  citizens  of  Newport,  in  which  city 
he  was  born,  and  where  he  filled  with  honor  and 
fidelity  many  positions  of  trust  to  which  he  was 
chosen  by  his  fellow-cilizens.  Mr.  Simmons  was 
the  worthy  representative  of  one  of  New  England’s 
earliest  settled  families,  a record  of  which,  to- 
gether with  a record  of  his  life  achievements,  will 
be  found  below,  the  generations  being  given  in 
chronological  order. 

(I)  Moses  Simonson  or  Symonson  (name  soon 
shortened  to  the  first  two  syllables  and  later  spelled 
Simmons),  born  in  Leyden,  Holland,  came  to 
Plymouth  in  the  ship  “Fortune”  in  1621,  and 
settled  at  Duxbury.  He  had  sons,  Moses  3(nd 
Thomas. 

(II)  Moses  Simmons  (2),  son  of  Moses,  and 
of  Duxbury,  had  by  his  wife  Sarah:  John,  Aaron, 
Mary,  Elizabeth  and  Sarah,  all  of  whom  married. 
The  father  died  in  1689* 

(III)  John  Simmons/sson  of  Moses  (2),  mar- 
ried about  1670  Mercy  Pabodie,  born  Jan.  2,  1649, 
daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Alden)  Pa- 
bodie, the  latter  a daughter  of  John  and  Priscilla 
(Mullens)  Alden,  of  the  “Mayflower.”  Their  chil- 
dren were:  John,  born  Feb.  22,  1671;  William, 
born  Sept.  24,  1672 ; Isaac,  born  Jan.  28,  1674; 
and  Martha,  born  in  November,  1677. 

(IV)  William  Simmons,  son  of  John,  was 
born  Sept.  24,  1672,  and  married  in  1696  Abigail, 
born  in  1680,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary 
(Tucker)  Church,  and  granddaughter  of  Richard 
Church,  who  came  to  New  England  in  the  fleet  with 
Winthrop  in  1630,  settling  first  at  Weymouth,  but 
removed  to  Plymouth,  where  he  was  made  a free- 
man in  1632 ; he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Richard  Warren  of  the  “Mayflower.”  William 
Simmons  died  in  1765,  and  his  wife  in  1720.  Their 
children  were:  Mercy,  born  July  1,  1697;  William, 
born  Sept.  30,  1699;  Lydia,  born  Dec.  15-,  1700; 
Joseph,  born  March  4,  1702;  Johrt,  born  Aug.  14, 
1704;  Abigail,  born  July  14,  1706;  Rebecca/T>orn 
May  8,  1708;  Mary,  born  OctM5,  1709;  Benjamin, 
born  Feb.  21,  1713;  Ichabod,  born  Jan.  6,  1715; 
Peleg,  born  Dec.  21,  1716;  and  Sarah,  born  Aug. 
26,  1718. 

(V)  Joseph  Simmons,  son  of  William,  was 

born  March  4,  1702,  and  married  March  28^4726, 
Rebecca  Wood.  Their  children:  John,  born  Jan. 
29,  1727;  Abigail,  born  Dec.  7,  1728;  Edward,  born 
March  16,  1730;  Betsey,  born  March  8,  1733; 

Jonathan,  born  Aug.  20,  1736;  Ephraim,  borfr  June 


29,  1739;  Susannah,  born  July  8,  1742;  Rebecca, 
born  Feb.  7,  1746;  and  Joseph,  born  in  1748. 

(VI)  Edward  Simmons,  son  of  Joseph,  was 
born  March  16,  1730,  and  married  in  1753,  in  New- 
port, Mary  Robinson.  Their  only  children  by  New- 
port town  record  were:  Martha,  born  April  1, 
1754,  and  Jonathan,  born  in  July,  1755. 

(VII)  Jonathan  Simmons,  son  of  Edward,  was 
born  in  July,  1755,  married,  and  had  two  chil- 
dren. 

(VIII)  Edward  Simmons,  the  eldest  son  of 
Jonathan,  lived  in  Newport  ail  of  his  life,  engaged 
in  farming  and  blacksmithing.  He  was  prominent 
in  the  affairs  of  the  town,  serving  in  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  State.  He  married  Sally  Freeborn, 
and  they  had  twelve  children:  Susan,  Eliza,  James, 
Edward,  Sarah,  Rebecca,  Mary,  Ann,  John,  Charles, 
Joseph  and  Hannah. 

(IX)  Joseph  Simmons,  son  of  Edward,  was 
born  in  Newport,  and  died  Aug.  16,  1859.  He  fol- 
lowed blacksmithing  all  of  his  life.  In  politics  he 
was  a Republican.  He  married  Abby  Stacy 
Spooner,  of  Newport,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and 
Joanna  (Brown)  Spooner,  and  she  died  Sept.  29, 
1862,  in  Newport.  Their  children  were:  Sallie, 
who  married  Lysander  Stevens,  of  Newport;  and 
Lewis  Lawton. 

(X)  Lewis  Lawton  Simmons  was  born  April 
15,  1829,  in  Newport,  and  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  city,  leaving  school  at 
the  age  of  fifteen  years  to  become  a clerk  for  Moses 
Hammond,  in  his  grocery  store.  There  he  remained 
for  about  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
apprenticed  himself  to  the  painter’s  trade  with 
Zenas  L.  Hammond,  his  uncle,  continuing  with  him 
five  years.  After  that  Mr.  Simmons  did  journey- 
man work  for  five  or  six  years,  and  in  1855  en- 
gaged in  painting,  glazing,  etc.,  with  William  J. 
Gladding,  under  the  firm  name  of  Gladding  ’& 
Simmons.  In  1856  they  built  the  business  build- 
ing occupied  by  Mr.  Simmons  until  his  death,  and 
the  firm  continued  for  fifteen  or  sixteen  years,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  Air.  Simmons  purchased  his 
partner’s  interest,  and  continued  the  business  alone 
for  about  one  year.  He  then  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business,  in  which  he  and  his  partner  had 
worked  some  little  time  before,  and  in  which  he 
was  very  successful,  continuing  it  until  1894,  when 
he  closed  out.  He  was  located  in  Spring  street. 

When  about  twenty-one  years  of  age  Mr.  Sim- 
mons began  probating  and  the  settling  of  estates, 
and  he  was  prominent  in  that  line  the  rest  of  his 
life,  becoming  practically  a public  administrator. 
He  served  as  overseer  of  the  poor  from  his  election 
in  1893  until  his  death,  most  of  that  time  acting 
as  chairman  of  the  board,  and  in  connection  there- 
with was  also  for  some  time  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners of  the  city  asylum,  and  chairman  of  that 
board.  At  various  times  he  served  as  a commis- 
sioner of  the  Newport  Asylum,  when  it  was  located 
at  Coasters’-  Harbor  Island.  His  excellent  judg- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


753 


ment  and  discrimination,  gained  in  long  years  of 
association  with  philanthropic  enterprises  and  be- 
nevolent work,  proved  of  great  service  to  the  city 
in  its  care  of  the  poor  and  during  his  last  years 
Mr.  Simmons  was  probably  best  known  in  his 
official  connection  with  this  work.  It  brought  him 
into  close  relations  with  the  poor  of  the  city,  and 
though  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties  he 
always  safeguarded  the  interests  of  the  city  he  was 
ever  the  true  friend  of  the  worthy  unfortunate, 
who  looked  upon  him  as  a true  benefactor. 

Mr.  Simmons  was  president  of  the  Aquidneck 
National  Bank  of  Newport  at  the  time  of  his  de- 
cease. He  was  one  of  the  oldest  depositors  of  that 
bank,  of  which  he  had  been  a director  from  July 
9,  1877;  was  elected  vice-president  Jan.  8,  1895, 
and  president  Dec.  23,  1895,  continuing  in  that 
office  the  rest  of  his  life.  For  several  years  he  was 
a director  and  president  of  the  Coddington  Savings 
Bank,  a position  which  he  resigned,  however.  He 
was  also  president  and  a director  of  the  Arctic 
Company,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  original 
incorporators.  For  many  years  he  was  a prominent 
member  of  the  Newport  Association  of  Mechanics 
and  Manufacturers,  and  was  treasurer  of  that  or- 
ganization in  1886  when  the  funds  were  turned  over 
to  the  Newport  Historical  Society,  after  which  he 
served  as  a member  *of  the  executive  committee 
of  the  latter  society;  he  was  its  treasurer  for  two 
years. 

A Republican  in  politics,  Mr.  Simmons  was 
chosen  to  a number  of  public  offices,  serving  as 
a member  of  the  common  council  of  the  First  ward 
from  1863  t0  1865,  in  1868-69  and  in  1877-78;  as 
member  of  the  school  committee  from  1867  to 
1875 ; as  assessor  of  taxes,  1873-75  ; was  a member 
of  the  fire  department  in  1858,  assistant  engineer 
1866-70,  chief  engineer  1870-71  and  again  from 
1879  to  1883,  resigning  from  that  position.  He 
was  also  for  several  years  one  of  the  trustees  of 
Long  wharf  and  public  school. 

Mr.  Simmons  was  married  Sept.  23,  1852,  to 
Harriet  Wells  Burdick,  daughter  of  Clark  Burdick, 
of  Newport,  and  she  preceded  him  to  the  grave, 
dying  in  November,  1901.  They  had  children  as 
follows:  Seth  S.,  born  in  1853,  died  aged  four 
years ; Zenas  Hammond,  died  aged  about  two  years  ; 
Martha  Burdick  and  Abby  Stacy  were  twins,  the 
former  living  at  home,  while  the  latter  died  aged 
eight  years;  Mary  Spooner  married  Frank  Tracy, 
of  Providence,  and  they  have  three  children,  Edith, 
Lewis  and  Helen;  Lewis  L.,  Jr.,  conducts  a brass 
finishing  and  nickel-plating  business  on  Spring 
street.  The  last  named  married  Mary  Popple, 
daughter  of  George  H.  Popple,  of  Newport,  and 
they  have  had  two  sons,  Lewis  L.,  deceased ; and 
Lewis  L.  (3),  born  Nov.  7,  1907. 

Mr.  Simmons  was  held  in  the  highest  esteem 
by  all  who  knew  him.  His  long  experience  in 
financial  matters  made  him  an  authority  on  such 
subjects,  and  his  advice  was  much  sought  after 
48 


and  generously  given,  his  counsel  being  deemed 
sound  and  prudent.  In  the  many  positions  of  honor 
and  trust  he'  was  called  upon  to  fill  by  his  fellow- 
townsmen  he  proved  himself  a man  of  exceptional 
ability,  and  conscientious  and  faithful  in  the  per- 
formance of  every  duty.  “Among  his  business 
associates  and  in  his  public  life  he  was  regarded 
as  a conservative  adviser,  never,  however,  being 
without  a progressive  spirit  far  beyond  that  of 
many  of  his  younger  associates.  As  an  administra- 
tor of  estates  his  clear  conception  of  the  right  and 
his  care  for  those  with  whose  interests  he  was 
intrusted  gave  unqualifiedly  the  feeling  that  he 
would  do  what  was  fair  and  best  for  all.  Per- 
sonally Mr.  Simmons  was  a genial  companion,  with 
a fund  of  recollections  of  the  earlier  days  of  his 
career,  recounted  with  a humor  which  always  made 
listening  a pleasure.  In  his  home  and  among  his 
intimate  friends  he  was  seen  at  his  best.” 

Mr.  Simmons  died  July  12,  1907,  at  his  resi- 
dence on  Farewell  street. 

POTTER  (Providence  family).  Elsewhere  in 
this  work  will  be  found  various  branches  of  the 
family  here  in  Rhode  Island  bearing  the  name 
Potter,  a family  numerous  and  distinguished  not 
only  in  Rhode  Island  but  the  country  over.  With 
truth  it  has  been  said  that  “since  Robert  Potter 
sailed  from  England,  in  1634,  and  with  his  asso- 
ciates gave  to  the  settlement  of  Warwick,  in  Rhode 
Islapd,  the  name  which  it  still  bears,  there  has  never 
been  a period  in  the  history  of  the  country  at  which 
the  descendants  have  not  been  conspicuous  in  com- 
merce and  legislation,  in  literature,  arts  and  learn- 
ing, at  the  Bar  and  on  the  Bench,  in  the  councils 
and  ministrations  of  the  Church,  and,  when  their 
country  needed  them,  upon  the  field  of  battle.” 

There  were  several  of  the  Potter  name  who  set- 
tled in  Rhode  Island  previous  to  the  year  1650, 
George,  Nathaniel  and  Robert,  at  Portsmouth. 
There  follows  in  chronological  order  something  of 
the  lives  of  the  forefathers  of  the  late  James  A. 
Potter,  whose  family  have  for  the  past  sixty  and 
more  years  been  extensively  and  successfully  iden- 
tified with  the  lumber  business  at  Providence.  This 
branch  of  the  Providence  family  descends  from 
George  Potter. 

(I)  George  Potter,  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  was 
admitted  an  inhabitant  of  the  island  of  Aquidneck 
in  1638.  His  only  child  was  Abel. 

(II)  Abel  Potter,  son  of  George,  married  Nov. 
10,  1669,  Rachel,  daughter  of  John  and  Priscilla 
(Holliman)  Warner,  and  they  were  residents  of 
Portsmouth,  Providence  and  Warwick  R.  I.  He 
died  in  1692.  Their  children  were : George,  John, 
Mary,  Abel,  Benjamin,  Stephen,  Ichabod  and  Job. 

(III)  John  Potter,  son  of  Abel,  married  (first) 
Feb.  19,  1702,  Joan  Dearborn,  and  (second)  Dec. 
17,  1717,  Phebe  Greene.  He  lived  to  be  ninety 
years  of  age.  His  children  were:  Job,  born  July 
8,  1703  ; Susanna,  Jan.  11,  1705';  Elizabeth,  May  18, 


>754 


RHODE  ISLAND 


:i 709 ; Mary,  Dec.  29,  1711;  William;  Abel;  Joseph 
<all  born  to  the  first  marriage)';  John,  born  Dec. 
■8,  1718;  Joseph  (2),  July  10,  1720;  Mary,  June 
20,  1722]  Robe,  Feb.  15,  1723-24;  Caleb,  Oct.  30, 
1725;  Stephen,  Aug.  14,  1727;  Neomy,  May  8, 
1729;  Ruth,  May  18,  1731 ; William,  June  18,  1 733; 
Thomas,  March  25,  1735;  and  Sarah,  March  5, 
1736-37. 

(IV)  Thomas  Potter,  son  of  John,  born  March 
25,  1735,  married  Oct.  16,  1755,  Esther. 

(V)  Earl  H.  Potter,  son  of  Thomas,  born  in 
1774,  married  June  3,  1798,  Abigail,  born  Dec.  13, 
1771,  daughter  of  Zuriel  and  Abigail  (King)  Pot- 
ter, of  Cranston,  R.  I.,  he  a descendant  of  George 
Potter  through  Abel  and  Rachel  (Warner),  Abel 
(2)  and  Rebecca  (Paine)  and  Major  Benjamin 
and  Jemima  (Williams)  Potter.  Colonel  Earl 
Potter  died  at  Providence,  R.  L,  Feb.  5,  1854,  aged 
eighty  years.  He  married  (second)  April  13,  1806, 
Hannah  Frothingham. 

(VI)  James  A.  Potter,  son  of  Col.  Earl  H.  Pot- 
ter, was  born  March  26,  1815,  in  Providence,  R. 
I.,  where  in  young  manhood,  in  the  forties,  he  be- 
came established  in  the  lumber  trade,  founding  the 
business  of  the  present  firm  of  James  A.  Potter  & 
Co.  He  was  long  one  of  the  prominent  and  lead- 
ing business  men  of  the  city,  highly  esteemed  and 
respected.  He  married  Sarah  Abbott,  born  June 
10,  1815,  and  they  had  children  as  follows:  Imo- 
gene,  who  is  the  widow  of  William  Barton ; Laura, 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Charles  R.  Sisson; 
Sarah,  deceased,  wife  of  Ernest  Elliott;  James  A.; 
Earl  H. ; and  Mary,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Pot- 
ter died  suddenly  June  21,  1872,  aged  fifty-seven 
years,  and  his  wife  died  Jan.  11,  1892. 

(VII)  James  A.  Potter,  son  of  James  A.,  born 
Oct.  10,  1849,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  died  Jan. 
5,  1907.  He  was  a most  capable  business  man,  one  of 
great  executive  ability,  whose  high  sense  of  honor 
and  integrity  gave  him  high  standing  in  business 
circles  and  in  social  life.  He  was  what  is  termed 
a home  man,  content  with  the  society  of  his  family, 
and  never  aspiring  to  public  office. 

Mr.  Potter  married  May  17,  1870,  Miss  Almira 

B.  Allen,  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  daughter  of  Nathaniel 
Benjamin  and  Almira  (Weaver)  Allen  and  grand- 
daughter of  Nathaniel  Mumford  Allen.  Six  chil- 
dren came  to  bless  this  union,  James  A.,  who  mar- 
ried, in  Boston,  Mass.,  Stella  Pratt,  and  has  one 
•child,  Rosamond  S. ; Almira  A.,  who  died  young; 
Archibald  C. ; Harriet  A.;  Ethel  R.,  who  died 
young;  and  Earl  H.  (2).  James  A.  and  Archibald 

C.  Potter  were  associated  with  their  father  in  the 
lumber  business  until  they  succeeded  to  same. 

CHARLES  WINSOR  HARRIS,  a well  known 
■citizen  and  successful  business  man  of  Providence, 
was  born  on  the  old  Harris  homestead  in  Scituate 
July  16,  1836,  son  of  Aldis  Harris,  and  a descend- 
ant of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  the  Provi- 
dence Plantations. 


(I)  Thomas  Harris,  the  first  of  the  name  in 
New  England,  came  over  to  the  New  World  on 
the  ship  “Lyon,”  in  company  with  his  brother  Wil- 
liam, Roger  Williams  and  others  in  1630,  sail- 
ing from  Bristol,  England,  to  Boston.  Thomas 
Harris  became  one  of  the  thirteen  signers  of  the 
Providence  Compact,  and  he  died  in  1686.  His 
children  were : Thomas,  Mary  and  Martha. 

(II)  Thomas  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  the  emi- 
grant, married,  Nov.  3,  1664,  Elnathan  Tew,  who 
was  born  Oct.  15,  1644,  daughter  of  Richard 
and  Mary  (Clark)  Tew,  of  Providence.  He  died 
Feb.  27,  1 71 1,  and  she  passed  away  the  same 
year.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children. 

(III)  Thomas  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  and 
grandson  of  Thomas  the  emigrant,  was  born  Oct. 
19,  1665,  and  he  died  Nov.  1,  1741.  He  married 
Phebe  Brown,  who  bore  him  eight  children. 

(IV)  Charles  Harris,  second  youngest  son  of 
Thomas  and  Phebe,  was  born  in  1709.  He  married 
Mary  Hopkins,  and  their  children  were : Henry, 
Amy,  Gideon,  Nancy,  Stephen,  Joseph,  Oliver, 
Mercy  and  George. 

(V)  Stephen  Harris,  son  of  Charles  and  Mary, 
was  born  April  23,  1761.  He  married  Lydia  Bev- 
erly, of  Providence,  and  died  Sept.  4,  1843.  She 
died  May  11,  1837,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years. 
Their  children  were : Nancy,  who  married  Stephen 
Corp ; Mary,  who  married  Charles  Rounds ; Amy, 
who  married  William  Randall;  Sally,  who  died 
young;  Russell  Slack,  born  July  27,  1800,  who 
married  Julia  Potter;  and  Aldis,  born  June  27, 
i8o3- 

(VI)  Aldis  Harris,  son  of  Stephen,  born  June 
27,  1803,  in  Scituate,  R.  I.,  passed  most  of  his 
active  life  in  his  native  town  engaged  in  farming. 
He  owned  a tract  of  land — a part  of  the  old  home- 
stead— and  this  received  his  careful  attention.  He 
also  worked  to  some  extent  at  carpentering  and  as 
wheelwright.  In  1865  he  moved  with  his  family 
to  Providence,  locating  on  Carpenter  street,  corner 
of  Knight,  and  there  his  last  days  were  spent.  He 
died  Dec.  2,  1872,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  Swran 
Point  cemetery.  On  March  15,  1824,  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Winsor,  who  was  born  April  14,  1804, 
daughter  of  Augustus  Winsor,  and  she  died  March 
2,  1886,  and  was  buried  at  the  side  of  her  husband. 
They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  namely: 
An  infant,  born  July  30,  1827,  died  July  31,  1827; 
Augustus,  born  March  11,  1829,  died  July  19, 
1830;  Nancy,  born  Sept.  22,  1831  ; Mary  E.,  Aug. 
2,  1833  (died  Sept.  19,  1836)  ; Charles  Winsor, 
July  16,  1836;  Samuel  A.,  Aug.  10,  1839;  Lewis 
L.,  May  16,  1842;  Esther  M.,  March  7,  1845; 
Frank,  May  15,  1848  (died  July  8,  1866). 

v (VII)  Charles  Winsor  Harris,  born  July  16, 
1836,  son  of  Aldis,  was  educated  in  the  district 
school  and  in  Smithville  Seminary  (now  Lapham 
Institute),  where  he  wTas  a student  for  two  years. 
He  then  became  a clerk  in  the  variety  store  of 
Warren  S.  Ballou,  where  he  remained  four  years. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


755 


In  1858  he  came  to  Providence  and  entered  the 
dry  goods  store  of  William  H.  Remington,  in  the 
Arcade,  remaining  with  him  for  two  and  a half 
years.  On  account  of  illness  Mr.  Harris  was 
obliged  to  give  up  that  position,  and  when  he  re- 
covered took  up  other  work.  On  March  4,  1861, 
the  day  Lincoln  was  inaugurated,  he  started  a small 
factory  for  the  making  of  hoopskirts.  He  com- 
menced on  a small  scale,  borrowing  a capital  of  $20, 
and  his  first  order  was  for  $500  worth  from  a 
wholesale  firm  in  Providence.  Soon  afterward  he 
started  a store  on  Westminster  street  for  the  sale  of 
this  article  exclusively,  and  this  enterprise  proved 
very  successful.  After  a year  there  he  took  one- 
half  the  lower  floor  at  the  corner  of  Union  and 
Westminster  streets.  He  continued  at  this  stand 
for  about  twelve  years,  having  a retail  business 
in  the  sale  of  hoopskirts  amounting  to  more  than 
$30,000  a year,  and  conducted  also  during  this  time 
shops  for  the  manufacture  of  this  article  in  Paw- 
tucket, Woonsocket  and  Fall  River.  In  about  1865 
he  bought  out  the  office  of  the  Singer  Sewing 
Machine  Company,  and  took  the  agency  for  it  for 
the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  Windham  County, 
Conn.,  and  Bristol  County,  Mass.  On  the 
completion  of  the  Barnaby  building,  Mr.  Harris 
leased  the  whole  of  the  first  floor  and  combined  the 
two  businesses,  the  machine  business  having  been 
previously  located  at  No.  129  Westminster  street. 
Having  taken  Jason  P.  Stone,  a former  employe, 
in  as  a partner,  the  firm  became  known  as  Jason 
P.  Stone  & Co.,  Mr.  Harris  being  the  company. 
Mr.  Stone  left  the  firm  in  1872,  and  Mr.  Harris, 
having  sold  out  the  hoopskirt  business,  took  entire 
charge  of  the  sewing  machine  business  for  about 
twelve  years,  during  which  time,  through  his  nu- 
merous agencies,  he  used  to  sell  an  average  of  about 
3,500  machines  per  year.  In  1886  he  sold  his  office 
back  to  the  company. 

Mr.  Harris  became  interested  in  a horse  shoe- 
ing establishment,  in  the  early  eighties,  and  con- 
tinued same  until  1898,  when  he  sold  out  the  busi- 
ness. In  this  he  employed  five  men.  In  1875  Mr. 
Harris  bought  the  grocery  which  he  now  owns  on 
Courtland  street,  from  M.  J.  Flanders,  later  having 
John  Flanders  with  him  as  a partner.  In  con- 
nection with  his  other  enterprises  Mr.  Harris  has 
owned  and  operated  a large  livery  barn  for  a num- 
ber of  years.  He  is  one  of  the  successful,  resource- 
ful business  men  of  Providence,  his  enterprises 
being  notable  for  the  originality  and  logic  of  their 
inception  and  for  their  successful  operation.  His 
success  has  been  from  his  own  efforts  entirely. 

Mr.  Harris  married  Harriet  F.,  daughter  of 
James  S.  Arnold,  of  Providence,  but  formerly  of 
Killinglv.  They  had  no  children.  Mr.  Harris  has 
always  been  a Republican  in  politics,  but  has  never 
taken  an  active  part  in  such  affairs.  He  erected 
his  present  home  at  No.  46  Brighton  street,  about 
1894,  and  has  since  resided  there. 

(VII)  Samuel  A.  Harris,  who  during  his  life 


time  was  a well  known  manufacturer  at  Providence, 
was  born  on  the  old  Harris  homestead  in  North 
Scituate,  Aug.  10,  1839,  son  of  Aldis  Harris.  He 
attended  school  near  his  home,  and  then  was  a 
bookkeeper  for  George  Carr  for  two  years,  later 
engaging  in  the  cotton  manufacturing  business  with 
William  Butler.  When  the  Civil  war  broke  out 
this  business  was  discontinued,  and  Mr.  Harris 
began  box  manufacturing  on  Fountain  street,  and 
in  this  he  continued  as  long  as  he  lived.  His  death 
occurred  July  16,  1871,  and  he  was  laid  away  in 
Swan  Point  cemetery.  His  wife,  Adeline  Bland- 
ing,  daughter  of  Col.  Christopher  Blanding,  died 
Alarch  20,  1885,  and  was  buried  in  the  same  ceme- 
tery. They  were  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Mary  Blanding,  born  Oct.  5,  1867,  now  a popular 
teacher  in  the  Federal  street  school,  Providence; 
and  Frank  Aldis,  born  July  23,  1869,  who  gradu- 
ated from  Point  Street  Grammar  School,  and  was 
a clerk  in  the  National  Bank  of  Providence  when 
he  died  in  1887. 

(VII)  Lewis  L.  Harris  (deceased),  who  for 
many  years  was  a well  known  manufacturer  of 
machinery  at  Boston,  but  who  passed  the  greater 
part  of  his  life  in  Providence  and  vicinity,  was 
born  on  the  old  Harris  homestead  in  North  Scitu- 
ate, Alay  16,  1842,  son  of  Aldis  and  Mary  (Win- 
sor)  Harris.  He  passed  his  boyhood  days  on  the 
farm,  and  attended  the  local  schools.  When  his 
parents  removed  to  Providence  he  joined  them,  and 
lie  made  Providence  his  place  of  residence  for  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  As  a young  man  he  be- 
came interested  in  the  manufacture  of  crinolines 
in  company  with  his  brother,  Charles  W.,  in  Paw- 
tucket, and  later  became  interested  in  the  sewing 
machine  business.  In  the  early  eighties  he  began 
manufacturing  machinery  at  Boston,  and  in  this 
he  continued  until  his  death.  He  was  a man  of 
enterprise  and  progressive  ideas,  and  was  well- 
known  and  highly  respected.  At  one  time  he  was 
a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  but  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  not  a member  of  any  so- 
ciety or  club.  He  died  Feb.  28,  1905,  and  was 
buried  in  the  family  plot  in  Swan  Point  Ceme- 
tery. 

Mr.  Harris  was  twice  married.  His  first 
wife  was  Alaria  A.  Place,  daughter  of  Raymond 
Place.  She  died  Alarch  28.  1869,  and  was  buried 
in  Swan  Point  cemetery.  In  June,  1875,  he  mar- 
ried (second)  Esther  S.  Mercer,  of  Hartford. 
To  Air.  and  Mrs.  Harris  was  born  one  child,  a 
daughter,  A'laude  Luriet,  now  the  wife  of  Walter 
H.  Hanley,  son  of  the  well  known  brewer  of 
Providence,  and  they  have  a son  James  Harris 
Hanley,  born  June  9,  1907. 

(VII)  Nancy  Harris,  eldest  daughter  of  the 
late  Aldis  Harris  and  Alary  (Winsor),  was  born 
in  Scituate,  Sept.  22,  1831,  and  she  received  her 
education  in  the  district  schools  of  North  Scit- 
uate and  at  Smithville  Institute,  now  known  as 
Lapham  Institute.  After  her  graduation  she 


RHODE  ISLAND 


756 


began  school  teaching,  for  four  years  having  the 
school  in  North  Scituate,  and  one  year  in  the 
town  of  Foster.  She  then  entered  the  employ 
of  her  brother,  Charles  W.,  as  superintendent 
of  the  hoop  skirt  department,  where  she  spent 
seven  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  she  moved 
to  the  town  of  Bristol,  and  for  fifteen  years  con- 
ducted with  success  a dress  and  hoop  ^kirt 
making  establishment.  She  sold  out  this  bus- 
iness to  return  home  to  care  for  her  mother 
in  her  declining  years.  She  is  a member  of  the 
Pilgrim  Congregational  Church. 

(VII)  Esther  M.  Harris,  youngest  sister  of 
Nancy  Harris,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Scituate 
March  7,  1845.  She  received  a good  education 
in  the  local  school  and  was  graduated  from  the 
Providence  high  school  in  1869.  For  a short 
time  she  taught  an  evening  school  on  Richmond 
street,  Providence,  and  then  entered  her 
brother's  store  as  clerk  and  bookkeeper,  remain- 
ing three  years.  She  next  began  dressmaking, 
and  has  since  made  that  her  business.  She  re- 
sides with  her  sister,  Miss  Nancy,  on  Carpenter 
street.  Her  religious  connection  is  with  St. 
Stephen’s  Episcopal  Church. 

HARRIS.  The  Harrises  of  Rhode  Island  of 
the  old  stock  are  among  the  oldest  families  in  New 
England,  their  progenitors,  William  and  Thomas 
Harris,  having  accompanied  Roger  Williams  to 
this  country  in  1630,  but  ten  years  later  than  the 
coming  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  themselves.  These 
men  were  among  the  founders  of  Rhode  Island 
and  both  conspicuous  figures  in  the  Colonial  history 
of  the  Commonwealth,  occupying  high  places  in 
public  life.  For  a century,  for  a hundred  years,  be- 
ginning with  1648,  there  was  hardly  a session  of 
the  Colonial  Assembly  at  which  a Harris  was  not  a 
member,  among  them  during  that  period  being 
Thomas,  William,  Toleration,  Andrew,  Thomas,  Jr., 
Henry  and  Christopher  Harris,  some  of  whom  rep- 
resented their  town  repeatedly  in  that  body.  Be- 
ginning a century  later  and  since  among  those  of 
the  Harris  name  in  that  body  may  be  mentioned 
Hons.  David  S.,  Cyrus,  William  A.  and  Edward 
Harris.  Through  the  past  century,  since  the  in- 
dustrial life  of  Rhode  Island  has  been  so  great  a 
factor  in  its  progress  and  wealth,  the  Harris  name 
has  been  conspicuously  identified  with  the  State’s 
manufacturing  interests,  and  to  one  of  this  family — 
the  late  Hon.  Edward  Harris,  the  wealthy  manu- 
facturer of  Woonsocket  and  its  great  benefactor — 
was  at  one  time  accorded  the  distinction  of  being  the 
chief  woolen  manufacturer  in  the  United  States. 
Hardly  less  conspicuous,  though  smaller  and  earlier 
manufacturers  of  the  same  section,  were  the  uncles 
of  Edward,  the  late  William  and  Samuel  B.  Harris. 
Then  early  in  the  State’s  industrial  life  at  River 
Point  figured  conspicuously  as  a pioneer  in  manu- 
facturing the  late  Dr.  Stephen  Harris,  who  was 


succeeded  by  his  sons,  Cyrus,  Caleb  and  Stephen,, 
and  perhaps  others.  And  still  another  manufacturer 
of  that  period  was  Hon.  Elisha  Harris,  the  founder 
of  the  village  bearing  his  name,  Harrisville ; while 
among  later  and  prominent  manufacturers  of  the 
Harris  name  are  numbered  the  late  Hon.  Wil- 
liam A.  Harris,  of  the  William  A.  Harris  Steam 
Engine  Company,  of  Providence,  and  his  sons, 
Frederick  A.  W.  Harris  and  William  A.  Harris,  Jr., 
successors  to  the  business,  and  among  the  leading 
business  men  of  the  city.  A glance,  too,  at  the  past 
hundred  years  of  the  banking  interests  of  the  city 
of  Providence  and  State  shows  a Harris  connection,, 
the  names  of  Cyrus,  Caleb,  Stephen,  Elisha,  Edward, 
Thomas,  among  others,  being  in  the  board  of  di- 
rectors or  presidency  of  such  institutions.  Some  of 
the  name  have  been  prominently  connected  with  the 
insurance  companies  of  Providence,  notably  the 
Providence  Mutual  Fire,  the  Rhode  Island  Mutual 
Fire,  the  Firemen’s  Mutual,  the  State  Mutual,  the 
Narragansett  Fire  and  Marine  and  the  Union  Mu- 
tual Fire  Companies.  Then  there  lived  in  Barring- 
ton the  late  Edwin  H.  Harris,  a son  of  Stephen, 
of  Providence,  whose  son,  the  late  Otis  G.  Harris, 
was  one  of  Barrington’s  highly  respected  citizens 
and  some  of  whose  children  are  still  of  that  town. 
And  many  of  the  Harris  name  to-day,  as  did  they 
two  hundred  and  fifty  and  more  years  ago,  repre- 
sent the  leading  interests  of  the  State.  In  the  fol- 
lowing family  history  and  genealogy  the  order  is 
chronological,  the  Roman  characters  indicating 
generations  from  the  two  immigrant  settlers. 

(I)  Thomas  and  William  Harris,  brothers,  came 
with  Roger  Williams,  in  1630,  in  the  ship  “Lyon,” 
from  Bristol,  England,  to  Boston.  Thomas  Harris 
was  one  of  the  thirteen  signers  of  the  Providence 
Compact,  1637,  and  was  one  of  the  thirty-nine 
signers  of  an  agreement  for  a form  of  government, 
1640.  For  a number  of  years,  from  1652  to  1663, 
he  was  commissioner.  He  was  lieutenant  in  1654 
and  juryman  in  1656.  He  was  deputy,  1664-66-67- 
70-72-73,  and  in  the  town  council  in  1664-65-66-69 ; 
he  was  assistant,  1666-67-68-69-71-72-73-74-75.  His 
wife,  Elizabeth,  died  in  1687.  He  died  in  1686. 
Their  children  were  : Thomas,  Mary  and  Martha. 

(I)  William  Harris,  brother  of  Thomas,  born 
in  1609,  came  to  Boston  as  stated,  in  the  “Lyon” 
with  his  brother  and  Roger  Williams.  He  was 
one  of  the  six  persons  who  arrived  in  1636  at  Provi- 
dence as  first  settlers ; was  one  of  the  twelve  per- 
sons to  whom  Roger  Williams  deeded  land  in  1638; 
was  one  of  the  twelve  original  members  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church,  1639;  and  one  of  the  thirty-nine 
signers  of  the  compact  for  good  government,  1640. 
Mr.  Harris  removed  to  the  “Pawtuxet  Purchase” 
in  1638.  He  was  a man  of  marked,  positive  char- 
acter, and  was  chosen  by  his  friends  to  fill  im- 
portant posts  of  honor  and  trust.  He  and  Roger 
Williams  became  antagonistic.  He  was  commis- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


757 


sioner,  1660-62-63 ; deputy,  1665-66-72-73 ; assist- 
ant, 1666-67-68-69-70-73-74-75-76 ; was  a member 
of  the  town  council,  1670-77,  and  general  solicitor, 
1671.  Difficulties  arose  as  to  the  proprietorship  of 
certain  lands  in  Pawtuxet,  and  in  1677  Harris  made 
a voyage  to  England  in  the  interests  of  his  friends. 
He  subsequently  made  two  others,  and  on  the  fourth, 
in  1679,  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  a Barbary  corsair 
and  carried  to  Algiers,  where  on  Feb.  24,  1680,  he 
was  sold  as  a slave  in  the  market.  He  was  ran- 
somed a year  later  at  a cost  of  $1,200.  He  traveled 
through  France  and  Spain  and  reached  London 
only  three  days  before  his  death,  in  1681,  in  the 
seventy-third  year  of  his  age.  His  wife  Susannah 
died  in  1682.  Their  children  were:  Andrew,  born 
in  1635;  Mary;  Susannah;  Howlong;  and  Tolera- 
tion, who  was  -killed  by  the  Indians. 

(II)  Thomas  Harris  (2),  son  of  Thomas,  mar- 
ried Nov.  3,  1664,  Elnathan  Tew,  born  Oct.  15, 
1644,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Mary  (Clark)  Tew, 
and  was  of  Providence.  He  was  deputy  much  of 
the  time  from  1671  to  1710,  and  a member  of  the 
town  council  in  1684-85-86.  He  died  Feb.  27,  1711. 
His  widow,  Elnathan,  died  in  that  same  year.  Their 
children  were  born  as  follows : Thomas,  Oct.  19, 
1665;  Richard,  Nov.  14,  1668;  Nicholas,  April  1, 
1671;  William,  May  11,  1673;  Henry,  Nov.  10, 
1675;  Amity,  Dec.  10,  1677;  Joab,  Jan.  11,  1681 
(died  in  January,  1689);  Elnathan;  Mary;  and 
Joab,  1690  (died  in  1729). 

(III)  Thomas  Harris  (3),  son  of  Thomas  (2), 
born  Oct.  19,  1665,  died  Nov.  1,  1741.  He  married 
Phebe  Brown,  and  their  children  were:  Wait,  born 
April  21,  1694;  Phebe,  Dec.  16,  1698;  John,  Sept. 
17,  1700;  Henry,  Oct.  5,  1702;  Thomas,  Oct.  21, 
1704;  Charles,  1709;  Gideon,  March  15,  1714;  and 
Lydia,  June  9,  1715. 

(Ill)  Richard  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  (2),  born 
Nov.  14,  1668,  died  Aug.  18,  1750.  He  married, 
and  among  his  children  were : Richard,  Jonathan, 
Amity  (born  Oct.  10,  1697),  Amaziah,  David,  Pre- 
served and  Elnathan. 

(Ill)  Nicholas  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  (2),  born 
April  1,  1671,  married  and  among  his  children  were: 
Thomas,  who  married  (second)  Sarah-  Collins; 
Nicholas  ; Jedediah  ; Christopher,  who  married  Anna 
Harris  ; Zulviah  ; and  Sarah. 

(Ill)  William  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  (2),  was 
born  May  11,  1673. 

(Ill)  Henry  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  (2),  born 
Nov.  10,  1675,  married,  and  among  his  children 
were : Henry,  born  Aug.  6,  1706 ; Thomas ; and 
Lydia,  married  to  William  Tillinghast. 

(III)  Joab  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  (2),  was  born 
in  1690. 

(IV)  John  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  (3),  was 
born  Sept.  17,  1700. 

(IV)  Thomas  Harris  (4),  son  of  Thomas  (3), 
born  Oct.  21,  1704,  married  Abigail  Smith,  and  their 
children  were : Lydia,  who  married  William  Al- 


bertson ; Phebe,  who  married  Edward  Smith ; 
Joseph  ; and  Abigail,  who  married  John  Holden. 

(IV)  Charles  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  (3),  born 
in  1709,  married  Mary  Hopkins,  and  their  children 
were : Henry,  who  married  Roby  Smith ; Amy, 
who  married  William  Browning;  Gideon;  Nancy; 
Stephen,  who  married  Lydia  Beverly;  Joseph; 
Oliver;  Mercy,  who  married  Caleb  Fenner;  and 
George  (lived  to  be  ninety-three),  who  married 
Nancy  Bowen,  and  had  two  daughters,  one  of  whom 
married  a Mr.  Mann,  and  the  other  a Mr.  Andrews, 
the  latter  having  two  daughters,  Phebe  (who  is 
principal  of  the  Hammond  Street  School,  Provi- 
dence) and  Emma  (also  a teacher). 

(IV)  Gideon  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  (3),  born 
March  15,  1714,  married  a Westcott,  and  their  chil- 
dren were:  Wait;  Tabithy,  who  married  Andrew 
Angell ; Huldah,  who  married  Richard  Mowry ; 
Thomas,  who  married  Freelove  Arnold;  Asahel, 
who  married  Naomi  Winsor;  John,  who  married 
Nancy  Arnold,  and  Charles,  who  married  Mary 
Fenner. 

(IV)  Richard  Harris  (2),  son  of  Richard, 
married  (first)  Martha  Foster,  and  (second)  Mary 
Colwell,  and  their  children  were : Richard,  married 
Mary  Thomas;  Jeremiah,  married  Abigail  Smith; 
Anthony;  David,  married  Abigail  Farnum;  Jabez, 
married  Martha  Arnold ; and  Abner,  married  Amy 
Colwell. 

(IV)  Jonathan  Harris,  son  of  Richard. 

(IV)  Amaziah  Harris,  son  of  Richard. 

(IV)  David  Harris,  son  of  Richard,  born  in 
1714,  married  (first)  Mary  Jenckes,  and  (second) 
Martha  Jenckes,  born  in  December,  1724,  a daugh- 
ter of  Nathaniel,  who  was  a son  of  Joseph  (3),  a 
grandson  of  Joseph  (2)  and  a great-grandson  of 
Joseph  Jenckes.  She  died  in  June,  1826.  David 
Harris  died  in  March,  1797.  His  children  were: 
An  infant  and  David,  both  of  whom  died  when 
young;  Sarah,  born  in  1750;  Joseph,  born  in  1752; 
Stephen,  born  Dec.  28,  1753  ; Arney,  born  Jan.  9, 
1756;  Martha,  born  in  1758;  and  George,  born  in 
1 766. 

(IV)  Preserved  Harris,  son  of  Richard,  married 
Martha  Mowry. 

(IV)  Henry  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  (3),  born 
Oct.  5,  1702,  died  Feb.  16,  1789.  He  married  about 

1727,  Tabitha  Westcott,  born  Dec.  7,  1706,  and  they 
had  children  as  follows : Phebe,  born  May  29, 

1728,  who  married  Arthur  Fenner;  John,  born  May 
8,  1731;  Josiah,  born  Sept.  3,  1737;  Caleb,  born 
Aug.  9,  1739,  died  Jan.  17,  1812,  who  married  Oct. 
11,  1760,  Margaret  Westcott,  born  in  1742,  died 

April  1,  1825;  , born  Aug.  9,  1739, 

who  married  Benjamin  Slack;  and  Hannah,  born 
Nov.  25,  1744,  who  married  John  Colwell. 

(V)  Caleb  Harris,  son  of  Henry,  born  Aug.  9, 
1739,  married  Oct.  11,  1760,  Margaret  Westcott, 
born  in  1742,  daughter  of  William  (2),  grand- 
daughter of  William,  great-granddaughter  of  Jere- 


758 


RHODE  ISLAND 


miah  and  great-great-granddaughter  of  Stukeley 
Westcott.  They  were  of  Jolyiston,  R.  I.  Mr.  Har- 
ris died  Jan.  17,  1812,  and  Mrs.  Harris  passed  away 
April  1,  1825.  Their  children  were:  Stephen,  born 
April  23,  1761;  John,  born  Nov.  24,  1762;  Cyrus, 
born  in  Johnston,  Sept.  3,  1764;  Lydia,  born  Nov. 
17,  1766  (died  Sept.  5,  1767)  ; Harding,  born  Sept. 
12,  1768  ; Caleb,  born  Sept.  7,  1770  (died  March  28, 

1771)  ; Hannah,  born  April  2,  1772  (died  Sept.  12, 

1772)  ; Joseph,  born  Nov.  5,  1773;  Caleb,  born  Nov. 
20,  1775  (died  in  October,  1782)  ; Phebe,  born  Dec. 
4,  1777;  Amey,  born  May  27,  1779  (died  March  26, 
1780)  ; William,  born  Oct.  10,  1780;  and  Sarah, 
born  June  1,  1782. 

(V)  Joseph  Harris,  son  of  David,  horn  in  1752, 
married  Oct.  28,  1779,  Hepzibah  Bunker,  born  in 
1 757,  daughter  of  Paul  and  Hannah  (Gardner),  he 
a descendant  of  George  Bunker  through  William 
and  Jabez,  and  she  a descendant  of  Thomas  Gard- 
ner through  Richard,  James  and  Samuel.  Mr.  Har- 
ris died  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  Feb.  25,  1823.  His 
widow  died  in  1846.  They  resided  in  Lime  Rock, 
R.  I.  Their  children  were  : David  F.,  born  in  1780 ; 
William,  born  in  1781,  who  died  in  1783;  Hannah, 
born  in  1783,  who  died  in  that  year;  Sarah,  born  in 
1784,  who  died  in  that  year;  William  (2),  born  in 
1785;  Joseph,  born  in  1787,  who  died  in  1788; 
Daniel,  born  in  1789,  who  died  in  1790;  Hannah, 
horn  in  1791,  who  died  in  that  year;  Samuel  B., 
born  in  1793;  and  Daniel  G.,  born  in  1795. 

(V)  Stephen  Harris,  son  of  David,  born  Dec. 
28,  1753,  married  (first)  Jan.  28,  1775,  Hannah 
Mawney,  and  (second)  Abigail  Cushing.  The  chil- 
dren born  to  the  first  marriage  were:  John  M., 
born  July  15,  1775,  died  Nov.  2,  1776;  Henry,  born 
May  23,  1777,  died  Aug.  8,  1778;  and  Stephen  M., 
born  Aug.  25,  1786,  died  Feb.  21,  1823.  Those  born 
to  the  second  marriage  were : Abby  died  when 
young;  Sarah  O.,  born  Jan.  30,  1795,  married  a 
Mr.  Green;  Benjamin  C.,  born  Jan.  21,  1797,  mar- 
ried Eliza  Greene  (their  son  Thomas  died  May  14, 
1898,  aged  seventy-two  years)  ; Edwin  Henry  was 
born  Oct.  21,  1798;  Abby  (2),  born  Aug.  3,  1800, 
married  a Mr.  Mann;  George  J.  was  born  July  10, 
1805;  and  Charles  F.,  born  Dec.  13,  1809,  died 
young. 

(VI)  Cyrus  Harris,  son  of  Caleb,  born  Sept.  3, 
1764,  married  Lydia  Latham,  born  in  1768,  in  John- 
ston, daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Latham, 
he  born  about  1736,  a son  of  Robert,  grandson 
of  Joseph  and  great-grandson  of  Robert  Latham. 
William  Latham  died  May  20,  1796,  in  the  sixty- 
first  year  of  his  age,  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  died 
in  1818.  Cyrus  Harris  died  June  10,  1806,  in  Scit- 
uate.  His  wife  died  June  25,  1790. 

(VII)  Dr.  Stephen  Harris,  son  of  Cyrus,  borii 
Oct.  29,  1786,  in  Johnston,  R.  I.,  married  (first) 
Dec.  3,  1809,  Eliza  Greene,  born  Aug.  1,  1791, 
daughter  of  James  and  Rebecca  (Pitman)  Greene, 


a descendant  of  Surgeon  John  Greene  through  John 
(2),  Peter,  William  and  James  Greene.  Mrs.  Har- 
ris died  March  23,  1820,  and  Dr.  Harris  married 
(second)  Oct.  13,  1822,  Maria  Manton,  born  in 
Johnston  July  29,  1792  (daughter  of  Edward  Man- 
ton),  who  survived  him,  dying  Jan.  28,  1869. 

Dr.  Harris  was  prepared  for  college  in  the 
Woodstock  (Conn.)  Academy  and  entered  Brown 
University,  but  did  not  complete  the  college  course. 
He  studied  medicine  at  Dartmouth  College  and 
with  Dr.  Fiske,  of  Scituate,  R.  I.,  and  commenced 
the  practice  of  medicine  in  Johnston,  R.  I.,  in  the 
spring  of  1808.  A year  later,  in  June,  1809,  he  re- 
moved to  the  town  of  Coventry,  R.  I.,  locating  in 
the  practice  of  medicine  in  the  village  of  Ouidnick. 
After  his  marriage  he  again  made  a change,  this 
time  locating  at  Centreville,  in  the  town  of  War- 
wick. Here  he  became  associated  in  practice  with 
Dr.  Sylvester  Knight,  and  in  connection  with  their 
practice  they  carried  on  a drug  store  and  grocery. 
In  1812  Doctors  Harris  and  Knight  with  others 
purchased  land-  for  manufacturing  purposes,  and  in 
that  or  the  following  year  erected  a mill  and  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods,  under 
the  title  of  the  Greene  Manufacturing  Company. 
The  concern  ceased  operations  in  1816  and  the  year 
1817  saw  Dr.  Harris  alone  in  the  enterprise.  The 
business  was  resumed  in  1818,  and  as  time  passed 
it  increased  and  improved  facilities  were  supplied. 
In  1836  a large  stone  mill  was  built  and  more 
modernly  equipped.  To  this  were  subsequently 
made  additions  and  in  1844  the  second  stone  mill 
erected.  This  latter  mill,  was  greatly  enlarged  in 
1855  and  the  business  was  carried  on  by  the  Doctor 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  when  it  became  the 
property  of  his  children,  who  operated  it  for  years. 
After  the  death  of  Dr.  Harris,  the  mills  again  were 
operated  under  the  firm  title  of  the  Greene  Manu- 
facturing Company. 

During  the  winters  of  1816,  1817  and  1818, 
when  the  mill  at  River  Point  was  idle.  Dr.  Harris, 
associated  with  Resolved  Waterman,  one  of  his 
business  partners,  carried  on  a commission  business 
at  Savannah,  Ga.  Dr.  Harris  died  Oct.  10.  1858. 

The  life  of  Dr.  Harris  was  thus  referred  to  by 
one  of  the  State  papers : “He  was  a remarkable 
man  in  some  respects.  He  was  as  bold  in  larger 
affairs  as  he  was  cautious  in  minutiae.  His  promise 
was  slowly  given,  but  the  fulfillment  of  it,  however 
difficult,  was  so  faithful  as  to  be  proverbial.  He 
was  practical  but  progressive ; conscious  but  self- 
confident  ; resolute  but  never  infatuated.  He  was 
a lover  of  money  but  he  loved  truth  and  integrity 
as  to  character,  as  well  as  money.  The  excitement 
of  business  stimulated  all  the  energies  of  his  body 
and  mind,  withdrawing  the  latter  from  a profession 
in  which  he  must  have  been  distinguished,  and  tax- 
ing the  former,  which  was  naturally  feeble,  with 
incessant  occupation.  The  objects  of  his  ambition 


RHODE  ISLAND 


759 


were  commercial  and  he  fully  realized  them.  He 
was  beloved  in  private  and  respected  in  public.  He 
conformed  to  the  ways  of  the  world,  and  never 
attempted  to  set  up  as  an  intrusive  reformer.  He 
commenced  in  business  at  the  same  time  with  other 
young  men.  While  he  was  slowly  tunneling  the 
high  obstacles  that  seemed  to  block  up  the  pathway 
of  fortune,  they  ascended  the  eminence  by  succes- 
sive leaps.  While  he, was  not  heard  of  for  a few 
years  outside  of  a circle  of  cautious  business  men, 
they  were  spoken  of  as  prodigies  of  mercantile  talent 
and  genius.  While  he  planted  the  seeds  of  his  skill 
in  a tract  of  land,  taxed  in  1798  for  $800  and  for 
which  he  paid  about  $2,500,  and  which  now,  through 
his  mental  alchemy,  is  taxed  for  $190,000,  they,  in 
the  meantime,  outlived  their  enchanted  prospects, 
saw  the  sun  of  their  youth  go  down  in  clouds  in 
their  old  age,  their  wealth  scattered  like  an  ex- 
ploded meteor  and  their  influence  utterly  blighted.” 

The  children  born  to  Dr.  Harris  and  his  wife 
Eliza  (Greene)  were:  (1)  Lydia,  born  Oct.  16, 
1810,  married  July  18,  1836,  Henry  H.  Pease,  of 
Yazoo,  Miss.,  and  died  Nov.  30,  1836.  (2)  Cyrus, 

born  Oct.  16,  1812,  died  June  23,  1887.  He  married 
Aug.  26,  1836,  Abby,  daughter  of  Lovewell  and 
Susannah  (Greene)  Spalding,  and  their  children 
were : Henry  Pease,  born  March  2,  1838,  died  June 
23,  1839;  Henry  Pease  (2),  born  March  1,  1840, 
died  May  16,  1875,  married  May  12,  1870,  Frances 
Lea  Chambers,  of  Wilmington,  Del.,  who  dietl  Dec. 
8,  1872,  the  mother  of  two  children — Thomas 
Greene  Harris,  born  in  Providence  Feb.  7,  1871, 
who  died  March  8,  1878;  and  Francis  Chambers 
Harris,  born  Nov.  22,  1872,  died  Nov.  23,  1904, 
who  married  June  2,  1896,  Ethel  Constance  Watts, 
of  Philadelphia,  and  had  one  daughter,  Emily  Pep- 
per Harris,  born  April  27,  1897;  Lydia,  born  Jan. 
13,  1842,  died  Dec.  21,  1844;  Stephen,  born  Sept. 
19,  1844,  died  June  22,  1848;  William,  born  Sept. 
25,  1847,  died  July  5,  1848;  Charles,  born  June 
16,  1849,  died  Aug.  14,  1904;  Abby  Greene, 
born  Dec.  31,  1851,  married  Feb.  28,  1876, 

Samuel  Ames,  born  April  10,  1849,  died 

Oct.  25,  1900,  son  of  the  late  Hon.  Samuel  and 
Mary  Throop  (Door)  Ames,  of  Providence.  (3) 
Stephen,  born  Oct.  29,  1815,  died  at  Shawomet 
Beach  June  15,  1894.  He  married  Oct.  29,  1840, 
Eliza,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Morse,  and  their  chil- 
dren were:  Maria  Manton,  born  Dec.  7,  1841,  died 
Nov.  14,  1843  i James  Greene,  born  Aug.  24,  1844, 
died  Sept.  3,  1868;  Maria  Manton  (2),  born  Jan. 
30,  1847,  married  March  2,  1871,  Frederic  L.  Fos- 
ter, and  had:  James  H.,  born  Sept.  28,  1871,  Fred- 
eric L.,  Jr.,  born  Dec.  29,  1872,  Manton  H.,  born 
June  10,  1874  (died  in  infancy),  Edith  P.,  born 
May  18,  1876,  Emma  H.,  born  Dec.  26,  1878,  and 
Maria  Manton,  bom  Nov.  14,  1881 ; Emma,  born 
April  22,  1850,  married  Nov.  6,  1869,  Howard  S. 
Jaffrey,  of  New  York,  and  had : Maud  S.,  born 


Jan.  2,  1871,  Edward  S.,  born  March  8,  1872,  Regi- 
nald H.,  born  in  July,  1873,  Kenneth  H.,  born  in 
February,  1875  (deceased),  Percy  M.,  born  in  June, 
1877  (deceased),  Mabel  E.,  born  in  October,  1880, 
and  Howard.  (4)  James  Greene,  born  March  9, 
1818,  died  Sept.  3,  1819.  (5)  Caleb  Fiske,  twin 

to  James  Greene,  born  March  9,  1818,  married 
Emily  Stevenson  Davis,  of  Philadelphia ; both  were 
drowned  in  Moosehead  Lake,  Maine,  Oct.  2,  1881. 

By  his  second  marriage  Dr.  Stephen  Harris 
had  children  as  follows : Edward  Manton,  born 
Sept.  2,  1825,  died  Aug.  23,  1826;  Edward  Manton 
(2),  born  June  26,  1828,  died  in  Providence  June 
22,  1855;  Eliza  Greene,  born  Jan.  21,  1832,  married 
Henry  J.  Smith-  Nov.  30,  1857,  and  died  May  18, 
i883- 

(VI)  David  F.  Harris,  son  of  Joseph,  born  Aug. 
17,  1780,  married  Dec.  31,  1800,  Lydia  Streeter, 
born  Jan.  27,  1783,  daughter  of  Rufus  and  Nancy 
(Ballou)  Streeter,  he  born  Feb.  21,  1754,  son  of 
Isaiah,  and  grandson  of  John  of  Attleboro,  Mass., 
and  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  and  she  born  in  Smithfield, 
R.  I.,  a daughter  of  John,  granddaughter  of  John, 
great-granddaughter  of  John  and  great-great- 
granddaughter  of  Maturin  Ballou,  a co-proprietor 
of  the  Providence  Plantations  in  the  Colony  of 
Rhode  Island.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harris  began  their 
married  life  at  Lime  Rock,  R.  I.,  where  two  or 
three  of  their  children  were  born.  Then  they  re- 
moved to  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  and  later,  in 
1818,  to  Ashtabula  county,  Ohio.  Mrs.  Harris  died 
Feb.  11,  1837,  and  Mr.  Harris  married  (second) 
Hannah  Warrington,  a native  of  New  Jersey.  She 
died  in  Salem,  Ohio.  Mr.  Harris  died  in  1848  in 
Smithfield,  R.  I.  His  children,  all  born  to  the  first 
marriage,  were : Edward,  born  Oct.  3,  1801 ; So- 
phia, born  Oct.  10,  1803  ; Henry,  born  June  6,  1805, 
who  married  Dec.  2,  1851,  Mary  Whittier;  Samuel, 
born  Nov.  2,  1807,  who  married  (first)  Mary 
Smith,  and  (second)  S.  Farnum;  Rufus,  born  Dec. 
25,  1809,  who  married  in  1842,  Louisa  B.  Simonds ; 
Paul  B.,  born  Aug.  9,  1812,  who  married  in  Septem- 
ber, 1837,  Elizabeth  Gaylord;  Beulah  Ann,  born 
Jan.  6,  1815,  who  married  May  2,  1834,  Elijah  B. 
Case;  Hepzibah,  born  Jan.  27,  1817;  and  Rhoda, 
born  Dec.  13,  1819. 

(VII)  Edward  Harris,  son  of  David  F.,  born 
Oct.  3,  1801,  in  Lime  Rock,  in  what  is  now  the  town 
of  Lincoln,  R.  I.,  married  (first)  in  1835  Rachel 
Farnum,  daughter  of  Moses  and  Rachel  (Daniels) 
Farnum,  born  March  n,  1811,  in  Uxbridge, -Mass. 
She  died  Feb.  7,  1846,  and  he  married  (second)  in 
1848  Abby  Peck  Metcalf,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Eunice  Peck  Metcalf,  born  July  23,  1824,  in  Cum- 
berland, Rhode  Island. 

The  boyhood  of  Edward  Harris  was  passed  at 
home,  his  time  being  occupied  in  farming,  studying 
and  teaching  school.  In  1823  he  returned  from  the 
West  to  his  native  town  and  became  assistant  in 


7&o 


RHODE  ISLAND 


the  counting-house  of  his  uncle,  William  Harris, 
then  an  extensive  manufacturer  at  Valley  Falls,  R. 

1.  In  1824  he  entered  the  Albion  Mills,  then  owned 
by  William  and  Samuel  Harris  and  Isaac  Wilkin- 
son. He  first  worked  for  his  uncle  William,  and 
then  for  his  uncle  Samuel,  earning'  $1.33  per  day, 
and  at  the  end  of  eighteen  months  had  saved  $106, 
which  was  devoted  to  the  payment  of  his  debts. 
During  the  second  year  he  received  higher  wages, 
and  promotion  to  the  superintendence  of  the  factory, 
which  he  held  until  1828.  In  November  of  that 
year  he  became  the  agent  of  the  Harris  Lime  Rock 
Company,  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  lime,  and 
held  that  position  until  Nov.  I,  1830.  In  1831,  with 
a capital  of  $3,500,  saved  from  his  earnings  with  the 
exception  of  $1,000  which  he  borrowed  from  his 
father,  he  bought  a small  woolen-mill,  known  as 
“No.  1”  of  the  Harris  Woolen  Company,  with  one 
set  of  machines,  situated  on  the  Blackstone  river 
at  Woonsocket,  and  in  March,  1831,  began  the 
manufacture  of  satinets,  with  Edward  Seagrave  and 
Willard  B.  Johnson  as  associates.  A decline  in 
woolen  goods  necessitated  his  relinquishing  this  en- 
terprise, and  Mr.  Harris  returned  to  the  Albion 
Mill,  still  retaining  an  interest  in  his  satinet  mill. 
During  the  following  year  the  advance  in  his  fabrics 
netted  him  $5,000,  and  this  may  be  taken  as  the 
starting  point  of  his  great  business  success.  Dis- 
solving the  partnership  in  1837  he  ever  afterward 
carried  on  business  alone.  In  1836  was  built  his 
stone  mill  in  Woonsocket,  designated  as  Mill  “No. 

2, ”  in  which  he  began  the  manufacture  of  his 
“merino  cassimere,”  and  in  1842  he  produced  all- 
wool  fabrics,  extensively  known  as  “Harris  Cassi- 
meres.”  In  1844  was  built  factory  “No.  3,”  a large 
brick  and  stone  structure  in  the  central  part  of 
Woonsocket.  In  1845  factory  “No.  4”  was  erected 
and  work  commenced  in  it.  All  these  mills  were 
run  by  water  from  the  Woonsocket  Falls,  supple- 
mented by  steam-power,  and  are  known  as  the  “old 
mills.”  They  contained  twenty-five  sets  of  wool 
cards,  and  produced  twelve  thousand  yards  of  “Har- 
ris Cassimeres”  per  week.  Cotton  Mill  “No.  5” 
has  seven  thousand  spindles.  In  i860  Mr.  Harris 
commenced  his  mill  “No.  6,”  called  the  “New 
Mill,”  just  north  of  the  town,  on  Mill  river,  and 
this  was  the  last  great  work  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Harris  made  over  two  hundred  and  fifty 
styles  of  cassimeres  a year,  having  for  his  standard 
“make  the  best  goods  possible.”  He  would  not  be 
restricted  to  the  usual  customs  of  trade,  and  stipu- 
lated an  exclusive  agency  with  a heavy  dealer  in 
New  York  on  condition  that  all  notes  taken  for 
Harris  Cassimeres  should  be  kept  by  themselves,  and 
that  no  notes  from  those  holding  or  dealing  in  slaves 
should  be  put  in  that  package.  In  1855  he  opened 
a ware-house  in  New  York  City,  and  made  his 
bills  payable  two  months  shorter  than  those  of  other 
houses,  allowing  from  two  and  a half  to  five  per 
cent  to  his  patrons  for  early  payments,  thus  being 


surer  of  his  pay  and  suffering  much  less  than  others 
in  the  crisis  of  1857.  When  others  suspended,  he 
bought  supplies  cheaply  and  drove  his  mills  vigor- 
ously. When  others  declined  all  credits,  in  1861, 
Mr.  Harris  allowed  three  months  credit,  and  thus 
increased  his  business.  His  robust  constitution, 
clear  head  and  great  energy  carried  him  through 
responsibilities  of  great  magnitude.  Rising  early, 
he  attended  to  the  details  of  his  great  business,  and 
would  not  trust  to  others  what  he  could  do  himself. 
His  various  milling  interests  he  incorporated  into 
the  “Harris  Woolen  Company,”  to  be  continued  as 
such  after  his  death. 

While  Mr.  Harris  was  amassing  a great  fortune 
he  was  mindful  of  the  welfare  of  others.  There 
is  reason  to  believe  that  the  sum  of  his  donations 
was  half  a million.  He  spent  about  $100,000  con- 
structing new  streets  in  Woonsocket.  He  also  do- 
nated the  site  for  the  Woonsocket  high  school,  the 
site  for  a district  school,  and  the  land  for  the  Oak 
Hill  cemetery.  In  June,  1863,  he  donated  to  his 
townsmen  the  elegant  block  and  grounds  known  as 
the  “Harris  Institute,”  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
moting the  moral,  intellectual  and  social  improve- 
ment of  the  inhabitants  of  the  vicinity.  It  em- 
braces a free  library,  a large  hall  for  free  lectures, 
and  on  the  ground  floor  three  stores  and  the  post- 
office,  from  which  there  is  an  increasing  revenue 
for  the  support  of  the  lectures  and  increase  of 
library.  The  whole  building  and  site  cost  Mr.  Har- 
ris $75,000.  He  gave  $2,500  to  form  the  nucleus  of 
a library,  which  now  has  more  than  eight  thousand 
volumes. 

To  the  banking  institutions  of  Woonsocket  Mr. 
Flarris  contributed  largely  in  patronage  and  in- 
fluence. He  was  one  of  the  originators  and  the  first 
president  of  the  Railroad  Bank,  organized  in  1851, 
afterward  known  as  the  First  National  Bank,  and 
held  the  office  until  his  death.  In  1862  he  became 
president  of  the  People’s  Savings  Bank,  which  office 
he  filled  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  middle 
life  he  was  a member  of  both  branches  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Assembly.  He  was  a strong  opponent  of 
intemperance  and  slavery,  and  intimate  with  the 
leading  Abolitionists.  While  known  as  such  it  was 
desirous  to  omit  his  name  from  his  fabrics  to  in- 
crease the  Southern  sales.  Instead  he  ordered  his 
name  placed  on  both  ends  of  each  piece  of  cassimere. 
He  contributed  much  to  the  anti-slavery  cause,  and 
rejoiced  in  the  emancipation  of  the  slave.  While 
John  Brown  was  a prisoner  under  the  sentence  of 
death,  Mr.  Harris  wrote  him  a very  Christian  and 
consoling  letter,  inclosing  a check  for  $100  for  his 
bereaved  family.  This  was  received  and  acknowl- 
edged in  a letter  written  by  John  Brown  the  day 
before  his  execution.  Mr.  Harris  died  at  his  home 
in  Woonsocket  Nov.  24,  1872. 

The  children  born  to  the  first  marriage  of  Mr. 
Harris  were  David  F.  and  Rachel  F.,  the  latter  of 
whom  married  Mr.  Oscar  J.  Rathbun,  of  Woon- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


761 


socket,  and  is  now  deceased.  The  children  born  to 
the  second  marriage  were:  Joseph  M.,  Emma  G., 
Isabel  and  Helen.  Joseph  M.  died  Oct.  21,  1872,  in 
Berlin,  Prussia. 


(II)  Andrew  Harris,  son  of  William,  born  in 
1635,  married  Dec.  8,  1670,  Mary  Tew,  born  Aug. 
12,  1647,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Mary  (Clark) 
Tew,  and  granddaughter  of  Henry  Tew,  of  New- 
port, Rhode  Island. 

Mr.  Harris  had  land  laid  out  to  him  in  1661. 
H‘e  was  deputy  in  1669,  1670  and  1676.  He  died 
May  1,  1686.  His  widow  died  in  1688.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Mary,  born  Dec.  17,  1671 ; Anne,  Nov. 

22,  1673;  Andrew,  Feb.  4.  1677  (died  unmarried)  ; 
Hope,  Dec.  14,  1679;  Patience,  June  21,  1682; 
Toleration,  Jan.  10,  1685. 

(III)  Toleration  Harris,  son  of  Andrew,  born 
June  10,  1685,  married  Sarah  Foster,  and  was  of 
Providence  and  Warwick,  R.  I.  He  died  in  1767. 
His  wife  died  in  1766.  Their  children  were  born 
as  follows:  Anne,  Dec.  31,  1709;  William,  July 

23,  1711;  Joseph,  June  15,  1713;  Andrew,  Nov. 
18,  1715;  Mary,  Dec.  18,  1718;  Sarah,  June  9, 
1722;  John,  Aug.  19,  1724;  John  (2),  Sept.  7, 
1726;  Phebe,  Sept.  7,  1726  (married  Lenight  Dex- 
ter, Sr.)  ; and  Lydia. 

/ (IV)  Joseph  Harris,  son  of  Toleration,  born 
June  15,  1713,  married  July  8,  1733,  Susanna  Bates, 
■daughter  of  Ebenezer  and  Katherine  (Arnold) 
Bates,  the  latter  a daughter  of  Elisha  and  Sarah 
(Carpenter)  Arnold,  he  a descendant  of  Roger 
Arnold  through  Thomas,  Richard,  Richard,  Thomas, 
William  and  Stephen  Arnold,  and  she  a descend- 
ant of  Richard  Carpenter,  through  William  and 
Ephraim  Carpenter.  Mr.  Harris  died  in  Cranston, 
R.  I.,  Aug.  13,  1786.  His  widow  passed  away  in 
/788. 

(V)  Elisha  Harris,  son  of  Joseph,  born  June 
29,  1744,  married  Jan.  14,  1768,  Freelove  Dyer, 
born  July  5,  1748,  daughter  of  John  and  Freelove 
(Williams)  Dyer,  he  born  in  1719,  a son  of  Charles 
and  Mary  (Lapham)  Dyer,  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  the 
latter  a daughter  of  John  Lapham,  of  Providence, 
Newport  and  Dartmouth,  Mass. ; and  she  a daugh- 
ter of  Job  and  Lydia  (Hearnden)  Williams,  he 
born  in  1673,  son  of  Joseph  and  grandson  of  Roger 
Williams,  of  Providence,  and  she  a daughter  of 
Benjamin  Hearnden  (2),  and  granddaughter  of 
Benjamin  Hearnden,  of  Providence.  Elisha  Har- 
ris died  in  Cranston,  R.  I.,  March  16,  1825,  and  his 
widow  passed  away  June  27,  1827.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Susannah,  born  June  15,  1769;  Jo- 
seph, born  June  15,  1770;  Ebenezer"  Bates,  born 
July  5,  1773;  and  Elisha,  born  Jan.  20,  1777  (died 
Aug.  17,  1790). 

(VI)  Joseph  Harris,  son  of  Elisha,  born  June 
15,  1770,  married  Nov.  25,  1790.  Catherine  Greene, 

y/  daughter  of  John  Coddington  and  Sarah  (Clarke) 
Greene,  he  a descendant  of  John  Greene,  of  New- 
port and  Middletown,  R.  I.,  through  John,  John  or 
William  and  John  Greene ; of  William  Coddington, 


of  Newport,  R.  I.,  through  Nathaniel,  Nathaniel 
(2)  and  Ann  Coddington;  and  she  a descendant  of 
Jacob  Clarke,  of  Providence,  through  John  and 
Sarah  Clarke.  Joseph  Harris  died  in  Cranston, 
R.  I.,  Dec.  17,  1853,  and  Catherine  (Greene)  Har- 
ris passed  away  Nov.  25,  1855.  Their  children 
were:  Elisha,  born  Sept.  8,  1791;  Sarah  Ann, 
June  25,  1793;  Hannah,  Feb.  19,  1795;  John  Clark, 
Nov.  13,  1797;  Joseph  Greene,  April  4,  1803; 
Freelove,  March  6,  1805;  David  Sands,  and  Wil- 
liam Sewell,  Dec.  24,  1812. 

(VII)  Elisha  Harris,  son  of  Joseph,  born 
in  1791,  in  the  town  of  Cranston,  R.  I.,  married 
Sarah,  daughter  of  William  Taylor,  of  Providence, 
and  to  them  came  one  son,  who  died  in  infancy, 
and  two  daughters,  Catharine  G.  and  Eliza  A.  F., 
the  former  of  whom  married  Hon.  Henry  Howard, 
and  the  latter  died  unmarried. 

Elisha  Harris,  in  boyhood  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  town  and  for  a time  studied 
at  the  East  Greenwich  (R.  I.)  Seminary.  After 
his  school  days  were  over  he  was  employed  as  book- 
keeper in  the  Roger  Williams  Mills,  at  Phenix, 
R.  I.  Later  on,  acquiring  water  privilege  on  the 
stream  above,  in  1822  he  became  engaged  in  manu- 
facturing for  himself,  to  which  he  devoted  the 
larger  portion  of  his  life.  Here  sprang  up  a vil- 
lage of  his  own  creation,  Harrisville,  which  took 
his  name.  He  was  a good  manager,  industrious  and 
economical,  and  succeeded  in  developing  a business 
which  is  yet,  we  believe,  under  the  control  and 
management  of  his  descendants.  For  many  years 
he  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  to  the  support  of  which  he  gave  liberally, 
and  as  well  to  the  educational  institutions  of  that 
denomination  both  in  this  State  and  elsewhere. 
Through  his  long  business  career  the  testimony 
with  regard  to  him  was  that  “he  was  universally 
respected  for  his  unflinching  integrity,  his  unaf- 
fected modesty,  and  his  winning  amiability  of 
spirit.” 

Mr.  Harris  was  first  a Whig  and  later  a Re- 
publican. Although  too  modest  to  seek  public  of- 
fice he  conscientiously  accepted  it,  when  assured 
that  it  was  but  duty  to  do  so.  For  several  ses- 
sions he  represented  his  town  in  the  State  Assembly 
and  was  lieutenant-governor  of  Rhode  Island  in 
1846-47.  He  was  governor  of  the  State  in  1847- 
48.  He  was  a Presidential  elector  when  Abraham 
Lincoln  was  chosen  President  of  the  United  States. 
From  about  1846  to  1861  he  was  president  of  the 
Bank  of  North  America  at  Providence.  Gov- 
ernor Harris  died  Feb.  1,  1861,  at  Harrisville, 
Rhode  Island. 

(VI)  Ebenezer  Bates  Harris,  son  of  Elisha  and 
Freelove  (Dyer)  Harris,  born  July  5,  1773,  mar- 
ried Nov.  19,  1795,  Sarah  Lockwood,  daughter  of 
Benoni  and  Phebe  Lockwood.  Children : Ed- 
ward Bates,  born  Aug.  13,  1797;  Benoni,  Sept. 
12,  1800;  Avis  Lockwood,  Oct.  14,  1802;  Phebe, 
May  29,  1804;  Moses,  Jan.  26,  1806  (died  Sept. 
24,  1807)  ; Elisha,  June  19,  1807. 


762 


RHODE  ISLAND 


(VII)  Benoni  Harris,  born  Sept.  12,  1800, 
son  of  Ebenezer  Bates  Harris,  married  Adaline  E. 
Harris,  who  was  born  in  Cranston,  R.  I.,  in  De- 
cember, 1804,  and  died  in  March,  1837.  She  was 
a daughter  of  George  and  Eleanore  Harris,  the  for- 
mer a son  of  John  Harris  and  Nancy  Knight,  the 
latter  the  eldest  sister  of  ex-Governor  Knight. 
1 hey  had  three  children : Adeline  Theresa,  born 
May  I,  1831,  who  died  Feb.  11,  1906;  George  Ar- 
nold, born  May  31,  1833;  and  Benoni,  Jr.,  born 
Feb.  28,  1837  (he  was  killed  Aug.  12,  1842). 

Benoni  Harris  lived  in  Cranston  during  the 
greater  part  of  his  life.  His  home  was  on  Park  ave- 
nue. His  father  owned  a large  tract  of  land  in  that 
section,  the  Harris  family  at  first,  through  William, 
owning  a tract  twelve  miles  square.  Benoni  Harris 
was  educated  in  Cranston  and  also  attended  Plain- 
field  Academy,  kept  by  Rowland  Greene,  his  uncle. 
Soon  after  leaving  school  he  engaged  in  cotton 
manufacturing  by  himself  and  with  others,  having 
as  partners  James  T.  Harris  and  the  elder  Amasa 
Sprague.  The  firm  name  was  the  Arcadia  Manu- 
facturing Company.  Most  of  his  business  life  was 
spent  with  this  one  concern,  and  in  the  conduct  of 
his  own  private  affairs.  He  was  also  in  the 
calendering  business  in  early  life.  Mr.  Harris  was 
a most  careful  business  man,  and  very  prosperous 
at  one  time,  but  in  later  life  be  did  not  keep  pace 
with  the  times.  He  was  a most  intelligent  man, 
possessing  more  than  ordinary  intellect  and  mental 
powers,  and  was  chosen  to  many  positions  of  in- 
fluence, being  in  the  town  council,  a director  of 
the  Cranston  Bank,  and  a member  of  the  Assembly. 
He  was  an  old-line  Whig  and  then  a Republican 
and  quite  an  influential  man  in  public  affairs.  He 
bore  a reputation  for  unblemished  character  and 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1880,  was  sincerely 
mourned. 

(VII)  Elisha  Harris,  born  June  19,  1807,  son 
of  Ebenezer  Bates  Harris,  married  Oct.  2,  1831, 
Mary  A.  Winsor,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Amy 
Winsor,  and  they  had  children  born  as  follows : 
Elisha  Bates,  April  8,  1833;  William  Andrew, 
March  2,  1835 ; Abram  Winsor,  June  7,  1836  (died 
Oct.  1,  1902).  Elisha  Harris,  the  father,  died 
July  29,  1890,  and  we  quote  the  following  from  an 
article  which  appeared  in  a Providence  paper  on  the 
occasion : 

“This  venerable  citizen,  whose  recent  death  has 
removed  a landmark  from  the  city,  is  deserving  of 
passing  notice.  He  was  born  in  Cranston  on  June 
19,  1807,  in  the  seventh  generation  from  William 
Harris.  In  his  early  manhood  he  removed  to 
Slatersville,  where  lie  was  in  the  employ  of  Almy, 
Brown  & Slater,  they  having  about  the  year  1806 
purchased  a property  and  erected  a mill  in  that 
village.  In  1833  the  brothers  Samuel  and  John 
Slater  bought  out  the  interest  of  Almy  & Brown 
and  became  equal  owners  of  the  mill  under  the 
firm  name  of  S.  & J.  Slater.  Of  these  mills,  or  of 
one  of  them,  Mr.  Harris  was  for  a time  superin- 
tendent. From  Slatersville  Mr.  Harris  removed  to 


South  Woodstock,  Conn.,  where  he  built  a cotton- 
mill.  From  1840  to  1846  he  was  in  the  calico  print- 
ing business  in  North  Adams,  Mass.,  the  firm  being 
Brown,  Harris  & Co.  In  the  year  1846  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Providence,  where  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  was  spent.  He  invented  and 
patented  some  improvements  in  cotton  machinery, 
but  failed  to  realize  from  them  any  permanent 
advantage.  He  was  superintendent  of  the  Provi- 
dence Forge  and  Nut  Company  until  its  consolida- 
tion with  the  Providence  Tool  Company.  He  was 
also  for  a time  connected  with  the  Corliss  Steafn 
Engine  Company.  Mr.  Harris  was  a consistent 
member  of  the  Beneficent  Congregational  Church 
and  with  his  wife  was  such  for  forty  years.” 

(VIII)  William  Andrew  Harris,  son  of 
Elisha  and  Mary  A.  (Winsor)  Harris,  and  a de- 
scendant in  the  eighth  generation  from  William 
Harris,  born  March  2,  1835,  in  South  Woodstock, 
Conn.,  married  Sept.  8,  1859,  Eleanor  Frances 
Morrill,  a native  of  Epping,  N.  IT,  daughter  of 
David  C.  and  Mary  Mansfield  (Wentworth)  Mor- 
rill, and  granddaughter  of  Thomas  Wentworth,  of 
New  Hampshire.  To  this  union  came  two  chil- 
dren, namely:  Frederick  A.  W.,  born  Aug.  22, 
1864,  and  William  A.,  Jr.,  born  June  22,  1872. 

Mr.  Harris,  though  born  in  Connecticut,  was 
practically  reared  in  Massachusetts  and  Rhode 
Island.  He  came  to  Providence  in  the  spring  of 
1838,  and  remained  until  the  fall  of  1840,  when 
he  went  to  North  Adams,  Mass.,  remaining  there 
until  October,  1846.  He  returned  to  Providence 
in  the  year  last  named,  and  there  attended  school 
until  1849  at  the  Fountain  Street  grammar  school, 
from  which  he  went  into  the  Providence  high 
school.  For  a time  in  the  spring  and  summer 
of  1851  he  attended  a boarding-school  at  Williams- 
town.  Mass.,  at  the  time  under  charge  of  B.  F. 
and  J.  A.  Mills.  During  the  winter  of  1851-52 
he  practiced  drawing  at  his  home.  In  March, 
1852,  he  entered  the  Union  Bank  as  clerk  and  was 
there  employed  until  1855,  in  which  year  he  be- 
came a draughtsman  in  the  employ  of  the  Provi- 
dence Forge  & Nut  Company,  since  known  as  the 
Rhode  Island  Tool  Company.  Early  in  1856  he 
became  employed  as  draughtsman  for  the  Corliss 
Steam  Engine  Co.,  and  remained  with  that  corpora- 
tion until  Aug.  1,  1864,  when  he  commenced  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account,  on  Eddy  street,  in  what 
was,  in  Dorr  times,  Governor  Dorr’s  headquarters. 
Here  Mr.  Harris  established  the  business  of  the 
present  William  A.  Harris  Steam  Engine  Company, 
manufacturers  of  the  Harris-Corliss  steam  engine. 
In  November,  1868,  Mr.  Harris  moved  his  plant  to 
the  corner  of  Park  and  Promenade  streets,  in  the 
city  of  Providence,  where  the  business  is  located 
at  the  present  time.  Mr.  Harris  was  a self-made 
man  in  the  best  sense  of  the  word.  For  eight 
years  he  was  the  right-hand  man  of  George  H. 
Corliss,  during  that  time  making  all  the  drawings 
for  that  inventor’s  numerous  patent  applications.  He 
was  the  first  builder  to  leave  the  Corliss  Company, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


763 


and  for  many  years  paid  royalties  to  Mr.  Corliss. 

For  a period  of  three  months  during  the  Civil 
war  Mr.  Harris  was  in  his  country’s  service.  He 
was  enrolled  as  a private  soldier  in  Company  D, 
10th  Regiment,  R.  I.  V.  I.,  May  26,  1862,  and 
was  discharged  from  the  service  Sept.  1,  1862.  His 
political  affiliations  were  with  the  Republican  party. 
He  represented  his  ward — the  First  in  1883  in 
the  common  council,  and  from  1883  to  1886,  in- 
clusive, he  was  a representative  from  Providence 
in  the  lower  House  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
Rhode  Island,  served  on  the  Judiciary  committee, 
and  for  quite  a time  was  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee on  Rules  and  Order.  While  a member  of 
the  Assembly  he  introduced  the  bill  which  forced 
the  Consolidated  Railroad  to  substitute  gas  and 
steam  heat  for  its  kerosene  lamps  and  wood  stoves. 
In  1887  he  was  a strong  candidate  before  the  Re- 
publican State  Convention  for  the  nomination  for 
governor,  but  without  his  consent  and  without  his 
protest  his  name  was  withdrawn  and  Gov.  George 
P.  Wetmore  was  renominated.  For  some  fifteen 
years  Mr.  Harris  was  a member  of  the  Commercial 
Club,  of  which  he  was  at  one  time  president ; he 
was  also  a member  of  the  Pomham  Club,  of  the 
Advance  Club,  of  the  Providence  Business  Men’s 
Association,  and  of  the  Norfolk  Club,  of  Boston, 
Mass.  He  was  a regular  attendant  at  the  services 
of  the  First  Congregational  Church,  though  not  a 
member.  Mr.  Harris  died  at  Providence,  R.  I., 
Oct.  29,  1896,  and  his  wife  died  there  Oct.  28, 
i895- 

The  William  A.  Harris  Steam  Engine  Company 
has  contributed  largely  to  the  city’s  progress.  The 
business  was  incorporated  in  1888,  with  a capital- 
ization of  $100,000.  It  was  re-organized  Jan.  1, 
1901,  and  its  officers  were  at  that  time:  William 
A.  Harris,  president ; E.  Rands  Harris,  vice-presi- 
dent: E.  Francis  Crowell,  secretary  and  treasurer; 
and  Joseph  W.  Seymour,  superintendent  and  me- 
chanical engineer.  Frederick  A .W.  Harris  has 
withdrawn  from  active  participation  in  the  busi- 
ness. 

(IX)  Frederick  A.  W.  Harris,  son  of  Wil- 
liam A.,  passed  through  all  the  schools  of  Provi- 
dence in  getting  his  education,  graduating  from 
the  grammar  school  in  1880;  from  the  high  school 
in  1884,  and  taking  the  degree  of  A.  B.  from 
Brown  University  in  t888.  After  that  he  took  one 
year  in  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology, 
and  then  went  immediately  into  his  father's  foun- 
dry. Beginning  in  the  lowest  place,  where  he 
worked  for  many  months  at  $5  per  week  he  ad- 
vanced by  regular  steps  through  all  the  different 
departments  until  he  became  assistant  superin- 
tendent and  superintendent,  which  latter  position 
lie  had  held  for  some  two  years  before  his  father’s 
death.  Upon  the  re-organization  of  the  company, 
after  his  father’s  death,  he  was  made  its  president, 
and  held  this  position  until  failing  health,  brought 
.on  by  overwork,  made  it  necessary  for  him  to 


retire,  about  1902.  During  his  presidency  the 
business  of  the  firm  was  put  upon  the  firm  basis 
which  made  its  subsequent  prosperity  possible. 
Mr.  Harris  has  a keen,  incisive  mental  grasp,  which 
enabled  him  easily  to  comprehend  fully  the  numer- 
ous details  of  the  task  he  had  undertaken,  and  be- 
fore his  retirement  he  ably  demonstrated  his  ability 
in  business  lines,  proving  himself  a worthy  mem- 
ber of  the  family  whose  name  he  bears.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Greek  Letter  fraternity,  Psi  Upsi- 
I011,  and  a member  of  the  University  Club. 

On  Oct.  20,  1891,  Mr.  Harris  married  Stella 
Marion  Burgess,  daughter  of  Edwin  A.  and  Marion 
(Walling)  Burgess,  and  they  have  had  two  chil- 
dren : Wentworth  Burgess,  born  Nov.  28,  1893, 
and  Marion  Burgess,  born  Oct.  8,  1898. 

(IX)  William  Andrew  Harris,  Jr.,  youngest 
son  of  William  A.  and  Eleanor  Frances  (Mor- 
rill) Harris,  was  born  in  Providence,  June  22, 
1872,  and  received  his  early  education  in  the 
Mowry  & Goff  private  school  and  the  Providence 
high  school.  In  1893  he  entered  Brown  University 
and  graduated  from  that  institution,  in  1897,  re- 
ceiving the  degree  of  B.  P.  Soon  after  his  gradu- 
ation, and  about  one  year  after  the  death  of  his 
father,  lie  became  connected  with  the  William  A. 
Harris  Steam  Engine  Company.  He  began  work 
with  the  concern  not  as  a favored  employee,  but 
as  any  new  employee,  and  at  the  wages  of  five  dol- 
lars per  week.  Desirous  of  gaining  a full  and  com- 
plete practical  knowledge  of  the  business,  he 
worked  his  way  up,  being  engaged  at  various  times 
in  the  shop,  draughting-room  and  main  office,  then 
becoming  assistant  superintendent  (later  superin- 
tendent) and  finally  President  of  the  corporation. 

During  the  management  of  the  production  end 
of  the  business  by  Mr.  Harris,  he  devised  and  put 
into  use  many  original  card  systems  for  tracing 
the  manufacture  of  the  product  through  the  factory 
by  daily  reports,  and  tabulating  the  extensive  list 
of  customers,  and  maintaining  a complete  record  of 
all  changes  thereto  of  engines  built  during  the 
forty-five  years  of  the  concern’s  business ; also  a 
system  for  determining  the  vast  amount  of  finished 
stock  carried  on  hand  for  all  new  and  repair  work. 
With  the  aid  of  machine  tool  builders,  he  designed 
and  superintended  the  construction  of  many  special 
tools  applicable  for  the  use  of  engine  builders. 

William  A.  Harris  is  a representative  of  the 
modern  type  of  able,  active,  progressive  and  ag- 
gressive young  business  man.  Courteous  and 
agreeable,  he  inherits  many  of  his  father's  char- 
acteristics and  in  every  way  is  a worthy  son  of  an 
honored  father.  He  is  a stanch  Republican  in 
political  faith,  but  merely  takes  a voting  interest 
in  politics.  He  is  domestic  in  his  tastes,  fond  of 
his  home  and  family.  He  and  his  wife  are  at- 
tendants of  the  First  Congregational  (Unitarian) 
Church. 

On  Tune  1,  1898,  Mr.  Harris  was  married  in 
Providence  to  Elizabeth  Rands,  born  Jan.  11,  1876, 


764 


RHODE  ISLAND 


in  London,  England,  daughter  of  William  Benja- 
min and  Elizabeth  (Waller)  Rands.  William  B. 
Rands  was  born  in  Ipswich,  England,  and  died  in 
Providence,  in  1885.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harris  have  one 
son,  William  Wentworth,  born  Dec.  27,  1905,  and 
who  is  in  the  tenth  generation  of  descent  from 
William  Harris. 



(VI)  Edwin  Henry  Harris,  born  Oct.  21, 

1798,  son  of  (V)  Stephen  Harris,  married  Mary 
Coddington  Dexter,  of  Pawtucket,  who  was  born 
Aug.  17,  1794.  She  died  March  5,  1891.  They 
had  a family  of  five  children,  namely:  (1)  Caro- 
line was  born  Jan.  1,  1819.  (2)  Nathaniel,  born 

Dec.  11,  1820,  had  three  children  by  his  first  wife, 
Julia,  all  of  whom  died  young.  By  his  second  wife, 
Eliza,  he  had  four  children,  all  of  whom  live  in 
England.  (3)  Benjamin  G.  was  born  Oct.  15, 
1822.  (4)  Henry  Willard  was  born  Sept.  16, 

1824.  (5)  Otis  Greene,  who  is  mentioned  below, 

was  born  Aug.  21,  1828. 

(VII)  Otis  G.  Harris,  son  of  Edwin  H., 

born  Aug.  21,  1828,  in  Providence,  married  Nov. 
21,  1855,  Louisa  Allen  Bicknell,  born  March  2, 
1836,  daughter  of  Joseph  Pick  Bicknell,  a descend- 
ant of  Zachary  through  John,  Zachariah,  Joshua 
(3),  Joshua  (2)  and  Joshua  Bicknell,  of  Barring- 
ton, R.  I.  [See  Bicknell.]  Children  as  follows  came 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harris:  (1)  Charles  F.  was 
born  Sept.  21,  1856.  (2)  Annie  Louise,  born  Oct. 

16,  1858,  married  John  Carver  Greene,  and  has 
had  three  children — Louise  Harris,  born  in  Provi- 
dence, April  18,  1895,  who  died  Feb.  8,  1897;  Rus- 
sell Harris,  born  in  Providence,  Feb.  28,  1898;  and 
Elizabeth  Harris,  born  in  Barrington,  Aug.  24, 
1900.  (3)  Mary  Dexter,  born  Oct.  19,  i860,  died 

May  7,  1884.  (4)  Caroline  Allen,  born  July  19, 

1863,  died  May  7,  1891.  She  married  Charles 
Allen  Hoar,  of  Warren,  and  they  had  two  chil- 
.dren,  Marion  Louise  and  Charles  Allen,  both  de- 
ceased. 

Otis  G.  Harris  was  reared  in  Providence,  where 
he  received  his  education  in  the  public  and  high 
schools.  Though  a quiet,  retiring  man,  he  was 
much  liked  in  the  town,  and  became  one  of  the 
useful  and  highly  respected  citizens  of  Barrington. 
He  was  one  of  the  original  vestrymen  in  St.  John’s 
Episcopal  Church  and  served  his  town  as  a member 
of  the  school  committee.  His  death  occurred  in 
Barrington,  R.  I.,  Jan.  6,  1895. 

(VllI)  Charles  F.  Harris,  born  Sept.  21, 
1856,  married  (first)  Esther  Mariah  Whitcomb,  of 
Providence,  and  for  his  second  wife  married  Jose- 
phine Maria  Lorenz.  She  was  born  in  Posen,  Ger- 
many, and  on  her  mother’s  side  comes  of  a dis- 
tinguished Polish  family.  They  have  no  children. 

Charles  F.  Harris  was  graduated  from  the  high 
school  at  Barrington  under  Professor  Cady,  and 
took  ^ course  in  the  Commercial  College  of  Bryant 
& Stratton,  of  Providence.  After  leaving  school 
he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Union  Eyelet  Com- 
pany and  was  with  them  for  ten  years  as  book- 


keeper and  manager  of  the  office  work.  Then 
he  went  to  East  Providence,  where  he  operated 
the  Whitcomb  estate  for  some  years.  While  there 
he  was  a member  of  the  town  council  in  1894,  be- 
ing elected  as  a Republican  candidate.  In  1896 
he  bought  the  Excelsior  Nickel  Plating  Works  of 
Providence,  which  he  has  conducted  since  that 
time,  and  he  has  been  a successful  man,  now  hav- 
ing employment  in  his  plant  for  about  fourteen 
men.  He  does  all  kinds  of  plating,  and  the  plant 
is  the  largest  shop  of  its  kind  in  the  State.  While 
living  in  East  Providence  Mr.  Harris  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Pomham  Club. 


(V)  Stephen  Harris,  son  of  Charles  and  Mary 
(Hopkins)  Harris,  born  April  23,  1761,  married 
Lydia  Beverly,  of  Providence,  R.  I.  He  died  Sept. 
4,  1843,  ar,d  Lis  wife  passed  away  May  11,  1837, 
in  her  seventy-fifth  year.  They  had  children  as 
follows : Nancy  married  Stephen  Corp ; Mary 

married  Charles  Rounds ; Amy  married  William 
Randall;  Sally  died  young;  Russell  Slack,  born 
July  27,  1800,  married  Julia  Potter;  Aldis,  born 
June  27,  1803,  married  Alary  Winsor. 

(\T)  Russell  Slack  Harris,  son  of  Stephen 
and  Lydia,  born  July  27,  1800,  married  Julia  Pot- 
ter, of  Williamstown,  Mass.  She  was  a niece  of 
Stephen  Corp,  who  married  Nancy  Harris,  a sister 
of  Russell,  and  the  children  of  his  marriage  were 
as  follows:  Joseph  Warren,  born  in  December, 
1834;  Stephen  C,  September,  1837;  Lydia  Corp, 
Dec.  6,  1840  (who  married  George  F.  Ingraham, 
of  Providence,  and  had  two  daughters,  Blanche 
Harris,  who  married  Fred  H.  Barrows,  of  Provi- 
dence, and  Ethel  L.)  ; William  Milton,  June  14, 
1842;  Adoniram  Judson,  Dec.  8,  1846. 

(VII)  William  M.  Harris,  born  June  14, 
1842,  son  of  Russell  Slack  and  Julia  (Potter)  Har- 
ris, married  July  23,  1868,  Ellen  M.  Hunt,  daugh- 
ter of  James  L.  Hunt,  of  North  Providence.  Two 
children  came  of  this  union:  William  M.,  Jr., 
born  July  13,  1870,  was  married  Sept.  15,  1891, 
to  Emma  M.  Tinker,  and  has  three  children,  Maud, 
Pauline  and  William  M. ; Frederick  R.,  born  Nov. 
20,  1874,  was  married  June  22,  1898,  to  Sarah  D. 
Evans. 

William  M.  Harris  attended  the  district  schools 
of  Scituate,  R.  I.,  his  native  place,  receiving  such 
advantages  as  the  schools  of  that  period  afforded, 
and  also  for  a short  time  went  to  district  school  at 
Williamstown,  Mass.  In  1866  he  came  to  Provi- 
dence and  in  1870  established  himself  in  business, 
in  which  he  has  been  eminently  successful,  rank- 
ing among  the  most  substantial  business  men  of 
that  city.  The  high  position  he  has  attained  is  the 
result  of  his  own  efforts. 

CARR.  The  Carr  family  of  Jamestown, 
Newport  Co.,  R.  I.,  one  of  the  oldest  in  that 
section-  of  the  Commonwealth,  is  represented 
in  the  descendants  of  the  late  Hon.  Peleg  Cross _ 
Carr,  and  the  late  Hon.  George  Cross  Carr, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


765 


brothers,  sons  of  John  Carr  and  his  wife  Mary 
Cross.  They  were  men  who  took  a prominent 
part  in  the  pnblic  affairs  of  Jamestown,  repre- 
senting that  city  in  both  branches  of  the  State 
Legislature,  were  active  in  the  business  life  of 
the  city,  and  did  much  toward  building  it  up 
and  making  it  known  to  the  outside  world. 
They  were  descendants  of  Caleb  Carr,  one  of 
two  brothers  who  settled  in  Newport,  and  who 
was  governor  of  the  Colony  at  the  time  of  his 
death. 

The  Carr  family  is  a numerous. one  in  both 
Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  and  the 
name  has  been  spelled  in  several  different  ways. 
Caleb  and  Robert  Carr,  brothers,  were  born  in 
London,  England,  the  former  Dec.  9,  1616,  and 
the  latter  Oct.  4,  1614,  sons  of  Benjamin  and 
Martha  (Hardington)  Carr,  who  were  married 
in  London,  Sept.  12,  1613;  and  had  two  other 
sons:  Richard,  born  Jan.  5,  1621,  and  Andrew, 
born  Dec.  5,  1622,  who  came  also  to  New  Eng- 
land and  settled.  Caleb  and  Robert  Carr  came 
to  Newport  about  1638,  the  former  becoming 
a large  land  owner  in  Newport,  Jamestown  and 
other  parts  of  the  Narragansett  country,  some 
of  this  land  being  still  held  by  his  descendants. 
The  ferry  originally  granted  to  him  remained  in 
the  family  until  1813.  He  was  commissioner  a 
number  of  times  between  1654  and  1662,  was 
made  a freeman  of  the  Colony  in  1655,  was  gen- 
eral treasurer  in  1661  and  1662,  many  times  dep- 
uty between  1664  and  1690,  many  times  assist- 
ant between  1679  and  1691,  and  was  governor 
of  the  Colony  in  1695,  on  Dec.  17th  of  which 
year  he  was  drowned,  while  acting  in  that  ca- 
pacity. He  was  buried  in  the  old  Carr  cemetery 
in  Newport,  where  his  tombstone  stood  until  a 
few  years  ago,  when  it  was  removed  to  James- 
town. He  married  (first)  Mercy  Vaughn,  who 
died  Sept.  21,  1675,  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years, 
and  he  married  (second)  Sarah  Pinner,  a widow, 
born  in  1651,  who  died  in  1706,  daughter  of  Jer- 
emiah and  Frances  (Latham)  Clarke,  and  sister 
of  Gov.  Walter  Clarke.  The  children  born  to 
Governor  Carr  were:  Nicholas,  born  Oct.  22, 
1654;  Mercy,  born  April  6,  1656  (died  young); 
Caleb,  born  Aug.  23,  1657;  Mary,  born  Jan.  1, 
1661;  John,  born  in  1664:  and  Edward,  born  in 
1666,  all  of  the  first  marriage;  and  to  the  sec- 
ond: Frances,  born  in  1678:  James,  born  in 
1680;  Sarah,  born  in  1682;  and  Elizabeth,  born 
in  1684. 

Nicholas  Carr,  the  oldest  son  of  Caleb,  born 
Oct.  22,  1654,  in  Newport,  lived  in  Jamestown, 
where  he  was  a large  land  owner  and  was  quite 
prominent  in  public  affairs,  representing  the 
town  in  the  General  Assembly.  He  died  Feb. 
17,  1709.  Nicholas  Carr  married  Rebecca  Nich- 
olson, born  Feb.  1,  1656,  who  died  May  13.  1703. 
She  was  a daughter  of  Joseph  Nicholson.  To 
this  union  there  were  born : Nicholas,  Sept. 


19,  1679;  Joseph,  March  9,  1681  (died  Aug.  9, 
1702)  ; Benjamin,  July  7,  1683  (died  Dec.  27, 
1684);  Jane,  Aug.  3,  1686;  Caleb,  March  27, 
1688  (died  in  January,  1704)  ; Mercy,  April 

20,  1690;  Rebecca,  May  12,  1692;  Ann,  Feb.  5, 
1694;  Thomas,  Jan.  25,  1696;  and  Benjamin, 
Nov.  21,  1697. 

Thomas  Carr,  the  second  youngest  child  of 
Nicholas  Carr,  was  born  Jan.  25,  1696,  at  James- 
town, and  there  grew  to  manhood.  He  made 
his  life  work  farming,  and  accumulated  consid- 
erable property  in  Jamestown,  where  he  died 
Oct.  14,  1753.  He  was  a member  of  the  Society 
of  Friends,  and  was  quite  a man  of  affairs. 
Thomas  Carr  was  married  Feb.  23,  1720,  to 
Hannah  Weeden,  born  April  14,  1699,  at  James- 
town, daughter  of  John  and  Jane  (Underwood) 
Weeden,  and  they  had  these  children:  Sarah, 
born  Jan.  11,  1721;  Jane,  Jan.  14,  1723;  Benja- 
min, Sept.  14,  1725  ; John,  Sept.  20,  1728;  Thomas,. 
Oct.  6,  1730  (died  Oct.  14,  1753)  ; Nicholas,  Dec. 
25,  1732;  Rebecca,  June  23,  1735;  and  Joseph, 
July  15,  1739. 

Nicholas  Carr,  son  of  Thomas,  born  Dec.  25, 
1732,  at  Jamestown,  like  his  father  was  a farmer 
and  large  land  owner,  owning  the  property 
now  in  the  possession  of  the  grandchildren 
of  Hon.  Peleg  Cross  Carr,  his  great-great-grand- 
children. Here  in  1876  he  built  a fine  frame 
dwelling-house,  which  is  still  occupied  by  the 
family,  and  in  a good  state  of  preservation.  It 
was  on  this  land,  during  the  trying  days  of  the 
Revolution,  that  Mr.  Carr  proved  himself  a brave 
and  patriotic  citizen.  While  the  British  men-of- 
war  had  possession  of  Newport  harbor,  which 
they  were  occupying,  a captain  from  one  of  the 
ships  came  to  Jamestown  in  search  of  cattle. 
Finding  Mr.  Carr  in  the  field  plowing,  the  cap- 
tain approached  him  and  offered  to  buy  some  of 
his  stock.  This  Mr.  Carr  refused,  whereupon 
the  captain  struck  him,  this  precipitating  a fight 
to  the  finish  between  the  two,  the  captain  re- 
turning to  his  ship  much  worsted,  with  his  uni- 
form covered  with  mud  and  dirt.  On  regaining 
his  boat  he  at  once  sent  a body  of  men  to  ar- 
rest Mr.  Carr,  who  was  taken  on  board  ship, 
and  was  there  kept  for  three  days.  Each  day 
he  was  swung  from  the  yard-arm  with  a rope 
around  his  neck,  with  the  promise  that  he  would 
be  let  down  and  released  if  he  would  promise 
to  kiss  the  British  captain’s  hand.  Mr.  Can- 
refused  to  do  this,  but  was  finally  let  go  through 
the  pleading  of  some  British  sympathizers,  res- 
idents of  Jamestown.  Mr.  Carr  continued  to 
make  his  home  on  the  farm,  where  he  followed 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  judge  of  the 
courts  of  Newport  county  for  many  years,  and 
was  a man  of  patriotic  spirit  and  good  citizen- 
ship. He  died  March  3,  1813,  and  was  buried 
in  the  Friends’  cemetery. 

On  Nov.  10,  1768,  Judge  Carr  was  married 


766 


RHODE  ISLAND 


to  Mary  Eldred,  daughter  of  John  Eldred,  who 
died  June  10,  1800,  and  they  had  these  children: 
Mary,  born  Feb.  19,  1771 ; Thomas,  Oct.  13, 
1772;  John,  May  5,  1774;  and  Hannah,  Feb.  27, 
1782  (married  William  Carter). 

John  Carr,  son  of  Judge  Nicholas,  was  born 
on  the  old  homestead,  May  5,  1774,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  local  schools,  and  grew  up  on  the 
farm,  which  he  operated  during  his  life.  He 
died  July  27,  1823,  while  still  in  the  prime  of 
life,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church,  in  which  he  was  a local  preacher. 
On  Dec.  5,  1805,  Mr.  Carr  was  married  to  Mary 
Cross,  born  in  Charlestown,  R.  I.,  who  died  Dec. 
24,  1822,  daughter  of  Peleg  Cross,  and  to  this 
union  came  children  as  follows : Peleg  Cross, 
born  April  17,  1807,  is  mentioned  below;  Mary 
Eldred,  born  April  18,  1808,  died  unmarried, 
Aug.  29,  1873 ; Catherine  Congdon,  born  April 
23,  1809,  married  Robert  Hazard  Watson; 

Thomas  Jefferson,  born  Dec.  25,  1810,  died  May 
2,  1858;  Nicholas,  born  April  8,  1812,  died  in 
Providence;  John  Eldred,  born  Jan.  15,  1814, 
died  Oct.  20,  1885;  Celia  Ann,  born  Jan.  24, 
1816,  married  Smith  Carpenter,  of  Rochester, 
N.  Y. ; William  Carter,  born  June  24,  1817,  died 
in  Providence ; George  Cross  was  born  Dec.  22, 
1818;  Hannah  Carter,  born  Oct.  9,  1822,  died  in 
1834. 

Hon.  Peleg  Cross  Carr,  son  of  John,  was  born 
on  the  home  farm,  the  eldest  of  a family  of  ten 
children.  The  parents  died  when  most  of  the 
family  were  still  young,  and  their  care  fell  to  the 
lot  of  Peleg  C.  and  his  sister  Mary  E.  He  con- 
tinued on  the  homestead,  where  he  owned  and 
operated  a tract  of  120  acres,  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  raised  sheep,  being  at  one  time  one 
of  the  leading  sheep  men  in  the  county.  He  was 
well  known  and  highly  respected,  and  was  noted 
for  his  industry  and  thrifty  habits.  He  was 
first  a Whig  and  later  a Republican  in  politics, 
and  during  the  Civil  war  represented  the  town 
in  both  branches  of  the  State  Legislature.  He 
also  served  as  a member  of  the  town  council, 
of  the  board  of  assessors  and  of  the  school  board 
for  many  years.  Mr.  Carr  was  active  in  any  en- 
terprise which  had  for  its  object  the  betterment 
of  the  town  or  its  people,  and  died  as  he  had 
lived,  a good  citizen,  father  and  husband,  Sept. 
16,  1884,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  He 
was  buried  in  Cedar  cemetery,  Jamestown. 

On  Dec.  31,  1835,  Mr.  Carr  was  married  to 
Catherine  Watson  Weeden,  born  at  Laurens, 
N.  Y.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Weeden) 
Weeden,  natives  of  Jamestown,  and  descendants 
of  its  oldest  families.  Mrs.  Carr  died  at  her 
home  in  August,  1871,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Cedar  cemetery.  The  following  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carr:  Henry  Clay;  Mary 
Catherine,  who  married  Allen  Gardner,  and  died 
July  18,  1898,  leaving  four  children,  Catherine 


Weeden,  John  Howland,  Lucy  Allen  and  Giles 
Carr;  Abby  Frances  and  Thomas  Giles,  twins; 
Hannah  Carter,  who  married  Gustavus  Adol- 
phus Clarke,  of  Jamestown,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Clarence  Field  Clarke  and  Celia  Elizabeth 
(Clarke)  Goodman;  Sarah  Weeden;  Clarence 
Edward ; Celia  Elizabeth,  who  married  George 
H.  Clarke,  of  Shannock,  R.  I.,  and  had  children : 
George  Perry,  Harriet  Sumner,  Henry  Garfield 
and  Florence;  and  Isabella  Watson,  widow  of 
Walter  D.  Watson,  who  resides  in  Michigan 
(her  children  are  Walter  Leon,  Richard  Carr 
and  John  Mitchell). 

Henry  Clay  Carr,  son  of  Hon.  Peleg  C.,  was 
born  on  the  homestead,  and  was  there  educated, 
later  attending  East  Greenwich  Academy  and 
Brown  University,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated with  the  class  of  1861.  He  then  went  to 
New  York,  and  studied  law  in  the  office  of 
Chauncey  Schaffer,  after  which  he  practised  for 
some  time  before  the  New  York  Bar,  later  re- 
moving to  Iowa.  After  some  time  spent  at  his 
profession  there  Mr.  Carr  removed  to  Califor- 
nia, and  his  death  occurred  in  the  city  of  Los 
Angeles,  in  1892.  Mr.  Carr  married  Louise 
Low,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  the  children  born 
to  this  union  were:  Catherine  Carpenter;  Eliz- 
abeth Reed,  who  married  Edmund  Locke,  of 
Los  Angeles;  and  Henry  Clay,  Jr.,  who  married 
Alice  Eaton. 

Clarence  Edward  Brested  Carr,  son  of  Hon. 
Peleg  C.,  was  born  on  the  old  homestead,  and 
was  educated  in  the  local  schools  and  East 
Greenwich  Academy.  He  has  given  his  entire 
attention  to  farming  and  sheep  raising,  and 
since  his  father's  death  has  operated  the  old 
homestead,  where  he  resides  with  his  sisters, 
Miss  Abby  Frances  and  Miss  Sarah  Weeden 
Carr,  ladies  of  culture  and  refined  tastes,  who 
are  much  devoted  to  the  old  home  and  its  tra- 
ditions. 

Hon.  Thomas  Giles  Carr,  son  of  the  late 
Hon.  Peleg  C.,  was  born  on  the  home  farm,  Jan. 
16,  1843,  and  was  educated  in  the  local  schools 
and  the  East  Greenwich  Academy.  He  then  re- 
turned to  the  homestead,  continuing  there  with 
his  father  until  the  early  seventies,  when  he 
went  to  South  Carolina  and  located  near 
Charlestown,  where  he  became  engaged  in  the 
growing  of  cotton,  spending  two  years.  Return- 
ing to  Jamestown,  Mr.  Carr  located  on  the 
Knowles  property  on  Shore  Rock,  where  he  has 
been  farming  a tract  of  seventy  acres  ever 
since,  being  also  interested  in  sheep  raising  with 
his  brother,  Clarence  E.  B.  Carr,  as  well  as  in 
the  breeding  of  fine  poultry.  He  has  always 
been  quite  active  in  public  life,  has  been  assessor 
of  taxes  of  Jamestown  for  over  twenty  years, 
chairman  of  the  board,  a member  of  the  coun- 
cil and  for  many  years  a member  of  the  school 
board ; he  has  always  taken  a deep  interest  in 


RHODE  ISLAND 


7 6; 


educational  matters,  and  for  the  past  ten  years 
has  been  superintendent  of  the  schools  of  James- 
town. He  is  an  ardent  Republican  in  politics, 
and  was  first  elected  a member  of  the  State  Leg- 
islature in  1869,  serving  two  terms.  In  1872  he 
was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  served  two 
terms  in  that  body  also.  Mr.  Carr  was  re- 
elected to  the  lower  house  of  the  General  As- 
sembly in  1895,  serving  two  years,  and  then  un- 
til 1902  was  in  the  Senate,  during  which  time 
he  served  on  the  committees  on  Accounts  and 
Claims  and  on  Fisheries.  Mr.  Carr  is  a charter 
member  of  the  local  Grange,  in  which  he  is 
chaplain. 

In  1883  Mr.  Carr  was  married,  in  James- 
town, to  Lucy  J.  Cory,  daughter  of  the  late  Capt. 
Andrew  Cory,  a well-known  whaling  captain. 
Four  children  have  been  born  to  this  union : 
Nicholas,  a clerk  in  the  Industrial  Trust  Com- 
pany, Providence ; Maria  Almy,  a typewriter 
and  stenographer  at  Providence ; and  George 
Caleb  and  Louise  Cory,  both  of  whom  make 
their  home  with  their  parents. 

SAMUEL  FOSTER,  for  seventy  years  one  of. 
the  best  known  merchants  and  manufacturers  of 
Rhode  Island,  was  descended  from  old  and  hon- 
orable New  England  stock.  His  grandfather, 
Timothy  Foster,  of  Dudley,  Mass.,  had  twelve  sons 
and  four  daughters,  and,  with  all  of  his  sons, 
served  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  the  aggregate 
service  of  that  family  being  sixty  years,  a circum- 
stance probably  unparalleled  in  that  or  any  other 
conflict.  Timothy  served  in  the  French  war,  en- 
listing as  a private  at  the  age  of  sixteen ; later  he 
served  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  entering  as  a pri- 
vate and  being  promoted  to  lieutenant.  He  was 
wounded  in  the  service. 

Samuel  Foster  was  born  Oct.  13,  1803,  in  Dud- 
ley, Mass.,  and  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  In  1820,  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
years,  he  came  to  Providence,  where  he  became  a 
clerk  for  Philip  and  Charles  Potter,  in  the  retail 
grocery  business,  opposite  the  old  market  building 
on  Market  Square.  In  1825  he  formed  a co-part- 
nership with  his  brother,  William,  under  the  firm 
name  of  S.  & W.  Foster,  for  the  transaction  of 
the  wholesale  grocery  business,  which  continued 
until  1877.  They  were  located  on  Canal  street. 
In  1848,  in  connection  with  his  brother  William 
and  John  Atwood,  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  fine  cotton  goods,  under  the  name  of  the  Wil- 
liamsville  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Killingly, 
Conn.,  and  continued  an  owner  in  this  corporation 
until  1890,  when  he  sold  his  interest  to  the  grand- 
children of  his  first  partner,  John  Atwood.  From 
1848  to  1877  he  had  been  treasurer  of  the  com- 
pany. 

Years  ago  S.  & W.  Foster  were  for  some  time 
associated  with  H.  S.  Hutchins  and  William 
Pierce,  under  the  name  of  Hutchins,  Pierce  & 


Co.,  doing  a wholesale  grocery  business.  In  1849 
S.  & W.  Foster  admitted  Henry  J.  Burroughs  as 
a partner,  under  the  firm  name  of  S.  & W.  Foster 
& Co.,  and  in  1853  Addison  Q.  Fisher  was  ad- 
mitted, the  firm  becoming  Foster,  Burroughs  & 
Fisher.  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Burroughs  the 
business  was  continued  under  the  name  of  Foster 
& Fisher.  In  1862  Ihomas  A.  Randall  became 
a member  of  the  firm  of  S.  & W.  Foster  & Co., 
for  the  transaction  of  a general  cotton  business, 
continuing  in  business  for  four  years.  At  the  end 
of  this  time  Mr.  Foster,  with  his  sons  and  Addison 
O.  Fisher,  under  the  firm  name  of  Samuel  Foster 
& Co.,  engaged  in  the  transaction  of  a general 
cotton  business,  continuing  until  1877,  when  the 
partnership  was  dissolved. 

Mr.  Foster  was  a director  in  the  Third  Na- 
tional Bank  for  many  years,  and  was  also  president 
of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Providence  for  some 
time.  He  was  a third  owner  in  the  Central  Mills 
Company,  of  Southbridge,  Mass.,  manufacturers  of 
cotton  cords.  In  1890  Mr.  Foster  practically  re- 
tired from  active  business.  He  was,  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  the  senior  member  of  the  Providence 
Board  of  Trade ; he  was  for  many  years  a member 
of  the  Squantum  Club,  and  a regular  attendant 
at  the  bakes;  a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Vet- 
eran Association;  and  the  Rhode  Island  Historical 
Society.  As  owner  and  manager  he  had  been  con- 
nected with  many  industries  of  various  kinds, 
which  made  his  life  one  of  great  activity  and  use- 
fulness. 

On  June  10,  1841,  Mr.  Foster  married  Pris- 
cilla Smith,  daughter  of  Amos  D.  and  sister  of 
ex-Gov.  James  Y.  Smith.  She  died  March  24, 
1867,  the  mother  of  six  children:  Ella  Mitchell, 
who  died  April  24,  1878,  the  wife  of  Edward  H. 
Clark ; Walter  Smith,  unmarried ; Louis  Tucker, 
a graduate  (1865)  °f  Brown  University,  who  mar- 
ried Nov.  20,  1872,  Mary  H.,  daughter  of  George 
C.  Nightingale,  and  had  three  children,  Mary 
Nightingale,  Priscilla  (who  died  in  infancy)  and 
Louise  (who  died  Aug.  10,  1905,  and  who  had 
married  George  H.  Waterman,  by  whom  she  had 
two  children,  twins,  Louise  and  Priscilla,  born  Aug. 
9,  1905)  ; Helen;  James  Herbert;  and  Clara  Deni- 
son, who  married  Col.  Crawford  Allen,  who  died 
in  1894,  leaving  children — Crawford,  Ella  Clark 
(married  Harris  D.  Eaton,  of  Calais,  Maine), 
Sarah  Senter  (married  Dr.  Augustus  W.  Calder) 
and  Churchill  Senter. 

Samuel  Foster  married  (second)  May  13,  1880, 
Aliph  Elizabeth  Brinley,  who  died  Aug.  21,  1890. 

Mr.  Foster  died  at  his  home,  No.  59  George 
street,  Providence,  Oct.  29,  1901,  in  his  ninety- 
ninth  year.  The  regularity  of  his  attendance  at 
the  Squantum  Club  was  remarkable.  It  is,  in  fact, 
a part  of  the  club  history.  His  last  visit  there  was 
on  Ladies’  Day,  in  September,  1901,  the  day  before 
he  was  taken  ill,  and  about  four  weeks  prior  to  Ins 
death.  He  cast  his  ballot  for  eighteen  Presidents, 


763. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


John  Quincy  Adams  being  the  first,  and  William 
McKinley  the  last,  and  he  was  the  first  to  vote  in 
his  ward.  His  life  from  the  time  he  came  to 
Providence  was  connected  with  the  growth  and 
progress  of  the  city,  and  even  up  to  the  time  of 
his  last  illness  he  took  the  same  degree  of  interest 
in  current  affairs  that  he  had  a half-century  before. 
After  retiring  from  active  business  Air.  Foster 
traveled  extensively,  and  for  forty  consecutive 
years  visited  Saratoga,  and  only  ceased  going  there 
because  his  contemporaries  had  passed  to  the  Great 
Beyond.  He  was  a consistent  member  of  St. 
Stephen’s  Episcopal  Church. 

James  Herbert  Foster,  son  of  Samuel,  was 
born  at  the  old  home,  No.  59  George  street,  Provi- 
dence, and  studied  under  Reuben  Guile,  the  Li- 
brarian of  Brown  University.  In  October,  1873, 
he  entered  the  cotton  business  with  George  H. 
Hoppin  and  R.  H.  Deming,  and  two  and  one-half 
years  later  became  a member  of  the  firm  of  R.  H. 
Deming  & Co.,  of  Providence,  the  members  of  the 
firm  being  George  H.  Hoppin,  R.  H.  Deming,  J. 
H.  Foster  and  D.  S.  Bush.  Mr.  Deming  died  Dec. 
14,  1902,  leaving  J.  Herbert  Foster  the  only  sur- 
viving member  of  the  firm. 

Mr.  Foster  is  very  prominent  in  financial 
circles.  He  is  a member  of  the  New  England 
Manufacturers  Association,  the  Board  of  Trade, 
Squantum  Club,  Hope  Club  and  West  Side  Club. 
He  married  Aliss  Emma  R.  Covington,  of  Lafay- 
ette, Indiana. 

HORACE  NICHOLS  HASSARD,  of  New- 
port, business  man,  legislator  and  public-spir- 
ited citizen,  is  a creditable  member  of  the  well- 
known  family  of  Hassard  (or  Hazard)  in  Rhode 
Island.  He  is  the  son  of  Joseph  Stanton  and  Alice 
(Johnson)  Hassard,  and  is  in  the  eighth  genera- 
tion from  Thomas  Hazard,  the  progenitor  of  the 
family  in  America.  The  ancestry  of  the  family, 
which  follows,  is  given  in  chronological  order. 

(I)  Thomas  Hazard  was  born  in  1610,  and 

died  1680.  He  married  (first)  Martha  , 

who  died  in  1669,  and  (second)  Alartha,  widow 
of  Thomas  Sheriff;  she  died  in  1691.  His  name 
is  first  found  in  Boston,  Alass.,  in  1635.  On 
Alarch  25,  1638,  he  was  admitted  a freeman  of 
Boston,  and  two  years  later  he  was  admitted 
a freeman  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.  He  was  one  of 
the  founders  and  first  town  officers  of  the  town 
of  Newport,  along  with  Coddington,  Easton, 
Coggeshall,  Brenton,  Clarke,  Bull  and  Dyre. 
On  Sept.  2,  1639,  he  was  admitted  a freeman  of 
Newport,  and  on  Alarch  12,  1640,  he  was  ap- 
pointed a member  of  the  General  Court  of  Elec- 
tions. His  children  were:  Robert;  Elizabeth; 
Hannah  and  Alartha. 

(II)  Robert  Hazard,  son  of  Thomas,  was 
born  in  1633,  in  England  or  Ireland,  and  died  in 
1710.  In  1665  he  was  admitted  a freeman  of 
Portsmouth,  R.  I.  From  that  time  until  1698 
his  name  often  appears  in  the  Colonial  records 


as  chosen  to  fill  some  important  position.  He 
married  Alary  Brownell,  who  was  born  in  1639, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Anne  Brownell,  and 
she  died  in  1739,  being  exactly  one  hundred 
years  old.  To  this  union  were  born  children  as 
follows : Thomas,  George,  Stephen,  Martha, 

Alary,  Robert,  Jeremiah,  and  Hannah. 

(III)  Stephen  Hazard,  son  of  Robert  (date 
of  birth  not  known),  died  Sept.  29,  1727.  He  was- 
an  active  and  enterprising  spirit  in  the  affairs 
of  the  Colony.  A large  landholder,  he  early  in 
the  century  saw  the  possibilities  for  water- 
power in  North  Kingstown,  and  bought  large 
tracts  of  land  so  situated  as  to  control  the 
power.  He  was  admitted  a freeman  of  the  Col- 
ony in  1696.  In  1702-06-08-09-15  he  was  deputy,, 
and  in  1707-08-19-20-21-22  he  was  assistant.  Ln 
1707  he  was  appointed  justice  of  the  peace  for 
Kingstown,  which  office  gave  him  the  title  of 
Judge,  by  which  he  was  known  by  his  descend- 
ants. He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Rouse 
and  Alary  Helme,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
children : Mary,  Hannah,  Susannah,  Stephen, 
Jr.,  Robert,  Samuel,  Thomas,  Elizabeth  and 
Sarah. 

(IV)  Governor  Robert  Hazard,  son  of 
Stephen,  was  born  Sept.  12,  1702,  and  died  in 
1751.  In  1722  he  was  admitted  a freeman  of 
the  Colony,  and  in  1734  he  was  deputy  from 
South  Kingstown ; this  position  he  held  until 
1749.  The  following  year  he  was  chosen  Dep- 
uty Governor,  and  died  while  holding  this  office, 
his  last  term  being  May,  1751.  That  he  was  a 
prominent  man  in  the  affairs  of  the  Colony,  ac- 
tive and  able,  and  faithful  in  the  discharge  of 
his  duties,  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  from  his 
thirty-second  year  until  his  death  he  was  always 
found  performing  the  duties  attendant  upon  his 
position,  making  and  sustaining  the  laws  of  the 
Colony.  He  married  Esther,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Esther  (Gallup)  Stanton,  and  to  this  union 
came  children  as  follows:  Joseph,  Elizabeth, 
Esther,  Stephen,  Robert,  Jr.,  Samuel,  Hannah, 
Joshua,  and  Stanton. 

(V)  Samuel  Hazard,  son  of  Governor  Rob- 
ert, was  born  about  1739,  and  was  admitted  a 
freeman  from  South  Kingston  in  1760.  He 
married  May  3,  1763,  Hannah,  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Perry,  and  she  died  Dec.  12,  1772.  He 
married  (second)  Susannah  Perry,  sister  to  his 
first  wife.  He  married  (third)  Dec.  11,  1785, 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Deputy  Governor  Jona- 
than Nichols.  Samuel  Hazard  died  in  1787. 
His  children  by  his  first  marriage  were:  Ben- 
jamin, Gideon,  Esther,  Elizabeth  and  Joseph 
Stanton.  To  the  second  marriage  were  born : 
Samuel,  James,  Susannah,  Patrick  and  Joshua; 
and  to  the  third : Henry  and  Thomas,  who  were 
probably  twins. 

(VI)  Gideon  Hazard,  son  of  Samuel,  was 
born  Nov.  25,  1765,  and  died  April  18,  1806. 
Ie  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  “Long 


c <_ 


RHODE  ISLAND 


769 


Stephen”  Hazard,  and  his  first  cousin.  She 
died  Nov.  21,  1818.  Their  children  were:  John 
G. ; Joseph  Stanton  ; and  Sarah,  born  March  4, 
1811,  died  unmarried,  Feb.  21,  1883. 

(VII)  Joseph  Stanton  Hassard  (or  Hazzard) 
was  born  Feb.  22,  1800,  in  Kingston,  R.  I., 

and  died  in  Putnam,  Conn.,  Feb.  22,  1876.  In 
early  life  he  entered  a cotton  mill,  and  by  dis- 
playing energy,  thrift  and  aptness  at  the  busi- 
ness soon  acquired  a thorough  knowledge  of 
every  detail  of  cotton  goods  manufacturing. 
His  first  work  as  an  experienced  man  in  this 
line  was  at  White  Rock,  R.  I.,  where  he  started 
the  first  satinet  mill  in  the  United  States,  of 
which  mill  he  was  agent  and  general  manager 
for  several  years.  Later  he  removed  to  Kill- 
ingly,  Conn.,  and  for  a time  was  agent  of  the 
mill  conducted  by  Judge  Young.  He  finally 
became  agent  of  the  Smith  Wilkinson  mills  at 
Putnam,  in  which  capacity  he  made  a decided 
success,  serving  in  this  capacity  with  ability  and 
efficiency  for  over  thirty  years.  By  close  ap- 
plication and  intelligent  attention  to  every  de- 
tail of  the  business  he  mastered  it  so  thoroughly 
that  he  became  recognized  as  a leader  in  his 
line.  Moreover,  he  had  a temperament  and 
manners  which  won  him  many  friends,  and  as 
a citizen  he  commanded  the  respect  and  esteem 
of  all  who  knew  him.  In  his  death  the  city  of 
Putnam  lost  a man  who  had  assisted  materially 
in  its  business  growth.  He  was  a member  and 
regular  attendant ' of  the  Baptist  , Church,  to 
which  he  and  his  estimable  wife  gave  their  lib- 
eral support. 

Joseph  Stanton  Hassard  married  Alice  John- 
son, daughter  of  Elisha  B.  and  Abby  (Hazard) 
Johnson,  of  River  Point,  R.  I.,  who  passed  away 
in  Putnam,  Conn.,  at  an  advanced  age,  and  this 
union  was  blessed  with  children  as  follows : 
Sarah  E.,  who  married  Riley  E.  Smith,  of  Put- 
nam, Conn.,  where  she  now  resides,  a widow; 
Mary  Jane,  who  married  W.  Irving  Bartholo- 
mew, of  Pomfret,  Conn.,  where  she  resides,  a 
widow;  Horace  Nichols;  Abby,  who  married 
Henry  Covell,  of  Putnam,  where  they  reside ; 
and  Ellen  M.,  who  resides  in  Putnam,  unmar- 
ried. 

(VIII)  Horace  Nichols  Hassard  was  born 
April  2,  1839,  in  Killingly,  Conn.,  and  received 
his  early  educational  training  in  the  schools  of 
Killingly  and  Putnam.  Leaving  school  when 
thirteen  years  of  age  he  went  to  Providence, 
R.  I.,  in  which  city  he  became  a clerk  in  the 
wholesale  drug  store  of  John  G.  Hassard.  But 
the  drug  business  did  not  agree  with  him,  and 
after  a time  he  returned  to  Putnam,  where  he 
became  apprenticed  to  Almanson  Herrenden,  to 
learn  the  carpenter’s  trade.  So  readily  and  rap- 
idly did  he  familiarize  himself  with  the  details 
of  the  business  that  at  the  end  of  two  years  he 
was  placed  in  full  charge  of  Mr.  Herrenden’s 
business,  having  under  him  from  forty  to  fifty 
49 


men.  He  remained  in  that  capacity  for  about 
a year,  and  although  his  position  was  one  of 
much  responsibility  he  received  but  fifty  cents 
a day  for  his  services. 

In  about  i860,  having  acquired  a thorough 
and  practical  knowledge  of  the  various  Jiranches 
of  the  carpenter’s  trade,  Mr.  Hassard  engaged 
in  business  on  his  own  account  as  a contractor 
and  builder.  After  continuing  in  business  alone 
for  several  years  he  took  into  partnership  with 
him  Charles  H.  Kelley,  the  firm  becoming  Has- 
sard & Kelley,  and  continuing  as  such  until  the 
year  1883,  when  Mr.  Hassard  sold  his  interests 
to  his  brother-in-law,  Henry  Covell.  He  had 
been  actively  engaged  in  business  for  a period 
of  twenty-four  years,  during  which  period  he 
constructed  many  of  the  handsome  homes  and 
large  mills  in  and  about  Putnam,  which  still 
stand  as  monuments  to  his  skill  and  executive 
ability. 

Upon  selling  out  his  interests  in  Putnam  Mr. 
Hassard  removed  to  Newport,  R.  I.,  where  for 
about  three  years  he  lived  retired.  Then,  as 
head  of  the  firm  of  H.  N.  Hassard  & Co.,  he  es- 
tablished the  spring  and  mineral  water  business 
which  he  continued  for  about  six  years,  when  he 
sold  it  to  the  late  Howard  Smith.  After  spend- 
ing another  three  years  in  retirement  from  ac- 
tive business  Mr.  Hassard  made  a venture  in 
the  grocery  line,  at  the  corner  of  Broadway  and 
Farewell  street,  being  in  partnership  with  his  son 
under  the  firm  name  of  E.  A.  Hassard  & Co., 
and  his  connection  with  that  business  has  con- 
tinued up  to  the.  present  day. 

Though  he  has  been  so  active  in  commercial 
affairs  Mr.  Hassard  has  found  time  for  effective 
public  service,  and  as  the  nominee  of  the  Repub- 
lican party  he  has  been  four  times  honored  with 
election  to  the  State  Assembly  as  representative 
from  Newport  in  1903,  1905,  1906  and  1907. 
The  last  three  times  he  was  elected  as  first 
representative.  In  1906,  at  the  first  election 
held  under  the  new  charter  granted  the  city  of 
Newport,  Mr.  Hassard  was  elected  a member 
of  the  Representative  Council  from  the  Second 
ward  for  the  three  year  term.  Upon  each  occa- 
sion he  was  given  large  majorities,  a most  con- 
vincing evidence  of  his  popularity  and  the  gen- 
eral estimate  of  his  worth.  During  his  first 
year  in  the  House  of  Representatives  he  was  a 
member  of  the  committee  on  Education,  and  the 
second  year  was  a member  of  the  committees 
on  Education  and  Public  Institutions,  and  the 
last  two  years  was  a member  of  the  committees 
on  Public  Institutions  and  Corporations.  His 
services  have  been  marked  by  the  utmost  fidel- 
ity to  the  trusts  reposed,  in  him,  and  by  the  bus- 
iness-like discharge  of  all  his  duties. 

In  1864  Mr.  Hassard  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Sarah  Elizabeth  Tourtellout,  daughter  of 
William  H.  and  Azama  (Cudworth)  Tourtell- 
out, of  Putnam,  Conn.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Has- 


7/0 


RHODE  ISLAND 


-sard  have  been  born  children  as  follows : Nellie 
is  at  home.  Edward  A.,  born  Feb.  22,  1875,  in 
Putnam,  is  associated  with  his  father  in  the  gro- 
cery business ; he  is  unmarried.  Ruth  A.  is  at 
home.  Annie  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years.  The  family  unite  with  the  First  Baptist 
Church  of  Newport,  which  Mr.  Hassard  also  at- 
tends and  to  the  support  of  which  he  contributes 
liberally.  He  belongs  to  various  Masonic  bod- 
ies, having  held  membership  in  Quinebaug 
Fodge,  No.  1,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of  Putnam,  and 
transferred  to  St.  John’s  Fodge,  No.  1,  on  his  re- 
moval to  Newport;  he  also  belongs  to  Newport 
Chapter,  No.  2,  R.  A.  M. 

Mr.  Hassard  is  a truly  self-made  man,  and 
his  life  has  not  only  been  a success  from  a ma- 
terial standpoint,  but  also  in  his  relations  to  his 
fellowmen.  He  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the 
affairs  of  his  adopted  city,  and  indeed  has  been 
:a  useful  man  in  every  community  in  which  he 
has  resided.  Possessed  of  clear  judgment, 
manly  courage  and  positive  convictions,  his 
opinions  carry  weight  and  his  counsel  is  sought 
for  and  accorded  respectful  consideration.  His 
sound  business  principles,  marked  executive 
ability  and  conservative  methods  in  all  his  deal- 
ings have  made  him  trusted  beyond  the  ordi- 
nary, and  he  has  proved  true  to  every  confi- 
dence. He  is  well  versed  in  the  principles  of 
good  government,  a fact  which  has  made  itself 
apparent  in  the  manner  in  which  he  has  fulfilled 
his  public  positions,  his  services  having  been 
characterized  by  rare  good  judgment  and  the 
most  honorable  observance  of  the  rights  and 
needs  of  his  constituents.  He  is  courteous  and 
affable  in  manner,  winning,  the  admiration  of 
casual  associates  and  the  lasting  esteem  of  those 
who  know  him  best. 

COFVIN  (Providence  family).  Since  the 
close  of  the  seventeenth  and  early  part  of  the 
eighteenth  centuries  the  Colvins  of  Dartmouth, 
Mass.,  and  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  vicinity 
have  been  identified  with  this  region  and  here  at 
Providence  for  a third  of  a century  has  resided 
-one  branch  of  the  family,  the  head  of  which,  in 
the  person  of  Theodore  H.  Colvin,  has  been  es- 
pecially prominent  in  developing  one  of  the 
large  industries  of  the  city,  and  who  for  years 
has  been  the  chief  executive  officer  of  the  corpo- 
ration bearing  his  name — the  Colvin  Foundry 
Company.  In  another  branch  of  the  family 
there  appears  prominently  identified  with  the 
progress  and  industry  of  his  community  Stephen 
Colvin,  deceased,  whose  career  has  been  a credit 
to  his  family.  These  branches  of  the  Colvin 
family  from  the  first  American  ancestor  to  the 
present  are  treated  in  brief  in  what  follows, 
which  is  in  regular  order. 

(I)  John  Colvin,  of  Dartmouth,  Mass.,  and 
Providence,  R.  I.,  married  (first)  Dorothy  Al- 
lan, daughter  of  Matthew  Allan,  of  Dartmouth, 


and  (second)  May  30,  1726,  Mary  Keech.  Mr. 
Colvin  bought,  in  1705,  upwards  of  4,000  acres 
of  land  in  Providence,  and  was  presumably  a 
yeoman  or  farmer.  He  died  Nov.  28,  1729.  His 
children  were:  Anna,  born  March  26,  1679, 
died  young;  John,  born  April  19,  1681,  died  July 
1,  1764;  Stephen-,  born  Sept.  24,  1683;  Abigail, 
born  July  28,  1686;  Samuel,  born  Dec.  10,  1688, 
died  October,  1759;  Anne,  born  Oct.  -31,  1690; 
Deborah,  born  May  28,  1693;  Rev.  James,  born 
Nov.  24,  1695,  died  March  5,  1755;  and  Josiah, 
born  June  6,  1700. 

(II)  Rev.  James  Colvin,  son  of  John,  born 
Nov.  24,  1695,  was  twice  married,  marrying 
(second)  Anne,  whose  surname  is  unknown  to 
us.  He  lived  in  Providence  and  Coventry,  R. 
I.,  respectively.  He  died  March  5,  1755.  His 
children  were:  Benjamin,  married  Eleanor 
Burlingame ; Caleb,  married  Anne  Burlingame ; 
Moses;  Josiah,  born  in  1732,  died  May  14,  1791; 
Stephen;  John;  David;  Henry;  and  Anne,  born 
in  1742,  died  unmarried  in  1806. 

(III)  Caleb  Colvin,  son  of  James,  married 
Aug.  3,  1739,  Anne,  daughter  of  Rev.  Thomas 
Burlingame,  of  Providence.  Their  children, 
all  born  in  Coventry,  R.  I.,  were : Fydia,  born 
Oct.  9,  1740;  James,  born  July  9,  1741  ; Obadiah, 
born  Aug.  21,  1743;  and  George,  born, Dec.  25, 
1744;  and  perhaps  others  who  died  when  young. 
The  father  of  these  was  still  living  in  1773. 

(IV)  George  Colvin,  son  of  Caleb,  born  Dec. 
25,  1744,  in  Coventry,  R.  I.,  married  March  13, 
1774,  Mary,'  daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Abigail 
Sheldon,  of  Cranston,  R.  I.  Mr.  Colvin  was  a 
mariner  and  likely  in  the  marine  service  in  the 
war  of  the  Revolution,  as  his  widow  Mary,  of 
Cranston,  was  a United  States  pensioner.  Mr. 
Colvin  died  Dec.  19.  1806,  aged  sixty-one  years, 
seven  months  and  six  days.  His  widow  passed 
away  Dec.  30,  1841,  aged  ninety  one  years, 
seven  months  and  six  days.  Their  children 
were:  Rufus,  born  May  3,  1776;  George,  born 
May  23,  1779:  Sheldon,  born  Feb.  21,  1781; 
Mary,  born  April  25,  1783;  Betsey,  born  Sept. 
1.  1785;  Rachel,  born  Oct.  11,  1789';  Caleb,  born 
Feb.  16,  1793. 

(\  ) George  Colvin  (2),  son  of  George,  born 
May  23,  1779,  married  Huldah  Davis  and  to  them 
were  born  children  as  follows : Henry,  Rufus, 
Betsey,  William,  George  and  Abigail  and  Benjamin. 

(V)  Sheldon  Colvin,  son  of  George  and  Mary 
(Sheldon)  Colvin,  was  born  Feb.  21,  1781.  He 
married  Sarah  Randall,  and  died  in  November. 
1871 ; she  survived  until  Aug.  7,  1878.  Their  chil- 
dren were : Caleb,  who  married  Catharine  Dawley, 
and  died  April  6,  1882,  aged  seventy-one  years; 
Mary  Ann;  Nehemiah;  Stephen,  born  Feb.  24. 
1821 ; William  Wallace,  born  Aug.  27,  182=;,  died 
Sept.  22,  1851  ; Daniel,  born  June  30,  1830,  died 
March  17,  1832;  and  Daniel  (2),  born  June  1,  1833. 

(VI)  Stephen  Colvin,  son  of  Sheldon  and 
Sarah  (Randall)  Colvin,  was  born  Feb.  24,  1821, 


f 


RHODE  ISLAND 


77 1 


at  Pippin  Orchard,  in  the  town  of  Cranston.  His 
early  educational  advantages  were  limited  as  were 
those  of  most  boys  at  that  time,  when  life  presented 
to  most  of  them  the  “rough  and  seamy  side.”  He 
had  a natural  aptitude  for  books,  and  particularly 
for  mathematics,  and  the  trend  of  his  thought  and 
study  was  along  mathematical  lines  and  the  mental 
depths  of  the  discoverer  and  the  inventor*  When 
a young  man  he  went  to  the  Valley  section  of  War- 
wick and  learned  his  trade  at  Black  Rock,  later 
entering  the  machine  shop  of  Perez  Peck  at  An- 
thony. Still  later  he  was  employed  with  Asa  Sisson, 
builder  of  the  once  well-known  Sisson  loom,  in  the 
old  machine  shop  at  Anthony.  While  in  the  shop 
of  Perez  Peck  he  made  improvements  in  the  loom, 
and  it  was  manufactured  in  that  shop.  A partner- 
ship was  formed  later,  among  those  entering  the 
firm  being  Alden  Williams  and  Charles  Case.  The 
firm  was  known  as  S.  Colvin  & Co.,  and  was  formed 
Dec.  6,  1862.  Afterward  Mr.  Colvin  bought  out 
the  interests  of  these  men  and  operated  the  plant 
himself.  He  manufactured  the  celebrated  Colvin 
Loom,  one  of  the  best  known  in  New  England  and 
the  South,  where  it  came  into  very  general  use.  In 
time  he  sold  a one-half  interest  to  Lodowick  Bray- 
ton,  and  the  plant  was  removed  to  River  Point, 
where  the  business  was  carried  on. 

Mr.  Colvin  was  in  the  strictest  sense  a self- 
made  man.  He  was  a Republican  in  his  political 
views,  but  had  no  taste  for  politics  or  public  affairs, 
although  keenly  alive  to  everything  incident  to  the 
advancement  and  improvement  of  his  community. 
Notwithstanding  his  disinclination  to  mingle  in  the 
social  and  political  life  of  the  Valley,  he  had  many 
warm  friends,  and,  it  is  believed,  not  an  enemy.  He 
attended  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Phenix, 
R.  I.,  of  which  his  father  wms  a deacon.  He  wa£  a 
member  of  Warwick  Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  and  of 
the  Eastern  Star.  He  had  been  a director  of  the 
Phenix  Trust  Company  at  Phenix,  Phenix  National 
Bank,  and  was  also  a stockholder  in  one  or  two 
other,  local  enterprises.  His  death,  which  occurred 
Feb.  18,  1904,  was  a keen  loss  to  his  community  as 
well  as  to  his  many  friends  and  his  relations. 
He  was  a good  and  useful  citizen,  a loving  hus- 
band and  father,  a kind  neighbor  and  a loyal 
friend. 

Mr.  Colvin  was  married  May  6,  1868,  at  Phenix, 
R.  I.,  to  Clara  A.,  daughter  of  Charles  P.  and  Caro- 
line (Hale)  Turner.  Their  children  were:  (1) 
Dr.  Stephen  Sheldon  Colvin,  born  March  29,  1869, 
was  graduated  from  Worcester  Academy  in  1887, 
and  from  Brown  University  in  1891.  He  was  em- 
ployed on  the  Providence  Journal  and  the  Telegram 
for  about  a year  after  his  graduation.  On  Oct.  18, 
1891,  he  married  Miss  Edna  Boothman,  who  died 
Jan.  19,  1893.  On  July  23,  1895,  he  married  (sec- 
ond) Eva  Mable  Collins,  of  Providence.  Immedi- 
ately after  his  marriage  he  went  to  Berlin,  and 
pursued  a course  of  study  of  several  months ; thence 
to  Strasburg,  Germany,  where,  after  a period  of 


thirteen  months,  devoted  to  study,  he  was  given 
the  degree  of  Ph.  D.,  May,  1897.  After  his  return 
Dr.  Colvin  taught  at  Worcester  for  four  years,  and 
in  1901,  was  called  to  the  Chair  of  Philosophy  and 
Natural  Theology  of  the  University  of  Illinois,  at 
Champaign,  111.,  where  he  is  now  engaged.  To  Dr. 
Colvin  and  his  wife  Eva  Mable  (Collins)  Colvin 
has  been  born  one  son,  Sheldon  David,  born  Sept. 
19,  1896,  in  Strasburg,  Germany.  (2)  Sara  Hale, 
born  Aug.  29,  1878,  was  a graduate  of  Brown  Uni- 
versity of  the  class  of  1897.  She  married  in  May, 
1898,  Lewis  Anthony  Colvin,  son  of  James  Colvin, 
of  Worcester,  Mass.,  and  has  one  son,  Kenneth 
Hale,  born  Jan.  5,  1901.  (3)  Vincent  Livingstone, 

born  Dec.  26,  1882,  is  at  home.  Mrs.  Colvin  is  a 
most  estimable  lady  and  has  a host  of  warm  friends. 
The  family  are  all  strong  in  character,  and  are 
much  respected  by  those  who  know  them. 

(VI)  Henry  Colvin,  son  of  George  (2),  born 
Dec.  20,  1813,  married  Mary  Ann  Bennett,  daughter 
of  Joseph  Bennett,  born  May  11,  1808,  and  they 
died,  he  Dec.  14,  1869,  and  she  Aug.  26,  1892.-  Their 
children  were : Henry  G.,  born  Dec.  28,  1835,  de- 
ceased April  8,  1901 ; Huldah  M.,  born  July  21, 
1837,  died  in  1895,  in  Warwick;  Mary  P.,  born 
July  28,  1839,  unmarried ; Frances  S.,  born  Oct.  13, 
1841,  married  John  Davis;  Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  24, 
1844,  died  in  October,  1870;  Theodore  H.,  born 
April  26,  1846;  Elisha  H.,  born  March  8,  1848;  and 
Emily,  born  Nov.  14,  1850,  married  Byron  Colvin, 
son  of  Rufus  Colvin,  of  Morgans  Mills. 

(VII)  Theodore  Hammett  Colvin,  son  of 
Henry  and  Mary  Ann  (Bennett)  Colvin,  born 
April  26,  1846,  in  the  town  of  Plainfield,  Conn., 
married  (first)  in  April,  1868,  Hannah  Brown,  and 
(second)  in  October,  1876,  Augusta  L.  Hammett, 
daughter  of  Erastus  Hammett.  Mr.  Colvin  learned 
the  trade  of  a molder  in  the  village  of  Danielson- 
ville,  now  Danielson,  Conn.,  in  the  early  sixties, 
entering  the  foundry  of  Caleb  and  James  Colvin  in 
1864,  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  after  com- 
pleting his  apprenticeship,  in  1865,  went  to  Whit- 
insville,  Mass.,  where  he  worked  as  a journeyman  for 
six  months.  In  December,  1865,  he  went  to  Wor- 
cester, Mass.,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  his 
kinsman,  Mr.  Caleb  Colvin,  an  iron  founder  of  that 
city,  who  had  in  the  meantime  dissolved  partner- 
ship with  his  brother  and  gone  to  Worcester. 
Here  he  continued  work  in  his  line  until  the  year 
1872,  when  he  located  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  where, 
associated  with  his  uncle,  George  Colvin,  he  formed 
the  firm  of  G.  & T.  H.  Colvin,  establishing  what 
has  since  been  developed  into  the  extensive  busi- 
ness of  the  present  Colvin  Foundry  Company. 

The  first  location  of  the  Colvin  firm  was  on 
Dver  street,  which  was  changed  in  1873  to  what 
was  then  Cove  street,  now  West  Exchange  street, 
moving  that  year  into  their  own  quarters.  Ihe 
business  was  continued  here  under  the  old  firm 
name  until  1876,  in  which  year  the  junior  member 
of  the  firm  purchased  his  partner’s  interest,  and 


772 


RHODE  ISLAND 


the  business  was  continued  under  the  name  of 
Theodore  H.  Colvin  until  1896,  when  it  was  in- 
corporated under  the  name  of  The  Colvin  Foundry 
Company,  the  capital  stock  of  which  was  $100,000. 
In  1897  the  company  erected  a new  plant  on  Globe 
street,  which  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  mod- 
ernly  equipped  iron  foundries  in  New  England. 
The  present  officers  of  the  corporation  are  Theodore 
H.  Colvin,  president;  and  Charles  T.  Colvin, 
treasurer  and  secretary.  Also  connected  with  the 
business  of  the  corporation  is  another  son  of  Pres- 
ident Colvin,  Clarence  Id.  Colvin.  The  principal 
line  of  this  company  is  engine  castings  and  all 
kinds  of  machine  castings.  The  firm  employs 
an  average  of  eighty  men.  Mr.  Colvin's  success  is 
largely  due  to  making  “quality  as  well  as  quan- 
tity” his  business  motto. 

Mr.  Colvin  needs  no  introduction  to  Providence 
or  Rhode  Island  people,  nor  any  eulogy.  His  resi- 
dence and  business  career  here  among  them  for  a 
third  of  a century  speak  for  him,  one  having  only 
to  read  between  the  lines  of  this  brief  sketch  and 
to  point  to  the  extensive  business  his  energy,  pluck 
and  ability  have  developed.  The  extensive  plant  of 
The  Colvin  Foundry  Company  stands  as  a monu- 
ment to  his  enterprise. 

Mr.  Colvin  is  independent  in  politics.  Frater- 
nally he  is  a member  of  St.  John’s  Lodge,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  and  St.  John’s  Commandery,  and  also  a 
member  of  the  Central  and  Pomham  Clubs.  Mr. 
Colvin  left  home  when  sixteen  years  of  age  and 
has  made  his  success  by  his  own  efforts  and  in- 
dustry. He  is  one  of  the  self-made  men  of  Provi- 
dence and  a most  useful  citizen. 

One  child,  Charles  T.,  was  born  to  the  first 
marriage,  his  birth  occurring  July  3,  1869.  By  the 
second  marriage  Mr.  Colvin  became  the  father  of 
Clarence  H.,  born  Dec.  20,  1877;  and  Earl,  born 
May  23,  1887,  who  was  drowned  April  9,  1903,  at 
Hunts  Mills. 

Bennett.  The  Bennett  family  to  which  Mrs. 
Mary  Ann  (Bennett)  Colvin,  wife  of  Henry  Col- 
vin, belonged,  is  well  known  in  Rhode  Island.  (I) 
Samuel  Bennett,  the  ancestor  of  this  line  of  Ben- 
netts, was  of  Providence  and  East  Greenwich.  He 
was  a cooper  by  trade.  In  1652  he  was  General 
Sergeant,  and  he  was  made  a freeman  in  1655,  and 
again  in  1656.  He  was  commissioner  in  1657, 
member  of  the  Grand  Jury  in  1661,  and  took  the 
oath  of  allegiance  May  31,  1666.  He  was  deputy 
in  1668-74-78.  His  wife’s  name  was  Anna,  and 
their  children  were  : Edward  ; Elizabeth,  who  mar- 
ried Edward  Inman,  and  died  in  1721;  Samuel; 
William,  who  married  Rachael  Weaver;  Benjamin; 
Priscilla,  who  married  Stukeley  Westcott,  and  died 
in  1754.  Samuel  Bennett  died  Sept.  4,  1684,  and 
his  widow  passed  away  in  1705. 

(II)  Samuel  Bennett,  son  of  Samuel  and  Anna, 
married  (first)  Jan.  2,  1689,  Sarah  Forman,  and 
(second)  April  25,  1699,  Desire  Berry  and  (third) 
in  171S,  Rachael.  The  children  born  to  the  first 
marriage  were  Samuel,  born  Sept.  14,  1690;  Sarah, 


Jan.  31,  1698;  Hannah,  April  27,  1697.  By  the  sec- 
ond marriage : Elizabeth,  born  Nov.  19,  1699  1 Ben- 
jamin, born  Nov.  7,  1701  ; John,  Oct.  15,  1703 ; Wil- 
liam, May  15,  1706;  Priscilla,  Oct.  7,  1708;  Alary, 
April  2,  1 7 1 1 ; and  Desire,  Feb.  12,  1713.  Samuel 
Bennett  was  a carpenter  by  trade.  He  was  made  a 
freeman  in  1685,  member  of  the  grand  jury  in  1688, 
and  deputy  and  lieutenant  in  1690.  He  was  of 
East  Greenwich  and  Coventry,  Rhode  Island. 

(III)  John  Bennett,  son  of  Samuel  and  Desire 
(Berry)  Bennett  was  born  Oct.  15,  1703.  Two  of  his 
sons  were:  David,  who  married  Alary  Wight,  July 
26,  1772;  and  Joseph  who  married  Dec.  9,  1773, 
Mary  Remington,  daughter  of  Thomas  Reming- 
ton. 

(IV)  Joseph  Bennett,  born  in  1743-44,  married 
Dec.  9,  1773,  Mary  Remington.  Their  children 
were:  Thomas,  born  May  28,  1775  ; Joseph,  Alarch 

i/77;  John,  Feb.  27,  1779;  Asa,  Feb.  2,  1781 
(died  Alay  23,  1864);  Tabitha,  Nov.  15,  1783; 
Mary,  Aug.  19,  1786;  Elizabeth,  Feb.  4,  1789  (died 
May  23,  1882)  ; Russell,  Nov.  24,  1793  (died 
Sept.  2,  1897)  ; Almy,  July  3,  1798.  Joseph  Ben- 
nett, the  father,  died  June  5,  1835,  aged  ninety-one 
years.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
as  his  widow  Mary  was  a Revolutionary  pensioner 
in  1840,  at  eighty-seven  years.  Mary  Bennett 
passed  away  Jan.  14,  1847,  aged  ninety-three  years, 
ten  months  and  four  days. 

(V)  Joseph  Bennett,  son  of  Joseph  and  Alary 
(Remington)  Bennett,  born  March  8,  1777,  married 
March  25,  1805,  Penelope  Andrews,  daughter  of 
James,  of  Scituate.  Their  children  were:  Pene- 
lope, born  Feb.  17,  1806;  Alary  Ann,  May  ri, 
1808;  Thomas,  Jan.  18,  1810  (died  Jan.  13,  1883; 
he  married  (first)  Betsey  Colvin,  who  died  Sept. 
2,  1857,  and  (second)  Rhebe  W.  Burgess,  who  died 
Nov.  15,  1871)  ; Amaty  A.,  born  Oct.  19,  1813  (died 
June  15,  1822)  ; Joseph,  born  in  1815  (died  Dec. 
1 5,  1839)  ; Russell;  Asa;  and  Abby  A.  S.  Joseph 
Bennett,  the  father,  died  Feb.  18,  1864,  aged 
eighty-six  years,  and  Penelope,  his  wife,  died  Jan. 
10,  1839,  in  her  fifty-second  year. 

HON.  SAAIUEL  RODMAN  and  Descend- 
ants. The  early  Rodmans  in  America  were  Quak- 
ers, peace-loving,  “law-abiding  people,  consequently 
the  name  is  rarely  found  in  State  or  Colonial  rec- 
ords ; in  connection  with  lawsuits  or  criminal  cases 
never ; rarely  in  the  records  of  war.  As  the  old 
ancestor  gave  up  his  native  land  for  an  adherence 
to  his  Quaker  principles,  so  here  his  immediate 
descendants,  though  not  Royalists  and  never  treach- 
erous to  the  interests  of  the  Colony,  were  ready  to 
leave  the  new  home,  and  the  fair  estates  they  had 
budded  up,  rather  than  take  part  in  shedding  the 
blood  of  their  fellow-men.  For  this  reason  the 
name  is  rarely  found  amongst  the  many  who  fought 
for  and  won  our  independence.  Neither  is  the  name 
found  amongst  those  who  brought  in  large  bills 
for  shoeing  a horse  or  nursing  a sick  soldier.  Such 
services  if  rendered  were  probably  gratuitous.” 


' tytyPrestonAC°H'( 


RHODE  ISLAND 


773 


This  course  would  be  in  keeping  with  the  large- 
hearted  generosity  that  has  always  been  a dis- 
tinguishing characteristic  of  the  family. 

“The  line  of  Samuel  Rodman’s  paternal  an- 
cestors is  traceable  for  more  than  two  hundred 
years.  The  first  progenitor  of  the  family  in 
America  of  whom  we  have  record  was  John  Rod- 
man,  of  Christ  Church  parish,  Barbadoes,  a planter, 
who  died  in  Barbadoes  in  1686.  His  elder  son, 
Thomas,  a physician,  removed  to  Newport,  R.  I., 
and  settled  there,  and  from  him  the  direct  line 
of  descent  was  through  Thomas,  Samuel,  Robert, 
Robert,  to  Samuel,  the  seventh  in  the  line  from 
John  Rodman  of  Barbadoes.” 

“The  Rodmans  were  originally  of  Redman  in 
Cumberland,  now  called  Redmaine,  formerly  a joint 
township  with  Isell.  Radman,  Redeman,  Rodman, 
Redmand,  Redmayp,  Rodmund,  Redemayn,  Rid- 
man  are  all  variations  of  the  same  name.  The 
Redmans  or  Rodmans  obtained  Levan  in  West- 
moreland temp.  Henry  II  and  made  it  their  prin- 
cipal residence.  Arms : Gu  a chev  ar  between 
four  cushions  ermine,  tasselled  or.  Crest,  Out  of 
a mural  coronet  or  a horse’s  head  ar,  maned  gu. 
Motto,  Garde  de  foy,  granted  in  1595.”  [“His- 
torical & Genealogical  Memoirs  of  the  Family  of 
Duket,  from  the  Norman  Conquest  to  the  Present 
Time,”  by  Sir  G.  F.  Dukett,  Bart.  Burke  gives  the 
same.] 

Hon.  Samuel  Rodman  is  descended  from 
Richard  Warren,  twelfth  signer  of  the  compact, 
who  came  to  Plymouth  in  1620,  in  the  “Mayflower.” 
In  the  Warren  Genealogy  (by  I.  C.  Warren,  Bos- 
ton, Mass.)  we  find  “The  name  Warren  of  William 
Earl  of  Warren.  He  was  a Norman  baron  of 
Danish  extraction.  He  accompanied  William  the 
Conqueror  on  his  expedition  to  England ; fought 
at  the  battle  of  Hastings,  1066 ; won  the  confidence 
of  the  Court  to  such  an  extent  that  when  the  King 
left  England  on  a visit  to  his  native  land  Earl 
Warren  was  appointed  one  of  the  two  guardians 
of  the  Kingdom.  From  this  ancestry  the  Warrens 
are  followed  down  through  Earls,  Knights  and 
Commoners  to  the  period  of  the  Colonization  of 
America.” 

On  Page  336,  of  “Americans  of  Gentle  Birth 
and  their  Ancestors,”  St.  Louis,  1903,  will  be  found 
the  full  lineage  of  William  de  Warren  II,  Earl  of 
Surrey,  who  married  Lady  Gundreda  of  Normandy, 
daughter  of  William  the  Conqueror,  King  of  Eng- 
land, married  in  1053,  Lady  Matilda,  daughter 
of  Baldwin,  Count  of  Flanders. 

Hon.  Samuel  Rodman  was  in  direct  descent 
from  the  Colonial  Governor  John  Coggeshall,  1647; 
Colonial  Governor  Nicholas  Easton,  May,  1650- 
1652 ; Benedict  Arnold,  President  of  the  Colony 
over  twenty  years,  May,  1657-1678  (died  in  office)  ; 
Colonial  Governor  Caleb  Carr,  1695  (died  in  of- 
fice) ; John  Easton,  May,  1690-1695  ; John  Cogge- 
shall, Jr.,  deputy,  1686-1690;  Robert  Hazard.  [Co- 
lonial Records,  Historical  Magazine  of  Rhode 
Island,  Austin’s  Gen.  Die.] 


Samuel  Rodman,  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth 
(Hazard)  Rodman,  the  latter  the  daughter  of 
Stephen  Hazard,  of  South  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  was 
born  in  South  Kingstown  May  3,  1800.  Both  in 
personal  appearance  and  in  character  he  was  said 
to  resemble  his  great-grandfather,  Samuel,  while 
he  inherited  from  his  mother  h strain  of  the  Hazard 
blood,  and  with  it  the  will  and  energy  that  are 
necessary  to  success.  He  was  born  in  the  house 
that  his  great-uncle,  William  Rodman,  had 
builded,  and  in  the  great  west  chamber  that  had 
been  made  historic  as  being  also  the  birthplace  of 
Oliver  Hazard  Perry,  the  hero  of  Lake  Erie. 

In  1821  he  made  his  first  purchase  of  real 
estate,  “buying  of  Elisha  Watson,  for  four  hun- 
dred and  ninety  dollars,  six  acres  of  land  with  a 
house  thereon.”  This  land  was  once  a part  of  the 
old  Rodman  estate,  and  in  this  house  his  eldest  son, 
Isaac  Peace  Rodman,  was  born  Aug.  18,  1822. 
Year  by  year  Samuel  Rodman  added  to  his  prop- 
erty, gathering  up  acre  after  acre  of  the  old  pa- 
ternal lands.  About  1830  he  leased  the  Peace  Dale 
Mills  from  Isaac  Hazard,  and  began  manufactur- 
ing; and  in  1835,  wTith  Attmore  Robinson,  Jie  bought 
the  tract  of  land  with  the  wharf  at  Narragansett 
Pier  since  called  the  “Old  Pier,”  where  a break- 
water costing  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  was  af- 
terward built.  “During  the  progress  of  the  work 
on  the  breakwater  an  accomplished  French  en- 
gineer, on  examining  it,  said  that  it  was  built  on 
a wrong  principle,  and  that  the  dock  would  fill 
with  sand.  Time  has  proved  the  truth  of  this  pre- 
diction, for  children  now  play  on  the  sands  where 
was  once  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  of  water.” 

In  1838  Samuel  Rodman  sold  his  rights  in  the 
“Pier”  property  and  bought  of  Thomas  R.  Hazard 
125  or  130  acres  in  the  village  of  Rocky  Brook; 
and  in  the  same  year  he  built  the  homestead,  where 
seven  of  his  children  were  born.  There  wrere  on 
the  property  at  the  time  four  small  houses,  and  a 
small  mill  containing  one  or  two  sets  of  machinery. 
In  this  mill  he  began  the  manufacture  of  woolen 
goods.  During  the  following  year  (1839)  lie 
bought  thirty  acres,  on  a part  of  which  stood  the 
old  Rodman  mansion  house  and  a woolen-mill. 
In  1853  lie  bought  thirty  acres  more  with  several 
houses  and  a woolen-mill,  and  about  the  same  time 
he  added  to  his  own  farm  the  Freeman  Watson 
farm  adjoining  it.  This  farm  once  belonged  to  his 
great-uncle,  William  Rodman,  who  in  the  last 
century  had  built  the  house  already  mentioned  as 
the  one  in  which  Samuel  Rodman  was  born.  I he 
small  mills  on  the  Rocky  Brook  estate  Mr.  Rodman 
soon  replaced  by  substantial  stone  buildings,  taking 
all  the  stone  that  he  used  from  his  own  meadows, 
which  were  well  named  “Rocky.”  His  success  as 
a manufacturer  was  uninterrupted  until  the  war 
of  1861,  and  he  became  one  of  the  richest  mill 
owners  in  the  State,  owning  in  addition  to  the 
“Rocky  Brook”  property  mills  in  Wakefield  and  in 
Newport.  He  built  pretty  cottages  for  his  opera- 
tives, made  roads,  set  out  trees  and  beautified  the 


774 


RHODE  ISLAND 


place  until  it  became,  both  in  appearance  and  in 
reality,  one  of  the  thriftiest  as  well  as  one  of  the 
most  picturesque  villages  in  New  England. 

In  politics  Samuel  Rodman  was  an  old-time 
Whig  and  subsequently  an  anti-slavery  Whig.  He 
represented  his  town  several  times  in  the  General 
Assembly.  In  1854,  when  a nomination  was  equiva- 
lent to  an  election,  he  was  asked  to  take  the  nomi- 
nation for  lieutenant-governor,  but  he  declined  it. 
He  was  never  defeated  with  the  exception  of  once 
in  any  election  in  which  he  stood  as  a candidate. 
In  1873  he  received  the  nomination  for  Congress, 
but  declined  to  run.  In  1841  he  entered  enthusi- 
astically upon  the  total  abstinence  reform,  and  its 
measure  of  success  in  his  own  and  the  neighbor- 
ing villages  was  largely  attributable  to  his  zeal. 

For  over  forty  years  Samuel  Rodman  was  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  an  honor  to  his 
communion.  He  contributed  largely  toward  the 
building  of  the  new  Baptist  house  of  worship  in 
Wakefield  in  1852,  and  was  one  of  its  chief  bene- 
factors. He  was  not  in  any  sense  a sectarian.  He 
was  liberal  in  his  religious  views  and  tolerant 
toward  all  Christian  denominations,  and  aided,  by 
liberal  contributions,  in  the  building  of  no  less  than 
twenty-six  churches  besides  his  own,  not  confining 
his  benevolence  to  his  own  denomination. 

Mr.  Rodman’s  character  was  one  of  great  na- 
tural energy,  yet  there  were  110  hard  lines  in  it. 
He  had  a certain  gentleness  of  maimer,  combined 
with  decision,  which  made  him  greatly  beloved  and 
trusted  by  all  who  came  in  contact  with  him,  espe- 
cially his  employees,  who  during  his  last  illness 
came  to  the  house  in  numbers,  begging  to  be  al- 
lowed the  privilege  of  watching  through  the  nights 
with  him.  No  “strike”  was  ever  thought  of  in  his 
mills.  The  relations  between  him  and  his  em- 
ployees were  those  of  mutual  confidence.  He  per- 
ceived that  the  truest  method  of  elevating  the  la- 
borer was  to  make  him  independent,  and  to  this 
end,  by  the  sale  of  lands  to  his  employees  at  nomi- 
nal prices,  he  encouraged  his  laborers  to  become 
land  owners. 

His  hospitality  was  proverbial.  Rarely  were  the 
guest  chambers  tenantless,  or  were  there  vacant 
seats  at  his  hospitable  board ; while  the  dis- 
tinguished guest  received  no  more  cordial  welcome 
than  the  poor  and  needy  friend  or  relation.  A 
friend  writing  to  his  widow  after  his  death  said: 
“Mr.  Rodman  was  the  most  generous  man  I ever 
knew,  and  I have  reason  to  know  how  generous. 
He  conferred  a favor  in  such  a way  that  the  re- 
cipient might  well  question  whether  he  had  received 
or  conferred  the  favor.” 

Samuel  Rodman  married  (first)  July  15,  1821, 
Mary  Peckham,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Abigail 
(Oatley)  Peckham,  and  in  direct  descent  from 
John  Peckham,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury ; from 
Richard  Warren,  one  of  the  twelve  signers  of  the 
“Mayflower”  Compact;  from  the  Colonial  Gov- 
ernors John  Coggeshall  (May,  1647,  to  May, 
1648),  John  Easton  (King’s  attorney-general  for 


the  Colony,  1656-1674,  and  governor,  1690-1695), 
Benedict  Arnold  (President  of  the  Colony  from 
May,  1657,  until  June  20,  1678,  when  he  died  in 
office),  George  Hazard  (May,  1734,  to  June,  1738, 
died  in  office),  John  Greene  (King’s  attorney- 
general,  1660-1690;  member  of  Governor  Andros’ 
Council;  Governor,  1690-May,  1700),  and  Caleb 
Carr  (May,  1695,  died  in  office)  ; and 'from  John 
Coggeshall",  Jr.,  Deputy,  1686-1690. 

Mary  (Peckham)  Rodman  was  the  mother  of 
all  Samuel  Rodman’s  children.  The  influence  of 
her  character  and  teaching  was  seen  clearly  in  her 
eldest  son,  Gen.  Isaac  Peace  Rodman.  To  her 
husband  she  was  truly  a helpmate,  not  only  in 
forming  the  character  of  the  older  children,  who 
came  especially  under  her  influence,  but  as  a wise 
and  faithful  counselor  in  all  his  business  relations. 
He  took  no  important  step  without  her  advice.  She 
was  born  Sept.  25,  1803,  and  died  Feb.  16,  1853. 
Mr.  Rodman  married  (second)  Feb.  15,  1854,  Mary 
Anstis,  daughter  of  Wilkins  Upidike,  Esq.,  of 
South  Kingstown,  and  author  of  the  “History  of 
the  Narragansett  Church,”  “Memoirs  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Bar,”  and  other  works. 

Mr.  Rodman  died  May  9,  1882,  in  South 

Kingstown,  on  the  Rodman  land  where  he  was 
born,  and  was  buried  in  the  family  burying-ground. 
Eight  of  his  grandsons,  obeying  bis  request,  were 
his  pall-bearers.  They  were : Isaac  Peace  Rod- 
man,  Thomas  Rodman,  Rowland  Rodman,  S.  A. 
Rodman,  B.  F.  Robinson,  Jr.,  Samuel  R.  Robinson, 
Samuel  Rodman  Thompson  and  William  H.  Bald- 
win, Jr.  We  may  conclude  by  saying,  in  the  words 
of  one  who  knew  him  well : “A  larger-hearted, 
more  whole-souled  man  than  Samuel  Rodman 
Rhode  Island  has  never  produced.” 

The  children  born  to  Samuel  and  Mary  (Peck- 
ham) Rodman  were:  Isaac  Peace,  born  Aug.  18, 
1822  (died  Sept.  30,  1862)  ; Benjamin  Peckham, 
Aug.  18,  1824  (died  June  18,  1825)  ; Louisa 

Hazard,  March  26,  1826  (died  May  2,  1854)  ; Ed- 
ward Francis,  Dec.  18,  1826  (died  Feb.  7,  1833)  ; 
Rowland  Gibson,  Jan.  10,  1828;  Julia  Maria,  Sept. 
7,  1831  (died  Sept.  27,  1891)  ; Caroline  Elizabeth, 
July  4,  1833  (died  July  7,  1906)  ; Edward  Fran- 
cis, May  7,  1835  (died  in  August,  1835)  ; Mary 
Hazard,  Sept.  20,  1836  (died  Feb.  23,  1837)  ; Mary 
Peckham,  Nov.  12,  1838;  Sarah  Abigail,  Sept.  15, 
1840;  Samuel,  Nov.  4,  1842  (died  January,  1890)  ; 
Richard  Sherman,  Dec.  15,  1844  (died  Oct.  31, 
1892)  ; Edward,  Dec.  14,  1845  > James  Clarke,  Sep- 
tember, 1847  (died  Sept.  15,  1848)  ; James,  Sept. 
11,  1849  (unmarried). 

Peckham.  The  ancient  family  so  called  (to 
which  Mrs.  Mary  (Peckham)  Rodman  belonged) 
derived  their  name  from  the  parish  of  Peckham, 
in  the  County  of  Kent,  England.  Thus  John  of 
Peckham  in  1200 — before  surnames  were  used — 
became  later  John  Peckham.  John  Peckham,  of 
Newport,  R.  I.,  1638,  probably  came  from  the 
Hutchinson  party  on  the  “Grififen.”  He  was  a 
zealous  Baptist,  but  his  name  does  not  appear  in 


RHODE  ISLAND 


775 


the  list  of  those  disarmed  in  Boston,  nor  among 
the  followers  of  Wheelwright,  nor  was  he  a signer 
of  the  Portsmouth  Covenant.  He  was  a brother-in- 
law  of  John  Clarke,  and  his  lands  were  allotted 
along  with  those  of  William  Freeborn,  John  Cogge- 
shall  and  others  who  were  the  first  settlers  of  the 
Island  of  Aquidneck  in  1638,  where  on  May  20th 
his  name  is  in  a list  of  those  who  were  admitted 
inhabitants  of  Newport.  In  1640  the  bounds  of 
his  lands  were  established,  thirty-two  acres.  March 
16,  1641,  he  was  admitted  a freeman.  In  1648  he 
was  one  of  the  ten  male  members  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist Church  of  Newport  in  filll  communion.  This 
same  year  Eleanor  Peckham,  his  second  wife,  was 
baptized.  His  residence  was  in  that  part  of  New- 
port that  afterward  became  Middletown,  and  a 
stone  marked  J.  P.  marks  his  grave.  A reference 
of  his  will  is  found  in  a list  of  seventeen  wills  (be- 
tween 1676  and  1695)  that  were  presented  in  the 
Court  in  1700  by  parties  interested,  the  law  re- 
quiring three  witnesses  and  these  wills  having  but 
two. 

John  Peckham  and  his  sons  prior  to  1700  were 
very  extensive  land  holders.  They  were  among 
the  proprietors  of  the  Pettaquamscott  purchase  in 
1660.  These  tracts  reached  across  southern  Rhode 
Island  from  Westerly  to  Narragansett  bay.  Their 
purchases  included  Conanicut  Island,  Dutch  Island, 
in  the  bay,  besides  large  tracts  on  the  island  of 
Rhode  Island,  where  the  original  settlement  was 
made.  Soon  after  the  first  settlement  of  Rhode 
Island  the  Peckhams  bought  a tract  of  land  one 
mile  square  in  Little  Compton,  on  which  they  built 
a house,  in  1640,  which  stood  two  hundred  years 
and  in  which  six  generations  of  Peckhams  were 
born.  Their  purchases  also  extended  into  Dart- 
mouth, Mass.,  to  the  Acushnet  river,  where  a part 
of  the  city  of  New  Bedford  now  stands. 

The  great-grandchildren  of  John  Peckham 
were  among  the  settlers  of  North  and  South 
Kingstown  and  Jamestown,  R.  I.  The  succeeding 
generations  went  to  Dutchess  county,  New  York. 

In  a deed  dated  May  30,  1651,  from  Joshua 
Coggeshall  and  his  mother,  Mary  Coggeshall,  to 
Walter  Connigrave,  the  land  is  described  as  bounded 
“on  land  granted  to  Mary  Clarke  now  deceased, 
sometime  the  wife  of  John  Peckham.”  The  grant 
referred  to  was  made  previous  to  1644.  She  was 
born  in  1607.  The  children  of  John  Peckham  and 
Mary  Clarke,  his  wife,  were:  John,  born  in  1645, 
married  Sarah  Newport  ; Thomas  married  (second) 
Widow  Hannah  (Weeden)  ; William,  born  in  1647, 
married  (first)  a Clarke  and  (second)  Phoebe 
Weeden,  who  died  in  1734. 

(II)  John  Peckham,  born  in  1645,  lived  on 
the  Peckham  estate  in  Little  Compton,  R.  I.,  and 
was  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  East  Green- 
wich, R.  I.,  in  1677.  He  married  in  1667  Sarah 
Newport.  He  died  in  1712.  Issue:  Elizabeth, 
born  Sept.  17,  1668;  John,  Sept.  17,  1673  ; Mary, 
Sept.  30,  1674;  Reuben,  Feb.  3,  1676;  Peleg,  Dec. 
11,  1677;  Joseph,  Jan.  8,  1679;  Sarah,  Sept.  5, 


1680;  Timothy,  Aug.  5,  1681;  Benjamin,  June  9, 
3:684  i Isaac,  Aug.  10,  1688;  Sarah  B.,  June  26, 
1690. 

(III)  Benjamin  Peckham,  born  June  9,  1684, 
lived  in  South  Kingstown.  lie  married  Sept.  23, 
1708,  Mary,  who  died  in  1761,  daughter  of  Caleb 
and  Philippa  (Greene)  Carr,  of  Jamestown,  R.  I., 
and  granddaughter  of  Robert  Carr.  She  was  also 
a granddaughter  of  Gov.  John  Greene.  Her  sister 
was  the  wife  of  Thomas  Paine.  Benjamin  Peck- 
ham died  in  1769.  They  had  six  children:  John; 
Mary,  who  married  Hezekiah  Babcock,  of  South 
Kingstown,  Jan.  3,  1739-40;  Benjamin,  Jr.,  who 
married  Mary  Hazard  in  1737;  Timothy;  Peleg, 
born  June  28,  1723;  and  Isaac,  born  Dec.  23, 
1728. 

(IV)  Benjamin  Peckham,  Jr.,  born  March  22,. 

1715,  settled  in  South  Kingstown,  R.  I.  He  had 
extensive  landed  estates,  which  he  farmed  in  a 
large  way.  He  married  June  2,  1737,  Mary  (born 
July  16,  1722,  died  April,  1805),  daughter  of 
Lieut.-Gov.  George  and  Sarah  (Carder)  Hazard. 
Records  of  seven  children  remain.  From  these  are 
descended  most  of  the  New  York  Peckhams,  in- 
cluding Judge  Rufus  and  Wheeler  Hazard  Peck- 
ham. Benjamin  Peckham,  Jr.,  was  town  clerk  of 
South  Kingstown,  1736-1743;  moderator  of  the 
South  Kingstown  Convention,  1784;  one  of  a com- 
mittee appointed  to  settle  an  account  against 
Thomas  Ninegret,  Sachem  of  the  Narragansetts, 
in  1767;  and  a member  of  the  Legislature,  1768. 
Benjamin  Peckham,  Carder  Hazard  and  William 
Potter  were  a committee  to  address  a letter  to  the 
Committee  of  Correspondence  of  Boston,  Nov.  22, 
1774,  from  South  Kingstown,  contributing  sheep 
and  urging  steadfastness  in  the  good  cause.  He 
was  an  energetic,  public-spirited  man.  He  died  in 
1792.  His  children  were : George  Hazard,  born 
April  13,  1739,  died  Nov.  26,  1799,  who  married 
Sarah  Taylor;  Josephus,  born  Feb.  21,  1742,  died 
March  27,  1814,  who  married  Mary  Babcock; 
Sarah,  who  married  John  Robinson;  John  Paine; 
William,  born  in  1752,  died  May  19,  1820,  who 
married  (first)  Mercy  Perry  and  (second)  Dorcas 
Perry;  Mary,  who  was  born  Jan.  7,  1827,  died 
September,  1803,  unmarried;  and  Peleg,  born  June 
11,  1762,  died  in  1828,  who  married  Desire 

Watson. 

Brig.-Gen.  Isaac  Peace  Rodman,  eldest  son  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  (Peckham)  Rodman,  was  born 
in  South  Kingstown,  R.  1.,  Aug.  18,  1822.  On 
June  17,  1847,  he  married  Sally  Arnold,  daughter 
of  Gov.  Lemuel  Hastings  and  Sally  Arnold, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  seven  children,  born 
as  follows:  Isaac  Peace,  April  25,  1848;  Sally 
Lyman,  Feb.  10,  1850;  Marv  Peckham,  March  25, 
1852;  Samuel,  February,  1854  (died  February, 
1856);  Thomas,  March  23,  1856;  Samuel  Arnold, 
April  23,  1858  (married  Cynthia  Sheldon)  ; Eliza- 
beth Arnold,  July,  i860  (died  in  1864).  The  eldest, 
Isaac  Peace  Rodman,  member  of  the  firm  of  Wood- 
ward-Baldwin  Company,  of  New  York  City,  was 


7/6 


RHODE  ISLAND 


married  April  28,  1880,  to  Harriet  E.  Robinson, 
daughter  of  Dr.  Morton  and  Anna  (Collins)  Robin- 
son, and  they  have  had  two  children  : Helen  Smith, 
born  Sept.  9,  1883,  now  the  wife  of  William  T. 
Westcote ; and  Isaac  P.,  Jr.,*  a student  at  Harvard, 
class  of  1908.  Sally  Lyman  Rodman,  the  eldest 
daughter,  was  married  June  15,  1875,  to  Robert 
Thompson,  and  they  have  had  four  children : 
Louise  Hazard,  born  July  25,  1876,  who  died  Sept. 
5,  1876;  Sally  Rodman,  born  Feb.  12,  1879,  who  is 
now  the  wife  of  Louis  Balch ; Nancy  Gilman,  born 
May  19,  j88i,  who  died  Oct.  15,  1881 ; and  Ed- 
ward Hazard,  born  Feb.  14,  1884. 

General  Rodman  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  town,  but  early  in  life  entered 
the  manufacturing  business  with  his  father.  He 
had  a passionate  love  for  books  and  the  knowledge 
that  books  gave,  combined  with  a remarkable 
memory ; his  leisure  hours  were  for  many  years 
nearly  all  devoted  to  study,  and  thus  he  was  enabled 
to  take  his  place  amongst  men  of  a more  liberal 
education  on  an  equal  footing.  He  was  a man  of 
exceedingly  acute  and  elevated  intelligence,  rea- 
soned with  great  sequence  and  logical  force  from 
cause  to  effect,  and  was  a believer  in  the  “gospel 
of  expedience”  in  all  the  ordinary  affairs  of  life. 
His  extensive  reading  and  intimate  acquaintance 
with  the  classics  rendered  him  a literary  critic  of 
no  mean  order.  E.  H.  Hazard,  in  a biographical 
sketch,  written  for  Bartlett's  “Rhode  Island  Offi- 
cers,” said  of  General  Rodman : “He  was  ex- 
tremely modest  and  retiring  in  his  nature.  There 
were  no  extravagances  in  his  life  or  conduct ; his 
character  as  a whole  was  uniform  in  all  its  ele- 
ments.” He  was  for  many  years  an  honored  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church ; at  one  time  teacher  of 
a Bible-class  composed  of  young  men ; at  another, 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school.  He  was 
liberal  in  his  religious  views  toward  all  denomina- 
tions. 

After  a few  years  of  initiatory  labor  in  his 
father’s  mills,  more  especially  in  office  work,  he 
with  his  brother,  Rowland  Gibson  Rodman,  en- 
tered into  partnership  with  their  father,  under  the 
firm  name  of  S.  Rodman  & Sons.  He  was  for 
several  years  president  of  the  town  council  of 
South  Kingstown,  and  was  a representative  for 
several  terms  in  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode 
Island,  and  also  in  the  Senate  of  the  State.  He  was 
a director  in  the  Wakefield  Bank,  also  in  the  Insti- 
tution for  Savings. 

When  President  Lincoln  called  for  seventy-five 
thousand  men,  at  the  commencement  of  the  Civil 
war,  he  was  among  the  first  to  respond  to  the  call. 
He  raised  a military  company  composed  of  his 
fellow-townsmen  for  the  2d  Rhode  Island  Regiment 
of  Volunteers,  and  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Sprague  its  captain.  For  his  gallant  conduct  at 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run  Governor  Sprague,  when 
the  4th  Rhode  Island  Regiment  was  mustered  into 
service,  appointed  him  lieutenant-colonel  and  soon 
afterward  colonel.  He  distinguished  himself  bv  his 


gallant  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Roanoke,  Feb.  8, 
1862,  and  at  Newbern,  March  15,  1862.  Abbott, 
in  his  “History  of  the  Civil  War,”  said,  in  speak- 
ing of  this  battle : “The  charge  by  Colonel  Rod- 
man,  leading  the  4th  Rhode  Island  Regiment,  was 
one  of  the  most  heroic  deeds  of  the  day.”  This 
gallant  charge  won  a brigadier-general’s  commis- 
sion for  Colonel  Rodman.  Yet  he  always  insisted 
that  his  regiment  deserved  more  credit  for  their 
conduct  at  the  battle  of  Roanoke  Island,  in  which 
they  took  a conspicuous  part,  than  at  the  battle  of 
Newbern.  It  was  about  this  time  that  Mr.  Robert 
Hale  Ives,  of  Providence,  asked  Governor  Sprague 
to  give  his  son  Robert  a place  on  General  Rodman’s 
staff.  “Do  you  know  what  you  are  asking  for?” 
said  the  Governor ; “he  is  your  only  son,  and  to 
give  him  this  position  means  certain  death,  for 
General  Rodman  is  the  bravest  man  I ever  knew, 
and  will  lead  your  son  into  the  very  midst  of 
danger.  Let  me  place  him  on  General  Burnside’s 
staff,  where  he  will  be  in  comparative  safety.”  Mr. 
Ives  said  that  his  son  would  take  no  other  position 
than  on  General  Rodman’s  'staff,  and  so  the  brave 
young  man  met  death,  with  his  brave  leader,  on 
the  field  of  Antietam.  After  the  capture  of  Fort 
Mason,  April  17,  1862,  General  Rodman  contracted 
typhoid  fever  and  was  obliged  to  return  home, 
“broken  in  health,  but  crowned  with  the  honors  he 
had  won.”  On  his  arrival  at  Kingston  Station 
he  was  met  by  a large  delegation  of  his  fellow- 
citizens,  with  the  militia  companies  and  the  bands 
of  music.  Overcome  by  this  proof  of  the  estimation 
in  which  he  was  held  by  his  townspeople,  and  en- 
feebled by  severe  illness,  he  could  say  but  a few 
words  to  them.  “A  few  weeks  later,  when  the  same 
company  again  conducted  him  to  his  home,  instead 
of  the  triumphant  strains  of  martial  music  the  tap 
of  the  muffled  drum  and  funeral  march  alone  was 
heard;  no  kind  words  greeted  the  old  friends,  for 
the  voice  was  still  forever.” 

He  had  remained  at  home  hut  a few  weeks.  Be- 
fore the  furlough  was  ended  or  his  health  re- 
established, General  Burnside  wrote  to  him  that 
the  army  was  on  the  eve  of  a great  battle,  urging 
him  to  return  if  possible,  as  there  was  urgent  need 
for  commanding  officers,  and  against  the  remon- 
strance of  his  physician  he  hastened  back  to  the 
field  of  duty.  At  the  battle  of  Antietam,  Sept.  17, 
1862,  he  commanded  the  3d  Division  of  the  9th 
Army  Corps,  and  fell  mortally  wounded,  while 
leading  his  division  to  the  charge.  “Though  feeble 
in  health,  and  exhausted  from  five  days  and  nights 
of  arduous  service,  he  kept  in  the  saddle  from 
early  dawn  till  sunset,  when  he  fell,  pierced  with 
a minie  ball  through  his  left  breast.  Surgical  aid 
and  efforts  of  friends  were  unavailing  to  save  his 
life ; his  system  was  exhausted.  His  patience  in 
suffering  was  equal  to  his  courage  on  the  battle- 
field. He  died  as  he  lived,  a Christian  soldier. 
His  physician,  who  had  witnessed  many  death- 
bed scenes,  said  that  for  calm,  conscious,  peaceful 
resignation  he  never  witnessed  its  equal.  From 


RHODE  ISLAND 


777 


the  time  he  left  home  in  the  spring  of  1861,  to  the 
hour  of  his  fall,  his  Bible  was  his  daily  com- 
panion and  was  daily  read  by  him.  It  was  found 
in  his  bosom,  clotted  with  blood.” 

Abbott,  in  closing  a notice  of  General  Rod- 
man,  says : “At  South  Mountain  he  escaped  un- 
injured. At  Antietam,  while  at  the  head  of  his 
division,  and  performing  the  part  of  a major-gen- 
eral, a bullet  pierced  his  breast,  and  he  was  carried 
to  a house  in  the  rear.  There,  after  the  lapse  of 
thirteen  days,  he  died.  His  remains  were  buried 
at  his  native  place,  South  Kingstown,  with  the 
highest  honors.  He  was  mourned  as  a Christian 
warrior,  and  as  one  of  the  purest  and  best  of 
men.” 

In  “The  Brown  University  in  Civil  War,  a 
Memorial,”  we  find : “Robert  Hall  Ives  offered 
himself  as  a volunteer  aide  on  the  staff  of  General 
Rodman,  preferring  to  serve  at  his  own  charge, 
was  accepted  and  commissioned  as  lieutenant  by 
Governor  Sprague  of  Rhode  Island,  ordered  to  re- 
port to  General  Rodman  for  service,  etc.  On  Sept, 
ist  Lieutenant  Ives  reported  to  General  Rodman, 
9th  Corps,  under  Major-General  Burnside.  The 
9th  Corps  left  its  bivouac  on  7th  street,  Washington, 
D.  C.,  on  Sept.  7,  and  crossed  into  Maryland.  It 
encountered  the  enemy  first  at  Frederick  (the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  now  restored  to  the  command  of 
General  McClellan),  and  drove  them  from  the  city 
without  a battle.  The  march  from  Frederick  to 
South  Mountain  was  a continued  skirmish.  At 
South  Mountain  the  battle  was  fought;  on  the  16th 
Sharpsburg,  where  the  several  corps  and 
divisions  were  ranged  along  the  left  bank  of  the 
little  river  Antietam,  which  runs  into  • the 
Potomac.  On  the  following  day  came  the  great 
battle  of  Antietam.  It  began  at  an  early  hour ; 
by  ten  o’clock  the  corps  of  General  Burnside  were 
fully  engaged,  its  right  being  near  the  stone  bridge 
that  spans  the  stream,  its  left,  commanded  by  Gen- 
eral Rodman,  opposite  a ford  three  fourths  of  a 
mile  below.  On  the  carrying  and  holding  of  this 
bridge  the  fortunes  of  the  day  were  obviously  to 
turn.  The  great  and  critical  work  was  at  length 
accomplished  after  several  ineffectual  attempts  and 
through  terrible  fighting  at  about  one  o’clock,  and 
a little  later  the  division  commanded  by  General 
Rodman  crossed  the  ford  and  joined  those  who  had 
passed  over  the  bridge  on  the  heights  that  rise  from 
the  right  bank  of  the  stream.  The  carnage  had 
been  frightful  all  along  the  line,  but  the  day’s  work 
now  seemed  to  be  done  and  the  corps  was  resting 
upon  its  arms.  The  enemy  still  occupied  the  van- 
tage ground  and  at  three  o’clock  the  order  reached 
General  Burnside  to  renew  the  attack.  The  position 
of  General  Rodman’s  division  exposed  it  to  the 
raking  fire  of  certain  batteries  of  the  enemy.  A 
charge  was  ordered  and  the  guns  were  carried,  but 
both  General  Rodman  and  his  aide,  Lieutenant  Ives, 
fell  mortally  wounded.” 

This  beautiful  little  poem  was  written  by  I.  M. 
Stewart : 


Brig.-General  Isaac  P.  Rodman 
(Requiem) 

Bear  the  hero  to  the  tomb ! 

Drape  the  flags  with  funeral  gloom ! 

Let  the  solemn  dirges  rise, 

Wailing  to  the  bending  skies. 

While  ye  hear  the  muffled  drum 
Friends  and  kindred  sadly  come: 

Bow  in  silence  o’er  his  bier 
Bless  his  memory  with  a tear ! 

Each  to  other  softly  tell 
While  resounds  the  passing  bell.' 

Half  in  sorrow,  half  in  pride, 

How  the  faithful  soldier  died. 

Let  affection  hither  bring 
Flowers  around  his  bed  to  fling; 

Comrades  let  your  banners  wave, 

Drooping  o’er  the  hero’s  grave. 

Mother  Earth ! receive  our  trust, 

Pillow  soft  the  noble  dust ; 

With  thy  mantle  green  and  warm, 

Shield  him  from  the  future  storm. 

Rest,  Oh  Chieftain ! rest  in  peace 
Where  all  wars  and  tumults  cease; 

Thou  has  placed  another  name 
On  the  fadeless  wreath  of  fame. 

The  State  of  Rhode  Island  brought  back  his 
remains  amid  universal  demonstration  of  mourning, 
and  laid  them  in  state  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of 
Representatives.  His  obsequies,  of  a very  impos- 
ing character,  were  conducted  by  the  State,  amid 
every  demonstration  of  respect  on  the  part  of  the 
citizens,  and  his  portrait  was  placed  in  the  Memorial 
Hall  of  Brown  University,  at  Providence. 

Senator  Henry  B.  Anthony,  in  a funeral  oration, 
said  of  him : “Here  lies  the  true  type  of  the  pa- 
triot soldier.  Born  and  educated  to  peaceful  pur- 
suits, with  no  thirst  for  military  distinction,  with 
little  taste  or  predilection  for  military  life,  he 
answered  the  earliest  call  of  his  country,  and  drew 
his  sword  in  her  defense.  Entering  the  service  in 
a subordinate  capacity,  he  rose  by  merit  alone  to 
the  high  rank  in  which  he  fell ; and  when  the  fatal 
shot  struck  him  the  captain  of  one  year  ago  was  in 
command  of  a division.  His  rapid  promotion  was 
influenced  by  no  solicitations  of  his  own.  He  never 
joined  the  crowd  that  thronged  the  avenues  of  pre- 
ferment. Patient,  laborious,  courageous,  wholly 
devoted  to  his  duties,  he  filled  each  place  so  well 
that  his  advancement  to  the  next  was  a matter 
of  course,  and  the  promotion  which  he  did  not  seek 
sought  him.  He  was  of  the  best  type  of  the 
American  citizen ; of  thorough  business  training, 
of  high  integrity,  with  an  abiding  sense  of  the 
justice  due  to  all  and  influenced  by  deep  religious 
convictions.  In  his  native  village  he  was  by  com- 
mon consent  the  arbitrator  of  differences,  the 
counselor  and  friend  of  all.”  He  was  buried  in  the 
family  burying-ground,  at  South  Kingstown,  on 
the  5th  of  October,  1862. 

Louisa  Hazard  Rodman  was  born  March  2'>, 


7/8 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1826,  and  died  May  2,  1854.  Her  opportunities  for 
an  education  were  limited,  but  so  great  was  her 
love  for  study  and  books  that  she  rose  above  her 
environment,  and  there  were  few  books  in  the 
neighborhood  that  she  had  not  read,  the  classics 
being  especially  familiar  to  her.  She  was  a woman 
of  fascinating  personality,  of  pungent,  sparkling 
wit  and  quickness  of  repartee.  She  was  so  bright 
and  full  of  life,  and  seemed  to  love  life  so  dearly, 
that  one  was  surprised  at  her  remark,  often  re- 
peated, that  she  wished  to  die  young.  When  asked 
what  she  called  young  the  answer  came,  “Twenty- 
eight,”  and  she  added,  “Then  everyone  will  re- 
gret me.”  Her  wish  was  granted,  for  she  was 
twenty-eight  in  March,  1854,  and  died  in  May  of 
that  year.  She  married  Oct.  4,  1849,  Col.  Daniel 
Chase  Hiscox,  and  to  them  were  born  two  chil- 
dren, Susan  Wood,  on  Dec.  13,  1850,  and  Daniel 
Chase,  on  May  2,  1854,  the  latter  dying  Aug.  9, 
1854.  The  daughter,  Susan  Wood  Hiscox,  was 
married  Oct.  6,  1870,  to  Eugene  F.  Beecher,  nephew 
of  Henry  Ward  Beecher,  and  died  May  10,  1907; 
they  had  two  children : Louise  Isabelle,  born  Sept. 
27,  1871,  married  William  Chancellor,  superintend- 
ent of  public  schools  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  and 
author  of  the  United  States  History  of  Three  Cen- 
turies (Chancellor  & Hewes).  Claire  Rodman, 
horn  Jan.  9,  1873,  married  Frederick  Rummer;  she 
is  a talented  composer  of  music. 

Rowland  Gibson  Rodman,  horn  Jan.  10,  1828, 
was  as  stated  in  the  foregoing  engaged  in  the 
manufacturing  business  with  his  father  and  brother, 
under  the  name  of  S.  Rodman  & Sons.  When 
President  Lincoln  made  his  second  call  for  volun- 
teers Mr.  Rodman,  following  the  example  of  his 
elder  brother,  raised  a company  of  men,  mostly 
from  his  native  town,  and  was  appointed  hv  the 
Governor  captain  of  the  company.  His  first  battle 
was  one  of  the  most  fearful  of  the  war,  and  it  was 
his  last.  Abbott,  in  writing  of  this  battle  of 
Fredericksburg,  says:  “Eleven  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-eight brave  men  were  dead ; nine  thousand  and 
five  writhing  under  the  torture  of  wounds ; and  two 
thousand  and  seventy-eight  were  missing,  of  whom 
probably  many  should  have  been  reported  dead.” 
Captain  Rodman  received  a fearful  wound  in  the 
breast.  He  was  carried  to  Baltimore  and  taken  to 
the  house  of  his  sister,  Mrs.  William  H.  Baldwin, 
where  he  was  carefully  nursed  back  to  life ; but 
he  never  entirely  recovered  from  the  effects  of  his 
wound. 

Capt.  Rowland  Gibson  Rodman  married  Sept. 
24,  1856,  Maria  Macv  Durfee,  daughter  of  Hon. 
Nathaniel  Briggs  Durfee.  Their  children  were  born 
as  follows:  Harriet  Greene,  Feb.  19,  1859;  Row- 
land G.,  Aug.  22,  1861  ; Macie  Durfee,  Oct.  7,  1866; 
Nathaniel  Greene,  July  27,  1869;  Edgar  Greene, 
April  4,  1872  (died  March  17,  1877). 

Julia  Maria  Rodman,  born  Sept.  7,  1831,  died 
Sept.  27,  1891.  She  married  June  7,  1852,  John 
Thompson,  of  North  Carolina,  who  a short  time 
before  had  bought  of  Attmore  Robinson  a farm  at 


Narragansett  Pier,  then  known  as  “Sea  View,” 
now  called  “Canonchet.”  Here  they  lived  until 
1864,  when  they  removed  to  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  In 
1883  they  removed  to  Waco,  Texas,  where  their 
two  sons  were  established  in  business,  and  there 
Mr.  Thompson  died  in  1889,  and  Mrs.  Thompson, 
broken  in  health,  but  with  a yearning  desire  to  see 
once  more  her  old  home  within  sound  of  the  sea, 
returned  to  South  Kingstown  in  July,  1891.  She 
died  at  the  home  of  her  sister,  Mrs.  B.  F.  Robin- 
son, in  Wakefield,  Sept.  27,  1891.  The  children  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  were:  (1)  John,  born 
April  28,  1853,  died  March  24,  1864.  (2)  Mary 

Louisa,  born  Oct.  5,  1854,  died  Sept.  21,  1870. 
(3)  Edward  W.,  born  June  26,  1856,  married 

Carrie  Ida  Thompson,  Oct.  6,  1881,  and  they  have 
had  seven  children,  born  as  follows : Edith  R., 
Aug.  25,  1882;  Mary  L.,  March  18,  1886;  Ida  B., 
April  24,  1888;  Edward,  Dec.  30,  1891  ; Sarah  W., 
May  12,  1894;  John,  Feb.  28,  1896;  Marguerite, 
1900.  (4)  Samuel  Rodman,  born  March  6,  1859, 

was  married  June  29,  1887,  to  Lillian  Williams, 
and  they  have  had  two  children : Samuel  R.,  born 
June  13,  1888,  and  William  B.,  born  July'  13,  1892. 
(5)  Sarah  Caroline,  born  Jan.  11,  1862,  died  in 
1883.  (6)  Julia  Rodman,  born  March  31,  1864, 

was  married  Oct.  26,  1892,  to  E.  R.  Bryan,  and 
they  have  three  children,  Allen,  Sadie  and  Mil- 
dred. 

Caroline  Elizabeth  Rodman,  born  at  Peace 
Dale,  July  4,  1833,  was  married  Nov.  20,  1854,  to 
Benjamin  Franklin  Robinson,  and  they  had  a 
family  of  six  children,  viz. : Eliza  Noyes,  born 
Dec.  23,  1855.  died  June  21,  1863.  Benjamin 

Franklin  was  born  Feb.  22,  1858.  Samuel  Rod- 
man,  born  April  17,  1859,  was  married  Sept.  7, 
1899,  to  Nellie  Carnahan,  and  they  have  had  two 
children — Agnes,  born  April  30,  1902,  and  Samuel 
R.,  Jr.,  born  Aug.  10,  1903.  Rowland  Rodman,, 
born  Aug.  23,  1862,  married  Mary  Peace  Hazard, 
and  has  one  son,  John  Newbold,  born  Nov.  9,  1903. 
Eliza  Noyes,  born  Nov.  8,  1863,  died  Dec.  17, 
1863.  Caroline  Eliza,  born  Feb.  18,  1871,  died  Aug. 
15,  1871. 

The  following  article  appeared  in  a local  paper 
at  the  time  of  Mrs.  Robinson’s  decease : 

“Mrs.  Caroline  Elizabeth  (Rodman)  Robinson, 
for  many  years  well  known  to  delvers  in  historical 
and  genealogical  lore,  was  born  in  Peace  Dale, 
Rhode  Island,  July  fourth,  1833,  and  died  at  her 
home  in  Wakefield,  Rhode  Island,  July  seventh, 
1906, 

“She  came  of  a family  illustrious  in  the  annals 
of  Rhode  Island,  and  was  a lineal  descendant  of 
other  Rhode  Island  families  of  note  in  Colonial  and 
State  affairs. 

“Her -father,  Honorable  Samuel  Rodman,  was 
one  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  his  day,  and  her 
eldest  brother,  Brigadier-General  Isaac  Peace  Rod- 
man,  was  a gallant  officer  in  the  Federal  army  in 
the  war  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 

“It  is  not  within  the  province  of  this  article  to 


RHODE  ISLAND 


779 


attempt  to  trace  the  influence  of  heredity  on  the 
formation  of  Mrs.  Robinson’s  character,  though 
such  influence  is  strongly  apparent. 

“Her  girlhood  was  passed  in  the  pleasant  sur- 
roundings of  the  parental  home  at  Rocky  Brook, 
and  early  in  life  she  showed  her  natural  inclination 
toward  literature  by  writing  many  stories  and 
poems  dealing  with  her  home  life  and  fireside 
scenes. 

“With  her  sisters  she  attended  the  Warren 
Ladies’  Seminary  at  Warren,  Rhode  Island,  one  of 
the  finest  schools  in  the  State  at  that  time,  and 
there  she  was  a leader  in  her  classes.  Graduation 
from  the  seminary  did  not  bring  to  her  an  end  to 
her  study ; she  was  a student  all  her  life.  Latin, 
Greek  and  German  classics  she  read  in  their  native 
tongue,  and  during  the  last  ten  years  of  her  life 
pursued  with  undiminished  zeal  the  study  of  Italian. 

“Though  she  loved  her  books,  she  never  became 
a ‘book-worm’  in  the  common  acceptance  of  that 
term,  for  study  and  reading  was  so  diversified  that 
her  mental  vision  was  constantly  broadening,  and 
her  fund  of  general  information  constantly  increas- 
ing. Her  well  trained  mind  acted  with  marvelous 
rapidity,  her  great  store  of  anecdotes  making  her  a 
charming  conversationalist. 

“She  was  an  authority  in  historical  and  genea- 
logical data  in  South  Kingstown,  and  at  the  time 
of  the  compilation  of  the  history  of  Washington 
and  Kent  counties  she  wrote  a large  part  of  the 
Rodman  and  Robinson  data  to  be  found  in  the 
South  Kingstown  section.  To  her  skill  in  ar- 
rangement and  painstaking  care  the  Hazard  gene- 
alogy will  ever  stand  as  a lasting  memorial.  She 
had  prepared  with  equal  care  the  record  of  the 
Gardiner  and  allied  families,  which  has  not  been 
published.  None  of  this  work,  however,  was  ever 
allowed  to  detract  from  her  duties  as  a wife  and 
mother. 

“Next  to  her  family  and  her  books,  her  flowers 
were  her  greatest  friends,  and  from  the  way  they 
bloomed  for  her  it  almost  seemed  as  though  they 
loved  her  as  she  loved  them.  She  was  of  that 
happy  disposition  which  broods  not  over  the  dis- 
appointments of  by-gone  days,  lives  in  the*  beauti- 
ful present,  and  has  no  fear  of  the  future. 

“November  twentieth,  1854,  she  married  Ben- 
jamin Franklin  Robinson,  a well  known  merchant 
of  Wakefield,  who  November  tenth,  1904,  preceded 
her  to  the  shore  of  the  tideless  sea  from  which 
none  of  us  shall  return.  To  her  were  born  six 
children,  three  of  whom  survive  her,  ex-Senator 
Benjamin  F.  Robinson  and  Dr.  Rowland  R.  Robin- 
son of  Wakefield,  Rhode  Island,  and  Samuel  Rod- 
man  Robinson,  of  Colorado,”  of  whom  mention  is 
made  in  the  Robinson  records  in  this  work. 

Mary  Peckham  Rodman  was  born  in  South 
Kingstown,  R.  I.,  Nov.  12,  1838,  and  married  Nov. 
10,  1859,  William  Henry  Baldwin,  of  Baltimore, 
Md.,  of  the  firm  of  Woodward,  Baldwin  & Co., 
a commission  merchant  and  a large  manufacturer 
of  textiles.  To  them  came  children  as  follows: 


William  Henry  (3),  born  in  August,  i860,  who. 
died  in  February,  1889;  Samuel  Rodman,  who  died 
in  March,  1882;  Mary  Louise,  who  died  in  Au- 
gust, 1877;  Charles  Gambrill,  who  died  young; 
Maria  Woodward,  who  married  Samuel  McClin- 
tock  Hamill ; Gordon,  who  died  young;  Frank 
Gambrill,  born  in  1869,  who  married  in  December, 
1904,  Catharine  Harrison  Thompson,  and  died  in 
May,  1905  (he  was  one  of  the  junior  partners  in 
the  dry-goods  house  of  Woodward,  Baldwin  & 
Co.,  of  Baltimore,  and  later  of  New  York  City)  ; 
Carroll,  born  in  February,  1871,  junior  member 
of  Woodward,  Baldwin  & Co.,  of  New  York  City; 
and  Sarah  Rodman,  born  in  February,  1872. 

Sarah  Abigail  Rodman  was  born  in  South 
Kingstown,  R.  I.,  Sept.  15,  1840,  and  on  Sept. 
27,  1865,  married  William  Woodward,  of  Balti- 
more, Md.,  son  of  Henry  Williams  and  Mary  Edge 
(Webb)  Woodward.  He  was  born  in  Anne  Arun- 
del county,  Md.,  Dec.  31,  1836,  and  after  his  tenth 
year  the  family  removed  to  Baltimore.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-one  he  became  a partner  in  the  firm 
of  Cary,  Bangs  & Woodward.  In  1864  he  re- 
moved to  New  York  and  entered  the  cotton  busi- 
ness. In  1869  he  was  offered  a partnership  in  the 
firm  of  Smith  & Dunning,  cotton  commission  mer- 
chants, and  the  firm  became  Smith,  Dunning  & 
Woodward,  later  Smith,  Woodward  & Stillman, 
and  finally  Woodward  & Stillman.  Mr.  Wood- 
ward died  March  20,  1889,  and  by  his  death  New 
York  lost  a strong,  vital  and  commanding  person- 
ality in  its  business  circles,  and  withal  a spirit 
genial,  friendly,  helpful  and  kind.  During  the  last 
twenty  years  of  his  life  his  career  as  a merchant 
illustrated  the  value  of  concentrated  energy,  strict 
personal  attention  to  affairs,  and  absolute  integrity 
in  the  rise  and  growth  of  a business  which  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  the  largest  of  its  kind  in 
the  country.  Mr.  Woodward  was  a man  of 
sanguine  spirit,  tempered  with  a keen  power  of 
discrimination  and  an  almost  unerring  judgment, 
and  through  the  ups  and  downs  of  general  business 
for  twenty  years  the  firm  of  Woodward  & Still- 
man was  synonymous  with  good  management  and 
success.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  organization 
and  advancement  of  the  New  York  Cotton  Ex- 
change, and  was  a member  of  the  original  com- 
mittee to  draft  its  by-laws.  Later  he  served  effi- 
ciently as  a member  of  its  building  committee,  and 
upon  the  completion  of  the  magnificent  Cotton  Ex- 
change Building,  as  chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements,  he  began  the  ceremonies  of  its  for- 
mal dedication,  according  to  the  usage  of  a God- 
fearing people,  by  introducing  the  Right  Rev.  H. 
C.  Potter,  who  offered  a prayer  of  blessing.  He 
was  a valued  member  of  the  Union,  Manhattan, 
Tuxedo,  South  Side,  New  York  Yacht,  American 
Jockey  and  New  York  Riding  Clubs,  and  of  Hol- 
land Lodge.  He  was  a man  of  sturdy  physique, 
the  apparent  embodiment  of  health,  success  and 
happiness,  cheerful,  hopeful  and  confident,  and 
with  a delightful  dry  humor  of  his  own.  He  en- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


780 


joyed  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  who  knew 
him,  and  stood  among  those  honored  and  dis- 
tinguished merchants  of  New  York  who  through 
their  own  efforts  and  natural  force  of  character 
attained  success.  His  charities  were  unostentatious, 
but  many  and  great.  He  helped  many  business 
men  in  days  of  trouble,  and  gave  many  young  men 
a start  in  life.  His  kindness  extended  to  the 
humblest  of  hi?  employees  and  his  benevolence 
was  not  bounded  by  creeds,  conditions  or  circum- 
stances. 

To  William  and  Sarah  Abigail  (Rodman) 
Woodward  were  born  four  children : ( 1 ) Mary 

Edge,  born  in  October,  1868,  died  the  same  month. 
(2)  Julia  Rodman,  born  Feb.  28,  1871,  died  March 
2,  1871.  (3)  Edith,  born  Dec.  29,  1873,  died  Jan. 

27,  1898.  (4)  William  was  born  April  7,  1876. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Abigail  Woodward  belongs  to  the  So- 
ciety of  Colonial  Dames  of  Rhode  Island;  the  Na- 
tional Society  of  Colonial  Dames  of  America ; the 
Society  of  Colonial  Governors,  and  the  Mayflower 
Society  of  Rhode  Island. 

William  Woodward,  born  in  New  York  City 
April  7,  1876,  graduated  from  Harvard  University, 
A.  B.,  1898;  A.  M.,  1899;  LL.  B.,  Harvard  Law 
School,  1901 ; member  of  the  New  York  Bar,  1901. 
He  served  as  private  secretary  to  Ambassador 
Choate  at  the  Court  of  St.  James,  1901-1907.  He 
was  married  Oct.  24,  1904,  to  Elizabeth  Ogden, 
daughter  of  Duncan  and  Elizabeth  (Ogden)  Cry- 
der,  of  New  York  City,  and  they  reside  at  No.  11 
West  Fifty-first  street,  New  York  City.  Their 
children  are:  Edith,  born  Oct.  8,  1905,  and  Eliza- 
beth Ogden,  born  June  16,  1907.  Their  summer 
residence  is  at  Mount  Kisco,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Wood- 
ward belongs  to  the  Union,  Knickerbocker,  Coach- 
ing and  Racquet  Clubs  of  New  York  City,  the 
Maryland  Society  of  New  York  City,  the  Bachelors 
and  St.  James  Clubs  of  London,  and  the  Porcelain 
Club  of  Cambridge,  Mass.  In  1902  he  was  elected 
vice-president  of  the  Hanover  National  Bank  of 
New  York  City. 

Mr.  Woodward  is  descended  from  William 
Woodward,  of  London,  England,  through  Abra- 
ham, who  married  Priscilla  Ruley ; William,  who 
married  Jane  Ridgeley ; William  (1742-1807),  who 
married  Alice  Ridgeley;  Capt.  Henry  (1770-1822), 
who  married  Eleanor  (Williams)  Turner,  a widow; 
Henry  Williams  (1803-1841),  who  married  Mary 
Edge  Webb;  and  William,  who  married  Sarah  Abi- 
gail Rodman. 

The  Woodward  arms  are:  Argent,  two  bars 
azure ; over  all  three  bucks’  heads  caboched-  or. 
Crest : On  a ducal  coronet  a bear’s  head  couped 
argent.  Motto:  Virtus  semper  virct. 

Samuel  Rodman,  born  Nov.  4,  1842,  died  in 
January,  1890.  On  May  1,  1881,  he  married  Mary 
McDaniel,  daughter  of  John  and  Emma  E.  Mc- 
Daniel, and  they  had  three  children : Mary  Peck- 
ham,  born  Feb.  21,  1882;  Sarah  Woodward,  born 
July  1 7,  1884;  and  Ethel. 

Edward  Rodman,  born  Dec.  14,  1845,  was 


married  May  25,  1868,  to  Hannah  C.  Perry,  and 
their  son,  William  Woodward,  born  April  8,  1872, 
is  married  and  has  two  children,  Perry  Woodward 
and  Dorothy  Hazard. 

HAMMETT.  For  something  like  two  hun- 
dred years  the  name  of  Hammett  has  been  identified 
with  the  affairs  of  Newport,  and  for  much  of  the 
time  through  the  life  of  the  financial  institutions 
of  that  city  it  has  been  more  or  less  prominently 
connected  with  the  city’s  financial  affairs.  For 
forty  years  following  the  late  twenties  of  the  last 
century  Nathan  Hammett’s  name  was  in  the  di- 
rectory of  the  National  Exchange  Bank  of  New- 
port, and  for  years  that  gentleman  was  the  bank’s 
executive  officer.  Succeeding  his  identity  with 
that  institution  was  that  of  his  son,  Joseph  M. 
Hammett,  and  at  the  same  time  the  name  of 
Charles  E.  Hammett,  Jr.,  appeared  as  president  of 
the  Savings  Bank  of  Newport  and  the  name  of 
James  H.  Hammett  was  in  the  directory  of  the 
same  bank ; and  the  late  Clarence  A.  Hammett  was 
•the  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Aquidneck 
Mutual  Insurance  Company  of  that  city,  and  also 
secretary  of  the  Newport  Co-operative  Association 
for  Saving  and  Building. 

The  name  does  not  appear  to  have  been  by 
any  means  a common  one  or  the  family  numerous 
in  early  New  England  history.  Savage  gives  some 
little  information  of  one  Thomas  Hammatt,  Hamot 
or  Hammett,  of  Scarborough,  who  owned  allegi- 
ance to  Massachusetts  in  1658,  and  was  made  a 
freeman  in  that  year,  but  renewed  his  subjection  to 
the  King  in  1663.  He  married  the  widow  of  John 
Burrage.  In  the  town  records  of  Newport  is  re- 
corded the  marriage  of  John  Hammett  and  Sarah 
Carr,  daughter  of  Gov.  Caleb  Carr,  as  having  taken 
place  Jan.  10,  1705,  the  ceremony  being  per- 
formed by  Gov.  Samuel  Cranston.  The  children 
of  this  couple,  as  of  record  in  the  town  records 
of  Newport,  are:  John,  born  Oct.  10,  1705;  Mary; 
and  Thomas,  born  April  11,  1712.  There  may  have 
been  other  children,  as  the  town  records  are  often 
incomplete.  John  Hammett  was  admitted  a free- 
man of  'the  Colony  of  Rhode  Island  at  the  May 
session  of  the  General  Assembly,  1708.  He  was 
chosen  clerk  of  the  Assembly  June  28,  1711 

(likely  of  the  House,  as  he  is  later  referred  to  in 
that  connection),  to  serve  until  the  next  election 
of  general  officers.  He  was  succeeded  in  this  po- 
sition by  Nicholas  Carr,  in  May,  1714.  On  June 
30,  1712,  he  was  chosen  attorney-general. 

Family  tradition  has  it  that  the  ancestor  of  the 
Hammett  family  came  from  Liverpool,  England, 
and  settled  at  Martha’s  Vineyard,  Mass.,  whence 
two  brothers  came  to  Newport.  R.  I.,  the  younger 
returning  to  Martha’s  Vineyard  and  the  older  set- 
tling in  Newport.  From  the  latter  have  descended 
the  Hammetts  of  Newport  and  vicinity. 

Edward  Hammett,  great-great-grandfather  of 
Clarence  A.  Hammett,  late  of  Newport,  was  born 
April  15,  1704,  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  died  there 


. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


781 


May  9,  1775.  He  married  Sarah  Walrond,  and 
they  had  children  as  follows : Susannah,  Rebecca, 
Edward,  Lydia,  Nathan  and  Benjamin. 

Nathan  Hammett,  son  of  Edward,  born  Jan. 
31,  1748,  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  died  there  July  18, 

1816.  He  was  a carpenter  by  trade.  He  married 

Aug.  26,  1777,  Catherine  Gates,  and  their  children 
/were:  Edwar^h  born  June  14,  1778  (died  Aug. 
20*  1779)  ; Edward  (2),  born  March  11,  1780; 
Sarah  W.y  born  Sept.  7,  1781 ; Mary,  born  Aug. 
2,  1784;  Nathan,  Jr.,  born  May  7,  1786;  and 

Catherine,  born  Feb.  28,  1789. 

Edward  Hammett,  grandfather  of  Clarence  A., 
born  March  11,  1780,  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  died  there 
Aug.  30,  1861.  He  was  a carpenter  by  trade,  and 
was  employed  at  Fort  Adams  for  over  twenty-five 
years.  He  was  highly  honored  and  respected  as  a 
citizen.  Mr.  .Hammett  married  Amy  Lyon,  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  Lyon,  and  this  couple  lived  together 
in  wedded  life  for  fifty-three  years  and  twenty- 
three  days,  attaining  venerable  old  age.  To  them 
came  children  as  follows  : ( 1 ) William  Lyon,  born 

June  29,  1809,  died  July  27,  1847,  'm  Newport. 
He  was  a seafaring  man,  engaged  in  the  African 
trade.  (2)  Edward,  Jr.,  born  Feb.  12,  1810,  died 
in  Mobile,  Ala.,  Sept.  18,  1839.  (3)  Catherine, 

born  April  25,  1811,  became  the  second  wife  of 
Oliver  Read,  and  died  in  Newport.  (4)  James, 
born  Oct.  12,  1815,  was  a tailor  by  trade.  He  died 
in  Newport.  (5)  Harriet  Eliza,  born  Aug.  17, 

1817,  died  in  Newport  in  infancy.  (6)  Nathan, 

born  July  8,  1819,  was  a carpenter  by  trade.  Later 
he  engaged  in  the  dry-goods  business  in  Hartford, 
Conn.,  and  still  later  in  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  where 
he  died  April  5,  1865.  (7)  Harriet  Eliza  (2),  born 

Jan.  2,  1821,  died  unmarried  at  the  age  of  about 
fifty  years.  (8)  Albert  is  mentioned  below.  (9) 
Ann  Sarah  died  young. 

Albert  Hammett,  father  of  Clarence  A.  Ham- 
mett, was  born  in  Newport,  Nov.  21,  1822.  He 
received  the  average  education  given  to  boys  of  his 
day,  leaving  school  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years, 
when  he  became  a clerk  in  a grocery  store  at  a 
salary  of  $25  per  year.  However,  he  continued 
in  that  capacity  for  only  about  six  months.  At  the 
age  of  sixteen  he  entered  the  office  of  the  late 
Maj.  Henry  Bull,  who  conducted  a lumber  and 
hardware  business,  where  young  Hammett  re- 
mained for  about  two  years.  He  then  went  to 
work  at  carpentering  with  his  father,  at  Fort 
Adams,  where  he  continued  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  After  a few  years,  in  the  early 
fifties,  he  engaged  in  the  dry-goods  business  in 
New  Bedford,  and  returning  to  Newport  in  1852 
he  established  himself  in  the  lumber  and  hardware 
business  at  the  store  on  Thames  street,  purchasing 
the  business  of  Nathan  B.  Hammett.  To  this  en- 
terprise he  gave  his  undivided  attention  for  more 
than  half  a century.  It  was  established  in  1850, 
and  with  one  exception  had  the  longest  continuous 
existence  of  any  business  in  Newport. 

There  were  various  changes  in  the  conduct  of 


the  business  during  this  half  century,  Air.  Hammett 
being  first  associated  with  John  R.  Hammett,  suc- 
ceeding his  uncle,  and  later  carrying  on  the  busi- 
ness alone.  He  then  took  his  eldest  son,  Edward, 
into  partnership,  but  after  a time  the  latter,  desiring 
a western  field  of  labor,  withdrew  from  the  busi- 
ness and  located  in  Chicago,  and  some  years  later, 
in  about  1900,  Mr.  Hammett  took  his  second  son, 
Harry  G.,  into  partnership,  since  .which  time  the 
firm  has  been  known  as  A.  & H.  G.  Hammett. 
As  he  advanced  in  years  and  failed  in  health  Air. 
Albert  Hammett  gave  but  little  time  to  the  busi- 
ness, leaving  matters  in  the  hands  of  his  son  and 
the  employees,  but  he  always  sustained  his  active 
interest  in  its  prosperity,  and  he  never  allowed  a 
day  to  pass  without  spending  a portion  of  the  time 
at  his  office.  He  was  always  the  first  to  arrive  there, 
often  appearing  long  before  sunrise.  About  two 
weeks  before  his  death,  which  occurred  April  24, 
1906,  he  had  a fall  in  which  one  of  the  bones  of  his 
leg  was  broken,  and  he  failed  perceptibly  until  the 
end  came. 

Though  he  never  accepted  office  Air.  Hammett 
was  always  deeply  interested  in  the  affairs  of  his 
native  city,  and  had  his  own  ideas  regarding 
municipal  administration,  strongly  advocating  what 
he  believed  to  be  right.  He  enjoyed  discussing 
public  questions.  In  political  sentiment  he  first 
espoused  the  cause  of  the  Whig  party,  and  later, 
upon  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party,  al- 
lied himself  therewith.  Outside  of  his  business 
his  principal  interest  centered  in  the  church,  for 
whose  welfare  he  labored  as  zealously  and  effec- 
tively as  he  did  for  the  advancement  of  his  business 
affairs.  While  in  New  Bedford  he  joined  a Con- 
gregational Church  there,  and  on  May  7,  1854, 

became  a member,  of  the  United  Congregational 
Church  of  Newport,  in  which  he  held  membership 
for  nearly  fifty-two  years.  For  five  years  he  served 
as  church  clerk.  He  was  always  to  be  found  in  his 
place  at  the  regular  services,  and  took  a deep  interest 
in  all  the  benevolent  enterprises  and  general  busi- 
ness of  the  church,  faithfully  performing  every  duty 
assigned  to  him  and  liberally  supporting  all  the 
work.  Mr.  Hammett  was  long  a familiar  figure  on 
the  streets  of  Newport,  for  until  his  health  began 
to  fail  he  invariably  walked  to  and  from  his 
place  of  business,  and  he  had  numerous  friends 
among  all  classes.  Mr.  Hammett  was  one  of  the 
promoter  of  the  Cliff  Cottages  at  the  time  they 
were  built  by  the  Cliff  Cottage  Association,  and 
remained  a stockholder  in  the  company  until  the 
property  changed  hands. 

Mr.  Hammett  was  twice  married,  his  first 
wnion,  which  occurred  Aug.  4,  1847,  having  been  to 
Sarah  Llewellyn  Swasey,  daughter  of  Capt.  Alex- 
ander Swasey.  She  died  Jan.  13.  1853.  in  New 
Bedford.  To  this  union  were  born  children  as 
follows:  (1)  Edward,  born  June  26.  1848,  was  for 
several  years  associated  with  his  father  in  business 
in  Newport,  after  which  he  located  in  Chicago, 
where  he  has  been  prominent  in  financial  circles. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


782 

having  been  one  of  the  original  incorporators  and 
cashier  of  the  Lincoln  National  Bank,  with  which 
he  was  connected  until  that  bank  was  merged  with 
another  financial  institution.  He  is  now  a broker 
in  stocks  and  bonds,  and  resides  in  Wheaton,  111. 
On  Oct.  24,  1870,  he  married  Mary  E.  Culver,  of 
Chicago,  and  has  a family  of  nine  children.  (2) 
Alexander,  born  July  25,  1850,  died  Nov.  11,  1852. 
(3)  Sarah  Llewellyn,  born  Dec.  7,  1852,  died  May 
1 7>  i853- 

On  Oct.  8,  1856,  Mr.  Hammett  married  Sarah 
Matilda  Howland,  daughter  of  George  and  Sarah 
M.  (Almy)  Howland,  and  this  union  was  blessed 
with  five  children,  viz. : (4)  Henry  Greenwood, 

born  Dec.  19,  1857,  is  the  junior  member  of  the 
firm  of  A.  & H.  G.  Hammett,  of  Newport,  dealers 
in  lumber,  hardware  and  builders’  supplies.  He 
married  Sarah  Emma  Wilbar,  daughter  of  Fran- 
cis K.  and  Sarah  X.  (Wilkey)  Wilbar,  of  New- 
port. She  died  in  Newport  in  August,  1890,  leav- 
ing two  sons,  Louis  Wilbar  and  George  Howland 
Hammett.  (5)  Clarence  A.  is  mentioned  below. 
(6)  Marian  Louise  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  William  S. 
Greene,  a practicing  dentist  of  Newport.  (7)  Na- 
than, born  Oct.  2,  1862,  died  Aug.  21,  1863.  (8) 

Florence  M.  is  the  wife  of  Harry  Fletcher  Brown, 
who  is  prominently  connected  with  the  Dupont 
Powder  Company. 

Clarence  Albert  Hammett,  our  subject,  was 
born  July  3,  1859,  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  where  he 
attended  the  public  schools,  and  later  became  a 
student  at  the  Eastman  Business  College,  Pough- 
keepsie, N.  Y.,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1877.  Returning  home  he  was  engaged  a year  as 
bookkeeper  for  his  father,  after  which  he  became 
manager  of  the  “Cliff  Hotel  and  Cottages”  at  New- 
port, under  the  proprietorship  of  William  T.  Hall, 
remaining  in  that  capacity  during  the  summer  sea- 
son. On  Oct.  27,  1879,  he  went  to  Chicago,  where 
he  became  a clerk  in  the  hardware  concern  of  Wil- 
liam Blair  & Co.,  later  being  promoted  to  the 
charge  of  the  traveling  men,  and  still  later  becom- 
ing city  buyer  for  the  concern,  with  which  he  con- 
tinued about  three  years.  From  Chicago  he  went 
to  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  where  he  became  traveling 
salesman  for  the  firm  of  Mayo  & Clark,  wholesale 
hardware  dealers,  his  territory  being  in  Minnesota 
and  Dakota.  He  was  soon  promoted  to  the  po- 
sition of  head  salesman,  having  charge  of  the  sales 
department  and  traveling  salesmen,  and  remained 
in  the  employ  of  this  firm  for  about  three  years, 
until  it  failed.  Mr.  Hammett  then  returned  to 
Newport,  where  in  1885  he  established  himself  in 
the  real  estate  and  insurance  business,  in  which 
he  continued  until  his  death,  and  in  which  he  met 
with  marked  and  deserved  success. 

Though  best  known  in  the  commercial  world  as 
an  insurance  man,  Mr.  Hammett  did  not  devote 
all  his  time  to  that  line,  for  he  had  many  other  im- 
portant interests.  His  special  aptitude  for  financial 
problems  was  given  ample  recognition  in  his  selec- 
tion to  various  positions  requiring  particular  fit- 
ness and  ability  of  that  kind,  as  a mere  record  of 


the  posts  he  filled  will  show.  He  was  elected  by 
the  city  council  to  fill  the  vacancy  of  city  treasurer 
caused  by  the  death  of  John  S.  Coggeshall,  and  the 
following  year  was  re-elected  to  that  office.  Dur- 
ing the  latter  year,  in  December,  1901,  he  received 
the  appointment  of  collector  of  United  States 
customs  at  Newport,  from  President  Roosevelt.  In 
1905,  on  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  four  years, 
he  was  re-appointed.  Mr.  Hammett  was  thoroughly 
prepared  to  discharge  the  duties  of  this  office  in 
the  most  efficient  manner,  having  served  several 
years  as  deputy  collector  under  the  late  Hon.  John 
H.  Cozzens  and  acquired  a comprehensive  knowl- 
edge of  the  details  of  his  work.  In  1885  he  was 
commissioned  a notary  public,  and  served  as  such 
ever  after.  He  was  a stanch  Republican  in  po- 
litical sentiment. 

Mr.  Hammett  was  a member  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Newport  Co-operative  Association 
for  Saving  and  Building,  of  which  he  was  one 
of  the  original  incorporators,  and  was  elected  the 
first  secretary  of  the  company,  having  held  that 
position  from  March,  1888.  As  secretary  and  gen- 
eral manager  of  this  institution  he  was  probably 
most  widely  known  in  Newport,  his  duties  bring- 
ing him  into  personal  relations  with  every  member, 
and  he  not  only  looked  after  their  interests  in  that 
company  but  acted  as  financial  adviser  to  many  of 
them,  his  judgment  being  universally  regarded  as 
valuable.  He  worked  hard  to  get  the  institution 
in  good  working  order,  and  he  never  allowed  his 
interest  in  its  success  and  the  welfare  of  its  mem- 
bers to  lapse.  Mr.  Hammett  was  also  a director  of 
the  Aquidneck  Mutual  Insurance  Company  of 
Newport,  and  at  the  time  of  its  incorporation,  in 
May,  1884,  was  elected  the  first  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  company,  and  continued  to  serve 
as  such  until  his  death.  In  all  his  official  positions 
Mr.  Hammett  showed  an  aptitude  for  detail  and 
correctness  which  made  him  a model  officer.  His 
books  and  accounts  were  always  models  of  exact- 
ness, and  his  services  to  the  city  and  the  govern- 
ment were  of  the  most  valuable  nature. 

In  fraternal  connection  Mr.  Hammett  was  an 
active  and  honored  Freemason,  holding  member- 
ship in  St.  Paul’s  Lodge,  No.  14,  A.  F.  & A.  M., 
of  which  he  was  a past  master;  in  Newport  Chap- 
ter, No.  2,  R.  A.  M. ; in  DeBlois  Council,  No.  5, 
R.  & S.  M. ; Washington  Commandery,  No.  4,  K. 
T.,  of  Newport;  and  Palestine  Temple,  Order  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Providence.  He  was  also  a 
member  of  Rhode  Island  Lodge,  No.  12,  I.  O.  O. 
F. ; Weenat  Shassit  Tribe,  No.  6,  Improved  Order 
of  Red  Men;  and  Newport  Lodge,  No.  104,  B.  P. 
O.  Elks.  He  was  also  a member  of  the  Lawrence 
Club  and  of  the  Newport  County  Club.  Mr.  Ham- 
mett never  married.  He  passed  away  after  a brief 
illness  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  Nov.  20,  1907,  in  the 
forty-ninth  year  of  his  age. 

“In  private  life  Mr.  Hammett  was  genial  and 
warm-hearted,  an  agreeable  companion  at  all  times 
and  an  inspiration  to  activity  on  the  part  of  others. 
In  the  various  associations  with  which  he  was 


RHODE  ISLAND 


783 


connected  he  was  a leader  in  comradeship,  and 
throughout  the  city  he  numbered  personal  friends 
by  the  hundreds.” 

(I)  John  Howland,  of  the  “Mayflower,”  1620, 
the  thirteenth  signer  of  the  memorable  compact 
in  the  cabin  of  that  vessel  in  Cape  Cod  harbor, 
Nov.  2 1st  of  the  year  just  mentioned,  who  at  the 
time  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  and  who  it  is 
claimed  was  the  youngest  male  passenger  on  that 
vessel,  married  Elizabeth  Tilley.  Their  children 
were:  Desire,  John,  Jabez,  Hope,  Elizabeth,  Lydia, 
Ruth,  Hannah,  Joseph  and  Isaac. 

(II)  Jabez  Howland,  born  in  Plymouth,  Mass., 
married  Bethiah  Thatcher,  daughter  of  Anthony 
Thatcher,  and  later  settled  in  Bristol,  R.  I.,  where 
he  did  a large  business  as  a blacksmith  and  -cooper. 
He  had  served  in  various  capacities  in  Plymouth, 
and  was  an  officer  in  the  military  and  active  in 
King  Philip’s  war.  He  was  an  officer  in  the  militia 
at  Bristol,  the  first  town  clerk  (chosen  in  1681), 
selectman,  etc.  The  children  of  Jabez  and  wife 
Bethiah  were:  Jabez,  John,  Bethiah,  Josiah,  John, 
Judah,  Seth,  Samuel,  Experience,  Joseph  and  Eliza- 
beth. 

(III)  Joseph  Howland,  born  Oct.  14,  1692,  in 
Bristol,  married  Bathsheba,  daughter  of  David  and 
Elizabeth  Cary,  and  they  were  residents  of  Swan- 
sea, Mass.,  and  perhaps  Newport,  R.  I.  t Their 
children  were : Lydia,  Joseph  and  Elizabeth. 

(IV)  Joseph  Howland  (2),  born  Dec.  6,  1717, 
in  Swansea,  Mass.,  married  in  1746,  Sarah,  daugh- 
ter of  Jeremiah  Baker,  of  Middletown,  R.  I.  Mr. 
Howland  died  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  3d  month,  1775, 
and  his  widow  Sarah  when  the  British  occupied 
Newport,  in  1776,  removed  to  Providence,  \vhere 
she  died  Feb.  12,  1779.  Their  children  were: 
Henry,  Penelope,  Joseph,  John,  Benjamin,  Samuel, 
Edward  and  Josiah. 

(V)  Major  Benjamin  Howland,  born  about 
1768,  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  married  Dec.  27,  1794. 
Susanna,  daughter  of  Zephaniah  and  Elizabeth 
(Eddy)  Andrews,  of  Providence,  R.  I.  He  learned 
the  tailor’s  trade  in  Providence  and  established 
the  first  merchant  tailor’s  shop  there.  Later  he  re- 
moved to  New  York  City  and  still  later  to  Balti- 
more, where  he  died.  He  held  the  rank  of  major 
in  the  Rhode  Island  State  militia.  His  children 
were:  Charles  A.,  George,  Susan  A.,  Juliette,  Ed- 
win, John,  John  (2),  Henry  A.,  Cyrus,  John  A., 
Elizabeth  E.  and  Thomas  G. 

(VI)  George  Howland,  born  Feb.  18,  1797, 
married  Aug.  3,  1824,  Sarah  M.  Almy,  of  Newport, 
R.  I.  Mr.  Howland  died  in  Newport,  April  13, 
1878.  He  served  as  a drummer  boy  in  the  war  of 
1812.  The  children  of  George  and  Sarah  M. 
(Almy)  Howland  were:  George  W.,  born  Feb. 
22,  1825;  Charles  A.,  born  May  20,  1831;  Sarah 
M.,  born  Aug.  3,  1832;  Mary  L.,  born  July  4, 
1836 ; and  four  others  who  died  when  young. 

(VII)  Sarah  M.  Howland,  born  Aug.  3,  1832, 
married  Oct.  10,  1856,  Albert  Hammett,  of  New- 
port, R.  I.,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  the 


following  children:  Henry  G.,  Clarence  A.  (our 
subject),  Alarian  Louise,  Nathan  (who  died 
young),  and  Florence  M. 

DANIEL  AIEADER,  in  his  lifetime  one 
of  the  best  known  citizens  of  the  town  of  Lincoln, 
where  lie  resided  for  more  than  half  a century  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits,  was  a native  of  New 
Hampshire,  born  at  Sandwich,  Alarch  2,  1826,  son 
of  Ephraim  and  Hannah  (Cook)  Aleader,  farming 
people  and  Quakers  of  New  Hampshire,  where 
both  died  well-advanced  in  years. 

Daniel  Meader  attended  the  local  schools  of 
the  place  of  his  nativity,  and  from  boyhood  worked 
on  his  father’s  farm.  When  of  age  he  left  his  home 
for  Providence,  and  on  St.  Patrick’s  Day,  1847, 
arrived  at  the  home  of  a relative,  John  Meader, 
in  that  city,  who  obtained  for  him  a position  with 
Capt.  Daniel  Jencks.  This  gentleman  and  his  wife 
owned  a farm  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Lincoln, 
then  a part  of  Smithfield,  near  Albion,  where  young 
Meader  engaged  in  work  for  eight  dollars  per 
month.  His  salary  was  soon  raised  to  twenty-five 
dollars  per  month,  and  he  took  care  of  the  Captain 
until  his  death,  and  then  cared  for  the  widow  as 
long  as  she  lived,  after  which  he  came  into  posses- 
sion of  the  farm.  He  made  many  improvements  on 
•the  place,  spending  over  forty  years  in  work 
thereon,  but  in  1889  I*e  turned  the  property  over  to 
his  son,  and  retired  from  active  life,  removing  to 
the  stone  house  near  the  Butterfly  factory.  There 
his  death  occurred  Oct.  6,  1894,  and  he  was  laid  to 
rest  in  the  Aloshassuck  cemetery. 

Mr.  Aleader  was  noted  for  his  honesty  and 
honorable  dealings,  and  he  lived  a true,  Chris- 
tian life.  He  was  a member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends,  being  an  elder  of  the  meeting  and  a mem- 
ber of  the  Quarterly  Aleeting  board.  He  was 
strictly  temperate  in  all  of  his  habits  and  a great 
supporter  of  the  cause  of  temperance.  He  had  the 
honor  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him,  and  died 
as  he  had  lived,  an  ..honorable,  God-fearing  man. 
In  political  matters  he  was  a Republican,  but  never 
sought  political  honors. 

On  Oct.  20,  1857,  Air.  Aleader  was  married  to 
Louisa  Neal,  born  Jan.  10,  1826,  in  North  Berwick, 
• York  Co.,  A'laine,  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Comfort 
(Morsel)  Neal.  In  her  younger  days  Airs.  Aleader 
was  a school  teacher,  having  been  educated  in  the 
schools  near  her  home,  and  in  the  high  school  at 
Portland,  A'laine.  She  taught  at  the  high  school 
at  Berwick  and  at  Lynn,  and  also  at  other  places  in 
both  Massachusetts  and  in  Alaine.  She  is 
president  of  the  Woman’s  Christian  Temperance 
Union  of  Moshassuck,  and  has  been  delegate  to 
several  conventions,  including  those  at  Philadel- 
phia, San  Francisco  and  Denver.  In  1895  she  made 
a trip  to  Europe,  and  in  1905  to  the  Holy  Land,  ac- 
companied on  the  latter  journey  by  her  grand- 
daughter, Louise  A.,  and  on  her  return  Airs.  Alea- 
der delivered  lectures  on  her  travels.  She  is  quite 
active  in  all  temperance  and  church  work,  and  for 


78  4 


RHODE  ISLAND 


over  twenty  years  has  been  an  elderess  in  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends,  as  well  as  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Meader:  (i)  Walter  D.,  born  Dec,  27,  1858,  a 
rural  free  delivery  carrier  in  Lincoln,  married, 
April  21,  1886,  E.  Sophia  Parmenter,  who  was 
born  in  Pawtucket,  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Abby 
(Kerr)  Parmenter.  They  have  two  children: 
Louise  A.,  born  April  4,  1887;  and  Daniel  E.,  born 
Oct.  20,  1888.  (2)  Frank  Herbert,  born  May  23, 
1862,  is  engaged  in  farming  on  the  old  homestead, 
and  also  conducts  an  ice  business.  He  married 
Dec.  25,  1886,  Josephine  R.  Elliott,  born  in  Dudley, 
Mass.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Emma  (Robbins) 
Elliott,  and  they  have  three  children : Herbert  F., 
born  Sept.  13,  1888;  Bertha  E.,  May  25,  1891 ; and 
Esther  N.,  Jan.  20,  1894.  (3)  William  Oliver,  born 

May  4,  1865,  died  May  13,  1869. 

BAKER.  (Providence  and  East  Provi- 
dence families).  The  Baker  families  here  con- 
sidered— some  of  the  descendants  in  the  lines  of 
Nathaniel  and  Samuel  Baker,  >of  Rehoboth, 
Mass.,  who  were  great-grandsons  of  John  Ba- 
ker. an  early  inhabitant  of  that  ancient  town — 
have  been  for  generations  among  those  repre- 
sentative of  the  best  citizenship  of  their  several 
communities,  men  and  women  of  high  resolve 
and  noble  purpose ; some  achieving  large  suc- 
cess in  their  different  lines  of  effort. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  ancient 
town  of  Rehoboth  comprised  much  territory  out 
of  which  subsequently  came  a number  of  towns, 
and  it  was  a town  of  Plymouth  Colony.  In 
1667  Swansea,  which  then  included  the  town  of 
Barrington,  now  Rhode  Island,  was  set  off  from 
Rehoboth,  and  Barrington  from  Swansea  in 
1717;  and  in  some  of  this  territory  lived  John 
Baker,  the  ancestor  of  the  Baker  families  re- 
viewed in  this  article.  Mr.  Baker  was  married 
Tune  17,  1714,  to  Susanna  Wood,  and  Arnold’s 
Vital  Records  would  indicate  that  they  were 
of  Barrington.  Mr.  Baker’s  death  occurred  in 
1767.  Their  children,  all  of  Rehoboth  town 
record,  but  the  first  five  likely  born  in  Swansea 
and  the  others  in  Rehoboth,  were:  William, 
born  Aug.  18,  1715;  Susanna,  born  Feb.  3,  1717- 
18;  John,  born  Aug.  26,  1720;  Hannah,  born 
Dec.  18,  1722;  Nathaniel,  born  July  9,  I725‘> 
Bathsheba,  born  Feb.  16,  1728-29;  Penelope, 
born  Sept.  9,  1731;  Joseph,  born  Oct.  14,  1734; 
Benjamin,  born  Feb.  1,  1736-37;  and  Rebecca, 
born  M^rch  12,  1740. 

(II)  Nathaniel  Baker,  son  of  John,  born  July 
9.  1725,  married  Sept.  13,  1750,  Experience  Hix, 
both  being  of  Rehoboth.  and  to  them  came  chil- 
dren as  follows : Sarah,  born  March  8,  1752 ; 
Joseph,  Dec.  13,  1753;  Samuel,  Dec.  13,  1754; 
Nathaniel,  Oct.  29,  1756;  James,  March  25,  1759; 
Experience,  July  26,  1761  ; and  Susanna,  May  5, 
1763.  The  father  of  these  died  Dec.  23,  1807, 
and  the  mother  in  1823. 


(III)  Samuel  Baker,  of  Rehoboth,  son  of 
Nathaniel,  born  Dec.  13,  1754,  married  Jan.  6 , 
1777,  Bethany  Mason,  of  Swansea,  born  Nov. 
22,  1756,  in  Swansea,  daughter  of  Sampson  Ma- 
son. There  came  to  them : Solomon,  born 
March  2,  1779;  Nathaniel,  Aug.  16,  1781;  Avis, 
April  4,  1783;  Bethany,  Dec.  19,  1784;  and  Sam- 
uel, April  12,  1787 — all  of  Rehoboth  town  rec- 
ord. The  father  of  these  died  Oct.  20,  1838,  and 
the  mother  Oct.  14th  of  that  same  year. 

(IV)  Nathaniel  Baker,  son  of  Samuel,  born 
Aug.  16,  1781,  married  about  1806  Nancy  Cros- 
well,  born  in  1783,  and  their  children  were: 
Julia  Ann,  born  April  18,  1807;  Avis,  June  10, 
1810;  John  Fenwick,  June  14,  1813;  George 
Pease,  Sept.  18,  1817  (died  March  13,  1869,  at 
Pau,  France);  Martha  Clark,  June  8,  1820;  and 
Elizabeth  Wheeler,  June  8,  1820. 

(V)  John  Fenwick  Baker,  son  of  Nathaniel, 

born  June  14,  1813,  in  Rehoboth,  married  Sept. 
15,  1849,  Abby  M.  Allen,  daughter  of  Sylvester 
and  Hannah,  all  being  of  Rehoboth,  Mass. 
Mrs.  Baker  was  a descendant  of  (I)  Jeremiah 
Allen  and  Rachel,  of  Rehoboth,-  through  (II) 
John  Allen  and  Mary,  of  Rehoboth,  he  born 
Nov.  20,  1721  ; (III)  Samuel  Allen  and  Huldah 
(Carpenter),  he  born  May  12,  1753,  married 

June  ,16,  1777;  and  (IV)  Sylvester  Allen  and 
Hannah  (Carpenter),  he  born  Feb.  21,  1789,  and 
married  April  30,  1815.  The  children  born  to 
John  Fenwick  and  Abby  M.  (Allen)  Baker  of 
Seekonk  record  were:  Emma  M.,  born  Oct.  16, 
1852;  Seraphine  A.,  born  Aug.  8,  1855  (died  Oct. 
18,  1872)  ; and  George  S.,  born  Sept.  26,  1867. 

John  Fenwick  Baker  received  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  his  native  town,  and  it  was 
rather  limited,  his  father  having  died  when  he 
was  young  and  his  mother  having  little  or  no 
means  with  which  to  support  herself  and  chil- 
dren. Thus  it  became  necessary  for  John,  who^ 
was  the  eldest  son,  to  go  to  work.  Never- 
theless he  acquired  enough  of  a foundation  dur- 
ing his  school  days  to  meet  all  the  demands  of 
a successful  life,  especially  as  he  was  a reade.r 
and  had  a retentive  memory.  When  fourteen 
years  of  age  he  took  the  responsibility  of  look- 
ing after  and  doing  the  work  on  the  home 
farm,  to  favor  a none  too  robust  constitution, 
and  followed  that  work  for  about  two  years. 
But  ambition  possessed  him.  and  when  a young 
man  he  went  to  Canada  and  also  to  Maine,  in 
both  of  which  places  he  was  engaged  in  the 
lurfiber  business.  Prior  to  embarking  in  the 
lumber  business  in  Maine  and  Canada  he  had 
been  engaged  in  the  sale  (both  wholesale  and 
retail)  of  the  New  Haven  clocks,  in  which  line 
he  was  successful.  Later  he  was  interested  in 
the  manufacture  of  bonnets  in  Rehoboth  and 
built  up  a large  business  in  that  line.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  to  cross  the  Continent  by  the 
Union  Pacific  railroad  after  its  completion,  go- 
ing to  California.  He  established  a real  estate 
and  building  business  in  Providence  in  about 


. 


<5  , )8  (a AuJ\^ 


•- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


785 


.1850,  and  continued  in  that  line  all  the  rest  of 
his  life,  carrying  on  in  conjunction  with  it  a 
farm  in  Rehoboth  until  about  1883,  when  he 
established  his  home  on  South  Broadway,  in 
East  Providence,  in  one  of  the  finest  residences 
in  that  place.  Mr.  Baker  was  a most  careful  and 
conservative  man,  and  had  most  excellent  judg- 
ment. Believing  that  the  laws  of  waste  and  in- 
attention to  small  savings  and  small  repairs 
were  many  times  the  causes  of  failure  in  life, 
and  that  the  converse  largely  contributed  to  suc- 
cess, he  was  most  careful  in  his  care  of  his  large 
interests.  He  was  essentially  a business  and 
home  man,  and  though  an  ardent  Republican 
in  political  faith  took  no  active  part  in  party 
affairs  or  public  matters. 

The  Providence  Journal,  speaking  of  him  in 
an  obituary  notice,  said  of  him : “He  was  a very 
industrious  youth ; and  by  his  habits  of  prudence 
and  industry  had  accumulated  a large  fortune, 
and  was  the  largest  individual  tax-payer  in  East 
Providence,  of  which  town  he  had  been  a resi- 
dent for  ten  years.  Mr.  Baker  was  a very 
genial  man  and  made  and  retained  many  friends. 
He  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the 
United  Congregational  Society  and  contributed 
largely  to  the  erection  of  its  church.”  He  died 
Feb.  28,  1893.  in  his  eightieth  year. 

(VI)  George  S.  Baker,  only  son  of  John  F. 
Baker,  was  born  in  Rehoboth,  Sept.  26,  1867, 
and  received  his  primary  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  town  and  East  Providence, 
and  his  academic  schooling  in  the  well-known 
and  most  excellent  English  and  Classical  School 
of  Mowrv  and  Goff,  in  Providence,  graduating 
therefrom  in  1886.  After  leaving  school  he  be- 
gan work  in  his  father’s  office  and  continued 
there  until  1890,  when*  he  established  himself  in 
the  real  estate  business  independent  of  his 
father.  This  he  has  continued  ever  since.  Soon 
after  starting  his  own  business  he  resumed 
charge  of  the  business  of  his  father,  making  it 
part  of  his  own,  and  he  is  now  engaged  in  all 
branches  of  the  real  estate  and  insurance  busi- 
ness. Inheriting  and  applying  the  business 
methods  of  his  father,  he  has  been  highly  suc- 
cessful in  his  undertakings.  Mr.  Baker  is  a Re- 
publican in  national  politics,  but  independent 
in  local  matters.  He  is  a member  of  the  Con- 
gregational Club  of  Providence,  and  of  the  Cen- 
tral Congregational  Church,  and  socially  of  the 
Anawan  Hunt  Club  of  Rehoboth,  which  has 
been  organized  about  seven  years,  and  owns  the 
clubhouse  and  ponds ; Mr.  Baker  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  this  club  and  its  president  in  1904. 
Both  socially  and  in  a business  way  he  enjoys 
high  standing,  and  has  proved  himself  a worthy 
heir  to  the  traditions  and  position  of  his  family. 

On  June  12,  1893,  Mr.  Baker  married  Grace 
Gale  Webster,  daughter  of  George  E.  and  Mary 
J.  (Gale)  Webster,  of  East  Providence.  They 
50 


have  had  two  children:  Hope  W.,  born  Feb. 
6,  1895,  and  Alice,  born  March  31,  1899. 

( I\  ) Samuel  Baker  (2),  son  of  Samuel,  born 
April  12,  i/8/,  died  Aug.  16,  1872.  He  married 
(first)  Eeb.  11,  1808,  Nancy  Horton,  who  died 
Nov.  24,  1809,  and  he  married  (second)  March 
11,  1810,  Patience  Pearce  (Pierce).  The  chil- 
dren of  the  second  marriage  were:  Ira  Still- 
man, born  July  20,  1812;  Nancy,  March  15, 
1814:  Nelson  O.,  June  19,  1816;  Emeline,  Feb. 
I5>  J8i9 ; Otis  A.,  Nov.  5,  1821;  Dr.  George  P.,. 
Jan.  27,  1826  (he  practiced  medicine  in  Provi- 
dence, and  died  Aug.  2,  1890,  aged  sixty-four 
years;  he  had  one  son,  George  P.  Baker,  who 
lives  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  an  instructor  in  Har- 
vard) ; Electa  Ann,  1833  (married  Edwin  How- 
land, an  architect,  and  had  no  children). 

(V)  Nelson  O.  Baker,  son  of  Samuel  (2), 
and  a most  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Provi- 
dence, was  born  June  19,  1816.  He  is  a mason 
by  occupation  but  for  a number  of  years  has 
lived  retired,  he  and  his  wife  being  residents  of 
Providence.  They  are  both  very  active  for  their 
years  and  well  preserved,  though  one  of  the  old- 
est married  couples,  if  not  the  oldest,  in  the  city, 
their  married  life  having  covered  a-  period  of 
over  seventy-one  years.  On  July  3,  1836,  Mr. 
Baker  married  Lydia  M.  Pierce,  who  was  born 
July  23,  1817,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Lydia 
(Pearce)  Pierce.  They  had  children  as  follows, 
alll  born  in  Rehoboth:  (1)  Charles  Nelson,  born 
Dec.  6,  1837,  is  a mason  and  resides  in  Provi- 
dence; he  has  been  thrice  married,  and  by  his 
first  wife,  Philena  Rathbun,  had  one  daughter, 
Evelina,  Mrs.  Fred  Eveleth  ; by  his  second  un- 
ion, to  Hannah  Terry,  he  had  two  daughters, 
Annie  and  Lillian  N.  (Mrs.  Herman  Merdrick)  ; 
his  third  marriage  was  to  Anna  Pierce.  (2)  Ed- 
win Granville,  born  June  8,  1839,  ’s  mentioned 
below.  (3)  Joseph  Warren,  born  June  17,  1843, 
is  mentioned  below.  (4)  George  Everett,  born 
Oct.  17,  1847,  is  mentioned  below.  (5)  Samuel 
Darling,  born  July  2,  1855,  is  a mason  by  trade 
and  resides  in  Providence.  He  married  Minnie 
Lee,  and  has  two  daughters,  Lillian  (Mrs.  Sam- 
uel Wightman)  and  Florence. 

(VI)  Edwin  G.  Baker, . son  of  Nelson  O., 
born  June  8,  1839,  married  July  25,  1861,  Maggie 
C.  Dean,  daughter  of  Sagar  Dean.  They  had 
children : George  M.,  born  April  25,  1862 ; 
Blanche  M.,  Sept.  14,  1863  (deceased)  ; Frank 
Nelson,  Oct.  12,  1865;  Mabel  C.,  Aug.  6,  1867 
(deceased);  Edwin  G.,  Jr.,  Feb.  17,  1870;  Har- 
old D.,  June  22,  1872;  Walter  S.,  July  10,  1874; 
Grace  E.,  Feb.  2.  1877;  Earnest  Clinton,  July 
16,  1879;  Bessie  Frances,  Sept.  25,  1885. 

(VII)  George  M.  Baker,  son  of  Edwin  G., 
and  one  of  the  leading  and  most  successful  gold 
and  silver  refiners  of  New  England,  was  born  in 
Providence  April  25,  1862.  His  education  was  re- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


^786 


'Ceived  in  the  public  schools  of  that  city,  and  in- 
'duded  one  year’s  attendance  at  the  high  school. 
'On  leaving  school  he  entered  the  employ  of  W. 
T.  Smith,  a gold  and  silver  refiner  on  Blackstone 
street,  the  only  employer  he  ever  had.  He  be- 
gan as  an  office  boy  and  apprentice  at 
S3  per  week,  in  1879,  and  remained  there 
for  seven  years,  during  which  period  he 
laid  the  foundation  of  the  business  prin- 
ciples which  in  after  years  enabled  him, 
in  the  conduct  of  his  own  affairs,  to  make 
a signal  success.  It  was  in  this  employ  that  he 
learned,  besides  the  refining  of  gold  and  silver, 
the  manner  of  conducting  business.  In  time, 
along  with  his  other  work,  the  general  oversight 
of  the  business  and  of  the  establishment  was 
put  upon  his  shoulders,  and  in  fact  he  had  be- 
come so  valuable  to  Mr.  Smith  that  he  was  later 
given  a share  of  the  profits ; in  one  year  he  made 
$2,200,  and  in  another  something  like  $1,400. 
“The  boy  is  father  to  the  man.”  By  careful  man- 
agement he  had  saved  enough  of  his  earnings 
so  that  by  the  time  he  was  twenty-four  years  of 
age,  in  1886,  he  had  a completely  equipped  gold 
and  silver  refinery  of  his  own,  at  No.  119  Ma- 
thewson  street,  corner  of  Sabin.  He  started  with 
two  men  (one  besides  himself)  in  the  shop  and 
one  on  the  road,  and  it  was  not  long  until  he 
had  a second  man  on  the  road.  He  continued  at 
No.  1 19  Mathewson  street  for  six  years,  or 
until  1892,  when  he  bought  190  feet  lying 
between  Friendship  street  and  Clifford,  on  Page 
street,  and  erected  the  building  which  he 
now  occupies  and  where  his  business  has 
been  located  for  the  last  twelve  years.  He  has 
also  a plant  in  Attleboro,  Mass.,  started  in  1899, 
of  the  same  capacity  as  his  Providence  plant, 
and  under  the  supervision  of  his  brother  Harold. 
With  his  two  plants  Mr.  Baker  is  entitled  to  be 
ranked  among  the  largest  refiners  in  New  Eng- 
land. He  has  made  a large  success  of  his  busi- 
ness and  may  truly  be  called  self-made.  There 
are  few  of  the  younger  men  of  Providence  who 
have  reached  such  enviable  position  through 
their  own  efforts.  Careful,  prudent,  and  pos- 
sessed to  an  unusual  degree  of  New  England 
business  foresight,  he  is  the  typical  up-to-date 
“Yankee”  business  man  of  today. 

Mr.  Baker  is  a Republican  in  national  politics, 
but  independent  in  local  matters,  preferring  mu- 
nicipal integrity  to  partisanship  in  all  questions 
affecting  the  welfare  of  his  home  city.  Though 
not  active  in  public  affairs  he  takes  a patriotic 
interest  in  good  government  and  business-like 
management  of  civic  affaire,  and  is  influential 
when  he  chooses  to  exert  himself  in  that  direc- 
tion. He  is  a member  of  Orpheus  Lodge.  No. 
36,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  Providence  Chapter,  Calvary 
Commandery,  and  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

Mr.  Baker  married,  Dec.  14,  1886,  Gertrude 
H.  Hopkins,  daughter  of  Harley  P.  Hopkins, 
of  Providence,  formerly  of  Scituate,  and  two 
children  have  come  to  them : Howard  C.,  born 


Oct.  24,  1888,  and  Norman  Dean,  born  June  3, 
1893. 

(VI)  Joseph  Warren  Baker,  son  of  Nelson 
O.,  was  born  June  17,  1843,  in  Rehoboth,  Mass., 
received  his  early  schooling  in  that  town,  and 
attended  night  school  in  Providence,  whither 
he  had  come  when  between  seventeen  and  eight- 
een years  of  age.  He  learned  the  trade  of  stone- 
cutting and  marble  working,  boarding  with  the 
man  who  employed  him.  He  was  in  Wickford 
in  the  same  business  for  one  year,  and  then  went 
to  work  for  Stephen  Brooks,  in  Eddy  street, 
continuing  with  him  for  two  years.  He  was 
next  engaged  with  the  Tingley  Marble  Com- 
pany, of  South  Main  street,  for  five  years,  at 
the  end  of  that  period  going  into  business  for 
himself,  when  twenty-six  years  of  age.  Mr.' 
Baker  was  so  careful  and  economical  in  his  pre- 
paratory work  that  at  the  end  of  four  years  he 
had  saved  $1,000.  During  this  time  he  had  also 
spent  nine  months  at  Buffalo.  While  with  the 
Tingley  firm  he  learned  lettering  from  Edmund 
Tingley,  one  of  the  finest  workmen  in  his  line 
in  the  world.  Mr.  Baker  carried  on  business 
for  himself  for  two  years,  being  one  of  the  firm 
of  Burns  & Baker,  on  Smith  street.  He  then 
changed  his  line,  going  into  the  grocery  and 
meat  business  on  North  Main  street,  in  partner- 
ship with  his  brother  George  E.  This  he  car- 
ried on  with  his  brother  for  six  months,  until 
he  bought  out  his  partner,  and  ran  it  alone  for 
three  and  a half  years,  making  a continual  suc- 
cess of  his  undertaking.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  in  the  North  End  to  start  on  the  cash  sys- 
tem. 

Mr.  Baker  has  had  various  other  interests. 
Out  of  about  seventy-five  applicants  for  the  su- 
perintendency of  the  North  Burial  -Ground  he 
was  appointed,  and  held  the  position  for  sixteen 
years.  In  the  meantime  he  had  become  inter- 
ested in  the  Girard  Mineral  Spring,  on  Mineral 
Spring  avenue,  in  North  Providence,  and  in 
about  1893  he  found  the  business  had  grown 
to  such  proportions  that  it  needed  his  personal 
attention.  He  had  bought  and  built  in  1893  the 
property  and  building  where  he  is  now  located. 
The  water  is  excellent  for  all  stomach  and  kid- 
ney troubles,  the  analysis  of  same  by  Prof.  Ed- 
win E.  Calder  showing  the  following  result  in 
•grains  per  gallon  of  water:  Total  solid  matters, 
3.619;  organic  and  volatile,  .759;  mineral  mat- 
ter, 2.860;  lime  sulphate,  .934;  lime  carbonate, 
.292 ; magnesia  carbonate,  .525 ; common  salt, 
.467.  This  mineral  contains:  Silica  and  insolu- 
ble, .525;  iron  and  aluminum  oxides,  .117;  free 
ammonia,  none ; and  a very  slight  trace  of  al- 
buminoid ammonia.  The  water  finds  ready  sale 
in  Providence  and  Pawtucket.  It  is  used  by 
consumers  both  for  medicinal  and  general  drink- 
ing purposes,  and  two  teams  are  kept  busy  in 
Providence  and  one  in  Pawtucket.  The  com- 
pany also  makes  a fine  ginger  ale,  known  as  the 
“Girard  XXX.” 


RHODE  ISLAND 


787 


Mr.  Baker  started  in  life  emtpy-handed,  hav- 
ing no  capital  to  begin  with  but  what  he  earned, 
and  having  acquired  all  he  has  by  his  own  exer- 
tions. He  is  a careful  and  circumspect  man, 
and  has  always  believed  in  the  policy  of  letting 
well  enough  alone.  He  has  accumulated  a fine 
competence.  Like  most  of  his  family  he  is  in- 
dependent in  politics,  and  has  taken  no  active 
part  in  public  matters.  He  was  a member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  Eagle  Lodge,  No.  2,  but  has  not 
been  affiliated  for  some  years. 

Mr.  Baker  first  married  Julia  F.  Weaver,  of 
Providence,  daughter  of  David  L.  Weaver,  the 
family  being  of  Middletown,  Newport  Co.,  R. 
I.,  and  children  as  follows  were  born  to  this 
union:  Warren,  born  March  11,  1869,  is  in  the 
employ  of  the  firm  of  Bliss  & Co.,  Main  street, 
Pawtucket;  he  married  Jennie  Schoot.  Martha 
Estelle,  born  Aug.  3,  1875,  is  at  home.  Maria 
Louise,  born  July  30,  1878,  died  in  infancy. 
The  mother  died  Aug.  6,  1879,  aged  thirty-one 
years.  Mr.  Baker  married  (second)  Henrietta 
Bowen,  daughter  of  Col.  Lyndall  and  Joanna 
(Nichols)  Bowen,  of  Rehoboth,  and  they  have 
had  one  child,  Roger  Williams,  born  July  23, 
1883,  who  is  associated  with  his  father. 

(VI)  George  Everett  Baker,  son  of  Nelson 
O.,  was  born  in  Rehoboth,  Oct.  17,  1847.  The 
district  schools  of  his  native  town  afforded  him 
his  educational  advantages.  The  school  year 
at  that  time  consisted  of  two  terms  of  three 
months  each,  and  the  lad  attended  the  winter 
term  at  such  times  as  his  services  could  not  be 
otherwise  utilized.  Thus  he  continued,  work- 
ing for  his  father  in  summer  and  attending 
school  in  winter,  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of 
age,  when  he  began  to  learn  the  mason’s  trade 
with  his  father,  who  had  two  other  sons  who 
also  learned  the  trade,  the  youngest,  Samuel, 
serving  his  apprenticeship  at  a later  period  than 
George  E.,  all  of  them  becoming  skilled  work- 
men in  their  line.  Nelson  O.  Baker  and  his 
three  sons  did  the  more  skilled  part  of  the 
pressed  brick  work  on  the  fine  residence  of  John 
Brayton,  on  Highland  avenue,  and  that  of  Ed- 
mond Chace,  on  Rock  street,  at  Fall  River, 
Mass.,  and  the  aggregate  of-  their  wages  per  day 
was  $20.50.  They  were  considered  among  the 
very  best  masons  in  the  county  at  that  time. 
They  also  assisted  in  the  construction  of  the 
William  F.  Sayles  house  in  Pawtucket,  and 
George  E.  and  Charles  N.  assisted  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  Dixon  House,  Elm  street  school 
house,  and  the  town  hall  in  Westerly,  R.  I.,  get- 
ting each  $6  per  day  for  their  work  on  the  last 
named  building.  In  1876  Charles  N.  and  George 
E.  helped  to  put  up  the  mammoth  Corliss  en- 
gine at  Philadelphia,  which  furnished  the  mo- 
tor power  for  the  Centennial  Exposition,  and 
was  of  14,000  horse-power.  It  consisted  of 
twenty  boilers,  arranged  in  the  form  of  a horse- 
shoe. 


When  he  came  to  Providence,  as  a boy,  Mr. 
Baker  worked  for  $5  per  week,  out  of  which  he 
paid  $4  for  board  and  ten  cents  for  laundry, 
leaving  ninety  cents  for  other  expenses.  He 
got  a chance  to  put  in  an  hour  extra  each  morn- 
ing and  with  the  proceeds  from  this  and  his 
ninety  cents  he  had  at  the  end  of  eight  months 
saved  twenty-five  dollars.  So  careful  had  he 
been  with  his  earnings,  a disposition  induced  no 
doubt  by  his  first  struggles,  that  when  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  he  had  saved  a sufficient  sum, 
put  in  with  an  equal  amount  from  his  father, 
to  purchase  a house  in  Providence  which  he 
still  owns.  In  addition  he  had  saved  enough 
money  to  enable  him,  on  Dec.  19,  1876,  to  em- 
bark in  the  grocery  business  at  what  is  now  No. 
68  Olney  street,  occupying  a small  building 
owned  by  Charles  Jenks,  where  he  continued 
for  nine  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  in  1885, 
he  built  his  present  place  of  business,  which 
consists  of  a substantial  three-story  building, 
store  and  dwelling,  combined.  Here  Mr.  Baker 
has  built  up  a very  fine  trade,  trebling  the  bus- 
iness done  at  the  old  stand.  He  is  a successful 
business  man,  careful  and  conservative,  yet  pro- 
gressive and  up-to-date.  He  bears  an  enviable 
reputation  for  honorable  dealings,  and  is  thor- 
oughly reliable  in  every  respect.  His  large  bus- 
iness has  been  built  up  from  a modest  begin- 
ning— the  natural  result  of  the  qualifications 
and  practices  alluded  to.  As  an  advertiser  Mr. 
Baker’s  methods  are  sometimes  unique,  and  the 
results  are  most  satisfying.  For  several  years 
just  previous  to  the  Thanksgiving  season  he 
has  been  issuing  announcements  in  rhyme,  of 
his  own  composition,  calling  attention  to  the  line 
in  season,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  another  estab- 
lishment of  similar  size  in  the  city  commands 
more  trade. 

Personally  Mr.  Baker  is  a genial  and  whole- 
souled  man,  and  his  happy  disposition  has  won 
him  a large  circle  of  friends.  In  politics  he  is 
a stanch  Prohibitionist.  On  Dec.  3,  1865,  Mr. 
Baker  united  with  the  Power  Street  M.  E. 
Church  and  on  Dec.  29,  1869,  he  transferred  his 
membership  to  the  Asbury  Memorial  M.  E. 
Church.  For  nearly  twenty-five  years  he  was 
a member  of  its  board  of  trustees,  eleven  years 
of  which  time  he  was  treasurer  of  the  board ; 
during  the  building  of  the  new  church  he  served 
as  a member  of  the  building  committee,  and  re- 
ceived and  paid  out  over  $40,000  in  this  capacity. 
He  has  been  either  superintendent  or  assistant 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  for  over 
twenty-five  years.  On  Jan.  4,  1903,  he  retired 
as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school,  at 
which  time  he  was  presented  a Bible  by  the 
school  as  an  evidence  of  esteem  and  apprecia- 
tion of  long  and  faithful  service.  Mrs.  Baker 
became  a member  of  the  Asbury  Memorial 
Church  in  the  later  sixties,  and  for  twenty  years 
was  librarian  of  the  Sunday-school.  She  is  a 


788 


RHODE  ISLAND 


most  active  member  of  the  Ladies  Aid  Society. 

On  Feb.  19,  1868,  Mr.  Baker  married  Ruth 
A.  Barney,  daughter  of  Albert  and  Ann  Eliza 
(Pearce)  Barney,  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  and 
grand-daughter  of  Willard  and  Pollv  (Luther) 
Barney.  Two  children  have  come  to  this  un- 
ion : (1)  Jennie  Belle,  born  April  28,  1870,  mar- 
ried Walter  A.  Young,  and  had  two  children, 
Allen  Everett  (deceased)  and  Courtney  P.  (2) 
George  Albert,  born  March  6,  1877,  is  gradually 
assuming  active  charge  of  his  father's  business, 
and  has  proved  himself  a young  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  ability.  Mr.  Baker  and  family 
are  well  liked  in  their  home  community,  as 
much  for  their  sociability  as  for  substantial 
worth,  and  they  have  a generous  measure  of 
both. 

AMASA  MANTON  CHACE  (deceased). 
Although  the  business  life  of  the  late  Amasa 
Manton  Chace  was  passed  almost  exclusively  in 
New  York  City,  he  was  allied  to  Newport  by 
the  ties  of  birth  and  ancestry,  and  on  retiring 
from  the  financial  field  he  returned  to  his  birth- 
place to  enjoy  his  remaining  years.  The  Chace 
(or  Chase)  family  dates  back  to  the  beginning 
of  the  Colonial  period  and  was  originally  of 
Massachusetts. 

(I)  William  Chase,  born  about  1595,  in  Eng- 
land, with  wife  Mary  and  son  William  came 
to  America  in  the  ship  with  Governor  Winthrop 
and  his  colony  in  1630,  settling  first  in  Rox- 
bury.  He  soon  became  a member  of  the  church 
of  which  the  Rev.  John  Eliot,  the  Apostle  to 
the  Indians,  was  pastor.  On  Oct.  19,  1630,  he 
applied  for  freemanship  and  was  admitted  a 
freeman  May  14,  1634.  In  1637,  or  thereabouts, 
he  became  one  of  the  company  who  made  a new 
settlement  at  Yarmouth,  of  which  town  he  was 
made  constable  in  1639.  He  resided  at  Yar- 
mouth the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  May,  1659. 
His  widow  died  the  following  October.  Their 
children  were:  William,  born  about  1622,  in 
England:  Mary,  born  in  May,  1637,  in  Roxbury; 
and  Benjamin,  born  in  1639,  in  Yarmouth. 

(II)  William  Chase  (2),  son  of  William  and 
Mary,  born  about  1622,  in  England,  came  to 
America  with  his  parents,  married  and  was  a 
resident  of  Yarmouth.  He  died  Feb.  27,  1685. 
His  children  were:  William,  Jacob,  John,  Eliz- 
abeth, Abraham,  Joseph,  Benjamin  and  Samuel. 

(III)  William  Chase  (3),  son  of  William 
(2),  born  about  1645,  married  (first)  Hannah, 
daughter  of  Philip  and  Sarah  (Odding)  Sher- 
man, and  (second)  Dec.  6,  1732,  Priscilla  Perry. 
His  children  were:  William,  Eber,  Isaac,  Na- 
thaniel, Joseph  and  Hezekiah.  The  father’s  will 
was  proved  Aug.  16,  1737. 

(IV)  Isaac  Chase  married  Feb.  10,  1704, 

Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  (Marks) 
Blethen,  of  Salem,  Mass.  Their  children  were: 
James,  born  Feb.  12,  1706;  Wait,  April  24,  1708; 


Isaac,  May  19,  1710;  William,  Oct.  31,  1712; 
and  Eliza,  May  16,  1715.  By  his  second  wife, 
Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  Fowler,  there  were 
seven  children,  Ezekiel,  Mary,  Robert,  David, 
Lydia,  Susanna  and  Benjamin. 

(V)  David  Chase  married  (first)  Oct.  11, 
1753,  Elizabeth  Austin,  and  (second)  Dec.  22, 
1791,  Mary  Chace.  The  children,  all  by  the 
first  union,  were  born  as  follows:  Alice,  the 
24th  of  the  seventh  month,  1754:  David,  the  8th 
of  the  third  month,  1758:  Elizabeth,  the  4th  of 
the  ninth  month,  1759;  Jesse,  the  Ilth  of  the 
ninth  month,  1761  ; Isaac,  the  9th  of  the  tenth 
month,  1763;  Collins,  the  8th  of  the  eighth 
month,  1766;  Isaiah,  the  24th  of  the  ninth 
month,  1768;  and  Philip,  the  30th  of  the  first 
month,  1770. 

(VI)  Jesse  Chase,  the  second'  son  in  the 
above  family,  and  the  grandfather  of  Amasa 

Manton  Chace,  was  born  nth  of  9 mo.,  1761,  and 
married  Margaret  Bowers,  who  died  Nov.  14, 
1822,  aged  60  years.  He  died  Feb.  25,  1847, 
aged  86  years. 

(VII)  Capt.  Jesse  Chace  was  born  June  3, 
1798,  in  Somerset,  Mass.  He  came  to  Newport 
early  in  life  and  followed  a sea-faring  career, 
being  a captain  engaged  in  the  merchant  trade 
to  China  and  England.  His  death  occurred  in 
Newport,  March  17,  1876.  Thrice  married,  his 
first  wife  was  Almira  Brayton,  who  was  born  in 
Swansea,  Mass.,  and  died  Feb.  26,  1837,  aged 
thirty-three.  Her  children  were:  John  Bray- 
ton, born  in  1833,  died,  Dec.  22,  1836;  Elizabeth, 
C.,  married  Anson  B.  Ives,  of  Savannah,  Ga.,  and 
died  there,  Aug.  19,  1869;  and > Agnes,  born  Feb. 
5,  1837,  died  in  Newport,  unmarried,  Tan.  13, 
1898.  Capt.  Chace  married  (second)  Damaris 
C.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Damaris  (Carr)  Al- 
len. She  died  in  Newport,  May  10,  1857,  the 
mother  of  three  children,  viz. : Mary  Catherine, 
who  died  in  infancy;  Damaris  Carr,  who  died 
Sept.  17,  1845,  aged  one  year;  and  Amasa  Man- 
ton.  The  third  wife,  who  long  survived  him, 
was  Jane  B.  Thompson,  born  Aug.  14,  1814, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Thompson,  of  Fall  River; 
she  died  Sept.  25,  1894,  in  Newport. 

(VIII)  Amasa  Manton  Chace  was  born  in 
Newport,  March  22,  1847,  and  received  his  early 
schooling  in  his  native  city.  Later  he  went  to 
Riverside  Military  Academy,  at  Poughkeepsie, 
N.  Y.  On  beginning  business  he  was  first  en- 
gaged in  wood  turning  and  nickel  plating  work 
in  Mystic,  Conn.,  but  later  returning  to  New- 
port established  himself  as  a dealer  in  imported 
art  goods,  furniture,  etc.,  on  Bellevue  avenue. 
Eventually  he  gave  this  up  and  embarked  in  the 
advertising  line  in  New  York,  in  which  he  con- 
tinued for  about  ten  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time,  in  1888,  he  retired  from  active  business 
and  came  to  Newport  to  make  his  home.  He 
was  a capable  man  of  affairs  and  was  well-to-do 
when  he  retired.  A member  of  the  Masonic 


RHODE  ISLAND 


789 


Order,  he  belonged  to  St.  .Nicholas  Lodge,  of 
New  York.  In  politics  he  was  a Republican, 
and  in  religious  belief  a Unitarian,  holding 
membership  in  Charming  Memorial  Chapel,  in 
Newport.  Mr.  Chace’s  death  occurred  at  his 
Newport  home,  Nov.  n,  1903,  and  he  was  in- 
terred in  the  Island  Cemetery  in  that  city. 

On  April  10,  1872,  Mr.  Chace  married  Miss 
Sarah  Hull  Townsend,  who  survives  him.  She 
was  born  Oct.  15,  1844,  daughter  of  Edmund 
J.  and  Abby  H.  (Sherman)  Townsend,  of  New- 
port. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chace  had  only  two  chil- 
dren, both  sons.  Allen  Townsend  was  born  in 
1874,  and  died  in  1881  ; Amasa  Manton,  Jr.,  born 
in  1886,  is  now  being  educated  in  civil  engi- 
neering in  Brown  University. 

The  Townsend  family,  of  which  Mrs.  Chace  is 
a member,  appears  in  the  vital  records  of 
Newport  since  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth 
century.  The  first  mention  is  of  Job  and  Re- 
becca, whose  children  were  as  follows : Hannah, 
born  June  20,  1728,  who  married,  Aug.  6,  1746, 
John  Goddard:  Sarah,  born  March  8,  1729; 
Susanna,  born  Nov.  29,  1731,  who  married  Jan. 
17,  1750,  James  Goddard;  Job,  who  married  May 
31,  1753.  Deborah,  daughter  of  Peter  and 
Thankful  Taylor;  Mary,  born  in  1733;  Peter, 
born  Jan.  22,  1734-35 ; and  Thomas,  born  Jan. 
30,  1742-43,  who  married  Dec.  8,  1765,  Mary 
Dyer. 

From  , the  Newport  Townsend  family  de- 
scended the  late  Christopher  Townsend,  a mer- 
chant in  New  York  City  till  about  i860,  and  a 
well  known  capitalist  and  philanthropist.  He 
was  a son  of  John  F.  and  Ann  (Easton)  Town- 
send, and  was  born  in  Newport  in  February, 
1807.  He  was  most  generous  in  his  gifts  to  his 
native  city,  and  among  them,  made  either  dur- 
ing his  life  or  by  the  terms  of  his  will,  were 
$10,000  to  the  endowment  fund  of  the  Home  for 
the  Aged;  $100,000  for  the  Home  for  Friendless 
Children  ; and  $100,000  for  the  People’s  Library. 

Another  early  Newport  record  shows  Job 
Townsend,  who  married  Deborah  Taylor,  and 
their  son,  Job  Edmund  Townsend,  a cabinet 
maker  by  trade  and  later  in  the  Newport  Cus- 
tom house,  who  married  Mary  Clarke  Allen,  was 
Mrs.  Chace’s  paternal  grandfather.  Her  father, 
Edmund  J.  Townsend,  was  a lifelong  resident 
of  Newport,  where  for  over  fifty  years  he  en- 
gaged in  sailmaking.  He  was  married  (first) 
April  12,  1830,  to  Miss  Mary  Louisa  Ford,  by 
whom  he  had  an  only  son,  William  Ford.  His 
second  wife  was  Miss  Abby  H.  Sherman,  and 
they  had  issue  as  follows : Mary  Louise,  who 
died  unmarried;  Wealthy  Moore,  widow  of  John 
G.  Weaver,  Jr.,  of  Newport;  Sarah  Hull,  now 
Mrs.  Chace;  Abby  Catherine,  deceased  wife  of 
Samuel  M.  Blatchford,  of  New  York;  and  Su- 
san Elizabeth,  who  lived  only  four  years. 

METCALF.  Since  early  in  the  eighteenth 
century  the  Metcalf  name  has  been  a continuous 


one  in  Providence.  One  Eleazer  Metcalf,  of  the 
Dedham  (Mass.)  family,  came  hither  not  far  from 
1 737-38;  and  later  came  others  of  that  same  stock. 
Say  the  vital  records  of  Rhode  Island;  Joel  and 
Lucy  (Gay)  Metcalf,  of  Attleboro  birth,  located  in 
Providence  in  1780.  From  this  latter  family  have 
come  some  of  the  city’s  most  capable,  enterprising 
and  successful  business  men,  the  earlier  generations 
being  tanners  and'  leather  merchants,  and  later 
generations  extensive  manufacturers.  Such  names 
as  the  two  Joels,  Jesse,  Joseph  G.,  Col.  Edwin, 
Major  George,  Alfred,  Franklin,  Jesse  H.,  Stephen 
O.  and  Edward  P.  Metcalf  are  prominently  inter- 
woven with  the  city’s  history.  We  have  the  fol- 
lowing record  of  the  early  generations : 

(I)  Michael  Metcalf,  born  in  1586,  in  Tatter- 
ford,  County  of  Norfolk,  England,  was  by  occu- 
pation at  Norwich  a dornock  weaver.  He  was 
made  a freeman  there  in  1618.  He  married  Oct. 
13,  1616,  in  Waynham,  Sarah,  who  was  born 
June  17,  1593.  Mr.  Metcalf  with  his  wife  and 
their  nine  children  and  one  servant  came  to  New 
England  in  1637.-  The  father  was  admitted  a free- 
man at  Dedham,  July  14,  1637,  an(I  joined  the 
church  in  1639.  He  was  selectman  in  1641.  He 
states  that  he  came  to  New  England  owing  to  re- 
ligious persecution.  His  wife,  Sarah,  died  Nov. 
30,  1644,  and  he  married  (second)  Aug.  13,  1645, 
Mrs.  Mary  Pidge,  a widow,  of  Roxbury.  Mr.  Met- 
calf died  Dec.  27,  1664.  His  children,  all  born  in 
Norwich,  England,  were:  Michael,  born  Nov.  13, 
1617;  Marv,  Oct.  14,  1618  (or  Feb.  14,  1619); 
Michael  (2),  Aug.  29,  1620;  John,  Sept.  5 (or  15), 
1 622;  Sarah,  Sept.  10,  1624;  Elizabeth,  Oct.  4, 
1626;  Martha,  March  27  (or  October),  1628; 
Thomas,  Dec.  27,  1629  (or  1630)  ; Ann,  March  1, 
1634;  Jane,  March  24,  16—;  and  Rebecca,  April 
5.  1635. 

(II)  Michael  Metcalf  (2).  born  Aug.  29,  1620, 
married  April  21,  1644,  Mary,  daughter  of  John 
Fairbanks,  Sr.  Mr.  Metcalf  died  in  Dedham,  Dec. 
24,  1654.  His  children  were:  Michael,  born  in 
1645;  Mary,  in  1646;  Sarah,  In  1648;  Jonathan, 
in  1650;  and  Eleazer,  in  1653. 

(III)  Jonathan  Metcalf,  born  Sept.  21,  1650, 
married  April  10,  1674,  Hannah,  daughter  of  John 
Kenric.  They  died,  he  on  May  27,  1727*  she  on 
Dec.  23,  1731.  Their  children  were:  Jonathan, 
born  in  1675:  John,  in  1678;  Ebenezer,  in  1680; 
Joseph,  in  1682;  Timothy,  in  1684;  Eleazer,  in 
1687;  Hannah,  in  1689;  Nathaniel,  in  1691;  Me- 
hetabel ; and  Mary. 

(IV)  John  Metcalf,  born  March  20,  1678,  mar- 
ried (first)  April  29,  1701,  Mehetabel  Savels,  of 
Braintree.  She  died  March  30,  1712,  aged  twenty- 
nine  years,  and  he  married  (second)  Feb.  12,  1713, 
Bethiah  Savels.  She  died  May  22,  1717,  aged 
thirty-five  years,  and  he  married  (third)  Oct.  25, 
1718,  Grace  Williams,  of  Roxbury,  who  died  Nov. 
11,  1749,  aged  sixty-one  years.  His  children  were: 
John,  born  March  31,  1704:  Eleazer,  Aug.  21, 
1706;  Timothy,  Dec.  11,  1707 : Joseph,  May  11, 
1710;  twins,  in  1712  (who  died  that  year,  with  the 


79u 


RHODE  ISLAND 


mother);  Jonathan;  born  May  4,  1714;  Bethiah, 
Dec.  31,  1715;  a child,  in  1717  (who  died  that  year 
with  the  mother)  ; Katherine,  born  in  1719;  Kath- 
erine (2),  in  1721;  Mehetabel,  in  1723;  Sarah,  in 
1725;  Timothy,  in  1728;  Timothy  (2),  in  1730; 
Grace,  in  1732;  Stephen,  in  1732;  and  a son,  in 
1/34-  _ 

(V)  Eleazer  Metcalf,  son  of  John,  born  Aug. 
21,  1706,  married  March  24,  1736-37,  Martha  Tur- 
kin,  and  their  children  were:  William,  John,  Me- 
hetabel, Martha  and  V.  Katherine.  (Arnold’s 
Vital  Statistics  of  Providence  County  show  that 
William  and  John  were  born  Feb.  3,  1737-38,  and 
July  18,  1739,  respectively.) 

(VI)  William  Metcalf,  born  Feb.  3-,  1737-38, 
married  Dec.  13,  1761,  Anna  Hopkins,  daughter  of 
Capt.  John  and  Catherine  (Turpin)  Hopkins,  the 
former  of  whom  was  a brother  of  Gov.  Stephen 
Hopkins  and  a descendant  of  Thomas  Hopkins, 
who  came  from  England  and  was  many  times  a 
deputy  from  Providence,  beginning  with  1652,  his 
lineage  being  through  William  and  Major  Wil- 
liam Hopkins.  A daughter  of  the  above  marriage 
married  Alfred  Mann,  and  had,  among  other  chil- 
dren, William  Metcalf  Mann,  who  was  one  of  the 
editors  of  the  Providence  American,  and  died 
March  2,  1817,  in  his  twenty-third  year. 

(IV)  Nathaniel  Metcalf,  son  of  Jonathan,  of 
Dedham,  Mass.,  born  April  17  (or  22),  1691,  mar- 
ried Feb.  13,  (or  17),  1713,  Mary  Gay.  He  died 
March  15,  1752.  His  children  were:  Mary  mar- 
ried Joseph  Fisher;  Nathaniel  married  Ruth  Whit- 
ing ; Hannah  married  Samuel  Richards ; Sarah 
married  Israel  Everett ; Margaret  married  Stephen 
Fales;  Mercy  died  unmarried,  when  seventy-seven 
years  old ; Ebenezer  married  Elizabeth  Stanley ; 
and  Lydia  married  Timothy  Fisher. 

(V)  Nathaniel  Metcalf,  son  of  Nathaniel,  born 
Aug.  29,  1718,  died  May  3,  1789.  He  married  Ruth 
Whiting,  of  Attleboro,  Mass.,  and  they  had  chil- 
dren : Nathaniel,  of  Providence,  who  died  unmar- 
ried at  the  age  of  thirty ; Ebenezer,  of  Cumberland, 
who  married  Abigail  Dexter ; Michael,  of  Provi- 
dence, who  married  Molly  Gay ; Joel,  of  Attleboro 
and  Providence;  Jesse;  Samuel;  Lucy;  Catharine, 
who  married  Philip  Ellis;  Ruth,  who  married 
Elisha  May;  Lucy,  who  married  Benjamin  Pidge, 
of  Dighton  ; Sarah,  who  married  Amos  Ide,  of  At- 
tleboro ; and  Molly. 

(VI)  Joel  Metcalf,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Ruth, 
was  born  Nov.  4,  1755,  in  Attleboro,  Mass.  He 
married  Lucy  Gay,  also  born  in  Attleboro,  Oct.  3, 
1759,  their  marriage  (of  Providence,  R.  I.,  record) 
being  solemnized  Dec.  9,  1779.  They  removed 
from  Attleboro  to  Providence  (say  the  Providence 
records)  on  the  4th  of  February,  1780,  and  in  1798 
resided  with  their  family  at  what  was,  in  1858, 
Nos.  64  and  66  Benefit  street.  Mr.  Metcalf  was  a 
leather  dresser  and  currier,  and  carried  on  an  ex- 
tensive business,  at  first  in  company  with  his 
brother  Michael,  and  afterward  on  his  own  account, 
on  Mill  street,  in  a wooden  building.  He  was  a 


hard-working,  industrious,  honest  mechanic,  and 
no  better  citizen  walked  the  streets  of  Providence. 
He  was  a stern  Democrat  of  the  Jefifersonian 
school,  and  his  name  may  be  found  among  the  fifty- 
six  freemen  who  voted  the  Democratic  ticket  when 
Mr.  Jefferson  came  into  power.  Though  his  edu- 
cation was  limited,  and  his  politics  unpopular  in 
Providence,  such  was  the  general  confidence  in  the 
uprightness  of  his  intentions  and  his  strong  com- 
mon sense  that  his  fellow  citizens  elected  him  for 
many  years  a member  of  their  town  council.  They 
also  elected  him  a member  of  the  school  committee 
for  twenty-two  years  in  succession,  during  which 
time  he  was  present  at  every  examination  of  the 
public  schools.  He  was  among  the  first  and  fore- 
most in  favor  of  public  schools,  and  that  his  in- 
terest in  them  was  real  appears  from  the  fact  just 
noted  that  he  gave  his  personal  attendance  at  up- 
ward of  eighty  successive  examinations.  When  his 
party  came  into  power  in  the  State  he  was  elected 
a judge  of  the  court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the 
county  of  Providence. 

Mr.  Metcalf  was  the  father  of  a large  family, 
four  sons  and  six  daughters,  and  the  sterling  worth 
of  the  man  is  reflected  in  the  fact  that  the  children 
have  been  honored  and  respected  for  their  own 
merits.  Among  the  daughters  Betsey,  who  married 
Mr.  Obed  Baker,  of  West  Dedham,  Mass.,  is  con- 
ceded by  all  to  have  been  the  first  braider  of  straw 
in  the  United  States.  Seeing  an  imported  Dun- 
stable straw  bonnet  in  the  window  of  the  store  of 
Col.  John  Whipple,  she  determined  to  have  a Dun- 
stable bonnet  and  commenced  experimenting  with 
some  oat  straw  that  her  father  had  harvested  that 
year.  She  commenced  making  her  first  experiment 
in  June,  1798.  She  began  braiding  first  with  six 
straws  and  then  with  seven,  and  finally  found,  after 
much  discouragement  from  friends  and  encourage- 
ment from  an  aunt  in  the  family,  that  she  was  able 
to  imitate  perfectly  the  imported  braid.  She  says, 
“The  first  bonnet  I made  was  of  seven  braid,  with 
bobbin  put  in  like  open  work,  and  lined  with  pink 
satin.  This  was  very  much  admired  and  hundreds, 
I should  think,  came  to  see  it.”  She  visited  Ded- 
ham and  taught  them  there,  also  in  Wrentham  and 
Providence,  R.  I.,  and  had  quite  a factory,  which 
was  run  for  some  time  in  Providence.  After  her 
marriage  she  lived  in  Dedham,  and  formed  there 
a small  society  of  ladies,  who,  from  their  braidings 
at  regular  monthly  meetings,  were  enabled  to  con- 
tribute more  than  $1,000  to  the  cause  of  Missions 
among  the  Indians  in  this  country.  She  was  a 
most  devout  woman,  and  is  said  to  have  read  her 
Bible  through  nearly  a score  of  times,  reading  it 
aloud  to  her  husband  after  he  had  retired.  She  was 
also  most  charitable.  It  is  said  of  her  that  so  care- 
ful was  she  of  her  time  that  she  would  keep  up  her 
knitting  while  going  to  visit  a neighbor.  She  also 
says  of  herself  that  she  nearly  defrayed  her  own 
expenses  by  braiding  in  the  stage,  while  traveling 
from  Dedham  to  Providence.  She  reared  a large 
family  of  excellent  sons  and  daughters. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


We  have  the  following  record  of  the  children 
of  Joel  and  Lucy  (Gay)  Metcalf:  Katy,  born  Sept. 
27,  1780;  Lucy,  March  31,  1782;  Sophia,  June  24, 
1784;  Betsey,  March  29,  1786;  Lucy  (2),  March 
26,  1788;  Jesse,  May  15,  1790;  Joel,  Aug.  2,  1792; 
Ruth,  July  31,  1794;  Joseph  Gay,  Dec.  9,  1796; 
and  Whiting,  April  22,  1799. 

(VII)  Jesse  Metcalf,  born  May  15,  1790,  son 
of  Joel,  died  June  20,  1838.  He  was  married  April 
19,  1812,  to  Eunice  Dench  Houghton,  daughter  of 
John.  She  died  May  5,  1858.  Their  children,  only 
three  of  whom  survive,  were  born  as  follows : 
Sophia,  Aug.  17,  1813;  Emily,  June  29,  1815; 
Ellen,  June  28,  1817  (married  Edwin  A.  Bush,  and 
had  Jesse  M.  and  Charles  S.)  ; Evelina,  June  30, 
1820  (married  George  Hunt  and  had  Ellen  G., 
who  lives  at  No.  119  Prospect  street,  Providence, 
and  Eva,  wife  of  Andrew  Ingraham)  ; Matilda, 
April  7,  1822;  Jesse,  Dec.  14,  1824;  Jesse  (2), 
March  4,  1827  (mentioned  below)  ; Lucy  Gay,  Oct. 
1,  1829  (living)  ; Franklin,  June  3,  1832  (now  a 
resident  of  Carolina,  R.  I.,  and  father  of  Edward 
P.  Metcalf,  mentioned  below)  ; Emily,  May  19, 
1837  (mentioned  below,  and  one  of  the  three  sur- 
vivors) . 

(VII)  Joel  Metcalf,  son  of  Joel  and  Lucy, 
born  Aug  2,  1792,  died  Sept.  19,  1868.  On  May 
7,  1814,  he  married  Susanna  Houghton,  daughter 
of  John,  and  their  children  were  born  as  follows : 
John,  April  28,  1815;  Henry,  May  2,  1817;  Edwin, 
May  9,  1819;  Maria,  April  21,  1821  (married 
Charles  Sabin)  ; James  P.,  March  7,  1822  (married 
Abby  Mason).;  Albert,  Nov.  7,  1823;  Susanna,  Dec. 
31,  1825  ; Rev.  Richard,  Aug.  19,  1829  (a  promi- 
nent Unitarian  clergyman)  ; Lewis,  Nov.  25,  1831  ; 
Lewis  Herbert,  Dec.  28,  1835  (he  had  sons,  Joel 
Hastings  Metcalf  and  Benjamin  Hicks  Metcalf)  ; 
Capt.  Joel,  June  2,  1838. 

(VII)  Joseph  Gay  Metcalf,  born  Dec.  9,  1796, 
died  June  29,  1854.  He  married  Aug.  23,  1820, 
Evelina  Houghton,  who  was  born  Dec.  11,  1798, 
daughter  of  John,  and  died  May  14,  1868.  Their 
children  were  as  follows:  (1)  Mary,  born  July  12, 
1821,  married  Samuel  S.  Davis,  and  died  March  6, 
1877,  in  Fort  Scott,  Kans.  (2)  Col.  Edwin,  born 
Aug.23,  1823,  died  Jan.  18,  1894.  (3)  Major  George, 
born  Jan.  7,  1826,  died  Jan.  14,  1895.  (4)  Al- 

fred, born  Dec.  1,  1828,  died  July  16,  1904.  He  is 
mentioned  below.  (5)  Lawson,  born  Sept.  28, 
1834,  died  young.  (6)  Capt.  Joseph,  born  Dec.  8, 
1837,  died  Aug.  28,  1888.  He  married  Emma 
Leonard,  and  had  one  son  and  two  daughters, 
Leonard,  Alice  and  Mary  Church,  all  of  Concord, 
Massachusetts. 

(VII)  Whiting  Metcalf,  son  of  Joel  and 
Lucy  (Gay)  Metcalf,  born  April  22,  1^99,  in  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools.  His  youth  was  occupied  in  industrial 
pursuits  that  prepared  him  for  the  subsequent  busi- 
ness of  life.  He  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
■jewelry  with  the  late  Peter  Church,  with  whom  he 
continued  in  partnership  until  his  decease.  In  the 


early  part  of  the  last  century  there  stood  on  the 
corner  of  Charles  and  Mill  streets  an  old  two-story 
wooden  building  used  as  a tannery  by  Joel  Met- 
calf and  sons.  Its  site  is  now  occupied  by  the 
handsome  block  of  the  Fletcher  Manufacturing 
Company,  for  offices  and  storage.  On  an  uppei 
floor  of  this  ancient  building  Whiting  Metcalf,  the 
youngest  son  of  Joel,  about  the  year  1820  opened 
a small  shop  for  the  manufacture  of  jewelry.  Aftei 
a short  experience  in  business  alone  he  was  joined 
by  Peter  Church,  and  together  they  formed  what 
in  later  years  became  the  very  successful  and  promi- 
nent firm  of  Church  Metcalf.  This  was  in  about 
the  year  1825.  Mr.  Metcalf  was  the  traveling 
member  of  the  firm,  and  his  periodical  visits  to 
New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Boston  were  financi- 
ally successful  to  the  new  and  aspiring  firm.  The 
business  grew  under  the  able  management  of  these 
two  men,  Mr.  Metcalf  and  Mr.  Church,  until  in 
1848  it  was  located  in  the  large  brick  factory  build- 
ing of  Jabez  Gorham  & Son,  on  Canal  street,  south 
of  the  corner  of  Steeple  street.  On  Jan.  1,  1856, 
another  removal  was  made,  to  the  building  known 
as  the  Mathewson  & Allen  building,  corner  of  Wey- 
bosset  and  Dorrance  streets,  opposite  the  “Narra- 
gansett  Hotel.”  It  was  on  May  4th  of  this  year 
(1856)  that  Mr.  Metcalf’s  connection  with  this 
firm  was  terminated  by  death.  Popular  to  a de- 
gree with  his  patrons ; scrupulously  honest  in  his 
dealings  with  them,  he  was  largely  instrumental 
in  laying  the  foundation  of  one  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial jewelry  firms  in  the  city  of  Providence. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  the  Providence  Journal 
spoke  briefly  of  Mr.  Metcalf  as  follows : “Mr. 
Metcalf  was  a man  much  respected  by  all  who  knew 
him.  He  was  an  ardent  friend  of  the  reforms  of 
the  day.”  This  spirit  was  shown  in  his  connection 
with  the  Mechanics  Association,  the  Rhode  Island 
Bible  Society  and  the  Society  for  the  Encourage- 
ment of  Domestic  Industry.  He  sympathized 
warmly  with  all  good  works,  and  the  ministry  at 
large  found  in  him  a constant  friend  and  supporter. 
He  possessed  a keen  sense  of  personal  responsi- 
bility, one  of  the  most  notable  features  of  an  un- 
usually strong  character,  and  throughout  life 
showed  in  his  unostentatious  deeds  of  benevolence 
that  he  felt  the  obligations  and  privileges  of 
stewardship.  No  one  in  need  ever  was  turned  away 
empty  handed.  In  him  faith  and  works  were  mani- 
fested as  inseparable  characteristics.  His  life  was 
his  epitaph,  not  graven  upon  stone,  but  on  the  lov- 
ing, living  hearts  he  won.  It  is  said  that  he  car- 
ried pasted  to  the  inside  of  his  wallet,  so  that  he 
saw  it  always  when  he  opened  his  purse,  the  quo- 
tation, “Turn  not  a deaf  ear  to  the  needy  poor.” 
In  disposition,  he  was  genial  and  his  kind-hearted- 
ness made  him  beloved  by  all  with  whom  he  came 
in  contact.  His  religious  home  was  in  the  First 
Congregational  (Lnitarian)  Church  on  Benefit 
street.  Though  he  never  participated  actively  in 
politics  he  was  a stanch  Whig  in  principle. 

Mr.  Metcalf  married  Almira  Taft,  daughter  of 


RHODE  ISLAND 


792 

Sweeting  and  Chloe  Taft,  and  they  had  one  daugh- 
ter, Almira  F.,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  William  G. 
Pierce,  of  Providence,  and  has  one  son,  Arthur 
Whiting  Pierce.  It  was  Mr.  Metcalf’s  special  re- 
quest that  his  daughter  keep  up  the  charities  in 
which  he  was  so  vitally  interested,  and  the  many 
kindly  deeds  which  mark  her  life  show  that  she  has 
inherited  the  disposition  which  needs  no  prompting 
to  such  acts. 

(VIII)  Jesse  Metcalf,  son  of  Jesse  and  Eu- 
nice Dench  (Houghton)  Metcalf,  who  died  at  his 
home  in  Providence  on  Wednesday,  Dec.  20,  1899, 
was  for  many  years  one  of  the  best  known  manu- 
facturers in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island.  Though 
president  and  treasurer  of  the  Wanskuck  Company 
at  the  time  of  his  decease,  and  a director  in  many 
other  of  the  most  important  business  enterprises  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  he  virtually  lived  retired 
for  the  last  two  or  three  years  of  his  life.  He 
was  a native  of  Providence,  and  passed  practically 
all  his  life  in  that  city. 

Mr.  Metcalf  was  born  March  4,  1827,  in  the  old 
home  of  the  Metcalfs  on  Mills  street,  Providence, 
and  received  all  his  literary  training  in  the  city  of 
his  birth,  attending  Mr.  Baker's  2d  District  school 
on  Meeting  street,  and  later  the  private  schools  of 
Thomas  C.  Hartshorn  and  Joseph  S.  Pitman. 
Choosing  to  follow  a mercantile  career,  he  entered 
the  employ  of  Truman  Beckwith,  a dealer  in  cotton, 
with  whom  he  remained  until  1851,  in  which  year 
he  went  to  Augusta.  Ga.,  with  Stephen  T.  Olney, 
as  a cotton  buyer.  He  followed  that  business  with 
great  success  until  the  panic  of  1857  began  to  make 
itself  felt,  and  then  returning  to  Providence  he  and 
Mr.  Olney  began  also  the  purchase  of  wool.  In 
1858  they  commenced  stocking  the  Glendale  Mill, 
then  operated  by  Lyman  Copeland,  and  in  1859 
acted  in  a similar  capacity  for  the  Greenville  Mill, 
run  by  Messrs.  Pooke  & Steere.  Both  these  con- 
cerns made  cassimeres.  They  subsequently  stocked 
the  Mohegan  Mill,  where  satinet  was  manufac- 
tured. 

The  war  of  the  Rebellion  put  an  end  to  the  cot- 
ton business,  and  in  July,  1862,  in  company  with 
Henry  J.  Steere,  they  commenced  the  erection  of 
the  Wanskuck  Mill.  The  formation  and  incorpora- 
tion of  the  Wanskuck  Company  followed,  Mr.  Met- 
calf, Mr.  Olney  and  Mr.  Steere  taking  up  the  stock 
of  the  concern,  and  in  May,  1864,  they  shipped 
their  first  case  of  woolen  goods  to  New  York.  On 
Jan.  12,  1870,  the  Wanskuck  Company  shipped  the 
first  case  of  worsted  goods  for  men’s  wear  made 
in  this  country.  The  business  grew  rapidly  from 
the  very  start,  and  had  so  expanded  by  October, 
1874,  that  work  was  commenced  upon  a worsted 
mill,  the  machinery  of  which  was  put  into  motion 
in  April,  1875.  Further  development  rewarded 
their  enterprise,  and  on  July  12,  1884,  the  first  de- 
livery of  yarn  was  made  from  their  new  Steere 
worsted  mill.  Early  in  1897  the  company  assumed 
the  management  of  the  Geneva  Mills,  and  in  1898 
of  the  Mohegan  Mill,  and  Oakland  Mill  in  Eurrill- 


ville.  All  through  the  period  of  the  greatest  ac- 
tivity of  the  Wanskuck  Company  Mr.  Metcalf 
was  an  energetic  and  enthusiastic  factor  in  its 
growth,  but  he  took  a less  active  part  in  the  man- 
agement of  the  establishment  for  nearly  ten  years 
prior  to  his  death,  though  he  continued  to  act  as 
president  and  treasurer  of  the  company. 

Naturally,  through  his  association  with  a line 
of  business  which  was  dependent  to  a lafge  extent 
on  the  successful  operation  of  other  industries, 
Mr.  Metcalf  became  interested  in  financial  concerns 
of  magnitude  and  importance,  and  as  became 
one  of  his  ability  and  resource  took  an  active  part 
in  their  management  and  direction.  He  was  asso- 
ciated with  the  Bank  of  North  America  for  a con- 
siderable time,  as  a director  and  later  as  president, 
holding  this  office  for  several  years ; was  a director 
of  the  New  York  & New  England  Railroad;  a 
director  of  the  Providence  Gas  Company ; a direc- 
tor of  the  Union  Railroad  Company  for  several 
years  and  president  of  the  same  for  some  time ; and 
a director  of  several  manufacturers’  mutual  insur- 
ance companies.  Though  devoted  to  his  exten- 
sive business  interests,  he  was  a man  of  social  na- 
ture, and  held  membership  in  the  Union  League 
Club  of  New  York,  and  the  Hope  Club  of  Provi- 
dence. He  was  an  honorary  member  of  the  Cob- 
den  Club  of  England,  of  which  but  few  Americans 
are  members’;  the  late  Rowland  Hazard  was  also 
an  associate  member  of  this  organization.  His 
religious  connections  was  with  the  First  Congre- 
gational (Unitarian)  Society. 

Mr.  Metcalf  was  first  a Republican,  and  in 
later  years  became  an  independent  in  politics,  but 
though  influential  he  did  not  take  a particularly 
active  part  in  such  matters.  However,  he  was  pub- 
lic-spirited and  honest  in  his  convictions,  and  did 
his  duty  ably,  for  several  years  as  a Republican 
member  of  the  Legislature.  He  was  the  first  to 
introduce  into  the  Rhode  Island  Legislature  a 
measure  changing  the  legal  rate  of  interest.  It 
became  a law,  the  first  law  of  the  kind  in  the  United 
States,  and  many  of  the  other  States  followed.  Of 
this  fact  he  spoke  sometimes  with  pride.  He  also 
served  as  a member  of  the  board  of  inspection  of 
the  State  Prison,  which  body  was  the  predecessor 
of  the  present  Board  of  State  Charities  and  Correc- 
tions, and  had  charge  of  the  State’s  penal  institu- 
tions. This  board  of  Inspection  accomplished  some 
remarkably  good  work  while  it  was  in  power,  and 
was  given  a vote  of  thanks  by  the  Legislature.  In 
1888  Mr.  Metcalf  was  a delegate  to  the  National 
Convention  held  at  St.  Louis  which  nominated 
Grover  Cleveland  for  the  Presidency.  A pro- 
nounced free  trader,  it  was  remarked  of  him  by 
an  intimate  acquaintance  that  he  was  one  of  the  few 
honest  free  trade  manufacturers  of  the  speaker’s 
acquaintance ; this  gentleman  was  of  the  opinion 
that  Mr.  Metcalf  would  have  put  his  ideas  into 
practice  if  it  had  been  possible  for  him  to  have  his 
way. 

Mr.  Metcalf  was  at  one  time  a member  of  the 


RHODE  ISLAND 


793 


Commission  on  Sinking  Fund  of  the  city  of  Provi- 
dence. He  left  a monument  to  his  generosity  in 
the  well-appointed  building  on  Waterman  street, 
where  the  Rhode  Island  School  of  Design  has  its 
home.  This  school  was  erected  as  a tribute  to  the 
memory  of  his  wife  and  her  devoted  labors,  and  in 
furtherance  of  its  interests  Mr.  Metcalf  donated 
the  land  upon  which  the  building  stands  and  con- 
tributed the  money  which  assured  its  erection.  He 
was  a believer  in  practical  philanthropy  and  took 
this  means  of  accomplishing  what  he  believed 
would  benefit  hundreds  who  would  be  permitted, 
because  of  his  gift,  to  enjoy  privileges  which  other- 
wise could  hardly  have  come  within  their  reach. 
The  appreciation  of  the  privileges  and  advantages 
of  this  school  is  best  attested  by  the  steady  patron- 
age it  has  had,  the  attendance  now  being  over  nine 
hundred. 

As  a business  man  of  many  interests,  as  a man 
who  performed  his  public  duties  with  unswerv- 
ing integrity  and  unquestioning  fidelity,  as  a citizen 
who  never  forgot  local  interests  in  the  larger  ques- 
tions which  demanded  his  attention,  as  a friend, 
and  an  intelligent  Christian  gentleman  who  recog- 
nized his  duty  to  his  fellow  citizens  in  general, 
Providence  had  reason  to  be  proud  of  Jesse  Met- 
calf, and  he  was  honored  in  his  native  city  bv  all 
who  knew  him.  His  record  is  an  ideal  one.  The 
demands  upon  his  intellect  and  reason  were  many 
and  great,  but  he  showed  a capacity  commensurate 
with  them,  and  never  failed  in  the  performance  of 
duty  or  the  carrying  out  of  any  enterprise  which 
after  due  consideration  he  had  decided  to  undertake. 

On  Nov.  22,  1852,  Mr.  Metcalf  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Helen  Adelia  Rowe,  of  Provi- 
dence, who  died  March  1,  1895.  Five  children  were 
born  to  this  union  : (1)  Eliza  G.  was  married  May 

27,  1880,  to  Dr.  Gustav  Radeke,  of  Providence, 
and  is  now  a widow.  (2)  Stephen  O.  was  married 
Dec.  2,  1886,  to  Esther  Henrietta  Pierce,  who  was 
born  Nov.  26,  1862,  daughter  of  George  and  Esther 
J.  Pierce,  and  they  have  had  three  children  : Helen 
Pierce,  born  Sept.  3.  1887;  George  Pierce,  June  13, 
1890;  and  Houghton  Pierce,  Aug.  12,  1891.  (3) 

Sophia  is  the  wife  of  the  Hon.  William  C.  Baker. 
(4)  Jesse  H.,  born  Nov.  16,  i860,  married  Har- 
riet D.  Thurston,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Cor- 
nelia D.  Thurston,  and  they  have  one  daughter 
Cornelia,  born  Sept.  28,  1892.  (5)  Manton  Brad- 

ley, born  June  26,  1864,  was  educated  in  a select 
school  kept  by  Charles  Wheeler,  and  he  also  at- 
tended Brown  University  for  two  years.  In  the 
fall  of  1881  he  went  to  New  York,  where  for  the 
past  twenty-six  years  he  has  been  the  manager  of 
the  sales  department  of  the  Wanskuck  Company. 
He  makes  his  home  in  Orange,  N.  J.  He  married 
April  28,  1886,  Susan  Maud  Browning,  of  New 
York,  daughter  of  Theodore  and  Susan  (Wilcox) 
Browning,  and  they  have  had  three  children,  viz. : 
Jesse,  born  Sept.  10,  1887;  Manton  B.,  Jr.,  Dec.  7, 
1892;  and  Rowe  Browning,  May  6,  1900.  Mrs. 
Metcalf  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 


(\  III)  Dr.  Emily  (Metcalf)  Thurber,  born 
May  19,  1837,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Eunice  D. 
(Houghton)  Metcalf,  attended  the  public  and  high 
schools,  taking  all  the  work  that  was  given  and 
graduating  in  1853,  when  only  sixteen  years  of  age. 
She  was  married,  in  1858,  to  Isaac  Brown  Thurber. 
son  of  Isaac  and  Lucy  (Brown)  Thurhej-.  and 
grandson  of  Samuel  Thurber.  In  about  1872.  Mrs. 
Thurber  began  reading  medicine  with  Dr.  George 
D.  Wilcox,  of  Providence,  who  let  her  have  books 
to  study  and  read,  and  who  quizzed  her  upon  her 
work.  She  had  read  about  all  the  text-books  on 
medicine  before  entering  upon  her  medical  college 
work  in  the  Boston  University  School  of  Medicine, 
where  she  began  the  second  year  work,  and  did  in 
two  years  what  was  required  of  three-years  stu- 
dents. She  was  the  first  woman  student  of  Dr. 
\\  ilcox.  Beginning  study  when  women  were  not 
generally  engaged  in  that  line,  she  was  the  second 
or  third  to  graduate  frdm  the  Boston  University  of 
Medicine,  and  stood  fifth  in  her  class  of  fifty,  gradu- 
ating in  1878.  She  was  always  a great  student, 
and  pursued  her  studies  in  German  and  Literature 
under  Dr.  Hedge.  Within  a short  time  Dr.  Thur- 
ber began  practice  on  Carpenter  street,  and  the 
past  sixteen  years  has  had  her  office  on  Broad 
street.  Soon  after  she  entered  upon  practice  Dr. 
C.  L.  Green  came  to  Providence  and  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  medicine  and  surgery,  and  for  twen- 
ty-five years  Dr.  Thurber  has  been  his  assistant. 
Her  relations  with  her  fellow  physicians  have  been 
most  cordial  and  pleasant.  She  at  one  time  paid 
special  attention  to  pathology  and  urinalysis,  and 
was  at  one  time  pathologist  of  the  Homeopathic 
Hospital  and  attending  physician  of  the  Children's 
Home  on  Toby  street  for  eight  years.  She  also 
took  a special  course  in  the  summer  schools  at  Har- 
vard in  microscopy  and  pathology.  She  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Rhode  Island  Homeopathic  Medical  So- 
ciety and  of  the  Massachusetts  Surgical  and  Gynae- 
cological Society,  and  at  one  time  was  a member  of 
the  American  Institute  of  Homeopathy. 

Children  as  follows  have  been  born  to  Isaac  B. 
and  Emily  (Metcalf)  Thurber:  (1)  John  Hough- 
ton, born  Feb.  13,  1864,  lives  at  home.  He  and 
his  father  are  chemists  at  the  Gorham  Manufactur- 
ing Company,  and  are  considered  most  capable  men 
in  their  line  of  work.  (2)  Edward  Metcalf,  born 
Aug.  8,  1866,  lives  at  Port  Hope,  Ontario,  being 
general  manager  at  that  place  for  the  Nicholson 
File  Company,  of  Providence.  He  married  Alice 
R.  Bensley,  of  Pawtucket,  who  died  June  28,  1906, 
and  they  had  two  children,  Marjorie  Bensley  and 
Edward  Metcalf.  (U  Walter,  horn  Dec.  27,  1868, 
married  Almira  Little,  of  Providence,  and  they 
have  two  children,  Elsie  Mason  and  Bessie  Met- 
calf. He  resides  in  Boston,  Mass.,  and  is  in  charge 
of  electric  construction  work  in  that  city.  (4) 
Amey,  born  Feb.  11,  1871,  was  a teacher  in  the  New 
York  Institute  for  the  Deaf  and  is  now  at  home. 

Isaac  Brown  Thurber,  son  of  Isaac  and 
Lfucy  (Brown)  Thurber,  was  born  in  Providence 


794 


RHODE  ISLAND 


April  8,  1835,  and  was  educated  in  his  native  city. 
He  became  a clerk  with  the  Jabez  Gorham  Silver 
Manufacturing  Company,  and  then  took  up  the 
study  of  chemistry,  spending  two  years  at  Brown 
University.  After  completing  his  course  he  re- 
turned to  the  Gorham  Company,  and  since  then  has 
been  connected  with  the  Chemical  Department, 
holding  the  position  of  head  chemist.  Mr.  Thurber 
is  a stanch  Republican  in  politics,  but  is  in  no  sense 
of  the  word  a politician.  He  is  a wide  reader  and 
deep  student,  and  is  devoted  to  his  home.  He  mar- 
ried, as  above  stated,  Emily,  daughter  of  Jesse 
and  Eunice  D.  (Houghton)  Metcalf. 

(VIII)  Alfred  Metcalf,  son  of  Joseph  Gay 
and  Evelina  (Houghton),  born  Dec.  1,  1828,  in 
Providence,  R.  I.,  on  Nov.  22,  i860,  married  Rosa 
Clinton  Maloy,  of  Newport,  Rhode  Island. 

Mr.  Metcalf  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Providence,  the  grammar  school  and  the  new 
Providence  high  school,  and'  was  a graduate  of  the 
last  two,  being  a member  of  the  first  class  that  grad- 
uated in  the  last  named  institution.  After  complet- 
ing his  academic  studies  he  took  a course  in  civil 
engineering  and  later  engaged  in  that  profession. 
He  was  always  a student,  fond  of  books  and  be- 
came a man  of  wide  information.  In  1864  asso- 
ciated with  his  cousin,  the  late  Jesse  Metcalf, 
Messrs.  Henry  J.  Steere  and  Stephen  T.  Olney, 
Mr.  Metcalf  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  busi- 
ness, these  men  founding  the  Wanskuck  Company, 
and  from  that  time  until  his  death  he  was  an  officer 
in  that  corporation.  Mr.  Metcalf  as  a man  and 
citizen  was  among  the  substantial  and  useful  resi- 
dents of  his  city.  He  was  especially  active  and 
performed  long  service  as  a member  of  the  school 
committee,  serving  from  the  First  ward  for  some 
forty  years.  He  took  the  keenest  interest  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  city.  As  a committeeman  he 
had  witnessed  the  schools  of  Providence  develop 
from  the  old  district  school  system  to  the  modern 
free  institutions,  and  he  himself  bore  a part  in  that 
development.  His  advice  in  matters  pertaining  to 
public  affairs  was  freely  sought  and  willingly  given. 
He  was  elected  a member  of  the  common  council 
of  the  city  from  the  First  ward  in  1863,  and  served 
in  that  body  until  1866,  and  again  from  1867  to 
1872  he  occupied  a seat  there.  He  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  board  of  aldermen  of  the  city  in 
1875.  serving  until  1878,  and  again  in  1880,  serving 
until  1883. 

Mr.  Metcalf  was  a man  who  made  and  held 
many  friends.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Providence 
July  16,  1904,  aged  seventy-five  years.  He  was  a 
Unitarian  and  a most  devout  member  of  the  First 
Congregational  Church  of  Providence.  In  religious 
views  he  was  broad  and  most  liberal.  The  Chris- 
tum Register  spoke  of  him  thus:  “His  sympathies 
were  as  broad  as  his  means  were  ample,  and  he 
gave  not  only  of  his  money  but  also  of  his  time 
and  thought  and  strength.  And  yet  he  kept  him- 
self so  sedulously  in  the  background  and  gave  so 
quietly  that  few  realized  the  depth  of  his  interest 


and  the  extent  of  his  gifts.  A wise  counselor,  a 
stanch  friend,  a public-spirited  citizen,  his  influence 
will  be  missed  in  many  places  and  in  many  ways.” 

Mr.  Metcalf  was  survived  by  his  wife  and  three 
sons:  (1)  Ralph,  born  Nov.  4,  1861,  graduated 

from  the  University  of  Michigan  in  the  class  of 
1883,  and  is  now  treasurer  and  manager  of  the 
Metcalf  Shingle  Company,  of  Tacoma,  Wash.  He 
married  Edith  O.  Simpson,  of  Winona,  Minn.,  and 
they  have  one  daughter,  Elizabeth.  (2)  Frederick, 
born  Jan.  31,  1866,  is  treasurer  and  manager  of  the 
Chase  Machine  Company,  manufacturers  of  marine 
machinery,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  He  is  a graduate 
of  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  at 
Boston.  He  married  Alice  Duncan  Butts  of  East 
Providence.  (3)  Guy,  born  Nov.  19,  1873,  was 
graduated  from  Harvard  in  the  class  of  1894,  and 
after  a few  years  in  business  and  travel  abroad,  he 
entered  the  Law  Department  of  the  University  of 
Michigan,  from  which  after  a course  of  three  years 
he  was  graduated  in  1904.  He  is  located  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  in  his  native  city.  He 
married  Clare  Louise  Burt,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
and  they  have  one  child,  Clarissa  Rosa. 

(IX)  Edward  P.  Metcalf,  president  of  the 
Atlantic  National  Bank  of  Providence,  was  born 
in  that  city  in  1859,  and  is  a son  of  Franklin  Met- 
calf a prominent  manufacturer,  and  grandson  of 
(VII)  Jesse  and  Eunice  D.  (Houghton)  Metcalf. 
He  received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city,  and  then  attended  Wor- 
cester Academy.  His  business  career  began  when 
he  was  twenty  years  old,  at  which  time  he  entered 
the  employ  of  Brown  Bros.  & Co.,  of  Providence, 
with  whom  he  remained  four  years.  At  the  end 
of  that  period  he  became  assistant  treasurer  of 
the  Carolina  Mills  Company,  and  had  charge  of 
the  sale  of  the  product  of  their  mills  in  New  York 
City.  Subsequently  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Hospital  Trust  Company  of  Provi- 
dence, where  he  acquired  a thorough  knowledge 
of  banking.  He  resigned  this  position  in  1893  to 
accept  the  appointment  of  superintendent  of  agents 
for  Rhode  Island  for  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance 
Company  of  New  York,  with  headquarters  in 
Providence.  In  1898  he  was  appointed  national 
bank  examiner  for  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut, 
to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  decease  of  Daniel 
E.  Day,  and  served  in  that  position  with  marked 
ability  for  four  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time 
he  was  honored  with  election  to  the  presidency  of 
the  Old  National  Bank,  to  the  duties  of  which  re- 
sponsible position  he  gave  his  principal  attention 
for  four  years.  He  at  once  tendered  his  resigna- 
tion to  the  government  office  he  was  filling,  and 
shouldered  his  new  responsibilities  without  delav. 
In  this  incumbency  he  succeeded  Mr.  Julius  Pal- 
mer, former  cashier  F.  A.  Cranston  declining  re- 
election  at  the  same  time.  A Providence  paper, 
announcing  the  election  and  the  increase  of  the 
number  of  directors  to  ten,  made  the  following- 
comment  on  Mr.  Metcalf’s  qualifications : “Mr. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


795 


Metcalf  comes  to  his  new  position  at  the  Old  Na- 
tional well  equipped  for  the  duties  of  president. 
His  experience  as  bank  examiner  has  been  espe- 
cially advantageous  for  him  in  securing  a thorough 
insight  into  banking  methods.  He  has  a wide  ac- 
quaintance with  the  business  men  of  the  city  and 
State,  and  assumes  his  new  duties  under  favorable 
auspices.” 

The  Old  National  Bank  was  for  many  years, 
one  of  the  most  reliable  financial  institutions  in  the 
city,  and  until  Mr.  Metcalf's  advent  into  the  pres- 
idency was  a decidedly  conservative  concern.  It 
was  finally  agreed,  however,  that  a more  active 
policy  would  be  desirable,  and  it  was  decided  to 
adopt  the  most  modern  methods  of  banking,  with 
a man  at  the  helm  who  understood  to  the  full 
what  methods  were  safest  and  most  effective.  Mr. 
Metcalf’s  previous  experience  qualified  him  amply 
for  the  undertaking,  and  he  proved  to  be  the  right 
man  in  the  right  place,  as  during  the  four  years  of 
his  regime,  the  deposits  of  the  Old  National  Bank 
increased  from  $466,905  to  $3,420,399.  In  May, 
1906,  Mr.  Metcalf  became  president  of  the  Atlan- 
tic National  Bank,  at  which  time  its  deposits  were 
$258,818,  and  in  the  time  that  he  has  had  charge 
of  that  institution  some  idea  of  the  success  with 
which  he  has  managed  its  affairs  can  be  gleaned 
from  the  amount  of  deposits  in  July,  1907,  $2,258,- 
943.  Mr.  Metcalf’s  sound  judgment  and  enterprise 
have  made  him  respected  in  Providence,  where  his 
position  in  business  and  financial  circles  is  a fore- 
most one.  His  high  standing  is  the  result  of  admir- 
able personal  characteristics  as  much  as  business  in- 
tegrity. He  takes  an  active  part  in  the  promotion 
of  various  other  interests  of  importance  to  the  wel- 
fare of  the  community,  being  president  of  the  Y. 
M.  C.  A.  of  Providence,  and  since  his  accession  to 
that  office  the  Association  has  wiped  out  a heavy 
financial  burden  and  placed  itself  in  a better  posi- 
tion for  active  work.  Mr.  Metcalf  holds  several 
other  positions  of  responsibility  and  trust  in  relig- 
ious and  social  circles.  He  is  prominent  in  the  Free 
Baptist  denomination,  being  a member  of  the  First 
Free  Baptist  Church  of  Olneyville,  and  president  of 
the  United  Society  of  Free  Baptist  Young  People,  a 
national  organization.  He  is  a member  of  Charity 
Lodge,  No.  23,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of  Hope  Valiev. 

On  June  18,  1885,  Mr.  Metcalf  was  married 
to  Mary  Elizabeth  Gardiner,  daughter  of  William 
V.  Gardiner,  of  Providence,  and  four  children  have 
been  born  of  this  union : Franklin,  who  died  when 
nine  months  old ; Alice  Belle ; Margaret,  and  Mil- 
dred Gardiner. 

DR.  RAYMOND  PERRY  EDDY,  for  a quar- 
ter of  a century  one  of  the  best  known  and  most 
skillful  medical  practitioners  of  East  Providence, 
R.  I.,  was  born  in  Warren,  this  State,  April  6, 
1852,  son  of  Dr.  Raymond  P.  and  Eliza  (Smith) 
Eddy. 

Dr.  Raymond  P.  Eddy,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Smith- 
field,  R.  I.,  Aug.  17,  1823,  and  died  Nov.  11,  1903. 


His  early  years  were  passed  on  the  farm  and  in  the 
mill,  and  for  a time  he  was  also  engaged  in  the 
jewelry  business  in  Warren,  R.  I.  In  i860  he  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  M.  D.  from  the  Medical  In- 
stitution of  Cincinnati,  and  thereafter  practiced  for 
many  years  in  his  native  place.  About  1890  he 
went  to  Massachusetts  for  a year  or  so,  and  upon 
his  return  to  Rhode  Island  located  in  Olneyville. 
He  was  a man  of  exemplary  habits,  using  neither 
liquor  nor  tobacco.  On  Nov.  27,  1846,  he  married 
Eliza,  daughter  of  Harry  Smith,  and  she  died  April 
6,  1872.  Their  children  were  as  follows:  Albert 
Fulton  (deceased)  who  was  a veterinary  surgeon 
of  Pawtucket,  married  Abby  Sweet ; Elmer  Bertley, 
born  Jan.  8,  1850,  graduated  from  Lapham  In- 
stitute in  1870,  and  from  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons,  New  York,  in  1873 ; Raymond  Perry 
was  born  April  6,  1852. 

Raymond  Perry  Eddy  spent  his  early  school 
days  at  Greenville,  R.  I.,  and  later  attended  Lap- 
ham  Institute,  at  North  Scituate.  He  began  the 
study  of  medicine  with  his  father  and  brother, 
was  for  six  months  in  the  Philadelphia  General 
Hospital,  and  for  a year  attended  the  University 
of  Buffalo.  In  1882  he  received  the  degree  of 
M.  D.  from  the  University  of  Vermont,  spent  the 
next  few  months  in  practice  with  his  father,  and 
then  located  in  East  Providence,  R.  I.,  for  inde- 
pendent practice.  He  continued  there,  engaged  in 
professional  work,  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  Nov.  16,  1907.  He  was  a general  prac- 
titioner and  was  successful  in  his  treatment  of 
many  complicated  cases.  He  was  an  earnest  stu- 
dent, and  associated  himself  with  the  various  medi- 
cal organizations  of  the  city  and  State,  taking  ad- 
vantage of  every  chance  to  learn  new  methods  of 
conquering  and  controlling  disease. 

Dr.  Eddy  married  Miss  Jennie  Tillinghast, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Sweet  Tillinghast  and  cousin 
of  the  late  Judge  Pardon  Tillinghast,  and  one 
daughter  blessed  this  union,  Hope  Tillinghast.  Airs. 
Eddy  passed  away  Aug.  23,  1907. 

WILLIAM  K.  ATWOOD,  a well-known  busi- 
ness man  of  Providence,  who  has  been  successful 
as  a real  estate  broker,  was  born  at  North  Scituate, 
June  25,  1831,  son  of  William  and  Esther  (Aid- 
rich)  Atwood,  and  a descendant  of  one  of  the 
oldest  families  of  the  town. 

Air.  Atwood  was  reared  to  farm  work.  He  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  district  school,  and  re- 
mained at  home  until  1851,  in  which  year  he  went 
to  California,  via  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  spending 
one  year  in  the  mines  along  the  Calaveras  river. 
Returning  to  Rhode  Island  he  became  interested, 
in  company  with  William  R.  Colwell,  in  a general 
store  at  North  Scituate,  the  style  of  the  firm  be- 
ing Colwell  & Atwood.  Two  years  later  this 
business  was  disposed  of,  and  Mr.  Atwood  en- 
gaged in  the  boot  and  shoe  business  in  Providence, 
on  Weybosset  street,  near  the  Arcade,  continuing 
at  that  location  for  nine  years.  He  then  moved 


79<5 


RHODE  ISLAND 


the  business  to  Westminster  street,  near  Mathew- 
son,  where  he  continued  four  years,  and  at  the  end 
of  that  time  disposed  of  it  to  engage  in  the  manu- 
facture of  jewelry  in  partnership  with  Uriah  R. 
Colwell,  a brother  of  William  R.,  his  former  part- 
ner, the  style  of  the  new  firm  being  Atwood  & 
Colwell.  This  connection  continued  for  ten  years, 
when  Air.  Atwood  acquired  his  partner’s  interest, 
and  soon  afterward  disposed  of  the  business  and 
engaged  as  a real  estate  broker,  his  present  occupa- 
tion. Mr.  Atwood  was  for  a number  of  years 
associated  with  JosephV  Nichols  in  the  business  of 
loaning  money,  but  since:  the  latter’s  death  has  con- 
tinued alone.  Mr.  Atwood  ranks  among  the  suc- 
cessful business  men  o!  Providence,  and  be  is 
a representative,  public-spirited  citizen. 

Mr.  Atwood  is  a member  of  S warts  Lodge, 
No.  18,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  has  been  through  all  of 
the  chairs ; and  he  is  also  a member  of  Moshassuck 
Encampment,  No.  2. 

On  Oct.  26,  1854,  Mr.  Atwood  was  married  to 
Mary  E.  Mowry,  born  Jan.  25,  1834,  daughter  of 
George  W.  and  Hannah  (Aldrich)  Mowry,  of 
Smithfield.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Atwood  have  had  two 
sons,  viz.:  (1)  George  M.,  born  Dec.  13,  1855, 
married  Blanche  L.  Sweet,  born  Jan.  10,  1864. 
Mr.  Atwood  died  Oct.  31,  1898,  survived  by  his 
wife  and  two  children,  Blanche  M.,  born  Oct.  3, 
1887,  and  Beatrice  M.,  born  Jan.  31,  1891.  (2) 

William  A.  born  Feb.  4,  1861,  married  Edith  M. 
Sweet,  born  June  10,  1866,  and  they  have  one 
daughter,  Gertrude  M.,  born  May  24,  1889. 

ANTHONY  (Portsmouth  family).  The  old 
Anthony  family  of  Rhode  Island,  one  among  the 
first  in  position  as  well  as  settlement,  is  of  approxi- 
mately two  hundred  and  seventy  years  standing 
in  New  England  and  nearly  as  long  in  Rhode  Is- 
land, where  some  of  the  name  have  been  among 
the  commonwealth’s  most  distinguished  sons. 
Portsmouth  was  the  early  family  home  here,  and 
among  the  early  generations  who  figured  in  the 
public  affairs  of  the  settlement  and  Colony  was 
John  Anthony,  the  settler,  who  was  not  only  com- 
missioner but  several  times  a representative  in  the 
Colonial  Assembly,  as  were  his  sons,  John  and 
Abraham,  the  latter  of  whom  repeatedly  occupied 
a seat  in  that  body  and  in  1709  and  1710  was 
speaker  of  the  House  of  Deputies.  Then  in  recent 
generations  there  sat  for  so  many  years  in  the 
United  States  Senate  the  distinguished  member  of 
that  body  and  national  figure,  the  late  Hon.  Henry 
B.  Anthony,  of  Providence,  the  noted  journalist  as 
well  as  statesman ; and  still  more  recently  as  mem- 
bers of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  from 
Portsmouth  and  nearby  towns  in  Newport  county 
have  been  Hon.  George  B.  Anthony,  a representa- 
tive from  his  town  in  both  branches  of  the  State 
Assembly ; and  Hon.  Henry  Clay  Anthony,  who 
for  year.s  has  been  a member  of  the  Lower  House 
from  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  one  of  the  town’s 


leading  citizens,  an  extensive  farmer  and  grower 
of  seeds  and  garden  truck. 

The  following  genealogy  is  chronological,  be- 
ginning with  the  emigrant  settler : 

(I)  John  Anthony,  born  in  1607,  a resident  of 
the  village  of  Hampstead,  near  London,  England, 
came  to  New  England  in  the  barque  “Hercules,” 
in  1634.  He  is  of  record  in  1640  in  Portsmouth, 
R.  I.,  and  was  made  a freeman  in  1641.  He  became 
a corporal  in  a military  company  and  had  land  as- 
signed to  him  at  the  “Wading  River’’  in  1644.  He 
had  authority  granted  him  May  25,  1655,  to  keep 
a house  of  entertainment  in  Portsmouth.  He  was 
commissioner,  1661,  and  deputy,  1666-72.  The 
Christian  name  of  his  wife  was  Susanna.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  died  in  1675.  Their  children  were?: 
John,  born  in  1642;  Susanna;  Elizabeth;  Joseph; 
and  Abraham. 

(II)  Abraham  Anthony,  son  of  John,  married 
Dec.  26,  1671,  Alice  Wodell,  born  Feb.  10,  1650, 
daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Wodell,  and  they 
were  residents  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  when  he  was 
made  a freeman,  in  1672.  He  was  deputy  in  1703, 
1704,  1705,  1707,  1708,  1709,  1710  and  1711,  and 
was  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Deputies  in  1709- 
1710.  He  died  Oct.  10,  1727,  and  his  widow 
passed  away  in  1734.  Their  children  were:  John, 
born  Nov.  7,  1672 ; Susanna,  Aug.  29,  1674 ; Mary, 
Aug.  29,  1674;  William,  Oct.  31,  1675;  Susanna, 
Oct.  14,  1677;  Mary,  Jan.  2,  1680;  Abraham,  April 
21,  1682;  Thomas,  June  30,  1684;  Alice,  Jan.  22, 
1686;  James,  Jan.  22,  1686;  Almy,  Jan.  30,  1688; 
Isaac,  April  10,  1690;  and  Jacob,  Nov.  15,  1693. 

(III)  William  Anthony,  son  of  Abraham,  born 
Oct.  31,  1675,  married  March  14,  1694,  Mary 
Coggeshall,  daughter  of  John  Coggeshall,  and  their 
children  were:  William,  born  May  14,  1695;  Abra- 
ham, Sept.  26,  1696;  Elizabeth,  May  2,  1698;  Mary, 
Dec.  8,  1699;  J°hn>  Sept.  12,  1702;  Alice,  May  22, 
1705;  Anne,  March  17,  1707;  John,  Nov.  16,  1708; 
Amey,  Nov.  16,  1708;  William  (2),  Oct.  26,  1709; 
James,  Nov.  9,  1712;  Job,  April  10,  1714;  Ben- 
jamin, June  10,  1716;  and  Daniel,  May  19,  1720. 

(IV)  Abraham  Anthony  (2),  son  of  William, 
born  Sept.  26,  1696,  married  in  Swansea,  Mass., 
Feb.  7,  1716-17,  Elizabeth  Gray,  and  their  children, 
the  first  nine  born  in  Swansea  and  the  others  in 
Portsmouth,  were:  Abraham,  born  Dec.  9,  1717; 
Mary,  Feb.  9,  1718-19;  Edward,  May  2,  1720  (died 
Feb.  6,  1821)  ; Thomas,  Oct.  19,  1721 ; Philip,  April 
11,  1723  (died  Sept.  8,  1777)  ; Elizabeth,  April  24, 
1725;  Isaac,  March  7,  1727;  Sarah,  April  7,  1730; 
Elisha,  Dec.  15,  1732;  Jonathan,  Jan.  12,  1734; 
Peleg,  Nov.  30,  1735;  and  Daniel,  Sept.  1,  1738. 

(V)  Isaac  Anthony,  son  of  Abraham  (2),  born 
March  7,  1727,  in  Swansea,  Mass.,  married,  being 
then  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  Feb.  15,  1753,  Ruth  Rus- 
sell, daughter  of  Seth  and  Hannah  Russell,  of 
Dartmouth,  Mass.,  and  (second)  Nov.  19,  1760, 
Hannah  Slocum,  daughter  of  Giles  and  Ann  Slo- 
cum, of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.  The  children  born  to 


RHODE  ISLAND 


797 


the  first  marriage  of  Portsmouth  town  record  were : 
Hannah,  born  Nov.  15,  1753;  Isaac,  Sept.  26,  1755; 
Seth,  Feb.  15,  1759;  and  those  born  of  the  second 
marriage  were:  Giles,  Oct.  20,  1761-62;  Ruth,  July 
31,  1765;  Seth  (2),  July  27,  1767 ; and  Rebecca, 
March  30,  1771.  Mr.  Anthony  probably  had  a 
third  wife,  Rebecca,  and  to  that  marriage  were 
born:  Alice,  June  10,  1773;  and  Isaac  (2),  March 
13.  1774- 

(VI)  Seth  Anthony,  born  July  27,  1767,  mar- 
ried Nov.  17,  1791,  Abigail  Clarke,  born  May  25, 
1772,  and  their  children  of  Portsmouth  town  record 
were:  Hannah  Slocum,  born  Aug.  30,  1792;  Eliza- 
beth, April  7,  1795;  Samuel,  March  25,  1797;  Jo- 
seph, Sept.  2,  1799;  and  Seth  Russell,  Aug.  9,  1812. 

(VII)  Seth  Russell  Anthony,  born  Aug.  9,  1812, 
in  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  married  March  21,  1835,  Abby 
Freeborn,  born  Sept.  12,  1815,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Freeborn,  a direct  descendant  of  William 
Freeborn,  who  came  from  Ipswich,  England,  in 
1634,  in  the  ship  “Francis,”,  with  his  wife  Mary, 
and  their  children,  Mary  and  Sarah,  and  after 
stopping  for  a time  at  Boston  became  a settler  of 
Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  where  he  was  a signer  of  the 
compact  of  1638.  Seth  R.  Anthony  was  a farmer 
in  Portsmouth  all  his  life,  and  died  on  his  farm 
there  March  2,  1873,  in  his  sixty-first  year.  He 
was  a Republican,  and  served  in  the  town  council 
and  as  overseer  of  the  poor.  In  religious  faith  he 
was  a member  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  The 
children  of  Seth  R.  and  Abby  (Freeborn)  Anthony 
were:  Henry  Clay,  born  June  10,  1852;  and  Sarah 
E.,  born  May  1,  1854,  now  the  wife  of  Charles  H. 
Dyer  of  Portsmouth.  For  his  second  wife  Seth 
R.  Anthony  married  March  23,  1869,  Harriet  Slo- 
cum, of  Smithfield,  Providence  county.  There  were 
no  children  by  this  marriage. 

(VIII)  Henry  Clay  Anthony,  son  of  Seth  R., 
was  born  June  10,  1852,  in  the  town  of  Portsmouth, 
R.  I.,  where  had  lived  for  so  many  generations  his 
ancestors,  the  immediate  farm  upon  which  he  was 
born  having  been  the  home  of.  four  generations  of 
his  forefathers.  After  having  received  a thorough 
English  education  he  was  prepared  for  business 
life  theoretically  at  Scholfield’s  Commercial  Col- 
lege, Providence.  Mr.  Anthony  was  reared  amid 
agricultural  pursuits,  being  bred  to  the  vocation  of 
a scientific  and  practical  seed  grower,  an  occupa- 
tion he  has  since  in  the  main  followed,  giving  his 
most  intelligent  and  best  efforts  to  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  best  results  in  this  line  of  agriculture. 
He  is  now  the  largest  seed  grower  in  New  England, 
and  is  also  an  extensive  grower  of  vegetables,  man- 
aging a number  of  large  farms  throughout  his  sec- 
tion. It  goes  without  saying,  to  all  who  know  him, 
that  his  efforts  have  not  been  in  vain,  but  have  been 
crowned  with  that  success  they  deserve.  He  owns 
upward  of  eight  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Rhode  Is- 
land, and  rents  as  much  more  in  different  parts  of 
Massachusetts.  His  reputation  for  the  excellency 
of  his  products,  both  at  home  and  in  the  markets 
of  this  country  and  Canada,  has  long  been  estab- 


lished, and  his  business  has  grown  to  large  pro- 
portions. He  makes  his  home  on  “Elm  Farm,” 
overlooking  Narragansett  bay,  the  Sakonnet  river 
and  the  surrounding  country. 

In  1902  a company  was  formed  and  incorpor- 
ated under  the  laws  of  Rhode  Island,  under  the 
name  of  Henry  C.  Anthony  & Sons,  his  wife  also 
being  one  of  the  members  of  the  firm,  and  his  sons, 
William  B.,  Ralph  H.  and  Joseph  G.,  being  the 
other  members  of  the  corporation.  Mr.  Anthony 
is  a very  active  man,  giving  his  extensive  business 
interests  his  personal  attention,  and  works  over 
sixteen  hours  a day.  In  his  wife  he  has  a willing 
help-mate,  who  takes  a deep  interest  in  his  welfare 
and  business. 

Mr.  Anthony  is  a man  of  ability,  shrewd  and 
capable  both  as  a business  man  and  in  his  public 
official  relations.  He  has  a high  sense  of  honor, 
and  his  integrity  and  straightforwardness  in  busi- 
ness and  public  life  have  commended  him  to  all  who 
have  had  dealings  with  him.  He  is  a good  repre- 
sentative of  the  Anthony  stock.  He  is  an  enter- 
prising and  progressive  citizen,  ever  interested  and 
alert  in  all  good  movements,  for  the  advancement 
of  his  town  and  the  welfare  of  its  citizens.  While, 
perhaps,  not  considered  active  in  politics,  except 
in  recent  years,  he  has  nevertheless  always  exer- 
cised the  full  rights  and  duties  in  this  direction  of 
any  good  citizen,  and  has  continually  since  1899 
represented  his  town  efficiently  and  satisfactorily  in 
the  State  Assembly,  a member  of  the  Lower 
House ; he  has  served  several  years  as  chairman  of 
the  committee  on  Fisheries,  and  as  a member  of 
various  other  committees  of  importance.  He  was 
also  for  a number  of  years  a member  of  the  town 
council  of  Portsmouth.  He  is  a stanch  Republican. 

Mr.  Anthony,  too,  has  been  prominently  identi- 
fied with  both  Freemasonry  and  Odd  Fellowship. 
He  is  a member  of  Eureka  Lodge,  No.  22,  A.  F. 
& A.  M.,  of  Portsmouth,  of  which  he  is  a past 
master;  Aquidneck  Chapter,  No.  9,  Portsmouth; 
Washington  Commandery,  No.  4,  Iv.  T.,  Newport; 
and  Palestine  Temple,  Mystic  Shrine,  Providence; 
and  he  is  also  past  grand  of  Seaside  Lodge,  No. 
32,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Portsmouth.  He  and  his  family 
all  belong  to  St.  Paul’s  Episcopal  Church,  Ports- 
mouth. 

On  Dec.  27,  1876,  Mr.  Anthony  was  married 
to  Eldora  Jane,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Jane 
Walker  Barnett  Wilcox,  of  Attleboro,  Mass.,  and 
this  union  has  been  blessed  with  children  as  fol- 
lows: (1)  William  Barnett,  born  Nov.  19,  1877, 

was  educated  at  Portsmouth,  and  is  now  in  busi- 
ness with  his  father.  He  is  a stanch  Republican. 
He  married  Eliza  Coggeshall,  daughter  of  Joshua 
and  Elizabeth  Coggeshall,  of  Middletown,  and  has 
three  children,  Elizabeth  Barnett,  Seth  Russell  (2) 
and  William  Lloyd.  (2)  Ralph  Henry,  born  Aug. 
12,  1879,  was  educated  in  Portsmouth,  and  is  now 
a member  of  the  corporation.  He  married  Ange- 
line  Congdon,  of  East  Providence,  in  October,  1905, 
and  lives  in  Portsmouth.  They  had  one  son,  Irving 


79§ 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Joseph,  who  died  aged  seven  months.  (3)  Joseph 
Garfield,  born  May  13,  1881,  married  Emma 

Louise  Sherman,  daughter  of  Warren  Sherman,  of 
Portsmouth,  and  they  had  two  children,  Eveline 
Louise  and  Warren  Wilcox.  On  July  22,  1906, 
Joseph  G.  Anthony  with  his  wife  and  two  children 
were  crossing  Narragansett  bay  from  Portsmouth 
to  Prudence  Island  in  a small  boat.  From  some 
cause  the  boat  was  overturned  and  all  thrown  into 
the  water.  Mr.  Anthony  succeeded  in  placing  the 
oars  under  the  baby’s  carriage  so  as  to  keep  it  afloat, 
and  the  baby  carriage  containing  the  baby  was 
washed  ashore,  the  baby  being  unharmed,  while 
Mr.  Anthony,  his  wife  and  little  daughter  were 
all  drowned.  (4)  Jennie  Louise,  born  Jan.  17, 

1884,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Ports- 
mouth, graduated  from  the  Fall  River  high  school, 
and  in  1906  graduated  from  the  State  Normal 
School  at  Providence.  She  is  now  engaged  in 
teaching.  (5)  Alice  Wilcox,  born  March  24,  1886, 
graduated  from  the  high  school  and  the  Shoemaker 
& Clark  Business  College,  of  Fall  River,  Mass. 
(6)  Henry  Clay,  Jr.,  born  Oct.  23,  1895,  is  a 
student  at  Mrs.  Dennis’  school  in  Portsmouth. 

(VII)  Samuel  Anthony,  son  of  Seth  and  Abi- 
gail (Clarke)  Anthony,  of  Portsmouth,  was  born 
in  that  town  March  25,  1797,  and  there  grew  to 
manhood  and  was  engaged  in  farming  all  his  life. 
His  farm  was  situated  where  what  is  now  known 
as  the  Coal  Mines.  He  was  tenderly  cared  for  in 
his  declining  years  by  his  son,  George  B.,  with 
whom  he  died  Nov.  16,  1873,  and  was  buried  in 
St.  Mary’s  Church  cemetery,  Portsmouth.  He  at- 
tended the  Friends’  Church,  and  was  a good  Chris- 
tian man,  quiet  in  manner  and  strong  in  principle. 
He  married  Mary  Brownell,  who  died  Aug.  18, 

1885,  and  was  buried  beside  her  husband.  Two 
children  blessed  this  union : Eliza,  who  married 
Edward  G.  Gifford,  and  lived  in  Westport  (both 
are  now  deceased)  ; and  George  Brownell. 

(VIII)  George  Brownell  Anthony,  son  of  Sam- 
uel, was  born  on  the  old  homestead  Nov.  16,  1822, 
and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools.  Like  all 
boys  of  his  day  he  worked  on  the  home  farm  from 
an  early  age,  and  being  the  only  son  he  remained 
with  his  father  until  he  had  reached  mature  years. 
Determining  to  make  farming  his  life  occupation, 
he  bought  the  Benjamin  Hall  farm,  a tract  of  fifty 
acres  on  Freeborn  street,  where  he  became  exten- 
sively engaged  in  general  farming,  stock  raising 
and  dairying.  He  was  noted  for  his  industry  and 
progressive  ideas,  and  was  one  of  the  good  and  use- 
ful citizens  of  his  community,  almost  continually 
the  holder  of  some  office  of  trust  and  responsibility. 
Wherever  found  he  performed  his  duties  with  a 
conscientious  care  and  good  executive  ability  that 
always  redounded  to  his  personal  credit  and  the 
town’s  benefit.  He  was  a stanch  Republican  in 
politics,  and  represented  his  town  in  both  branches 
of  the  State  Assembly,  two  years  each.  He  died 
July  10,  1904,  at  the  ripe  age  of  eighty-two  years, 


and  was  laid  to  rest  in  St.  Mary’s  Episcopal  ceme- 
tery. He  was  honored  and  respected  by  all,  broad- 
nfinded  and  liberal  in  his  ideas.  He  was  a member 
of  St.  Paul’s  Episcopal  Church  of  Portsmouth, 
which  he  served  as  vestryman  and  warden,  and  in 
all  church  matters  took  a keen  and  active  interest. 
Fraternally  he  belonged  to  Eureka  Lodge,  No.  22, 
A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of  Portsmouth.  He  married,  Oct. 
11,  1847,  in  Portsmouth,  Lucy  A.  Green,  of  New- 
port, daughter  of  Samuel  and  Harriet  (Stanhope) 
Green,  both  of  Newport,  where  they  died.  Their 
children  were:  Abby  S.,  born  Sept.  26,  1848,  at 
home;  Seth,  born  Jan.  26,  1858;  and  Harriet  Green, 
born  Feb.  23,  1863,  a*  home.  The  mother  died 
March  17,  1895,  and  was  buried  in  St.  Mary’s 
Church  cemetery. 

(IX)  Seth  Anthony,  only  son  of  George  B., 
was  born  on  the  homestead  Jan.  26,  1858,  and  was 
educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Portsmouth  and 
the  Friends’  school,  Providence.  He  always  re- 
mained at  home  with  his  parents,  assisting  his 
father  in  carrying  on  the  farm.  For  several  years 
after  the  latter’s  death  he  made  farming  and  mar- 
ket gardening  his  chief  work,  and  he  has  the  full 
confidence  and  respect  of  all  men.  In  1904  he  was 
appointed  tax  collector  of  the  town  of  Portsmouth, 
and  has  given  good  satisfaction  to  the  public  as  an 
official.  In  Eureka  Lodge,  No.  22,  A.  F.  & A.  M., 
he  has  been  prominent,  having  filled  the  offices  of 
marshal,  senior  steward,  senior  deacon,  senior  war- 
den and  master  for  two  years.  He  is  a member  of 
Aquidneck  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  No.  9,  Portsmouth; 
DeBlois  Council,  No.  5,  and  Washington  Command- 
ery,  No.  4,  Iv.  T.,  of  Newport.  He  and  his  sisters 
are  communicants  of  St.  Paul's  Church.  In  politics 
Mr.  Anthony  is  a Republican,  and  as  such  served 
as  a member  of  the  town  council  one  term. 

WILCOX.  The  Wilcox  family,  to  which  Mrs. 
Henry  Clay  Anthony  belongs,  is  one  of  the  oldest 
in  this  section  of  the  State,  and  is  descended  from 

(I)  Edward  Wilcox,  of  Portsmouth  and  Kings- 
town, R.  I.,  who  was  of  the  former  town  in  1638. 
He  had  children  Stephen  and  Daniel. 

(II)  Daniel  Wilcox  was  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I., 
Dartmouth,  Mass.,  and  Tiverton.  He  married, 
Nov.  28,  1661,  Elizabeth  Cook.  He  had  a grant  of 
fifteen  acres  of  land  in  Portsmouth  in  1656; 
bought  land  in  Dartmouth,  Mass.,  in  1664 ; and  was 
an  inhabitant  of  Tiverton  at  the  organization  of 
the  town,  March  2,  1692.  He  died  July  2,  1702. 
His  widow  died  Dec.  6,  1715.  Their  children  were: 
Daniel,  Samuel,  Mary,  Sarah,  Stephen,  John,  Ed- 
ward, Thomas,  Lydia  and  Susanna.  Of  these  sons, 
Daniel  settled  in  Portsmouth,  R.  I. ; Samuel  settled 
in  Dartmouth,  Mass. ; Stephen  lived  in  Little  Comp- 
ton and  Dartmouth,  Mass. ; John  lived  in  Little 
Compton;  and  Edward  and  Thomas  in  Tiverton. 

(III)  Daniel  Wilcox  (2),  son  of  Daniel,  mar- 
ried Hannah  Cook,  and  lived  in  Portsmouth.  His 
wife  survived  him  and  remarried.  His  children 


RHODE  ISLAND 


799 


lL 

were : Daniel ; Mary,  born  Feb.  25,  1682  ; Hannah, 
born  April  11,  1684;  Joseph,  born  Oct.  28,  1687; 
and  Eliphal. 

(IV)  Joseph  Wilcox,  son  of  Daniel  (2),  born 
Oct.  28,  1687,  married  Sarah,  and  their  children 
of  Portsmouth  town  record  were : Susanna,  born 
Nov.  18,  1714;  Joseph,  Dec.  14,  1718;  Hannah, 
April  3,  1721;  Ruth,  July  13,  1723;  John,  Sept.  7, 
1725;  Josias,  Aug.  31,  1727;  Mary,  May  13,  1730; 
Daniel,  April  11,  1732;  and  Job,  April  7,  1734. 
(Joseph  Wilcox  may  have  married,  second,  April 
19,  1747,  Amie  Coggeshall,  of  Middletown,  R.  I., 
and  had  Sarah,  born  March  3,  1747-48.) 

(V)  John  Wilcox,  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah, 
born  Sept.  7,  1725,  married  Nov.  30,  1746,  Mary 
Cook,  and  their  children  of  Portsmouth  town 
record  were:  John,  born  March  7,  1748-49;  Cook, 
born  April  28,  1752;  and  Daniel,  born  July  21, 
I759- 

(VI)  Daniel  Wilcox  (3),  son  of  John  and 
Mary,  born  July  21,  1759,  married  Jan.  6,  1785, 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  Burington,  and 
their  children  of  Portsmouth  town  record  were : 
Robert,  born  Dec.  15,  1789;  George,  May  11,  1792; 
Daniel,  Oct.  11,  1794;  and  Elizabeth,  April  16, 
1797. 

(VII)  Robert  Wilcox,  son  of  Daniel  and  Eliza- 
beth, born  Dec.  15,  1789,  married  Maria  Hedley, 
of  Portsmouth,  Rhode  Island. 

(VIII)  Joseph  Wilcox,  son  of  Robert  and 
Maria,  born  in  Portsmouth,  married  Jane  Walker 
Barnett,  and  their  daughter  (IX)  Eldora  Jane 
Wilcox  married  Henry  Clay  Anthony,  of  Ports- 
mouth. Joseph  Wilcox  was  a machinist  by  trade, 
and  resided  at  Attleboro  Falls,  Mass.,  where  he 
died.  His  widow  now  resides  at  Fall  River. 

BARROWS  (Providence  family).  For  gener- 
ations the  name  Barrows  has  been  a common  one 
in  a large  region  of  country  embracing  those  por- 
tions of  Massachusetts,  Connecticut  and  Rhode 
Island  adjacent  to  each  other,  and  in  Providence 
a few  of  the  name,  representatives  of  the  original 
Salem-Plymouth  stock,  are  still  active  in  the  city’s 
social  and  business  life.  Among  these  is  President 
Edwin  Barrows,  a veteran  of  the  Civil  war  and  for 
twenty-five  and  more  years  chief  executive  officer 
of  the  Fireman’s  Mutual  Insurance  Company  and 
of  the  Union  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company. 

One  John  Barrows  in  1637,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
eight  years,  with  wife  Anne,  came  from  Yarmouth, 
England,  to  Salem,  Mass.,  and  received  two  grants 
of  land  there  in  that  year.  In  1665  his  name  ap- 
pears in  the  Plymouth  records,  in  which  town  he 
resided  from  that  time,  and  perhaps  earlier,  till  the 
time  of  his  death,  in  1692.  His  will  shows  that  he 
left  a second  wife,  much  younger  than  himself,  and 
four  sons,  Robert,  John,  Ebenezer  and  Benajah. 
He  had  also  daughters,  Mary  and  Deborah.  Here 
follows  some  general  history  and  genealogy  of  the 
Barrows  family. 


Robert  Barrows,  son  of  John,  the  settler,  re- 
mained in  Plymouth.  More  of  him  presently.  The 
other  sons  of  the  settler  early  removed  from  Plym- 
outh, Joshua  and  John  to  Attleboro,  Mass.,  and 
Ebenezer  to  Cumberland,  R.  I.  Their  descendants 
are  numerous,  like  the  posterity  of  the  elder  brother 
Robert,  and  are  scattered  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Pacific.  John  Barrows,  the  eldest  son  of  Benajah, 
born  in  1708,  was  the  father  of  John,  the  graduate 
of  Harvard  College,  in  1766,  who  for  fifty  years 
was  a teacher  in  Dighton,  Mass.  He  had  a son 
Thomas,  a physician,  and  another  son  John,  a 
teacher.  Prof.  John  Manning  Barrows,  of  Olivet 
(Mich.)  College  (1881),  was  a son  of  the  teacher 
and  had  two  sons  then  in  the  ministry,  Rev.  John 
H.  Barrows,  pastor  of  the  Maverick  Church  in 
Boston,  and  Rev.  Walter  M.  Barrows,  missionary 
in  Salt  Lake,  Utah.  There  are  many  other  minis- 
ters of  the  Gospel,  teachers  and  physicians  in  the 
different  branches  of  the  family. 

Robert  Barrows,  son  of  the  settler,  married 
(first)  Nov.  28,  1666,  Ruth,  daughter  of  George 
Bonum.  They  remained  in  Plymouth,  and  to  them 
were  born : John,  born  in  1667,  who  died  in 
Plympton  in  1720;  Samuel,  born  in  1672,  who  died 
in  Middleboro  in  1755;  and  Mehetable.  He  mar- 
ried (second)  Lydia  Denham  and  to  them  came: 
Robert,  born  in  1689,  married  Bethia  Ford ; Thank- 
ful, born  in  1692,  married  Isaac  King;  Elisha,  born 
in  1695,  died  in  Rochester,  Mass.,  in  1767 ; Thomas, 
born  in  1697,  died  in  Mansfield,  Conn.,  in  1779; 
Lydia,  born  in  1699,  married  Thomas  Branch ; and 
Capt.  George. 

Robert  Barrows  (2),  son  of  Robert,  born  Nov.  • 
8,  1689,  married  in  Plymouth,  Mass.,  Bethia  Ford, 
and  they  settled  in  Mansfield,  Conn.,  where  she 
died  in  1773,  aged  eightv-two  years,  and  he  in 
1779,  aged  eighty-nine.  Through  this  couple  de- 
scended Rev.  E.  P.  Barrows,  a professor  in  Oberlin 
Seminary  (1881). 

Capt.  George  Barrows,  son  of  Robert  of  Plym- 
outh. 

Samuel  Barrows,  son  of  Capt.  George,  removed 
to  Middleboro,  Mass.,  where  he  was  called  Samuel, 
Jr.,  to  distinguish  him  from  his  uncle,  Deacon 
Samuel  Barrows.  He  married  Nov.  21,  1723. 
Susanna  Tobey,  of  Sandwich.  He  later  settled 
in  Killinglv,  Connecticut. 

Noah  Barrows,  son  of  Samuel,  born  Aug.  20, 
1727,  was  the  grandfather  of  Rev.  William  Bar- 
rows,  D.  D.,  who  at  one  time  was  secretary  of  the 
Massachusetts  Home  Missionary  Society. 

Carlos  Barrows,  son  of  Rev.  William,  married 
(first)  Mary  Read  and  (second)  Nancy  Read. 

Albert  Read  Barrows,  son  of  Carlos  and  Mary, 
of  Norton,  but  formerly  of  Attleboro,  Mass.,  mar- 
ried Harriet  Ide.  Their  children  were:  Henry 
M.  (a  resident  of  Boston),  Edwin,  Harriet  Newell, 
Emma  (widow  of  Joseph  E.  Wilbur,  of  Taunton, 
Mass.),  and  Julia  R.  (who  married  Alfred  V.  Reg- 
ison,  of  Norton.  Massachusetts). 


8oo 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Edwin  Barrows,  son  of  Albert  R.  and  Harriet 
(Ide)  Barrows,  was  born  in  Norton,  Mass.,  Jan. 
24,  1834.  In  his  early  boyhood  he  attended  the 
common  schools  of  his  town,  then  prepared  for 
college  at  Pierce  Academy,  in  Middleboro,  Mass. 
He  entered  Yale  College  and  was  graduated  there- 
from in  the  class  of  1857,  following  which  for  sev- 
eral years  he  taught  a private  school  in  the  town 
of  Norton,  Mass.  Soon  came  the  Civil  war,  and 
like  thousands  of  the  young  men  of  that  stirring 
period  young  Barrows  was  not  content  to  remain 
at  home.  He  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Union  and 
went  to  its  defense,  becoming  a private  soldier  in 
the  4th  Regiment,  Massachusetts  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, a nine  months’  organization  which  re- 
sponded to  President  Lincoln’s  call.  The  4th  went 
into  Camp  Joe  Hooker  at  Middleboro,  Mass.,  and 
there  Mr.  Barrows  was  made  quartermaster-ser- 
geant of  the  regiment.  This  command  in  time  be- 
came a part  of  the  Army  of  the  South,  serving  un- 
der General  Banks  in  Louisiana.  Mr.  Barrows 
shared  the  fortunes  of  the  regiment  through  its  ap- 
proximately one  year’s  service  and  returned  to  his 
home  with  an  honorable  war  record. 

Having  located  permanently  in  Providence,  R. 
I.,  after  the  war  Mr.  Barrows  at  once  became  ac- 
tively identified  with  that  community.  Settling 
there  in  1865,  he  was  for  a number  of  years  em- 
ployed as  an  accountant  and  bookkeeper  in  the 
wholesale  dry-goods  house  of  Taylor,  Symonds  & 
Co.  In  1868  he  was  made  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  Fireman’s  Mutual  Insurance  Company  and 
also  of  the  Union  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company. 
A man  of  liberal  education  and  talent,  and  pos- 
sessed of  the  requisite  energy,  his  services,  as  the 
years  passed  and  as  he  gained  in  experience  and 
knowledge  of  the  business,  were  rewarded  by  his 
advancement  in  1880  to  the  position  of  president  of 
both  companies,  still  continuing  as  treasurer  of 
each.  These  relations  he  has  since  sustained  to  the 
two  companies,  and  through  his  wise  direction  of 
their  afifairs  the  business  has  steadily  increased  until 
now  over  $125,000,000  worth  of  property  is  pro- 
tected by  the  policies  of  the  two  companies. 

President  Barrows,  other  than  complying  with 
the  duties  of  citizenship  in  political  matters,  has 
not  been  active  in  partv  affairs.  He  is,  however, 
a stanch  Republican.  He  was  a director  of  the 
First  National  Bank  at  Providence,  and  during  his 
ten  years’  connection  with  that  institution  also 
served  as  vice-president  and  president.  For  some 
time  he  was  president  and  director  of  the  House- 
hold Sewing  Machine  Company,  of  Providence. 
He  is  treasurer  of  the  Rhode  Island  Bible  Society 
and  a member  of  the  Congregational  Club  and  the 
Rhode  Island  Flistorical  Society. 

On  Aug.  20,  1868,  Mr.  Barrows  was  married 
to  Harriet  E.,  daughter  of  Dr.  George  B.  and  Abi- 
gail (Tomlinson)  Armington,  of  Pittsford,  Vt.,  and 
the  union  was  blessed  with  children  as  follows : 
Edwin  Armington,  who  is  treasurer  of  the  Narra- 
gansett  Lighting  Company  ; Mary  Tomlfnson  ; Ann 


Ide,  who  married  Dr.  Walter  Clarke  Seeley,  of 
Worcester,  Mass.,  son  of  President  Seeley,  of 
Smith  College ; and  Dr.  Albert  Armington,  of  Prov- 
idence. 

Mrs.  Harriet  E.  (Armington)  Barrows  is  a de- 
scendant in  the  fifth  generation  from  Joseph  Ar- 
mington, who  came  to  America  in  the  early  years 
of  the  eighteenth  century,  her  lineage  being  through 
William,  William  (2)  and  Dr.  George  Brown  Ar- 
mington. These  generations  in  detail  follow. 

(I)  Joseph  Armington,  a native  of  the  Island 
of  Guernsey  in  the  English  channel,  came  to  Amer- 
ica about  1728.  He  was  married  May  27,  1729, 
to  Hannah  Chaffee,  and  they  settled  in  Rhode  Is- 
land. 

(II)  William  Armington,  son  of  Joseph  and 
Hannah,  born  Nov.  19,  1746,  married  Lucy  Brown, 
and  to  them  came  thirteen  children.  Mr.  Arming- 
ton died  June  7,  1832. 

(III)  William  Armington  (2),  son  of  William 
and  Lucy,  born  Oct.  22,  1774,  in  Seekonk,  Mass, 
(that  part  which  became  East  Providence,  R.  I.), 
married  Elizabeth  Hoar.  Until  of  age  Mr.  Arming- 
ton lived  at  home  with  his  parents,  then  for  some 
years  he  led  a seafaring  life.  He  located  in  Ver- 
mont in  1801,  settling  in  the  town  of  Chester. 
These  children  blessed  his  first  marriage : George 
Brown,  S.  L.,  B.  F.,  and  Betsey.  The  mother  of 
these  died  Dec.  15,  1819,  and  in  1820  the  father 
married  (second)  Betsey  Muncy;  a son,  William 
P..  was  born  to  them.  The  father  died  Aug.  23, 
1864. 

(IV)  George  Brown  Armington,  M.  D.,  son  of 
William  (2),  born  Oct.  14.  1801,  in  Chester,  Vt., 
married  Oct.  14,  1828,  Abigail  Tomlinson,  born 
April  26,  1809,  in  Oxford,  Conn.  Their  children 
were:  Jane  E.,  who  married  Charles  D.  Brown; 
Mary  F.,  who  married  Hon.  Royal  C.  Taft,  of 
Providence,  R.  I. ; Ellen  G.,  who  married  Henry 
M.  Messer ; Emma  C.,  who  married  Henry  W. 
Rice : Harriet  E.,  who  married  Edwin  Barrows ; 
and  Abbv-L. 

Dr.  Armington  studied  medicine  under  the  di- 
rection of  Dr.  Abraham  Lovell,  of  Chester,  Vt. 
After  his  marriage  he  located  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  the  town  of  Wilmington,  continuing 
his  professional  duties  there  until  1831,  in  which 
year  he  removed  to  Pittsford,  Vt.,  locating  near 
Furnace  village ; later  he  moved  to  Pittsford  vil- 
lage. where  his  labors  were  continued  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  May  4,  1863.  Dr.  Arming- 
ton was  a man  of  liberal  education  and  had  the  rep- 
utation of  being  a skilful  physician. 

CHARLES  COLBY  DARLING  is  connected 
with  the  business  life  of  Providence  as  proprietor 
of  the  jewelry  manufacturing  establishment  of  C. 
C.  Darling  & Co.,  of  which  he  has  been  sole  owner 
since  1891,  and  is  also  prominent  in  the  city  in  other 
relations.  He  is  a man  of  high  business  and  per- 
sonal standing,  gained  in  a career  of  uniformly 
honorable  record.  Mr.  Darling  is  a native  of 


RHODE  ISLAND 


801 


Providence,  born  Dec.  25,  1853,  and  he  is  a de- 
scendant in  the  eighth  generation  from  an  old 
Colonial  family  whose  emigrant,  Dennis  Darling, 
settled  in  Massachusetts. 

(I)  Dennis  Darling  and  his  brother  John 
Darling  located  at  Braintree,  Mass.,  as  early  as 
1660.  John  Darling  married  in  1664,  Elizabeth 
Dowman,  and  Dennis  Darling  married,  in  1662, 
Hannah  Francis. 

(II)  Capt.  John  Darling,  son. of  Dennis,  was 
born  at  Braintree,  Mass.,  Sept.  2,  1664,  and  was 
three  times  married,  first  to  Elizabeth  Thompson, 
who  died  in  1687.  He  married  (second),  in  1690, 

Anne  , and  his  last  wife  was  Elizabeth 

Morse.  Captain  Darling  settled  in  Bellingham, 
Mass.,  and  was  quite  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
that  town,  where  he  died  in  1753-54,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-nine  years.  He  was  the  father  of  ten  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  were  sons. 

(III)  Capt.  Samuel  Darling,  eldest  son  of 
Capt.  John,  was  born  March  19,  1693-94,  and  mar- 
ried Dec.  15,  1716,  Mary  Thompson,  of  Mendon, 
Mass.  They  became  the  parents  of  nine  children : 
Samuel,  Michael,  Elizabeth,  Ruth,  Abigail,  John, 
Rachel,  Penelope  and  Joshua.  Mr.  Darling  died 
Feb.  17,  1774. 

(IV)  John  Darling,  son  of  Capt.  Samuel,  was 
born  in  Bellingham,  Massachusetts. 

(V)  John  Darling,  Jr.,  presumably  son  of  John 
and  grandson  of  Capt.  Samuel,  was  also  a native 
of  Bellingham.  His  wife,  whose  Christian  name 
was  Martha,  bore  him  eight  children,  five  of  whom 
were  sons. 

(VI)  John  Darling,  son  of  John,  was  born 
Aug.  2,  1770,  and  married  Mary  Weeden,  of  East 
Greenwich,  R.  I.  They  had  a family  of  eight  chil- 
dren, namely : Lauretta,  who  married  Lorenzo 
Miller;  John  Weeden;  George  Washington;  Mary, 
who  married  a Mr.  Harris,  of  Cumberland ; Wil- 
liam; Hannah,  who  married  (first)  a Mr.  Davis, 
and  (second)  a Mr.  Hunt;  Levi  B. ; and  Susan, 
who  married  John  Austin. 

(VII)  Levi  B.  Darling,  late  a well-known 
resident  of  Providence,  was  born  in  the  northern 
part  of  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  Jan.  8,  1827,  and  died 
Dec.  31,  1906;  he  was  buried  in  Swan  Point  Ceme- 
tery. He  was  three  times  married,  his  second  wife 
being  Martha  E.  Colby,  daughter  of  Dr.  John 
Calvin  Colby,  who  was  a well  known  physician  of 
Franconia,  N.  H.  Their  son,  Charles  Colby,  was 
as  stated,  born  in  Providence,  Dec.  25,  1853. 

(VIII)  Charles  Colby  Darling,  son  of  Levi  B. 
and  Martha  E.  (Colby)  Darling,  was  educated  in 
his  native  city,  principally  in  private  schools,  and 
for  a period  of  five  or  six  years  attended  Mowry  & 
Goff's  English  and  Classical  School,  taking  sub- 
stantially the  whole  course  at  that  famous  institu- 
tion. His  first  work  after  leaving  school  was  in 
the  shoe  store  of  Charles  Snow,  where  he  clerked 
for  four  years.  From  there  he  went  to  the  whole- 
sale dry  goods  house  of  Dudley,  Parkhurst  & Co., 


where  he  remained  for  two  and  a half  years,  until 
ill-health  necessitated  his  giving  up  all  work.  Upon 
his  recovery  he  became  a bookkeeper  for  the  firm 
of  S.  C.  Fish  & Co.,  jewelry  manufacturers,  and 
he  has  continued  in  this  line  ever  since.  He  was 
with  S.  C.  Fish  & Co.  for  three  years,  when  he 
received  an  offer  from  H.  W.  Potter  to  become 
traveling  salesman.  After  five  years  on  the  road 
he  accepted  a similar  position  with  the  firm  of  L. 
W.  Pierce  & Co.,  and  continued  to  travel  until 
1891.  At  this  time  Mr.  Pierce’s  health  failed,  and 
Mr.  Darling  took  the  business,  changing  the  firm 
name  to  C.  C.  Darling  & Co.,  although  he  alone 
owns  the  business.  He  manufactures  emblems  of 
all  kinds,  and  in  this  work  he  gives  employment 
to  fifty  or  sixty  skilled  workmen.  Mr. 'Darling  has 
been  a pronounced  success,  as  clerk,  salesman  and 
proprietor,  and  the  volume  of  his  present  business 
has  doubled  since  he  became  sole  owner  of  the 
concern.  He  is  a typical  American  business  man, 
progressive  and  public  spirited — one  whose  honesty, 
good  judgment  and  well-directed  energy  have  won 
him  success. 

In  politics  Mr.  Darling  has  always  been  a Re- 
publican, but  he  has  taken  no  part  in  public  life. 
He  is  a thirty-second  degree  Mason,  a member  of 
Mt.  Vernon  Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Providence 
Chapter,  No.  1,  R.  A.  M.;  and  Calvary  Com- 
mandery,  No.  13,  of  which  he  has  been  com- 
mander. 

In  June,  1890,  Mr.  Darling  married  Annie 
Maria  Pierce,  daughter  of  Lewis  W.  Pierce,  and 
their  only  son,  Charles  Lewis,  died  in  infancy. 
Their  home,  one  of  the  finest  in  Providence,  located 
at  a commanding  point  on  the  East  Side,  is  re- 
markable for  its  beauty  and  tasteful  appointments. 

JOHN  GORTON,  who  since  1885  has  been  a 
trusted  and  valued  employe  of  the  Brown  & Sharpe 
Manufacturing  Company,  is  directly  descended 
from  Gov.  Samuel  Gorton,  who  was  of  much  fame 
in  the  settlement  days  of  Rhode  Island,  and  of 
whom  extended  mention  will  be  found  elsewhere. 

John  Gorton,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was 
born  Sept.  1.8,  1772,  and  was  a progressive  farmer 
in  Warwick,  R.  I.  On  July  11,  1796,  he  married 
Hannah  Stone,  and  their  children  were:  Lowry 
T.,  born  Jan.  30,  1799,  died  Dec.  17,  1840; 
Julia  Ann,  born  July  27,  1802,  married 
Jeremiah  Webb,  and  their  son,  Thomas,  re- 
sides at  Phillipsdale,  R.  I.;  William,  born 
May  18,  1804;  Louisa,  born  Feb.  9,  1806, 
married  William  Gardner,  and  left  two  sons, 
Lowry  (of  North  Providence)  and  William 
(of  East  Providence)  ; Lucelia,  born  July  4-  1808, 
married  Edwin  Hart,  and  had  sons,  Manly,  Rensse- 
laer and  William  G. : John  M.,  born  Feb.  23,  18 ri  ;. 
Adaline  C.,  born  May  25,  1813,  married  William 
Hathaway,  and  left  a son,  Rensselaer,  of  Anthony,. 
R.  I.;  Edward,  born  Jan.  21,  1817. 

John  M.  Gorton,  son  of  John,  was  born  Feb. 


802 


RHODE  ISLAND 


23,  1811,  in  the  town  of  Warwick.  His  father  died 
when  the  son  was  but  a child,  and  the  latter  was 
reared  by  the  daughters  of  “Master"  John  Gorton, 
Mary  and  Sarah.  " He  became  a successful  farmer 
and  passed  his  entire  life  in  the  town  of  his  na- 
tivity. He  was  ever  grateful  to  the  good  ladies 
who  reared  him,  and  their  reputation  for  good 
deeds  in  the  community  was  well  founded,  while  pos- 
terity still  is  being  told  tales  of  their  charity.  On 
May  4,  1834,  by  the  Elder  J.  L.  Phillips,  Mr.  Gor- 
ton was  married  to  Hannah  C.  Gardiner,  born  Nov. 
2,  1813,  daughter  of  Jeffrey  and  Eliza  T.  Gardi- 
ner, of  Warwick  and  Crompton,  R.  I.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Phebe,  born  Sept.  21,  1835,  married 
James  N.  Carder,  and  died  Jan.  2,  1864,  leaving 
the  following  children:  Phebe  Ellen  (wife  of  Jo- 
seph Hoxie,  of  Phenix),  Mary  M.  (wife  of  Alonzo 
Baker,  of  Natick)  and  John  (who  resides  at  Mere- 
dith, N.  H.)  ; Patience  W.,  born  Nov.  5.  1837,  mar- 
ried William  A.  Bates,  of  Natick,  R.  I.,  and  died 
Oct.  26,  1898:  John,  born  June  11,  1840;  Hannah 
E.,  born  Aug.  8,  1844,  is  the  widow  of  Havilla 
Taylor,  and  lives  at  North  Adams,  Mass.,  with  her 
son,  Havilla  B.  Taylor.  John  M.  Gorton  and  his 
wife  both  lived  lives  of  Christian  usefulness,  and 
both  were  long  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  he 
joining  June  3,  1832,  and  she  March  9,  1834.  Her 
death  occurred  Aug.  T4,  1853,  and  he  passed  away 
Jan.  14,  1846,  and  both  were  buried  in  the  Gorton 
burial  ground  on  Buttonwoods  Road.  Mr.  Gorton 
was  a man  of  untiring  energy,  and  it  is  said  that 
overwork  caused  his  death. 

John  Gorton,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  War- 
wick June  11,  1840.  He  was  but  six  years  old 
when  his  father  died,  and  even  at  that  tender  age 
he  assumed  his  share  of  the  responsibility  in  caring 
for  the  family.  He  eagerly  accepted  such  educa- 
tional advantages  as  were  afforded  him,  but  even 
his  youthful  years  were  crowded  with  hard  labor. 
The’ age  of  fifteen  found  him  in  Providence,  where 
in  a term  of  four  years  he  learned  the  blacksmith’s 
trade.  At  the  conclusion  of  bis  apprenticeship  he 
opened  an  establishment  of  his  own  on  Cranston 
street,  at  the  corner  of  Gilmore,  where  he  remained 
for  many  years.  He  next  became  connected  with 
the  machine  shops  of  Yolney  W.  Mason  & Co.,  con- 
tinuing until  1885,  when  he  became  connected  with 
the  Brown  & Sharpe  Co.,  and  he  has  since  been 
one  of  their  faithful  and  most-to-be-relied  upon 
employes.  He  is,  and  aspires  to  be,  nothing  more 
than  the  perfect  type  of  American  workingman,  a 
private  in  the  greatest  of  industrial  armies.  He  is 
temperate  in  all  things,  frugal  and  saving,  and  he 
has  lived  a life  of  usefulness,  and  he  belongs 
to  that  high  class  of  citizens  who  neither  ask  for 
nor  receive  that  to  which  they  are  not  justly  entitled 
and  which  they  have  not  honestly  earned. 

On  Jan.  14,  1862,  Mr.  Gorton  married  (first) 
Emily  A.  Colburn,  who  died  April  5,  1879.  This 
union  was  blessed  with  one  son,  John  C.,  born  June 
12,  1865,  who  was  given  a liberal  education  in  the 


schools  of  Providence,  and  who  afterward  became 
a mechanical  engineer,  now  being  at  the  head  of 
the  mechanical  department  of  the  American  Loco- 
motive Works  at  Schenectady,  N.  Y. ; he  married, 
Aug.  4,  1885,  Abbie  J.  Makie,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Edna  W.,  born  June  2,  1891.  Mr.  Gorton 
is  a Republican. 

Mr.  Gorton  married  (second)  Nov.  21,  1881, 
Sarah  E.  Colburn,  sister  to  his  first  wife,  and 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Rhoda  (Porter)  Colburn, 
of  Nova  Scotia.  Both  Ylr.  and  Mrs.  Gorton  are 
members  of  the  Union  Congregational  Church,  and 
he  belongs  to  What  Cheer  Lodge  of  the  Masonic 
order. 

COTTRELL.  The  name  of  Cottrell  has  been 
a very  familiar  one  in  the  business  and  social  circles 
of  Newport  for  many  years,  where  members  of  the 
family  bearing  the  name  have  resided  since  the 
early  part  of  the  nineteenth  century.  This  article 
is  to  treat  of  the  late  Michael  Cottrell,  who  for 
many  years  was  one  of  the  successful  and  enterpris- 
ing business  men  of  that  city,  together  with  his  sons, 
who  are  now  conducting  the  business  established 
by  their  father. 

James  Cottrell,  the  progenitor  of  the  family 
in  America  of  which  this  article  treats,  was  born  in 
Ireland  in  1792,  the  son  of  well-to-do  parents,  and 
a descendant  of  one  of  England’s  substantial  and 
influential  families.  He  was  given  an  excellent' 
educational  training,  being  a college  graduate.  He 
w^as  a linguist,  speaking  several  different  languages, 
conversing  fluently  in  English,  Latin  and  Greek. 
As  a young  man  he  entered  upon  a mercantile 
career  in  his  native  country,  which,  however,  was 
not  to  his  liking,  and  in  1823  he  came  to  America, 
landing  at  Boston,  Mass.,  with  his  valet.  Soon 
after  coming  to  this  country  he  settled  in  Newport, 
and  there  accepted  a position  at  Fort  Adams,  work- 
ing on  the  construction  of  the  fortifications.  A few 
months  after  settling  in  Newport  he  was  joined  by 
his  wife  and  family.  He  was  one  of  the  prominent 
and  active  members  of  St.  Mary’s  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  and  for  a number  of  years  served  as  clerk 
of  the  church.  He  also  taught  the  parishioners 
the  use  of  the  Gaelic  language.  He  was  fond 
of  instructing  those  less  fortunate  than  he,  and 
he  was  the  first  in  Newport  to  teach  night 
school.  Although  somewhat  arrogant  in  his 
make-up.  he  was  courteous  and  kindly,  and  as 
a result  had  hosts  of  friends.  Mr.  Cottrell  died 
in  Newport,  June  9,  i860,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
eight  years,  and  his  funeral  was  one  of  the 
largest  of  his  day.  James  Cottrell  married 
(first)  Honora  Mountain, "of  Kilmartin,  Ireland, 
whose  father  and  grandfather  were  large  land 
owners  of  their  native  land.  To  this  union  were 
born  children  as  follows:  John,  who  was  a 
mason  contractor,  and  died  in  Newport;  Cath- 
erine, who  died  unmarried;  and  Michael,  who 
is  mentioned  below.  After  the  death  of  his  first 


RHODE  ISLAND 


803 


wife  James  Cottrell  married  (second)  Elizabeth 
Sullivan,  a widow,  by  whom  he  had  two  chil- 
dren: Jame$  B.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  monu- 
mental business  in  Newport,  and  Elizabeth  M., 
who  resides  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  unmarried. 

Michael  Cottrell,  youngest  son  of  the  late 
James  and  Honora  (Mountain)  Cottrell,  was 
born  Aug.  15,  1822,  in  Middleton,  County  Cork, 
Ireland,  and  when  but  six  months  of  age  was 
brought  to  America  by  his  mother,  settling  in 
Newport,  R.  I.,  where  they  joined  the  husband 
and  father.  Michael  Cottrell  acquired  a com- 
mon school  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Newport,  which  he  left  when  yet  a small  boy. 
Shortly  after  leaving  school  he  became  appren- 
ticed to  the  cabinet-maker’s  trade,  at  which  he 
remained  for  a number  of  years.  In  1849  he  got 
the  gold  fever,  as  did  many  others,  during  the 
excitement  incidental  to  the  discovery  of  gold  in 
California,  and  he  became  interested  in  the  pur- 
chase of  the  ship  “Audley  Clarke,”  which  sailed 
from  Newport  for  California  around  Cape  Horn 
in  the  early  part  of  1849.  Not  satisfied  with  the 
conditions  that  surrounded  him  in  that  far 
Western  region,  he  soon  returned  to  Newport, 
and  in  1850,  in  partnership  with  the  late  Staf- 
ford Bryer,  under  the  firm  name  of  Cottrell  & 
Bryer,  engaged  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking 
business,  locating  at  the  corner  of  Church  and 
Division  streets.  This  partnership  continued 
successfully  until  1869,  when  it  was  dissolved, 
and  in  February,  1870,  Mr.  Cottrell  embarked 
in  the  same  business  on  his  own  account  on 
Thames  street,  in  the  Free  Library  building. 
He  remained  in  that  location  until  1872,  when  he 
purchased  the  large  brick  building  at  Nos.  320 
to  330  Thames  street,  to  which  he  at  once  re- 
moved his  business,  and  which  building  has 
since  been  known  as  the  Cottrell  block.  Here 
Mr.  Cottrell  continued  in  business  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  Newport,  Aug.  20,  1893,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-one  years,  five  days.  During 
his  business  career  Mr.  Cottrell  met  with 
marked  success,  due  to  his  energy  and  untiring 
industry,  coupled  with  natural  business  ability 
and  foresight.  He  was  a genial,  courteous  gen- 
tleman, possessing  an  unassuming  manner,  all 
of  which  made  him  many  stanch  friends. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Cottrell  was  a 
stalwart  adherent  of  the  principles  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  although  he  did  not  care  for 
public  preferment,  he  did,  however,  for  several 
years,  serve  as  a commissioner  of  the  Newport 
City  Asylum.  He  was  an  attendant  of  the 
United  Congregational  Church,  to  which  he 
gave  his  liberal  support,  and  held  membership 
in  the  Congregational  Society,  his  wife  being 
an  active  member  and  worker  of  the  same 
church.  Fraternally  Mr.  Cottrell  was  a member 
of  the  Masonic  organization,  holding  member- 
ship in  St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  1,  A.  F.  and  A. 


M.,  and  upon  the  organization  of  St.  Paul’s 
Lodge,  No.  14,  became  a charter  member  of  the 
latter  body.  He  was  also  a member  of  Newport 
Chapter,  No.  2,  R.  A.  M. ; DeBlois  Council,  No. 
5,  R.  and  S.  M. ; and  of  Washington  Command- 
ery,  No.  4,  K.  T.  He  was  also  connected  with 
Coronet  Council,  No.  63,  Royal  Arcanum 
of  Newport,  of  which  he  was  one  of 
the  founders.  Mr.  Cottrell  was  for  a num- 
ber of  years,  and  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  a member  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  L nion  National  Bank,  and  was  a member  of 
the  Redwood  Library  Corporation  of  Newport. 

Michael  Cottrell  married  Catherine  E.  Wal- 
lace, born  in  Augusta,  Maine,  the  daughter  of 
Patrick  AYallace  and  Margaret  Cahill,  grand- 
daughter of  Richard  Wallace  and  Ellen  Gorman, 
and  great-granddaughter  of  Thomas  Wallace" 
and  Lady  Catherine  Butler,  the  latter  the  sister 
of  the  Duke  of  Ormond.  Mrs.  Cottrell  died  in 
Newport,  Feb.  8,  1894,  aged  sixty-eight  years, 
ten  months,  thirteen  days.  To  Mr.  and’  Mrs. 
Cottrell  were  born  children  as  follows:  (1) 
James  died  in  infancy.  (2)  Harriet  mar- 
ried (first)  George  Simes,  of  Plymouth,  Mass., 
and  (second)  Thomas  Shepard  Nowell,  of  Bos- 
ton, Mass.  To  the  first  marriage  was  born  one 
daughter,  Ethel  Katherine  Simes-Nowell,  she 
having  been  legally  adopted  by  Mr.  Nowell. 
(3)  Charles  Middleton  is  mentioned  below.  (4) 
Robert  Clarke  is  mentioned  below.  (5)  Samuel 
Parker  is  a graduate  of  Jefferson  Medical  Col- 
lege and  now  a practising  physician  of  Newport; 
he  formerly  practised  his  chosen  profession  in 
St.  Paul,  Minn.,  and  Boston,  Mass.  During  the 
Spanish-American  war  he  served  as  a volun- 
teer surgeon  in  the  United  States  army,  and  saw 
much  active  service  in  Cuba  and  the  Philippine 
Islands,  and  was  also  executive  surgeon  at 
Simpson  Hospital,  Fortress  Monroe.  He  is  un- 
married. (6)  William  Wallace  died  Feb.  18, 
1889,  in  the  twenty-seventh  year  of  his  age. 

Charles  Middleton  Cottrell,  the  eldest  liv- 
ing son  of  the  late  Michael  and  Catherine  E. 
(Wallace)  Cottrell,  was  born  in  Newport  Sept. 
15,  1851,  and  received  his  early  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  city,  which  was 
supplemented  by  a course  in  the  private  school 
of  the  late  Henry  H.  Fay.  Leaving  the  latter 
institution  of  learning  when  fifteen  years  of  age, 
he  went  to  Boston,  Mass.,  where  for  four  or  five 
years  he  was  in  the  employ  of  Jordan,  Marsh 
& Co.,  dry-goods  merchants,  after  which  for  a 
short  period  he  was  employed  in  the  wholesale 
dry-goods  house  of  Brett,  Green  & Co.,  of  Bos- 
ton, later  again  returning  to  the  emplov  of  Jor- 
dan, Marsh  & Co.,  with  whom  he  remained  for 
several  years.  He  was  then  for  a time  employed 
with  the  dry-goods  house  of  Chandler  & Co., 
resigning  his  position  with  this  latter  firm  to 
engage  in  the  tea,  coffee  and  spice  business,  be- 


8o4 


RHODE  ISLAND 


coming  a member  of  the  firm  of  Jacob  Fullarton 
& Co.,  of  Boston.  Mr.  Cottrell  remained  a mem- 
ber of  this  latter  firm  until  1874,  when  he  re- 
turned to  Newport,  and  during  the  following 
yeai  was  employed  by  his  father  in  the  latter's' 
furniture  store.  The  next  year  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  wholesale  department  of  A.  T. 
Stewart  & Co.'s  store  in  New  York  City.  Mr. 
Cottrell  then  returned  to  Newport  and  again  en- 
tered his  father's  employ,  remaining  with  him 
until  the  latter's  death,  in  1893.  Upon  the  death 
of  their  father,  Mr.  Cottrell  and  his  brother, 
Robert  C.,  were  appointed  trustees  of  the  estate, 
and  they  have  since  continued  to  conduct  the 
business,  Charles  M.  devoting  his  time  to  the 
furniture  and  wall-paper  departments,  while 
Robert  C.  gives  his  attention  to  the  undertaking 
and  embalming.  Charles  M.  Cottrell  is  treas- 
urer of  the  City  Steam  Laundry  Company,  of 
Newport,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  founders 
and  incorporators. 

Mr.  Cottrell  is  a member  of  Coronet  Coun- 
cil. No.  63,  Royal  Arcanum,  and  was,  durirtg  its 
existence,  a member  of  the  Business  Men's  As- 
sociation of  Newport.  He  is  also  connected 
with  the  Gen.  G.  K.  Warren  Post  Associates,  of 
Newport.  In  religious  matters  he  is  connected 
with  the  Trinity  Episcopal  Church.  In  political 
faith  he  adheres  to  the  principles  of  the  Repub- 
lican party. 

On  May  2,  1894,  Mr.  Cottrell  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Marie  Fladwad,  daughter  of 
Thron  Fladwad,  of  Christiania,  Norway,  and 
three  children  have  been  born  to  this  union, 
namely:  Margaret,  Eleanor  Olene  and  Marie 
Teresa  Cottrell, 

Robert  Clarke  Cottrell,  son  of  the  late 
Michael  and  Catherine  E.  (Wallace)  Cottrell,  was 
born  Sept.  24,  1853,  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  re- 
ceived his  early  educational  training  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  city,  which  he  attended  un- 
til he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  After  leaving 
school  he  entered  his  father’s  store  as  a clerk, 
and  remained  in  his  father’s  employ  until  the 
latter’s  death,  which  occurred  in  1893,  since 
which  time,  with  his  brother,  Charles  M.,  under 
the  firm  style  of  C.  M.  & R.  C.  Cottrell,  he  has 
continued  to  conduct  the  business  in  which  his 
father  had  been  so  successful.  That  he  might 
successfully  carry  on  the  undertaking  and  em- 
balming department  of  the  business,  Mr.  Cot- 
trell took  a course  in  the  Cincinnati  (Ohio) 
School  of  Embalming,  from  which  institution 
he  was  graduated  in  1880.  In  political  opinion 
Mr.  Cottrell  has  always  been  a stalwart  adher- 
ent of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party, 
and  has  faithfully  served  his  native  city  as  a 
member  of  the  school  board  for  six  years.  He 
also  served  for  a period  of  three  years  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  aldermen.  In  1905  he  was 
the  unanimous  choice  of  his  party  as  the  can- 


didate for  the  mayoralty  of  the  city,  and  was 
elected  chief  executive  over  Patrick  J.  Boyle, 
the  Democratic  candidate,  by  a substantial  ma- 
jority. He  served  his  city  in  that  capacity  in 
1906  with  efficiency  and  ability.  As  mayor  of 
the  city  he  was  also  trustee  (ex-officio)  of  the 
Newport  Hospital.  Mr.  Cottrell  is  a consistent 
member  of  Trinity  Episcopal  Church  of  New- 
port, and  is  senior  vestryman  of  the  church, 
having  been  a member  of  the  board  of  vestry- 
men for  a number  of  years. 

On  Feb.  14,  1881,  Mr.  Cottrell  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Annie  Johnson  Southwick, 
the  adopted  daughter  of  the  late  Samuel  S. 
Southwick,  of  Newport.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cot- 
trell were  born  the  following  named  children: 
Edwin  Angell,  born  Dec.  14,  1881;  Harriet 
Nowell,  born  March  24,  1884;  Sarah  Southwick, 
born  Dec.  4,  1885;  Catherine  Wallace,  born 
May  29,  1889;  Samuel  Middleton,  born  Aug.  2, 
1893;  and  Annie  Louise,  born  Dec.  20,  1895. 
The  mother  of  these  children  passed  away  in 
Newport,  Jan.  20,  1904. 

GREENE  (Warwick  Branch).  There  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Rhode  Island  three  fam- 
ilies who  bore  precisely  the  same  name — John 
Greene — but  were,  so  far  as  is  known,  unrelated  by 
birth  to  each  other.  One  of  these  had  its  origin  in 
Newport,  one  at  Warwick,  and  the  other  at  Quid- 
nesset  Neck  in  North  Kingstown.  It  is  the  purpose 
here  to  treat  briefly  only  the  family  of  the  late  Hon. 
Simon  Henry  Greene,  himself  long  a distinguished 
citizen  and  manufacturer  of  the  town  of  Warwick, 
and  of  the  family  lineage.  Several  of  the  sons  of 
Mr.  Greene,  too,  along  with  their  father  and  since 
have  worthily  sustained  the  honored  inheritance  of 
a distinguished  lineage  and  earned  a reputation 
worthy  of  their  sires.  Reference  is  made  to  Edward 
Aborn  Greene,  long  an  honored  and  distinguished 
citizen  of  Providence  ; to  the  late  President  Henry  L. 
Greene,  of  the  Clyde  Bleachery  & Print  Works  of 
that  village,  one  of  the  foremost  manufacturers  and 
prominent  business  men  of  the  State ; and  to  Chris- 
topher R.  and  William  R.  Greene,  who  maintained 
a residence  and  active  connection  with  the  manufac- 
turing plant  of  S.  H.  Greene  & Sons  at  Clyde. 

These  sons  of  the  late  Simon  Henry  Greene  are 
descendants  in  the  eighth  generation  from  Surgeon 
John  Greene,  of  Salem,  Mass.,  and  Providence  and 
Warwick,  R.  I.,  whose  posterity  have  earned  by 
their  valuable  services  in  peace  and  war  an  enviable 
pre-eminence  in  the  State.  Their  lineage  is  through 
John  (2),  Job,  Hon.  Philip,  Col.  Christopher.  Col. 
Job  (2),  and  Hon.  Simon  Henry  Greene.  These 
generations  in  the  order  given  follow  in  detail. 

(I)  John  Greene,  a surgeon  of  Salisbury,  county 
of  Wilts,  England,  born  in  1597,  a son  of  Richard 
and  also  a grandson  of  Richard  Greene,  both  of 
whom  were  residents  of  Bowridge  Hill,  Gillingham,. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Dorsetshire,  where  it  is  probable  John  was  born, 
was  married  (first)  at  Salisbury  Nov.  4,  1619,  to 
Joan  Tattersall,  who  was  the  mother  of  his  children. 
In  1635  he  sailed  from  Southampton,  England,  in 
the  ship  “James,”  and  in  June  of  that  year  arrived 
in  Boston.  He  was  later  at  Salem,  and  at  Provi- 
dence in  1636.  He  was  one  of  twelve  to  whom 
Roger  Williams  deeded  land  in  1638,  and  in  the 
following  year  was  one  of  the  twelve  original  mem- 
bers of  the  First  Baptist  Church.  He  and  ten 
others  purchased  in  1643  ^le  tract  of  land  called 
Shawomet  (Warwick).  His  death  occurred  in 
1658. 

(II)  John  Greene  (2),  of  Warwick,  born  in 
1620,  married  Ann  Almy,  born  in  1627,  daughter 
of  William  and  Audry  Almy,  and  they  died  respec- 
tively Nov.  27,  1708,  and  May  17,  1709.  Major 
Greene  was  one  of  the  prominent  public  men  of  his 
day.  He  was  commissioner,  1652-63 ; general  re- 
corder, 1652-54;  general  solicitor,  1655;  attorney- 
general,  1657-60 ; assistant,  almost  without  inter- 
ruption from  1660  to  1690;  deputy,  1664-75,  1677- 
80;  and  deputy-governor,  1690-1700. 

(III)  Job  Greene,  of  Warwick,  born  Aug.  24, 
1656,  married  Jan.  22,  1685,  Phebe  Sayles,  a daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Mary  (Williams)  Sayles  and  grand- 
daughter of  Roger  Williams.  Mr.  Greene  died 
July  6,  1745,  and  his  wife  passed  away  in  1744. 

(IV)  Hon.  Philip  Greene,  of  Warwick,  born 
March  15,  1705,  married  Aug.  12,  1731,  Elizabeth 
Wicks,  born  Feb.  5,  1707,  and  they  died,  respect- 
ively, April  10,  1791,  and  Dec.  23,  17 — . Judge 
Greene  was  one  of  the  well  known  and  highly  hon- 
ored citizens  of  Warwick.  He  was  judge  of  the 
court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Kent  county  from  1759 
to  1784. 

(V)  Col.  Christopher  Greene,  of  Warwick,  born 
May  12,  1737,  in  Warwick,  R.  I.,  married  Jan.  6, 
1757,  Anne  Lippitt,  and  to  them  came  children  as 
follows:  Welthian,  born  Nov.  19,  1757;  Job,  Nov. 
1$,  1759;  Phebe,  Jan.  16,  1762  (died  Sept.  22, 
1786)  ; Ann  F.,  June  2,  1764;  Elizabeth,  Dec.  15, 
1766;  Jeremiah,  Oct.  17,  1769;  Daniel  W.,  March 
22,  1772  (died  April  6,  1773)  ; Christopher,  Aug. 
27,  1774;  and  Mary,  Sept.  20,  1777. 

Young  Greene  had  good  educational  advantages, 
and  early  evinced  a fondness  for  mathematics.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Legislature, 
1772-74.  He  was  chosen  in  1774  a lieutenant  of 
the  military  company  known  as  the  “Kentish 
Guards,”  all  of  whose  men  who  entered  the  army 
in  the  Revolution  became  officers.  In  May,  1 775 » 
he  was  appointed  by  the  Legislature  a major  in  the 
“army  of  observation,”  was  given  command  of  a 
company,  marched  to  Cambridge,  and  was  subse- 
quently placed  by  Washington  in  command  of  the 
1st  Battalion  under  Benedict  Arnold,  whom  he  ac- 
companied on  his  expedition  to  Quebec.  In  the 
battle  at  that  city  which  followed  he  led  a detach- 
ment of  troops  and  was  himself  taken  prisoner. 
His  long  captivity  of  eight  months  was  so  irksome 


805 

to  him  that  he  is  said  to  have  formed  the  resolution 
that  if  he  obtained  his  freedom  he  would  never 
again  be  taken  alive.  He  was  made  major  in  the 
regiment  commanded  by  Gen.  J.  M.  Varnum  in 
1776,  and  in  October  following  was  appointed  to 
the  command  of  the  regiment.  Colonel  Greene  was 
then  placed  in  charge  of  Fort  Mercer,  on  the  Dela- 
ware. This  fort  was  assaulted  in  October,  1777, 
by  the  Hessians,  and  for  the  great  gallantry  which 
he  displayed  in  contending  with  the  enemy  under 
Count  Donop,  who  was  repulsed  with  heavy  loss, 
he  was  complimented  by  the  commander-in-chief. 
Colonel  Greene  was  detached  in  1778  for  special 
service  in  Rhode  Island  and  was  under  the  com- 
mand of  Gen.  John  Sullivan  in  the  battle  of  Rhode 
Island.  For  his  gallant  exploits  at  Fort  Mercer 
Congress  in  1777  passed  a resolution  "that  an  ele- 
gant sword  be  provided  by  the  Board  of  War  and 
presented  to  Colonel  Greene."  This  sword  was  not 
presented  until  1786,  by  the  then  secretary  of  war, 
General  Knox,  to  the  son  of  Colonel  Greene.  Early 
in  1781,  while  in  command  on  the  Croton  river, 
Colonel  Greene’s  headquarters  were  surrounded  by 
a party  of  Loyalists,  by  whom  the  Colonel  was 
killed.  A monument  was  erected  to  his  memory 
near  Red  Bank,  N.  J.,  in  1829,  by  Pennsylvania 
and  New  Jersey  volunteers. 

Colonel  Greene  is  represented  as  a man  “stout 
and  strong  in  person,  about  five  feet,  ten  inches 
high,  with  a broad,  sound  chest ; his  aspect  manly 
and  demeanor  pleasing,  enjoying  always  a high 
state  of  health,  its  bloom  irradiating  a countenance 
which  significantly  expressed  the  fortitude  and 
mildness  invariably  displayed  throughout  his  life.” 

(VI)  Col.  Job  Greene,  of  Warwick,  born  Nov. 

19,  1759,  married  Nov.  29,  1785,  Abigail  Rhodes, 
of  Stonington,  Conn.,  and  to  them  came  children  as 
follows:  Christopher  R.,  born  Sept.  19,  1786;  Sus- 
anna, May  5,  1788;  Mary  A.,  May  25,  1794  5 and 
Simon  Henry,  March  31,  1799-  ^ ith  Col.  Job 

Greene,  who  was  one  among  the  first  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods  by  water-power, 
began  the  industry  with  which  the  name  has  since 
continued  to  be  identified  so  prominently.  Col.  Job 
Greene  was  connected  with  a company  for  manu- 
facturing cotton  in  1794  and  transferred  to  the  com- 
pany land  and  water-power  by  a deed  bearing  date 
Oct.  3,  1794.  This  was  at  Centreville,  R.  I.,  on  the 
southwest  branch  of  the  Pawtuxet.  Colonel  Dreene 
died  Aug.  23,  1808.  His  widow,  Abigail  Greene, 
died  April  18,  1845.  Colonel  Greene,  as  the  eldest 
son,  was  by  descent  in  the  right  through  his  father, 
who  wras  killed  in  the  Revolution  prior  to  the  for- 
mation, entitled  to  membership  in  the  Rhode  Island 
Society  of  the  Cincinnati.  This  right  followed  to 
the  next  generation,  falling  to  Simon  Henry 
Greene,  who  became  a member  of  the  society,,  was 
chosen  its  vice-president,  and  so  continued  until  his 
death. 

(VII)  Simon  Henry  Greene,  born  March 

51,  1799.  at  Centreville,  R.  I.,  married  March 


8o6 


RHODE  ISLAND 


3,  1822,  Caroline  Cornelia,  eldest  daughter  of 
Edward  Aborn,  of  Providence. 

In  the  death  of  Mr.  Greene,  which  occurred  at 
his  home  at  Clyde,  in  the  town  of  Warwick,  R.  I., 
April  26,  1885,  there  passed  away  the  last  of  the 
pioneers  of  the  manufacturing  industry  of  the 
North  valley  of  the  Pawtuxet  river,  among  whom 
were  such  stalwarts  as  Col.  Ephraim  Talbot,  ex- 
Govs.  Charles  Jackson  and  Elisha  Harris,  James 
De  Wolf,  Dr.  Caleb  Fiske,  Benjamin  C.  Harris, 
Charles,  Col.  Christopher  and  William  Lippitt,  Ben- 
jamin Aborn,  George  Jackson,  and  Amasa  and  Wil- 
liam H.  Mason. 

Mr.  Greene  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Cen- 
treville,  at  an  excellent  private  school  in  Stoning- 
ton,  and  later  was  under  the  tuition  of  David  Al- 
drich, at  Woonsocket,  R.  I.  In  1813-14  he  was 
in  the  employ  of  his  brother-in-law,  Abner  hi. 
Warriner,  then  a manufacturer  of  cotton  checks 
in  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  on  the  death  of  his  em- 
ployer returned  home.  In  1815  he  took  up  a per- 
manent residence  in  Providence,  remaining  there 
until  1838,  when  he  removed  to  Clyde,  in  Kent 
county.  His  first  business  training  was  gained  in 
the  house  of  Aborn  & Jackson,  who  were  merchants 
as  well  as  manufacturers,  and  with  whom  he  was 
eventually  associated  as  agents  of  the  Lippitt  Man- 
ufacturing Company,  under  the  firm  name  of  Aborn, 
Jackson  & Greene.  In  1828  he  formed  a co-part- 
nership with  Edward  Pike,  under  the  style  of 
Greene  & Pike,  for  the  purpose  of  bleaching  and  fin- 
ishing cotton  good;;,  afterward  adding  printing  ma- 
chinery, which  business  he  enlarged  after  the  death 
of  Mr.  Pike  in  1842,  having  acquired  by  purchase 
from  the  latter's  heirs  the  sole  ownership  of  the 
property  now  known  as  the  Clyde  Works.' 

From  1835  to  July,  1838,  the  time  of  his  re- 
moval to  Warwick,  Mr.  Greene  was  a member  of 
the  Providence  city  council.  While  a member  of 
that  body  he  was  one  of  the  city  audit,  and  was 
prominent  in  remodeling  the  public  school  system 
and  in  creating  the  office  of  superintendent,  a sys- 
tem and  office  which  were  afterward  adopted,  first 
by  Boston  and  then  throughout  the  country.  He 
was  elected,  by  the  voters  of  his  native  town  and 
final  residence,  a representative  in  the  General  As- 
sembly in  1840  and  1842.  On  the  death  of  his 
partner,  Edward  Pike,  he  declined  a re-election, 
but  subsequently  represented  the  town  four  years 
in  succession,  from  1851  to  1854,  when  he  again  de- 
clined re-election.  In  1857,  however,  his  fellow- 
citizens  chose  him  to  represent  them  as  a senator 
in  the  General  Assembly  and  successively  until  1859 
be  filled  that  honorable  office.  In  i860  he  was 
elected  a delegate  to  the  Chicago  Republican  con- 
vention, and  voted  first  for  Salmon  P.  Chase,  and 
then  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  as  the  nominee  for  Pres- 
ident of  the  United  States.  He  was  also  chosen  for 
a Presidential  elector  in  1864,  and  with  his  col- 
leagues voted  for  the  re-election  of  Mr.  Lincoln. 
Mr.  Greene  also  served  as  a member,  and  as  sec- 


retary for  a part  of  the  time,  on  the  school  commit- 
tee of  Warwick  for  fifteen  years.  He  was  deeply 
interested  in  the  cause  of  popular  education,  as 
evinced  by  his  long  service  in  its  behalf. 

In  addition  to  those  already  mentioned  there 
were  many  other  public  offices  bestowed  upon  Mr. 
Greene  by  his  fellow-townsmen,  such  as  director  in 
financial  institutions,  member  of  the  town’s  com- 
mittee on  finance,  the  latter  especially  during  the 
trying  times  of  the  Civil  war,  moderator  of  town 
meetings,  chairman  of  conventions  acting  in  the 
transaction  of  public  and  political  affairs ; and  in 
all  these  his  name  was  ever  known  as  the  synonym 
of  honor,  uprightness  and  fidelity.  It  was  through 
his  sagacity,  strict  sense  of  justice  and  inflexible 
determination  that  an  act  was  passed  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  while  he  was  a member  of  one  of  its 
committees  on  finance,  levying  a tax  upon  the  de- 
posits in  savings  institutions,  which  had  been  hith- 
erto exempt,  and  a handsome  addition  was  made  to 
the  revenue  of  the  State  without  doing  injustice  to 
the  depositors  in  those  institutions.  It  is  a some- 
what remarkable  fact  that  Mr.  Greene  never  sought 
a public  office  and  was  never  ambitious  for  political 
preferment,  but,  believing  it  was  the  duty  of  every 
good  and  loyal  citizen  to  serve  his  fellow-men  to 
the  best  of  his  ability  whenever  called  by  them  to 
perform  public  duties,  he  cheerfully,  though  at 
times  reluctantly,  particularly  when  he  thought  his 
private  interests  might  suffer  in  consequence,  gave 
his  time  and  talents  for  the  public  good. 

Studious  from  early  life,  Mr.  Greene’s  mind 
was  well  stored  with  useful  learning,  and  his  ac- 
quirements in  general  literature  enabled  him  to 
write  with  both  clearness  and  vigor  of  expression. 
In  reading  his  preference  was  for  religious  philos- 
ophy, and  while  yet  a young  man  he  received  the 
religious  truths  taught  by  the  eminent  and  learned 
Emanuel  Swedenborg  and  finally  became  a member 
of  the  Providence  Society  of  the  New  Jerusalem 
Church,  commonly  called  Swedenborgians.  His  re- 
ligious belief,  founded  as  it  was  on  the  plain  teach- 
ings of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  was  in  him  the  con- 
trolling cause  of  all  his  acts.  It  had  relation  to  his 
whole  life,  and  its  life  in  him  resulted  in  beneficent 
acts,  in  whatever  position  he  was  placed,  whether 
in  his  own  home,  where  he  presided  with  gentle 
firmness,  dignity,  urbanity  and  grace,  mingled  with 
the  most  affectionate  care  of  his  family  and  de- 
pendents, or  in  the  refinement,  geniality  and  pleas- 
ures of  social  life,  or  in  public  office,  or  in  the  af- 
fairs of  his  extensive  business. 

To  the  marriage  of  Simon  Henry  Greene  and 
Caroline  Cornelia  Aborn  were  born  children 
as  follows:  Edward  Aborn,  Jan.  24,  1823; 

Henry  Lehre,  March  31,  1825;  Christopher 

Rhodes,  Oct.  14,  1827:  William  Rogers,  Dec. 
3,  1829;  John  W.  A.,  Feb.  19,  1832:  Caroline  C., 
Aug.  27,  1834  (died  Sept.  26,  1838)  ; George 
Frederick,  March  9,  1837  (died  Oct.  21,  of  that 
same  year)  ; George  Frederick  (2),  Aug  26, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1838;  Charles,  April  13,  1841  (died  April  17th 
of  that  same  year)  ; Francis  C.,  June  23,  1842;  and 
Abbie  S.,  Sept.  29,  1845  (died  Oct.  27th  of  that 
same  year). 

(VIII)  Edward  Aborn  Greene,  son  of 
Simon  Henry,  born  Jan.  24,  1823,  in  Providence, 
married  Nov.  8,  1849,  Hannah  C.  Smith,  daughter 
of  Amos  D.  and  Sarah  A.  (Franklin)  Smith,  of 
Providence.  Mr.  Greene  in  boyhood  pursued  his 
studies  in  excellent  private  schools  in  his  native 
city,  supplementing  his  early  learning  by  a year's 
attendance  at  Brown  University.  At  the  age  of 
fifteen  he  entered  the  office  of  John  L.  Hughes, 
then  one  of  the  leading  manufacturers  of  Provi- 
dence. Here  he  passed  four  years,  when  he  be- 
came a clerk  in  the  establishment  of  Shubael  Hutch- 
ins, a commission  merchant  in  cotton  and  cotton 
goods.  In  1847  young  Greene  was  made  a member 
of  the  firm  as  a partner  of  Mr.  Hutchins,  and  sus- 
tained such  relations  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Hutch- 
ins, in  1867. 

In  1867  Mr.  Greene  became  associated  with  his 
father  and  brothers  in  the  business  of  bleaching  and 
calico  printing,  as  outlined  in  the  foregoing,  under 
the  name  of  S.  H.  Greene  & Sons,  whose  works 
were  located  near  River  Point,  in  Warwick,  R.  I., 
and  known  as  the  Clyde  Bleachery  & Print  Works. 
On  the  death  of  his  former  partner,  Mr.  Hutchins, 
he  was  made  one  of  the  executors  and  also  a trus- 
tee of  the  estate,  relations  he  sustained  thereafter. 
As  the  years  passed  he  became  trustee  of  other  es- 
tates and  also  the  president  of  two  banks,  the  man- 
agement of  which  required  considerable  of  his  time, 
and  the  greater  part  of  his  life  was  passed  in  Prov- 
idence. 

Mr.  Greene  in  October,  1851,  was  a charter 
member  of  the  People’s  Savings  Bank,  of  which  he 
was  chosen  a director  at  that  time  and  served  until 
October,  1874.  He  was  then  chosen  vice-president 
and  continued  in  that  office  until  April,  1877,  when 
he  was  elected  president  of  the  bank,  continuing 
in  office  until  1884.  He  was  an  original  director 
in  the  Bank  of  Commerce  in  June,  1851.  This  in- 
stitution became  a national  bank  in  1865,  and  on 
March  6th  of  that  year  Mr.  Greene  was  elected  its 
vice-president.  On  Jan.  29,  1877,  he  succeeded  in 
the  presidency  of  the  bank  Amos  D.  Smith,  the  po- 
sition being  then  made  vacant  by  the  death  of  Mr. 
Smith.  This  relation  he  sustained  to  the  bank  until 
in  1884,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Robert  Knight. 
Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  up  to  1884  Mr.  Greene  had 
experienced  a hank  service  of  in  round  numbers  a 
third  of  a century,  covering  which  in  the  discharge 
of  his  various  official  duties  his  record  is  one  of 
rare  good  judgment  and  ability  as  a financier. 

Mr.  Greene  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Mer- 
chants Insurance  Company  and  was  a member  of 
its  first  board  of  directors  in  1851,  and  subsequently 
he  was  one  of  the  directors  in  the  Franklin  Mutual 
Fire  Insurance  Company.  He  never  took  an  active 
part  in  politics,  yet  in  matters  affecting  the  public 


807 

welfare  he  was  ever  found  to  be  a man  of  decided 
views.  He  was  identified  first  with  the  Whig  party 
and  on  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party  es- 
poused its  cause.  In  1854,  1855  and  1856  he  was 
aide-de-camp  to  Gov.  William  W.  Hoppin,  and  he 
served  as  such  to  Gov.  James  Y.  Smith  during  the 
first  year  of  the  latter's  administration.  This  gave 
him  the  rank  of  colonel.  From  1855  to  1857  Mr. 
Greene  represented  the  Second  ward  in  the  common 
council  of  Providence,  then  declining  a re-election. 
In  this  body  he  served  as  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  finance.  From  1858  to  1874  he  was  a member  of 
the  Providence  school  committee  and  for  many 
years  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Accounts. 
He  was  elected  a trustee  of  the  Rhode  Island  Hos- 
pital in  1877  and  was  continued  in  that  position  for 
years. 

Mr.  Greene's  religious  connections  were  with 
Grace  Episcopal  Church  at  Providence.  He  united 
with  that  church  in  1856,  and  in  April,  1858,  was 
made  a member  of  the  vestry,  relations  he  ever  af- 
terward sustained  to  the  church. 

To  the  marriage  of  Edward  Aborn  Greene  and 
Hannah  C.  Smith  were  born  five  sons  and  two 
daughters,  namely:  Henry  F.  (deceased),  Sarah 
F.,  Edward  A.,  Jr.,  Charles  R.  (deceased),  Charles 
W.,  Anna  M.  (deceased),  and  Amos  D.  S.  (de- 
ceased). These  children  on  their  mother’s  side  are 
direct  descendants  of  Priscilla,  heroine  of  “The 
Courtship  of  Miles  Standish.” 

(VIII)  Hon.  Henry  Lehre  Greene,  son 
of  Simon  Henry,  was  born  March  31,  1825,  at 
the  Aborn  homestead  in  Providence,  and  at  the 
early  age  of  three  years  entered  a private  school  in 
that  city.  His  studies  were  continued  there  until 
the  age  of  fourteen,  when  with  his  parents  he  re- 
moved to  Clyde,  in  the  town  of  Warwick,  R.  I.  He 
at  once  entered  the  Greene  & Pike  Bleachery,  lo- 
cated at  this  point,  as  a common  hand  at  regulat- 
vvages,  and  continued  thus  employed  until  1842, 
meanwhile  becoming  thoroughly  familiar  with  the 
business  in  all  its  details,  and  rendering  himself 
competent  to  manage  each  individual  department. 
On  the  death  of  the  junior  partner,  in  1842,  he 
entered  the  office  with  a view  to  acquiring  a knowl- 
edge of  the  company’s  books,  at  the  same  time  as- 
sisting in  the  general  management  of  the  business. 
Leaving  the  office  in  1845,  his  attention  was  mainly 
given  to  the  practical  forking  of  the  establishment, 
later  under  his  immediate  supervision.  Mr.  Greene 
acted  in  this  capacity  until  1868,  when  much  of  the 
responsibility  was  relegated  to  the  hands,  and  the 
mechanical  department  of  the  works  received  his 
more  especial  oversight.  His  connection  with  the 
business  from  early  youth,  his  practical  acquain- 
tance with  its  details,  acquired  by  a thorough  ap- 
prenticeship, and  his  taste  for  mechanics,  made 
his  services  invaluable  and  placed  him  without 
doubt  at  the  head  of  this  great  industry.  He  drew 
the  plans  and  specifications,  located  the  machinery 
and  made  the  estimates  for  the  spacious  buildings 


8o8 


RHODE  ISLAND 


forming  the  greater  part  of  the  immense  plant 
now  occupied  by  the  Clyde  Bleachery  & Print 
Works.  Under  his  immediate  supervision  the 
works  were  almost  entirely  rebuilt  and  enlarged, 
and  are  now  as  thoroughly  equipped  as  any  es- 
tablishment of  the  kind  in  the  country. 

The  business,  which  in  1842  was  conducted  in 
the  name  of  S.  H.  Greene,  became  on  a reorganiza- 
tion; in  1865,  S.  H.  Greene  & Sons,  Mr.  Greene, 
however,  previous  to  this  date  participating  in  the 
profits.  When  again  it  was  reorganized  and  in- 
corporated, a few  years  ago,  he  became  its  presi- 
dent, and  continued  as  the  active  head  of  the  es- 
tablishment, although,  of  course,  less  active  than 
before  he  was  able  to  shift  some  of  the  responsi- 
bility of  management  to  the  younger  shoulders  of 
his  son,  Francis  W.  Greene,  agent  and  treasurer, 
and  the  latter’s  associates  in  the  corporation. 

In  the  original  establishment  were  employed 
thirty  hands.  The  concern  now  gives  em- 
ployment to  approximately  seven  hundred.  In 
1838  one  printing  machine  was  used,  about  14,000 
yards  of  cloth  were  bleached  per  day,  and  2,000  or 
more  yards  of  indigo  blue  material  were  printed 
and  dyed.  The  capacity  of  the  bleachery  is  now  ap- 
proximately 125  tons  or  1,500,000  yards  per  week, 
and  they  have  nine  printing  machines,  whose  ag- 
gregate production  is  1,250,000  yards  per  week. 

Up  to  the  last  week  of  his  life,  notwithstanding 
his  age,  Mr.  Greene  continued  to  take  a keen  interest, 
not  only  in  the  affairs  of  the  corporation  with 
which  he  had  so  long  and  so  closely  been  identified, 
but  also  in  all  matters  affecting  the  welfare  arid 
progress  of  the  Pawtuxet  Valley  and  the  town, 
in  which  for  nearly  seventy  years  he  was  an  hon- 
ored resident  and  citizen.  There  was  probably  no 
man  in  the  State  at  the  time  of  his  death  who  had 
been  in  business  so  long  and  so  continuously. 

Mr.  Greene,  aside  from  the  personal  attention 
he  gave  to  the  details  of  this  extensive  manufac- 
turing interest,  found  leisure  for  other  projects. 
He  was  president  of  the  Phenix  Savings  Bank,  and 
of  the  Pawtuxet  Valley  Water  Company  and  the 
Pawtuxet  Valley  Business  Association,  which  some 
fifteen  years  ago  exerted  so  powerful  an  influence 
on  the  progress  of  the  Pawtuxet  Valley  and  the 
cementing  of  the  warring,  divided  villages  com- 
posing the  valley  into  a united  community.  In  his 
early  life  he  was  identified*  with  the  Whig  party, 
to  whose  candidates  and  measures  he  gave  his  cor- 
dial and  generous  support.  He  became  a Republi- 
can on  the  formation  of  that  party,  and  in  1883  was 
chosen  to  the  State  Senate,  and  was  again  elected 
to  that  body  in  1888  and  assigned  to  the  important 
committees  on  Finance  and  Judiciary.  In  1884  he 
became  a member  of  the  Board  of  State  Charities 
and  Corrections,  having  been  appointed  first  for  an 
unexpired  term,  and  afterwards  for  the  full  period 
of  six  years.  In  this  connection  he  had  much  to 
do  with  the  erection  cf  the  buildings  at  the  State 
institutions  at  Howard.  He  was  president  of  the 


State  Board  of  Agriculture,  and  in  all  these  offices 
of  trust  and  responsibility  acquitted  himself  in  a 
way  that  redounded  to  the  advantage  of  his  town 
and  State  and  to  his  own  credit  as  a public-spirited 
and  conscientious  citizen  and  public  officer.  He 
was  largely  identified  with  local  affairs,  was  early 
elected  to  serve  in  the  town  council  and  later  made 
its  president.  He  was  an  earnest  sympathizer  with 
every  measure  tending  to  elevate  the  standard  of 
education  in  the  town. 

Mr.  Greene  was  ever  a judicious  reader  and 
became  familiar  with  a wide  field  of  miscellaneous 
literature.  Although  taken  from  school  and  placed  in 
the  workshop  at  an  early  age,  he  continued  to  dis- 
cipline his  mind  and  cultivate  a refined  taste  under 
the  direction  of  his  father  and  other  wise  counselors, 
thus  making  amends  for  the  lack  of  scholastic  train- 
ing in  his  youth  and  enlarging  his  range  of  thought. 
During  his  later  years  he  traveled  extensively  in 
Europe,  and  possessing  keen  powers  of  observation 
and  a most  retentive  memory  he  also  acquired  in 
that  way  a knowledge  of  the  world  of  music  and 
art  which  made  him  a most  entertaining  conver- 
sationalist, and  up  to  within  a few  years  ago  in 
much  demand  on  the  lecture  platform  in  the  Paw- 
tuxet Valley  and  other  parts  of  the  State. 

As  an  authority  on  the  early  and  recent  history 
of  the  Pawtuxet  Valley  and  its  older  families  Mr. 
Greene  had  no  peer.  He  had  an  inexhaustible  fund 
of  Valley  lore,  gleaned  by  himself  during  his  long 
residence  there,  or  from  the  leading  men  of  the 
Valley,  with  whom  in  his  earlier  years  he  was 
thrown  in  contact.  For  some  time  he  had  been  en- 
gaged in  writing  his  memoirs,  finding  that  a most 
pleasant  occupation  for  his  leisure  time,  and  within 
a few  months  contributed  to  The  Sunday  Tribune. 
an  article  on  “Embargoes,”  which  was  probably  his 
last  published  contribution  to  the  public  prints. 

That  his  interest  in  matters  of  public  concern 
had  in  nowise  waned,  despite  his  advanced  age, 
was  shown  a few  days  before  his  death,  when  in 
response  to  an  invitation  from  Lieut. -Gov.  Watrous 
to  attend  a meeting  in  the  interest  of  the  soldiers’ 
monument  fund  he  sent  the  following  letter,  penned 
with  the  care  and  precision  of  copperplate  script : 

“Riverpoint,  R.  I.,  Feb.  8,  1908. 
“Warwick  Soldiers’  Monument  Committee: 

“Gentlemen — Your  invitation  to  attend  a meet- 
ing of  the  citizens  of  Warwick,  to  be  held  at  the 
office  of  Lieut.-Gov.  Watrous  next  Monday  after- 
noon is  to  hand.  While  I appreciate  your  courtesy, 
I am  obliged  to  decline  the  invitation  on  account  of 
ill  health  and  by  the  advice  of  my  physician  am 
practically  confined  to  my  house.  Early  in  Sep- 
tember I had  an  attack  of  pneumonia  from  which  I 
had  barely  recovered  when  laryngitis  followed  and 
I am  now  under  treatment  for  that. 

“Wishing  you  complete  success  in  erecting  a 
monument  worthy  of  commemorating  the  patriotic 
and  self-sacrificing  courage  of  the  soldiers  of  the 


RHODE  ISLAND 


809 


Civil  V ar,  not  a few  of  whom  were  our  own 
kindred,  even  our  own  brothers,  who  upheld  our 
Government  in  the  time  of  its  direful  need,  and  as- 
suring you  of  my  desire  to  assist  in  the  praise- 
worthy undertaking  in  whatever  way  I am  able, 

“I  remain  very  truly  yours, 

‘‘Henry  L.  Greene.” 

Mr.  Greene  was  a member  of  the  Swedenborgian 
Church  and  president  of  the  society  and  leader  of 
the  services  held  in  the  little  New  Jerusalem  Chapel, 
opposite  the  print  works  gate  at  Clyde. 

On  Aug.  13,  1849,  Mr.  Greene  was  married  to 
Marcy  Gooding,  daughter  of  Oliver  C.  Wilbur,  of 
Providence,  and  to  them  came  children  as  follows : 
Susan  Aborn  (deceased),  Lucy  Anna,  Caroline 
Cornelia  and  Francis  Whittier.  Of  these,  Lucy  A. 
was  married  to  Benjamin  Aborn  Jackson,  banker, 
of  Providence,  and  to  them  were  born  two  sons, 
Henry  Greene  and  Donald,  and  a daughter,  Lucy 
Aborn.  Francis  W.  Greene  is  agent  and  treasurer 
of  the  print  works  at  Riverpoint.  He  has  three 
children,  Francis  V.,  Ralph  Drayton  and  Eleanor. 

Mrs.  Marcy  Gooding  Greene  died  June  22,  1879, 
and  Mr.  Greene  made  his  home  at  Riverpoint  with 
his  daughter,  Caroline  Cornelia,  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  Feb.  12,  1908.  The  following  ap- 
peared in  the  Providence  Tribune  of  Feb.  13,  1908; 

“Sitting  in  his  chair  at  his  home  at  Riverpoint 
last  evening,  Hon.  Henry  L.  Greene,  president  of 
the  S.  H.  Greene  & Sons  Corporation,  the  Paw- 
tuxet  Volley’s  first  citizen  and  grand  old  man, 
passed  peacefully  away,  a fitting  ending  to  a long, 
peaceful,  honored,  useful  life.  His  death  came 
suddenly  but  not  unexpectedly.  He  had  been  con- 
fined to  the  house  for  a week  or  two,  suffering 
from  an  attack  of  laryngitis,  the  unwelcome  herit- 
age left  by  an  attack  of  pneumonia,  from  which 
he  suffered  last  September.  Monday  the  mild 
weather,  following  the  period  of  extreme  cold, 
tempted  him  from  the  house  and  he  visited  his 
office  at  the  Clyde  Print  Works,  where  he  spent  a 
half-hour  with  Superintendent  John  R.  Butter- 
worth,  apparently  as  well  as  usual  and  as  cheerfully 
interested  in  everything  connected  with  the  concern 
and  the  business  with  which  he  had  been  identified 
for  almost  seventy  years. 

“He  chatted  with  Mr.  Butterworth  about  the 
latter’s  grandchild  and  its  birthday,  celebrated  that 
day,  and  was  in  the  best  of  spirits,  showing  nothing 
to  indicate  that  two  days  later  he  would  finish  his 
long  and  honorable  career. 

“Last  evening,  sitting  in  his  favorite  chair, 
attended  by  his  daughter,  who  has  been  his  con- 
stant companion  for  a score  of  years,  he  succumbed 
suddenly  to  a combination  of  ailments  incident  to 
old  age  and  died  full  of  years  and  honors  within 
a few  weeks  of  completing  his  eighty-third  year. 

"The  deceased,  since  the  death  of  his  father  in 
1885,  was  the  most  respected  citizen  in  the  valley, 
and  admittedlv  its  first  citizen  in  everv  sense  of  the 


word.  One  of  the  few  valley  manufacturers  who 
made  his  home  in  the  valley  and  its  interests  his 
own  he  was  on  terms  of  affectionate  intimacy  with 
many  of  the  humblest,  as  well  as  the  highest  and 
most  influential  among  its  citizens.  He  had  worked 
in  his  father’s  printery  as  a boy  with  many  of  the 
men  who  were  his  contemporaries  in  old  age  as 
in  youth  and  outlived  all  but  a few  of  them  and 
there  will  be  universal  regret  at  the  death  of  one 
who  was  a friend  to  everybody  and  who,  if  he  ever 
had  an  enemy,  had  lived  to  know  for  years  that  he 
had  none. 

“As  the  head  of  one  of  the  valley’s  most  im- 
portant industries,  he  exerted  an  influence  on  the 
industrial  life  of  the  valley  second  to  none,  with  the 
exception  of  Robert  Knight,  and  during  his  long 
connection  with  the  industry  its  product,  the 
‘Washington  prints,’  came  to  be  known  as  a stand- 
ard among  the  products  of  American  printeries.-’ 

SLOCUM.  The  Slocum  family  is  one  of  New 
England’s  earliest  settled  families,  the  progenitor 
of  the  family  of  which  this  article  treats  having 
been  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Massachusetts,  and 
his  descendants  later  became  early  settlers  of  Rhode 
Island,  where  members  of  the  family  have  since 
resided.  The  following  genealogy  of  the  family  is 
given  in  chronological  order,  the  Roman  numerals 
indicating  the  different  generations. 

(I)  Anthony  Slocum  (Slocombe)  is  recorded 
as  one  of  the  first  purchasers  of  Cohannet,  New 
Plymouth,  now  Taunton,  and  its  vicinity  in  Mas- 
sachusetts, in  the  year  1637 ; and  it  is  also  written 
that  most  of  the  “first  and  ancient  purchasers”  of 
that  territory — several  of  whom  were  also  from  the 
vicinity  of  Taunton,  England — came  immediately 
from  Dorchester,  Mass.,  where  landings  were  made 
in  1630.  Anthony  Slocum  removed  probably  about 
1662  to  that  part  of  New  Plymouth  which  was 
incorporated  in  1664  as  Dartmouth,  and  of  which 
he  and  one  Ralph  Russell  were  the  first  settlers. 
His  wife  was  probably  a sister  of  William  Harvey, 
of  Taunton,  Mass.  Their  children  were : Giles, 
Edward,  a daughter  and  John. 

(II)  Giles  Slocum,  son  of  Anthony,  was  born 
in  England,  and  coming  to  America  settled  in  what 
is  now  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  probably  in 
the  year  1638.  He  was  an  energetic  and  prosper- 
ous man.  He  and  his  wife,  whose  Christian  name 
was  Joan,  were  early  members  of  the  Society  of 
Friends.  His  death  occurred  in  1682.  His  chil- 
dren were : Joanna,  John,  Giles,  Ebenezer,  Na- 
thaniel, Peleg,  Samuel,  Mary  and  Eleazer. 

(III)  Giles  Slocum  (2),  son  of  Giles,  was 

born  March  25,  1647,  M Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  and 
married  March  26,  1669,  Anne,  daughter  of 

Thomas  Lawton,  of  Portsmouth.  In  about  1669 
he  removed  to  Dartmouth,  Mass.,  but  again  be- 
came a resident  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  previous  to 
April  30,  1678,  at  which  time  he  was  admitted  a 
freeman  of  that  town.  His  name  is  connected  with 


8io 


RHODE  ISLAND 


a number  of  land  purchases  and  sales  both  in 
Portsmouth  and  Dartmouth.  He  was  chosen 
deputy  from  Portsmouth  to  the  Rhode  Island  Gen- 
eral Assembly  in  1685-1690;  selectman  for  Ports- 
mouth in  1687;  town  councilman  in  1690,  and  was 
assistant  (Colonial  Senator)  in  1696-98-00-03-05- 
08-12.  His 'children  were:  Elizabeth,  Johanna, 
Anne,  Mary,  Sarah,  Giles  and  John. 

(IV)  Giles  Slocum  (3),  son  of  Giles  (2),  was 
born  8th  of  10th  month,  1680,  in  Portsmouth,  R. 
I.,  and  there  married  Jan.  15,  1701,  Anne  Borden, 
daughter  of  Matthew  and  Sarah  Borden,  of  Ports- 
mouth, where  he  was  admitted  a freeman  in  1703, 
and  chosen  deputy  in  1704,  which  office  he  held  for 
many  years.  He  was  chosen  assistant  in  1722  and 
1723.  He  was  a zealous  worker  in  the  Society  of 
Friends,  and  his  death,  which  occurred  on  20th  of 
7th  month,  1749,  was  greatly  lamented.  His  chil- 
dren were:  Giles,  Matthew,  Sarah,  Anne,  Mary, 
Elizabeth,  Giles  (2),  Matthew  (2),  Ruth,  Benja- 
min, Johanna,  Abigail  and  Hannah. 

(V)  Giles  Slocum  (4),  son  of  Giles  (3),  was 
born  14th  of  5th  month,  1713,  in  Portsmouth,  R. 
I.,  and  there  married  in  the  5th  month,  1747,  Su- 
sannah, daughter  of  Stephen  and  Martha  Brownell, 
of  the  same  town.  He  was  admitted  a freeman  of 
Portsmouth  in  1734,  and  was  elected  deputy  to 
the  Rhode  Island  General  Assembly  in  1757.  His 
household  numbered  nineteen  heads  in  1774.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Slocum  died  on  their  farm  in  Ports- 
mouth, and  were  buried  in  the  Slocum  cemetery, 
five  miles  northeast  of  Newport.  Their  children 
were:  Ann,  Giles,  Matthew,  Elizabeth,  Susannah, 
Stephen  and  Phebe. 

(VI)  Giles  Slocum  (5),  son  of  Giles  (4),  was 
born  Dec.  20,  1750,  in  Portsmouth,  R.  I.  On  Dec. 
31,  1772,  he  married  Susannah  Brownell,  born 
March  17,  1754,  and  they  settled  in  Portsmouth. 
Mr.  Slocum  was  chosen  deputy  to  the  General 
Assembly,  and  was  also  a delegate  to  the  conven- 
tion from  Rhode  Island  that  adopted  the  new  con- 
stitution of  the  United  States  in  1790,  in  which 
convention  he  served  on  the  committee  on  Amend- 
ments. His  children  were:  Benjamin,' born  Aug. 
27,  I773 1 Elizabeth,  Aug.  20,  1775 ; Mehetabel, 
July  15,  1777;  Martha,  Feb.  2,  1779  ; Stephen,  Aug. 
22,  1781;  Abigail,  Oct.  6,  1783;  Susannah,  Oct. 
22,  1786  ; Giles,  May  26,  1789;  Brownell,  Jan.  20, 
1792;  Rebecca,  Jan.  16,  1793;  and  Philadelphia, 
July  1,  1796. 

(VII)  Stephen  Slocum,  son  of  Giles  (5),  was 
born  Aug.  22,  1781,  in  Portsmouth,  R.  I.  He 
married,  Nov.  17,  1802,  Mary,  daughter  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Cook)  Fish,  of  Portsmouth,  where 
she  was  born  March  8,  1783.  They  settled  in 
Portsmouth  and  there  died,  she  on  the  28th  of 
July,  1874,  and  he  on  the  30th  of  October,  1874, 
both  being  buried  on  their  farm  near  the  Glen.  In 
his  early  life  Mr.  Slocum  was  engaged  in  the 
butchering  business,  and  later  was  engaged  in 
farming  and  market  gardening.  They  were  house- 


keepers for  upwards  of  seventy  years,  and  were 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  were  highly 
respected  throughout  their  long  lives.  Their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows:  George,  born  May  28,  1804; 
Elizabeth,  April  7,  1806;  Charlotte,  Aug.  22,  1811  ; 
Stephen,  June  19,  1814;  Plannah  Cook,  April  17, 
1816;  Abigail,  Nov.  25,  1819;  Margaret  Almy, 
Sept.  5,  1822;  Peleg  Hart,  March  20,  1825;  Su- 
sannah, Aug.  12,  1827;  and  W illiam  Perry,  April 
27,  1830. 

(VIII)  George  Slocum,  son  of  Stephen  and 
Mary  (Fish)  Slocum,  was  born  May  28,  1804,  in 
Portsmouth,  R.  I.  In  early  life  he  entered  the 
merchant  marine  service,  and  later  became  master 
of  vessels  which  plied  the  deep  sea,  during  which 
service  he  visited  many  of  the  important  ports  of 
the  world.  He  was  a member  of  the  Union 
Christian  Church  of  Portsmouth.  In  political  faith 
he  was  a Republican,  but  never  sought  public 
office.  He  possessed  a genial  good  nature  which 
won  for  him  many  stanch  friends.  On  July  5> 
1827,  he  married  Susan  Gould,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Anne  (Slocum)  Gould,  of  Middletown,  R.  I. 
Mr.  Slocum  passed  away  in  Newport,  Oct.  4,  1863, 
in  the  sixtieth  year  of  his  age.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Slocum  were  born  children  as  follows : Mary 
Anne,  born  April  1,  1828,  in  Portsmouth,  married 
Benjamin  Wyatt,  of  Middletown,  and  they  had  chil- 
dren, Georgianna,  Robert  G.,  Edward  N.,  W illiam 
B.  and  George  Slocum ; Stephen  Thomas,  born 
Oct.  10,  1829,  in  Middletown,  married  Mary  Jane 
LeMie,  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  they  had  two  sons, 
John  Thomas  and  Charles  Albert ; John  Henry, 
born  Nov.  5,  1832,  in  Middletown,  was  killed  dur- 
ing the  Civil  war,  dying  at  Bristow  Station,  Va., 
Aug.  27,  1862,  unmarried ; Edmund  Deacon,  born 
Aug.  11,  1835,  in  Portsmouth,  married  Mary  Eliza- 
beth Batolf,  'of  Newport,  and  they  had,  Lena, 
Susan,  Mary  and  Edmund;  Frances  Howe,  born 
Sept.  13,  1837,  Portsmouth,  married  John  Man- 
ley  Drake,  of  Bellingham,  Mass.,  and  they  had  one 
daughter,  Mary;  William  Shurtliff,  born  Nov.  25? 
1839,  in  Portsmouth,  married  Sarah  A.  Bradley, 
of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Mary  Florence  and  William  Gould;  George  Taber, 
born  July  20,  1842,  in  Middletown,  died  in  Ander- 
sonville  Prison,  Ga.,  during  the  Civil  war,  July  4, 
1864,  aged  twenty-one  years,  unmarried ; Susan 
Catherine,  born  April  28,  1845,  in  Portsmouth, 
married  Benjamin  Peckham,  and  died  Oct.  4,  1863, 
without  issue;  Elizabeth  Sprong,  born  Oct.  22, 
1847,  in  Portsmouth,  married  Charles  E.  Spooner, 
of  Middletown,  and  they  had  two  children,  Ida 
May  and  Harry;  Sarah  Jane,  born  April  27,  1850, 
in  Portsmouth,  married  George  Steere,  of  Provi- 
dence, and  they  had  two  children,  George  and  Ella 
Steere,  and  she  married  (second)  Albert  Platt,  of 
Philadelphia  (no  issue)  ; and  Daniel  Gould  is  men- 
tioned below. 

(IX)  Daniel  Gould  Slocum,  born  March  24, 
1854,  in  Middletown,  son  of  George  and  Susan 


RHODE  ISLAND 


81 1 


(Gould)  Slocum,  was  married  to  Margaret  Ma- 
honey, of  Newport,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Mary 
(Healey)  Mahoney,  and  to  this  union  were  born: 
Mabel  Gould;  Grace  Marrion,  born  Jan.  20,  1884, 
in  Newport,  who  died  Dec.  6,  1902,  in  Newport; 
and  Alice  Mahoney,  born  Dec.  15,  1886,  in  New- 
port, who  married  July  27,  1904,  Florance  J.  Har- 
vey, of  Newport,  and  they  have  one  son,  Florance 
J.  Harvey,  Jr. 

• (X)  Mabel  Gould  Slocum,  eldest  daughter  of 
Daniel  Gould  and  Margaret  (Mahoney)  Slocum, 
was  born  in  Newport,  April  21,  1882.  On  Oct. 
18,  1903,  she  married  Harold  Dean  Sticknev,  of 
Taunton,  Mass,  who  is  in  the  United  States  diplo- 
matic service. 

C Gould.  The  Gould  family  of  Rhode  Island,  to 
which  Mrs.  Susan  (Gould)  Slocum,  wife  of  (VIII) 
George  Slocum,  belonged,  springs  from  one  of  its 
first  families,  the  progenitor  coming  to  the  Island 
in  1637,  and  beyond  the  sea  their  lineage  is  traced 
back  through  five  generations  to  Thomas  Gould, 
of  Bovington,  in  the  parish  of  Hemel  Hempstead, 
who  was  born  about  1455,  and  died  in  1520. 

(I)  Jeremiah  Gould  and  family  are  the  only 
Goulds  on  record  who  came  from  England  to  Rhode 
Island.  He  was  admitted  an  inhabitant  of  New- 
port, March  20,  1638,  and  was  made  a freeman 
in  1641.  He  married  Priscilla  Grover,  and  their 
children  were:  Daniel,  Thomas  and  John.  Jere- 
miah Gould,  the  father,  later  returned  to  England, 
and  died  there.  His  wife  was  buried  on  the  farm 
.of  her  son,  John,  in  what  is  now  Middletown, 
Rhode  Island. 

(II)  Daniel  Gould,  eldest  son  of  Jeremiah 
and  Priscilla  (Grover)  Gould,  was  sixteen  years  of 
age  on  coming  to  New  England  with  his  parents. 
He  married  June  18,  1651,  Waite,  daughter  of 
John  Coggeshall  (the  first  president  of  the  Colony). 
Daniel  Gould  joined  the  Society  of  Friends,  and 
later  in  1659,  while  visiting  in  Salem,  Mass.,  was 
imprisoned  by  order  of  Richard  Bellingham  ( Deputy 
Governor),  and  had  to  submit  to  thirty  stripes  on 
his  naked  back  (being  tied  to  the  carriage  of  a 
gun)  for  no  other  cause  than  being  a Quaker. 
He  was  deputy  in  1672-73,  and  assistant  in  1674-75. 
He  died  at  his  home  in  Newport,  Jan.  26,  1716, 
and  his  widow,  Waite,  passed  away  May  8,  1718. 
Their  children  were : Mary,  born  March  2,  1653  '> 
Thomas,  Feb.  22,  1654';  Daniel,  Aug.  24,  1656; 
John,  March  4,  1659;  Priscilla,  April  30,  1661; 
Jeremiah,  born  March  5,  1664;  James,  May  13, 
1666;  Jeremiah  (2),  Dec.  2,  1668;  Content,  March 
23,  1671  ; and  Waite,  March  8,  1676. 

(III)  Thomas  Gould,  eldest  son  of  Daniel 
and  Waite  (Coggeshall)  Gould,  on  the  death  of  his 
father,  inherited  all  the  homestead  estate,  contain- 
ing between  two  and  three  hundred  acres  of  good 
land,  and  also  a very  valuable  plantation  in  Bar- 
badoes.  On  Jan.  13,  1690,  he  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Joanna  Mott,  of  Portsmouth, 
R.  I.  He  died  March  11,  1734,  his  widow  sur- 


viving him  many  years,  and  dying  Jan.  22,  1749. 
Their  children  were:  Priscilla,  born  Dec.  3,  1692; 
Marcy,  Oct.  13,  1694;  Daniel,  Dec.  18,  1696; 

Thomas,  Oct.  1,  1698;  Joanna,  Aug.  24,  1700  ; Ja- 
cob, Sept.  21,  1704;  Elizabeth,  March  4,  1707; 
John,  Dec.  15,  1708;  and  James,  May  5,  1711. 

(IV)  Thomas  Gould,  Jr.,  son  of  Thomas  and 
Elizabeth  (Mott)  Gould,  was  settled  by  his  father 
on  the  northerly  part  of  the  paternal  estate,  which 
contained  upwards  of  one  hundred  acres  of  very 
excellent  land.  He  was  for  many  years  justice  of 
the  peace,  and  lastly  one  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Supreme  Court  in  the  county  of  Rhode  Island. 
On  Oct.  17,  1723,  Thomas  Gould  married  Sarah, 
daughter  of  John  and  Susannah  Anthony,  of  Ports- 
mouth, R.  I.  He  died  June  13,  1786,  and  his  wife, 
who  had  been  for  many  years  a very  useful  and 
active  member  and  Elder  of  the  Rhode  Island 
Monthly  Meeting,  died  Feb.  20,  1789,  in  the  101st 
year  of  her  age.  The  children  of  Thomas  and 
Sarah  Gould  were:  Elizabeth,  born  July  17,  1724; 
Thomas,  May  11,  1728;  and  John,  Aug.  29,  1736. 

(V)  John  Gould,  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah 
(Anthony)  Gould,  inherited  the  paternal  estate. 
On.  Oct.  15,  1761,  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of 
James  and  Hannah  Coggeshall,  of  Newport.  He 
made  himself  master  of  the  French,  Greek  and 
Hebrew  languages,  besides  acquiring  a partial 
knowledge  of  several  others.  For  many  years  he 
held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  but  declined 
nomination  as  a candidate  for  judge.  During  the 
war  of  the  Revolution,  he,  with  many  others,  was 
subjected  to  serious  losses  in  every  way.  This, 
together  with  the  loss  sustained  by  the  depreciation 
of  paper  currency,  of  which,  unfortunately  he  had 
a large  amount,  greatly  reduced  his  valuable  prop- 
erty. Mr.  Gould  died  Sept.  2,  1811,  and  his  wife 
passed  away  -Dec.  3,  1816.  Their  children,  all 
born  in  Middletown,  R.  I.,  were:  Elizabeth,  born 
Oct.  5,  1762;  Susanna,  July  23,  1764;  Mary,  Oct. 
24,  1765;  Thomas,  March  20,  1767;  Hannah,  Oct. 
29,  1768;  John  and  Sarah,  twins,  Aug.  29,  1770; 
Walter,  Aug.  20,  1771 ; James,  July  6,  1774;  Sarah, 
July  5,  1779;  and  Rebecca,  Nov.  12,  1781. 

(VI)  Thomas  Gould,  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Coggeshall)  Gould,  married  Anne  Slocum.  He 
inherited  a large  portion  of  his  father  s estate,  and 
on  the  death  of  his  father  took  possession  of  the 
homestead  farm.  His  death  occurred  June  18, 
1850,  when  he  was  over  eighty  years  of  age.  His 
widow  survived  many  years,  living  in  the  old  home, 
where  she  died,  and  she  was  buried  in  the  burying 
ground  on  the  farm.  The  children  of  1 homas  and 
Anne  Gould  were:  Charles,  Samuel,  Sarah  Anne, 
Susan,  Henrietta,  Catherine,  John,  James  Cogge- 
shall and  Robert. 

(VII)  Susan  Gould,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Anne  (Slocum)  Gould,  born  Oct.  25,  1807,  died 
Nov.  28,  1896,  in  the  ninetieth  year  of  her  age. 
On  July  5,  1827.  she  married  (\  III)  George  Slo- 
cum, of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.  She  was  a faithful 


8l2 


RHODE  ISLAND 


wife  and  mother,  a true  and  sympathetic  friend, 
and  was  beloved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew 
her.  Two  of  her  five  sons  serving  in  the  Civil 
War  were  killed.  She  lived  for  many  years  in 
the  old  homestead  on  Division  street,  Newport, 
which  is  still  in  the  family.  The  children  of  George 
and  Susan  (Gould)  Slocum  were:  Mary  Anne; 
Stephen  Thomas;  John  Henry;  Edmund  Deacon; 
Frances  Howe;  William  Shurtliff ; George  Taber; 
Susan  Catherine;  Elizabeth  Sprong;  Sarah  Jane; 
and  Daniel  Gould  Slocum. 

(VIII)  Daniel  Gould  Slocum,  son  of  George 
and  Susan  (Gould)  Slocum,  born  March  24,  1854, 
of  the  ninth  generation  of  the  Slocum  family, 
married  Margaret  Mahoney,  of  Newport,  R.  1., 
and  their  children  were : Mabel  Gould,  Grace 
Marrion,  and  Alice  Mahoney  Slocum. 

(IX)  Mabel  Gould  Slocum,  daughter  of 
Daniel  Gould  and  Margaret  (Mahoney)  Slocum, 
was  born  April  21,  1882,  in  Newport,  in  the  tenth 
generation  of  the  Slocums.  She  married  Oct.  18, 
1903,  Harold  Dean  Stickney,  of  Taunton,  Massa- 
chusetts. 

VERNON.  The  name  of  Vernon  has  been  a 
prominent  and  conspicuous  one  in  the  History  of 
Rhode  Island  since  the  early  settlement  of  that 
State,  and  particularly  so  in  Newport  and  vicin- 
ity, in  which  city  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  the 
family  first  settled  upon  his  arrival  in  this  coun- 
try from  England.  Each  generation  of  this  hon- 
ored family  has  produced  men  of  distinction  who 
have  made  their  presence  felt  in  the  community, 
and  among  the  representatives  of  this  old  family 
in  Newport  may  be  worthily  mentioned  the  late 
George  Edward  Vernon,  and  his  two  sons,  George 
Edward  (who  died  June  23,  1907),  and  William 
B.  Vernon,  all  of  whom  have  been  prominently 
identified  with  the  business  interests  of  that  city 
for  a number  of  years. 

Daniel  Vernon,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  the 
Vernon  family,  son  of  Samuel  Vernon,  was  born 
in  London,  England,  Sept.  1,  1643,  and  is  said  to 
have  come  to  this  country  about  the  year  1666. 
His  emigration  is  thought  to  have  been  in  part 
determined  from  the  losses  his  father  sustained  in 
the  great  fire  of  that  year  in  London,  a range  of  his 
warehouses  along  the  Thames  and  the  quay  having 
been  burned  in  that  disastrous  fire.  Mr.  Vernon 
had  received  a very  superior  education ; spoke 
several  languages,  and  was  long  a tutor  in  the  fam- 
ily of  Lodowick  Updike,  of  North  Kingstown,  R.  I. 
In  1683  he  was  clerk  of  Kingstown ; also  constable. 
In  1686  he  was  appointed  marshal  of  Kings  prov- 
ince and  keeper  of  the  prison ; in  1687,  with  Henry 
Tibbets,  he  was  appointed  to  lay  out  certain  high- 
ways in  Rochester.  In  1687,  he  was  also  a select- 
man of  Kingstown,  which  was  then  known  as 
Rochester.  On  his  arrival  from  England  he  ap- 
pears to  have  first  resided  at  Newport,  but  shortly 
after  removed  to  Xarragansett,  where  at  Tower 


Hill,  Sept.  22,  1679,  he  married  Ann  Dyre,  a widow,* 
daughter  of  Capt.  Edward  Hutchinson,  Jr.,  and 
granddaughter  of  the  celebrated  Anne  Hutchinson, 
and  grandniece  of  John  Dryden.  She  died  Jan.  10, 
1716;  her  gravestone  is  still  standing  in  the  family 
lot  at  Newport,  beside  that  of  her  husband.  He 
died  Oct.  28,  1715.  Their  children  were:  Daniel, 
born  April  6,  1682  (died  young)  ; Samuel,  Dec.  6, 
1683 ; and  Catherine,  Oct.  3,  1686  (died  unmarried 
in  March,  1769). 

Samuel  Vernon,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born  Dec. 
6,  1683,  and  married  April  10,  1707,  Elizabeth 
Fleet,  of  Long  Island.  He  became  a distinguished 
citizen  of  Newport;  was  an  assistant  from  1729 
till  his  death  in  1737,  and  a judge  of  the  Superior 
Court  of  Judicature.  In  1737,  he  was  one  of  the 
commissioners  appointed  to  fix  the  disputed  bound- 
ary between  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire. 
His  constant  election  to  office  shows  that  he  was 
highly  esteemed  in  the  community,  and  he  doubtless 
would  have  attained  still  further  distinction  had  not 
his  useful  career  been  arrested  by  his  death,  Dec. 

5,  1737,  while  still  in  the  prime  of  life.  Mrs.  Ver- 

non died  March  5,  1721,  aged  thirty-seven  years. 
Their  gravestones,  bearing  the  family  coat  of  arms, 
are  still  in  the  Newport  cemetery.  Their  children 
were  as  follows:  Ann,  born  Jan.  23,  1707,  died 
Sept.  23,  1782;  Elizabeth,  born  Aug.  4,  1709; 
Samuel,  born  Sept.  6,  1711  ; Esther,  born  Aug.  20, 
1713,  died  unmarried;  Daniel,  born  Aug.  20,  1716; 
Thomas,  born  May  31,  1718,  married  (first) 

Jane  Brown,  and  (second)  Mary  Mears ; William, 
born  Jan.  17,  1719;  and  Mary,  born  Dec.  23,  1721, 
died  May  17,  1770,  unmarried.  Of  these  children, 
Thomas,  born  in  1718,  was  a merchant  of  the  firm 
of  Grant  & Vernon;  was  royal  postmaster  at  New- 
port from  1745  to  1775  ; register  of  the  court  of 
vice-admiralty  twenty  years  ; secretary  of  the  Red- 
wood Library,  and  senior  warden  of  Trinity 
Church.  He  was  a Tory,  the  only  one  of  the  fam- 
ily, and  suffered  about  four  months  imprisonment 
on  account  of  his  Tory  principles.  He  wrote  a 
journal  of  his  captivity,  now  in  the  possession  of  the 
Newport  Historical  Society. 

Samuel  Vernon,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born  Sept. 

6,  1 71 1,  and  was  a prominent  Newport  merchant, 
long  a member  of  the  house  of  S.  & W.  Vernon. 
He  was  one  of  the  original  applicants  for  the 
charter  of  the  Redwood  Library;  and,  in  1750,  was 
one  of  the  petitioners  to  the  King  to  restrain  the 
Legislature  from  issuing  bills  of  credit.  He  died 
July  6,  1792.  He  married  Amey,  daughter  of 
Governor  Richard  Ward,  and  his  children  were : 
Elizabeth,  born  April  24,  1738;  William,  born  Aug. 
3,  1739,  died  in  infancy;  Samuel,  born  July  12, 
1740,  died  in  infancy;  Amey,  born  Sept.  12,  1741, 
died  in  infancy;  Mary,  born  Feb.  17,  1742,  married 
Christopher  Ellery,  an  eminent  merchant  of  New- 
port and  a Revolutionary  patriot,  - son  of  Deputy 
Gov.  William  Ellery,  and  brother  of  William  Ellery, 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


813 


ence ; Samuel,  born  Feb.  17,  1744,  died  Dec.  1,  1809; 
Amey  (2d),  born  July  19,  1746,  died  in  infancy; 
Amey  (3d),  born  Nov.  19,  1747,  married  Samuel 
King,  the  portrait  painter;  William,  born  July  21, 
1749,  died  in  infancy;  William  Ward,  born  March 
7,  1752,  died  in  Jamaica,  W.  I.,  April  10,  1774; 
Ann,  born  Sept.  29,  1754,  married  Dr.  David  Oly- 
phant, medical  director  of  the  armies  of  the  Caro- 
linas,  under  Generals  Gates  and  Greene  during  the 
Revolutionary  War;  and  Thomas,  born  June  6, 
1753,  died  April  6,  1755. 

William  Vernon,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born  Jan. 
17,  1719,  in  Newport,  and  married  Judith,  daughter 
of  Philip  Harwood,  and  great-granddaughter  of 
Gov.  Walter  Clarke  and  Gov.  John  Cranston,  of 
Rhode  Island.  She  died  Aug.  29,  1762,  aged  thirty- 
eight  years.  He  died  Dec.  22,  1806.  Mr.  Vernon's 
home  was  at  the  corner  of  Clarke  and  Mary  streets, 
and  is  still  standing,  a fine  specimen  of  colonial 
architecture.  It  has  an  historical  interest,  Mr. 
Vernon  having  given  the  gratuitous  use  of  it  to 
the  Count  de  Rochambeau  during  the  Revolution, 
and  hither  Gen.  Washington  repaired  on  his  first 
visit  to  Newport.  Mr.  Vernon  was  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  of  the  Newport  merchants,  and  one  of 
the  most  self-sacrificing  patriots  of  the  Revolution. 
His  trade  extended  to  all  of  the  maritime  nations 
of  Europe,  the  West  Indies  and  Africa.  He  lost 
eight  vessels  by  capture  in  or  about  the  year  1758. 
So  conspicuous  was  he  as  a merchant,  that  in  1778, 
a French  house  in  Bordeaux  solicited  his  patronage, 
and  spoke  of  him  as  “universally  known  all  over 
the  continent  of  America.”  He  contributed  a vessel 
to  the  expedition  against  Louisburg.  In  1773  the 
Colonial  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island  appointed  him 
one  of  the  committee  of  three  to  prepare  a letter  to 
“his  Majestie’s  Secretary  of  State”  upon  “the  en- 
dangerment  by  a bill  then  pending  in  the  House  of 
Commons,  of  the  fisheries  prosecuted  by  Rhode  Is- 
land merchants  in  and  near  the  Gulf  of  St.  Law- 
rence.” He  early  espoused  the  patriot  cause,  and 
became  a most  unflinching  “Son  of  Liberty.”  His 
great  abilities  as  a merchant,  and  extensive  ac- 
quaintance with  marine  affairs,  enabled  him  at  a 
very  early  period  to  assist  Congress  by  his  counsel. 
In  1774  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  committee  of 
Correspondence  of  the  town  of  Newport  with  the 
town  of  Boston.  In  1775  he  was  appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly,  with  William  Ellery  and  others, 
a committee  to  collect  statistics  in  regard  to  losses 
inflicted  upon  Rhode  Island  by  the  ministerial 
forces.  In  this  year  one  of  his  vessels,  the  brig 
“Royal  Charlotte,”  was  seized  by  Wallace  in  New- 
port harbor,  and  taken  to  Boston  and  confiscated 
with  its  cargo.  In  1776,  when  the  British  occupied 
Newport,  he  was  forced  to  leave  the  place.  On 
May  6,  1777,  he  was  elected  by  Congress  one  of 
the  Continental  Navy  Board,  established  at  Boston, 
and  was  the  president  of  the  board  from  its  organi- 
zation to  its  dissolution.  He  not  only  gave  his  services 
without  charge  to  his  country,  but  advanced  large 


sums  to  the  government,  which  were  only  in  part 
paid.  Of  his  losses  he  thus  speaks  under  the  date  of 
Oct.  10,  1778,  in  a letter  to  Josiah  Hewes : "Mam- 
mon is  no  idol  of  mine.  If  we  establish  our  rights  and 
liberties  upon  a firm  and  lasting  basis  on  the  wind- 
ing up  of  this  bloody  contest,  I am  content ; altho’ 
I own,  if  I could  come  at  the  property  our  enemies 
are  possessed  of,  belonging  to  me,  it  would  increase 
the  pleasure.  I do  assure  you  it  is  no  less  a sum 
than  twelve  thousand  pounds'  sterling  at  least,  be- 
sides my  real  estate  at  Newport ; yet  I can  with 
truth  say  it  never  broke  my  rest  a moment.”  At 
the  close  of  the  war  he  re-entered  upon  commercial 
pursuits.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  New- 
port Artillery  Company  in  1741.  He  was  a great 
friend  of  learning,  and  assisted  Dr.  Witherspoon 
in  raising  funds  for  Princeton  College.  On  the 
death  of  Abraham  Redwood,  he  was  elected  the 
second  president  of  the  Redwood  Library.  He  was 
on  terms  of  affectionate  intimacy  with  LaFayette, 
Dr.  Styles,  Adams  and  Franklin  ; and  was  intimate 
with  Jefferson,  Viscount  de  Noailles,  and  other 
prominent  men  of  his  day.  William  Vernon  was 
a man  of  very  imposing  presence  and  courtly  'man- 
ners. His  children  were  as  follows : Samuel,  born 
May  29,  1757;  William,  born  March  6,  1759,  who 
was  graduated  from  Princeton  College,  and  for 
many  years  secretary  of  the  Redwood  Library,  was 
a man  of  elegant  and  courtly  manners,  and  was 
known  as  “Count  Vernon”;  and  Philip  Harwood, 
born  April  3,  1761,  died  in  infancy. 

Samuel  Vernon,  son  of  William,  was  born  May 
29,  1757,  and  married  Dec.  31,  1784,  his  cousin  Eliz- 
abeth Almy  Ellery,  daughter  of  Christopher  and 
Mary  (Vernon)  Ellery.  Mr.  Vernon  was  an  emi- 
nent Newport  merchant,  and  at  one  time  its  wealth- 
iest citizen;  was  the  first  president  of  the  Newport 
Bank,  and  president  of  the  Rhode  Island  Insurance 
Company.  During  the  Revolution  he  carried  on 
business  at  Boston,  where  his  father  was  discharg- 
ing his  official  duties.  He  fought  as  a volunteer 
under  Gen.  Sullivan  at  the  battle  of  Rhode  Island, 
in  August,  1778.  He  died  Nov.  22,  1834.  His 
children  were  as  follows:  Mary,  born  July  21, 
^1786,  died  in  infancy;  Catherine,  born  July  7,  1787; 
William,  born  Sept.  4,  1788,  and  died  Dec.  18, 
1867 ; a daughter,  who  died  in  infancy ; Mary, 
born  Jan.  3,  1792,  and  died  July  16,  1811,  unmar- 
ried; Edward,  born  Sept.  8,  1793,  and  died  Feb.  12, 
1861  ; Elizabeth  Almy,  born  April  28,  1795,  and 
died  in  February,  1816;  Philip  Harwood,  born  Dec. 
4,  1796,  and  died  Sept.  16,  1834,  unmarried; 
Thomas,  born  Dec.  20,  1797,  and  died  in  May, 
1876;  a daughter,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Samuel 
Brown,  born  April  27,  1802,  and  died  May  29,  1858. 

Daniel  Vernon,  son  of  Daniel  Vernon  and  Lois 
Case,  and  the  grandfather  of  the  present  generation 
of  the  Vernon  family  now  residing  in  Newport, 
was  born  in  Newport,  in  July,  1785,  and  died  there 
Oct.  18,  1840.  In  early  life  he  learned  the  trade 
of  carpenter,  which  occupation  he  followed  during 


814 


RHODE  ISLAND 


his  life,  first  as  a journeyman  and  later  as  a con- 
tractor and  builder,  in  which  line  he  met  with 
marked  success.  During-  his  career  as  a builder  he 
erected  many  buildings  in  and  around  Newport 
which  are  still  standing,  monuments  to  his  ability 
and  handicraft.  In  political  faith  Mr.  Vernon  was 
early  allied  with  the  old-line  Whig  party,  but,  al- 
though he  took  an  active  interest  in  all  local  mat- 
ters, never  sought  public  recognition  for  himself. 
He  was  married  in  July,  1809,  to  Eliza  Luther,  of 
Somerset,  Mass.,  a descendant  of  one  of  New  Eng- 
land's earliest  settlers,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
children  as  follows:  Henry  Wheaton,  born  Oct.  12, 
1810,  was  a cabinet-maker  by  trade,  and  died  in 
Newport;  Albert,  born  Aug.  21,  1812,  died  young; 
Edward,  born  Sept.  22,  1814,  died  Oct.  4,  1823; 
and  George  Edward,  born  May  15,  1822. 

George  Edward  Vernon,  youngest  son  of 
Daniel  and  Eliza  (Luther)  Vernon,  was  born 
May  15,  1822,  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  his  school- 
ing was  obtained  in  the  manner  customary  to 
that  time.  When  yet  a mere  lad  he  was  appren- 
ticed to  the  carpenter’s  trade  under  the  skillful 
tutoring  of  his  father,  and  after  acquiring  a thor- 
ough knowledge  of  that  business  he  then,  in 
company  with  his  elder  brother,  Henry  W.,  was 
for  several  years  engaged  in  the  cabinet-making 
business.  After  the  dissolution  of  this  partner- 
ship, Mr.  Vernon  then  became  foreman  for  the 
firm  of  J.  L.  & G.  A.  Hazard,  in  which  capacity 
he  remained  several  years.  Leaving  the  employ 
of  that  firm  he  became  foreman  of  the  repair 
shops  of  the  Old  Colony  Steamboat  Company, 
at  Newport,  which  company  was  then  owned 
and  operated  by  the  late  James  Fisk,  of  New 
York.  Mr.  Vernon  remained  with  this  company 
for  several  years,  and  then  again  became  fore- 
man of  the  furniture  establishment  of  J.  L.  & 
G.  A.  Hazard,  serving  in  that  capacity  in  all  for 
twrenty-one  years.  In  1877,  in  a very  small  way, 
Mr.  Vernon  engaged  in  the  furniture  manu- 
facturing business,  locating  his  factory  on  John 
street.  From  its  modest  beginning  the  business 
grew  rapidly,  until  in  1889,  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  Mr.  Vernon  had  lived  to  see  as  the  fruits 
of  his  thrift,  energy  and  perseverance,  a thriv- 
ing, well-established  business,  giving  employ- 
ment to  a large  number  of  skilled  workmen,  and 
the  product  thereof  adorning  the  first  homes  of' 
Newport  as  well  as  some  of  the  palatial  resi- 
dences of  the  largest  cities  in  the  country. 

In  political  views  Mr.  Vernon  was  a stal- 
wart supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  although  ever  interested  in 
every  project  which  had  for  its  purpose  the  ad- 
vancement and  betterment  of  his  native  city,  he 
never  sought  office  on  his  own  account.  He  was 
a devout  member  and  regular  attendant  of  the 
Congregational  Church,  to  which  he  gave  his 
liberal  support.  Mr.  Vernon  was  for  a number 
of  vears  a member  of  the  Newport  Artillery 


Company,  and  during  the  famous  Dorr  war  in 
the  State  of  Rhode  Island  gave  his  services  to 
his  State.  During  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  he 
was  also  an  active  soldier,  serving  with  the 
Home  Guards. 

On  June  25,  1845,  Hr.  Vernon  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Anne  Amelia  Bradford,  daughter 
of  Seth  C.  and  Eliza  (Havens)  Bradford,  and 
direct  descendant  of  Governor  William  Brad- 
ford, of  Plymouth  Colony.  Mrs.  Vernon  was 
born  Dec.  15,  1824.  in  Attleboro,  Mass.,  and  she 
passed  away  in  Newport,  April  23,  1847,  leaving 
one  son,  George  Edward,  Jr.,  born  April  16, 
1847.  Mr.  Vernon’s  second  marriage  occurred 
April  25,  1850,  when  he  was  united  to  Elizabeth 
Winslow  Barber,  daughter  of  John  H.  Barber, 
who  was  for  many  years  the  publisher  of  the 
Newport  Mercury , and  his  wife  Lydia  (Lee) 
Barber.  To  this  second  union  were  born  chil- 
dren as  follows:  John  Henry,  born  June  26, 
1851,  who  married  Mary  Collins,  of  Newport, 
and  died  March  20,  1892,  in  Newport,  leaving 
one  daughter,  Pauline,  now  the  wife  of  George 
Johnston,  of  Boston ; Ann  Bradford,  Leonora 
Hamilton  and  Elizabeth  Hammett,  all  three  at 
home;  William  Barber,  born  May  4,  1865;  and 
Henry  Wheaton,  who  died  at  the  age  of  six 
years.  George  E.  Vernon  died  Nov.  19,  1889, 
aged  sixty-eight  years,  and  his  wife  Jan.  23, 
1902.  Mr.  Vernon  was  a man  of  unimpeachable 
integrity,  and  was  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him.  His  death  closed  a blameless  life 
and  removed  from  the  city  of  Newport  one  who 
had  always  been  one  of  its  best  citizens.  He  was 
a man  of  energy  and  courage,  accomplished  a 
great  deal,  and  was  able  to  leave  a comfortable 
estate  to  his  family. 

George  Edward  Vernon,  only  son  of  George 
E.  and  Anne  Amelia  (Bradford)  Vernon,  was  born 
April  16,  1847,  bi  Newport.  His  early  educational 
training  was  acquired  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  city,  supplemented  by  a term  at  the  Andover 
(Mass.)  Academy.  Returning  home  he  was  for 
two  years  employed  as  a clerk  in  the  coal  business 
with  his  uncle,  the  late  Joseph  Bradford,  and  he 
then  took  a business  course  at  Bryant  & Stratton’s 
Commercial  College  at  Providence,  graduating 
from  the  same  when  about  twenty  years  of  age. 
Again  returning  to  Newport,  he  re-entered  the 
employ  of  Joseph  Bradford  & Co.,  as  a clerk,  con- 
tinuing in  this  capacity  until  1866,  and  in  this  year 
went  to  Chicago,  being  for  three  years  employed 
in  a wholesale  grocery  in  that  city.  In  1869  Mr. 
Vernon  went  to  Yankton,  S.  Dak.,'  where  for  three 
years  he  was  employed  in  various  clerkships,  and 
in  1872  returned  to  Newport,  the  next  two  years 
being  spent  with  his  uncle,  Mr.  Bradford.  ’ Mr. 
Vernon  then  accepted  the  position  of  freight  and 
express  clerk  for  the  Narragansett  Steamboat  Com- 
pany, being  employed  by  this  company  about  three 
and  one-half  years.  Mr.  Vernon  in  1875  became 


RHODE  ISLAND 


*15 


bookkeeper  for  the  late  William  J.  Swinburne,  who 
was  engaged  in  the  coal  and  wood  business,  remain- 
ing with  him  until  1878,  when  he  a second  time 
went  toYankton,  S.  Dak.,  spending  the  summer  of 
that  year  as  a clerk  in  a grocery  store.  Returning 
to  Newport  in  the  fall  of  1878  he  again  became 
bookkeeper  for  Mr.  Swinburne,  being  thus  em- 
ployed until  1881,  and  in  that  year  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  his  father,  whose  furniture  business  was 
developing  into  a growing  industry.  Mr.  Vernon 
continued  in  the  employ  of  his  father  until  the 
latter’s  death,  in  1889,  when  in  company  with  other 
members  of  the  family,  he  organized  "the  business 
under  the  style  of  George  E.  Vernon  & Co.,  which 
has  since  continued  to  steadily  grow,  and  now  gives 
employment  to  from  fifty  to  sixty  hands.  This 
thriving  establishment  manufactures  and  keeps  in 
stock  everything  in  the  line  of  furniture  and  decor- 
ations, and  makes  a specialty  of  upholstering  in  all 
of  its  branches. 

Mr.  Vernon  was  an  active  member  of  the 
Masonic  order,  holding  membership  with  St.  Paul's 
Lodge  No.  14,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of  which  he  was  past 
master;  Newport  Chapter  No.  2,  R.  A.  M. ; DeBlois 
Council  No.  5,  R.  & S.  M.;  Washington  Com- 
mandery  No.  4,  K.  T.,  of  which  he  was  past  eminent 
commander;  Palestine  Temple  of  the  Mystic  Shrine 
of  Providence,  having  been  a charter  member  of 
the  latter  body  when  it  was  located  in  Newport; 
and  a member  of  the  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Is- 
land Association  of  Knights  Templar  Commanders. 
Mr.  Vernon  was  also  connected  fraternally  with 
Coronet  Council  No.  63,  Royal  Arcanum,  of  which 
he  was  past  regent.  He  was  for  a number  of  years 
a member  of  the  Newport  Artillery  Company  and 
was  a “fine”  member  of  that  organization.  He  was 
also  for  several  years,  during  the  Civil  war,  a 
member  of  the  Newport  Light  Infantry,  and  served 
as  major  of  that  body  for  several  years. 

In  political  faith  Mr.  Vernon  was  a stanch  sup- 
porter of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  Party, 
and  as  such  served  his  native  city  as  represen- 
tative to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  in  the 
sessions  of  1900-01  and  1904-05.  During  the  first 
session  he  served  as  a member  of  the  Committees 
on  Shell  Fisheries  and  Education,  and  during’  the 
second  term  as  a member  of  the  Committee  on 
Charities  and  Corrections.  During  the  administra- 
tion of  Governor  Charles  Dean  Kimball  of  Rhode 
Island,  Mr.  Vernon  served  on  that  gentleman’s 
personal  staff  as  aide-de-camp,  with  the  rank  of 
Colonel.  In  1906,  at  the  first  election  held  under 
the  new  charter  granted  the  city  of  Newport,  Col. 
Vernon  was  elected  a member  of  the  Representa- 
tive council  from  the  Third  Ward  for  the  three- 
year  term.  He  took  a prominent  part  in  the  or- 
ganization of  the  council,  serving  as  one  of  the 
members-elect  to  formulate  rules  and  orders  for 
the  government  of  the  body.  He  was  a member 
of  various  clubs.  During  its  existence  he  held 
membership  with  the  Business  Men’s  Association, 


and  later  became  a charter  member  of  the  Mianto- 
nomi  Club.  For  several  years  he  was  a member  of 
the  Newport  County  Club,  serving  as  president 
thereof  for  several  years.  He  was  also  president  of 
the  Newport  Board  of  Trade,  in  which  capacity 
he  served  for  a number  of  years.  For  a period  of 
twenty-one  years  he  was  an  active  member  of  the 
volunteer  fire  department,  serving  for  several  years 
as  foreman  thereof.  Colonel  Vernon  was  a member 
of  the  Newport  Historical  Society,  and  a member 
of  the  board  of  managers  of  the  Newport  Chapter 
of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution.  For 
several  years  he  served  as  a member  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Aquidneck  National 
Bank,  and  as  an  officer  of  the  Newport-Nevada 
Mining  Company.  With  his  family  he  attended  the 
United  Congregational  Church,  to  which  he  gave 
his  liberal  support. 

On  beb.  4,  1873,  Colonel  Vernon  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Harriet  Peabody,  daughter 
of  the  late  Jeremiah  and  Clarissa  (Hall)  Peabody, 
of  Newport,  and  to  this  union  was  born  one 
daughter,  Susan  Barker  Vernon,  now  the  wife  of 
George  Ashley  Hazard,  of  Newport. 

Colonel  Vernon  was  a genial,  affable  gentleman, 
his  kindly,  courteous  manner  winning  him  many 
stanch  friends.  He  was  a capable  business  man, 
and  his  executive  ability  materially  assisted  in  the 
growth  of  the  thriving  business  establishment  with 
which  he  was  for  so  long  identified.  He  was  a 
worthy  descendant  of  distinguished  ancestors  both 
on  his  paternal  and  maternal  sides,  a direct  de- 
scendant in  the  ninth  generation  in  lineal  descent 
of  Governor  William  Bradford,  of  Plymouth  Col- 
ony. He  died  June  23,  1907,  after  an  illness  cover- 
ing several  months.  He  was  a man  whose  em- 
ployes “looked  to  him  rather  as  an  older  brother 
and  friend  than  as  an  employer  * * * a man  who 
never  knew  an  enemy  and  was  held  in  high  esteem 
wherever  he  was  known.” 

William  Barber  Vernon,  son  of  the  late 
George  E.  and  Elizabeth  Winslow  (Barber)  Ver- 
non, was  born  May  4,  1865,  *n  Newport.  His  early 
educational  training  was  received  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  locality  and  later  in  the  private 
school  taught  by  Thomas  Sears.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  years  Mr.  Vernon  entered  the  employ  of 
his  father,  who  was  at  this  time  in  the  prime  of  his 
remarkable  business  career,  and  young  Vernon  be- 
gan at  once  to  familiarize  himself  thoroughly  with 
all  the  details  of  the  various  branches  of  this  busi- 
ness. He  thus  continued  until  his  father’s  death, 
in  1889,  and  when  the  business  was  organized  by 
his  mother  and  brother,  George  E.,  into  the  firm  of 
George  E.  Vernon  & Co.,  he  became  a member 
thereof  and  has  been  connected  therewith  ever  since. 
Having  acquired  a thorough  knowledge  of  the  me- 
chanical department  of  the  business,  Mr.  Vernon 
has,  since  the  organization  of  the  company,  had 
the  general  management  of  the  manufacturing 
branch  of  the  company.  He  is'  also  a recognized 


8i6 


RHODE  ISLAND 


connoisseur  of  antiques,  particularly  in  the  furni- 
ture line,  and  to  this  branch  he  gives  a great  deal 
of  attention. 

Mr.  Vernon  in  political  faith  is  a Republican, 
but  he  has  never  sought  office.  He  and  his  family 
attend  the  Congregational  Church.  On  Nov.  22, 
1892,  Mr.  Vernon  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Annie  Cozzens  Seabury,  daughter  of  John  E. 
and  Elizabeth  (Ailman)  Seabury,  of  Newport,  and 
there  have  been  born  to  this  union : Elizabeth ; 
Virginia;  and  Annie  Barber,  born  July  22,  1907. 
Mr.  Vernon  is  socially  connected  with  the  Law- 
rence Club  of  Newport;  personally  he  is  popular 
with  a large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances. 
He  is  a patron  of  art  and  literature,  his  library 
being  an  extensive  one. ' His  refined  tastes  are 
evidenced  by -the  pleasing  appearance  of  his  home, 
to  which  he  is  greatly  devoted. 

HORTON  (Rehoboth- Attleboro  branch). 
This  branch  of  the  Horton  family  has  furnished 
to  Attleboro,  Mass.,  three  generations  of  bus- 
iness men.  Gideon  Martin  Horton,  who  was  a 
well-known  merchant  there  a half  century  ago, 
and  his  four  sons,  Everett  Southworth,  Edwin 
Jackson,  Gideon  Martin  and  James  Jackson 
Horton,  all  became  successful  jewelry  manu- 
facturers and  prominent  citizens.  Only  one,  the 
eldest  of  the  brothers,  Maj.  Everett  S.  Horton, 
survives,  and  he  and  his  nephew,  Raymond 
Martin  Horton,  are  the  only  male  representa- 
tives of  the  name  residing  there. 

The  Horton  family  is  a very  old  one  in  this 
section.  Several  authorities  on  the  first  settlers 
of  New  England  refer  to  the  emigrants  of  this 
name  (which  in  the  early  records  is  spelled 
without  the  “H”)  as  here  as  early  as  1640, 
among  them  Barnabas  of  Hampton,  1640,  thence 
to  Southold,  Long  Island,  1662 ; Benjamin  and 
Caleb,  of  the  same  place  and  time;  and  Joseph, 
of  Southold,  1662.  All  of  them,  says  Savage, 
perhaps,  were  brothers. 

The  published  lineage  of  members  of  the 
Massachusetts  Horton  family  sets  forth  that: 

(I)  John  Horton,  with  two  brothers,  came 
from  England  to  New  England  at  an  early  date, 
John  settling  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  where  he  mar- 
ried Mehetable  Gamzey,  and  their  children  were 
eight  in  number,  the  five  sons  being:  John, 
Jotham,  Nathaniel,  Jonathan  and  David.  No 
record  of  his  death  has  been  found.  His  home 
was  in  the  south  part  of  the  town  of  Rehoboth, 
where  his  grandson,  Lieut.  James,  lived  during 
the  early  part  of  his  life. 

(II)  Jotham  Horton,  of  Rehoboth,  married 
(first)  May  29,  1729,  Hannah  Martin,  and  (sec- 
ond) Penelope  Rounds.  He  died  in  1797.  His 
children  by  the  first  marriage  were : Mercy, 
born  May  5,  1730:  Nathan,  Oct.  1,  1733:  Sarah, 
Nov.  11,  1735:  Hannah.  Dec.  19,  1738.  The 
children  of  the  second  marriage  were:  James, 


born  July  10,  1741;  Barnet,  May  6,  1744  (served 
in  the  war  of  the  Revolution)  ; Rhode,  July  10, 
1747;  and  Jotham,  July  30,  1753. 

(III)  Lieut.  James  Horton,  born  July  10, 
1741,  son  of  Jotham,  married  Freelove  Pierce, 
born  Nov.  8,  1742,  and  she  died  Feb.  13,  1809. 
James  Horton,  a soldier  of  the  Revolution,  was 
commissioned  first  lieutenant  in  March,  1776, 
in  Capt.  Stephen  Bullock’s  Sixth  Company,  Col. 
Thomas  Carpenter’s  First  Bristol  County  Reg- 
iment, of  Massachusetts  militia.  He  later  was 
a lieutenant  in  Captain  Carpenter’s  Company, 
Col.  Simeon  Cary’s  Regiment,  Gen.  John  Fel- 
low’s Brigade,  and  was  in  the  list  of  men  sta- 
tioned at  New  York  for  five  months.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  evacuation  of  New  York  and  the 
battle  of  White  Plains.  He  was  later  trans- 
ferred to  Capt.  Israel  Hix’s  Company,  Col.  John 
Daggett’s  Regiment.  Lieutenant  Horton  was 
in  command  of  a company  in  Col.  Thomas  Car- 
penter's Regiment  for  eight  days,  Aug.  1,  1780, 
to  Aug.  8,  1780,  when  the  company  marched  to 
Tiverton,  R.  I.,  on  an  alarm.  Lieutenant  Hor- 
ton was  a very  vigorous  and  active  man,  and 
lived  to  the  age  of  almost  ninety-three,  dying  in 
Rehoboth,  Aug.  10,  1833.  He  was  first  buried 
in  what  later  became  a neglected  cemetery  in 
Rehoboth,  but  through  the  efforts  and  at  the  ex- 
pense of  his  great-grandsons,  Maj.  Everett  S. 
Horton,  of  Attleboro,  and  Horace  F.  Horton,  of 
Providence,  the  remains  of  Lieut.  Horton  and 
of  his  son  Cromwell,  and  those  of  the  latter’s 
family  buried  there,  were  taken  up  and  moved 
to  the  cemetery  at  Rehoboth  village,  where  their 
lot  receives  good  care.  The  children  of  Lieut. 
James  Horton  were:  Nathan,  born  Aug.  30, 
1764;  Mercy,  Nov.  20,  1766;  Lydia,  Nov.  24, 
1768;  Freelove,  Feb.  26,  1773;  Cromwell,  Feb. 
23,  *777;  Rhode,  July  27,  1779;  Jarvis,  Sept,  g, 
1:78 1 (grandfather  of  Halsey  E.  and  Jarvis  S. 
Horton,  of  Providence,  and  Benjamin  T.  Hor- 
ton, of  East  Providence);  and  Phebe,  Tune  11, 
t785- 

(IV)  Cromwell  Horton,  born  Feb.  23,  1777, 
followed  the  occupation  of  farmer  in  Rehoboth, 
and  there  died  in  February,  1861.  He  was  twice 
married,  first  in  September,  1801,  to  Pearcy 
Martin,  who  was  born  Oct.  28,  1780.  daughter  of 
Hezekiah  and  Mary  (Pierce)  Martin,  grand- 
daughter of  Hezekiah  and  Hannah  Martin,  and 
great-granddaughter  of  John  and  Mercy  (Bil- 
lington)  Martin.  Cromwell  Horton  married 
(second)  Feb.  t8,  1836,  Lydia  West.  His  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  were  born  to  his  first  mar- 
riage, were:  Ellis,  born  April  7,  1802,  was  the 
father  of  Horace  F.  Horton,  of  Providence,, 
whose  sketch  will  be  found  elsewhere ; Gideon 
Martin,  born  May  4.  1804,  is  mentioned  further 
on;  Mary  (or  Polly),  born  April  15,  1808,  died 
young;  Freelove,  born  Feb.  5,  1810,  married, 
Feb.  25,  1834.  Hon.  Lyman  Pierce,  of  Provi- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


817 


dence,  where  she  died,  the  mother  of  the  follow- 
ing children,  Adeline  F.  (who  married  James 
Tiffany,  of  Providence),  Sarah  J.  (who  married 
Nathaniel  M.  Burr,  of  East  Providence),  Free- 
love  A.  (who  is  Mrs.  Charles  H.  Williams,  of 
Providence)  and  Vienna  B.  (who  married  John 
M.  Plummer,  of  Providence)  ; Percy  B.,  born 
April  28,  1812,  died  young;  Belinda,  born  Jan. 
6,  1814,  died  in  Providence,  March  18,  1872,  un- 
married; James  A.,  born  March  26,  1815,  was  a 
mason  by  trade  and  died  in  Rehoboth  (he  was 
married,  but  had  no  descendants)  ; and  Sylva- 
nus,  born  April  28,  1818,  died  young. 

(V)  Gideon  Martin  Horton  was  born  in  Re- 
hoboth May  4,  1804,  and  when  a young  man 
learned  the  trade  of  mason,  at  which  he  worked 
for  a number  of  years  in  Providence  and  vicin- 
ity. About  1840  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  bus- 
iness with  his  brother-in-law,  Lyman  Pierce, 
their  place  of  business  being  located  on  Canal 
street,  Providence.  Later  they  disposed  of  the 
business,  Mr.  Pierce  removing  to  Rehoboth, 
while  Mr.  Horton  located  at  Attleboro,  where 
he  engaged  at  his  trade  and  did  contract  work, 
erecting  a number  of  houses,  several  of  which 
are  still  standing  there.  A few  years  later  he 
and  Mr.  Pierce  again  became  associated  in  the 
grocery  business,  their  establishment  being  on 
Canal  street,  near  their  former  location.  They 
did  not  remain  together  very  long,  as  Mr.  Hor- 
ton disposed  of  his  interest  and  removed  to  At- 
tleboro, embarking  in  the  grocery  business, 
which  he  conducted  for  several  years,  until  his 
health  failed.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 
Everett  S.  From  this  time  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  on  March  7,  1861,  he  lived  re- 
tired. Mr.  Horton  was  married  (first)  Nov.  4, 
1832,  to  Mary  Southworth  Smith,  born  April 
3,  1811,  in  Middleboro,  Mass.,  daughter  of 
Southworth  and  Hannah  (Jackson)  Smith,  and 
a descendant  of  “Mayflower”  stock.  She  died 
Sept.  2,  1844.  For  his  second  wife  Gideon  M. 
Horton  married  Mrs.  Julia  (Vaughn)  Jackson, 
of  Middleboro,  Mass.  His  children,  four  sons, 
Everett  Southworth.  Edwin  Jackson,  Gideon 
Martin  and  James  Jackson,  were  all  born  to  the 
first  marriage.  In  political  sentiment  Mr.  Hor- 
ton was  an  Andrew  Jackson  War  Democrat,  and 
his  religious  connection  was  with  the  Second 
Congregational  Church  at  Attleboro.  He  was 
an  honest,  upright  citizen,  ever  ready  to  forward 
any  good  enterprise,  and  was  highly  respected 
and  esteemed  for  his  industry,  true  charity  and 
Christian  devotion.  He  was  _ never  possessed 
of  much  of  this  world’s  goods'  but  he  gave  his 
children  the  wealth  of  go6d  advice  and  the  ex- 
ample of  honest  industry,  coupled  with  the  be- 
neficent spirit  of  a true  Christian  life — a legacy 
more  precious  than  gold. 

(VI)  Major  Everett  Southworth  Horton, 


eldest  child  of  Gideon  Martin  Horton  and  Mary 
S.  Smith,  was  born  at  Attleboro,  Bristol  Co., 
Mass.,  June  15,  1836.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  town  until  he  attained  the 
age  of  sixteen,  when  he  entered  his  father’s  store 
as  assistant.  After  his  father’s  health  failed  he 
took  charge  of  the  business  and  successfully 
continued  it  until  April,  1862,  when  he  sold  out. 
Then  for  a few  months  he  was  engaged  in  the 

grocery  business  with  his  cousin,  Horace  F. 

Horton,  at  Providence.  In  September,  1862,  he 

enlisted  in  the  service  of  his  country.  With 

others  he  recruited  a company  of  nine  months’ 
men,  who  elected  their  officers  Sept.  18,  1862, 
as  follows:  Lemuel  T.  Starkey,  captain;  Frank 
S.  Draper,  first  lieutenant ; Everett  S.  Horton, 
second  lieutenant.  They  were  soon  commis- 
sioned by  Governor  Andrews.  Lieutenant  Hor- 
ton took  hold  of  military  matters  with  the  earn- 
estness and  enthusiasm  so  characteristic  of  him, 
and  he  rapidly  became  familiar  with  the  drill 
and  his  official  duties.  He  displayed  true  sol- 
dierlv  qualities.  The  company  went  into  camp 
at  Boxford,  Mass.,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  Sept.  23,  1862,  and  organ- 
ized as  Company  C,  47th  Mass.  V.  I.  Shortly 
afterward  they  were  ordered  to  New  York  and 
went  into  camp  on  Long  Island.  On  Dec.  21,, 
1862,  the  regiment  embarked  on  the  steamer 
“Mississippi”  for  New  Orleans,  which  it  reached 
Jan.  1,  1863.  About  this  time  Captain  Starkey 
resigned  and  Lieutenant  Horton  was  chosen  to 
succeed  him  by  a large  majority  of  the  votes  of 
the  company.  They  were  assigned  to  provost 
duty  in  and  around  New  Orleans,  and  remained 
in  service  after  their  term  of  enlistment  had  ex- 
pired, leaving  for  home  via  the  Mississippi  river 
Aug.  5,  1863.  At  Cairo  they  took  cars  for  the 
East,  and  were  enthusiastically  met  and  feted 
at  every  stopping-place  along  the  route.  Arriv- 
ing home,  the  whole  town  gave  the  soldiers  a 
grand  ovation.  The  following  letters  show  the 
estimation  in  which  the  captain  was  held  by  his 
superior  regimental  officers  : 

Boston,  Sept.  14th,  1863. 

Capt.  Everett  S.  Horton, 

Co.  C,  47th  Mass  Vol. 

Dear  Captain : It  gives  pleasure  for  me  to  certify  to 
your  good  conduct  and  prompt  obedience  of  orders,  and  I 
most  cheerfully  recommend  you  as  one  well  qualified  to 
command  a company,  being  well  posted  in  Casey’s  Tactics, 
with  good  natural  as  well  as  acquired  abilities  as  a com- 
mander, and  trust  that  the  country  may  still  have  your 
services.  I remain 

Very  truly  yours'. 

Lucius  B.  Marsh,  Colonel, 

47th  Mass.  Vol. 

Boston,  Sept.  16th,  1863. 

Captain : In  parting  from  you  permit  me  to  express 
my  appreciation  of  your  services  while  under  my  command. 
Generals  Banks  and  Emery  have  both  authorized  me  to 
say  the  same  for  them  in  regard  to  the  47th  regiment  and 


8i8 


RHODE  ISLAND 


its  conduct  while  in  the  Department  of  the  Gulf.  May 
the  choicest  of  Heaven’s  blessings  ever  rest  upon  you  and 
-those  who  have  been  under  your  command  is  the  prayer  of 
Your  Ob’t  servant, 

Lucius  B.  Marsh,  Colonel, 

47th  Mass.  Vol. 

To  E.  S.  Horton,  Captain, 

Company  C,  47th  Mass.  Vol. 

But  the  war  was  not  ended.  Governor  An- 
drews called  for  more  troops,  and  Captain  Hor- 
ton’s patriotic  spirit  again  responded.  In  Oc- 
tober, 1863,  he  was  commissioned  second  lieu- 
tenant and  made  recruiting  officer  for  the  58th 
Massachusetts  Volunteers.  He  opened  an  office 
in  Attleboro,  but  was  soon  ordered  into  camp 
to  take  charge  of  recruits  for  the  regiment,  and 
was  commissioned  captain  and  mustered  into  ser- 
vice as  commander  of  Company  C,  5^tb  Massa- 
chusetts 3d  Veteran  Volunteers,  one  of  the  four 
veteran  regiments  raised  in  the  Commonwealth 
during  the  war.  They  remained  in  camp,  at 
Readville,  Mass.,  until  April  28,  1864,  when  they 
went  to  the  front  to  participate  in  the  battle  of 
the  Wilderness.  Reaching  the  field  May  6th, 
they  were  in  the  long  and  bloody  march  from 
the  Wilderness  to  Petersburg,  where  almost 
every  hour  was  marked  with  battle.  After  the 
battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Lieut. -Col.  J.  C.  A\  hit- 
ton,  commanding  the  regiment,  recommended 
Captain  Horton  for  promotion,  and  he  was  com- 
missioned and  mustered  in  as  major.  The  reg- 
imental commander  was  wounded  in  the  charge 
Tune  3d,  and  the  command  devolved  upon  Ma- 
jor Horton  from  that  time  until  Sept.  30,  1864, 
when  he  was  taken  prisoner  while  leading  his 
regiment  in  action  a few  miles  south  of  Peters- 
burg. He  reached  Richmond  and  Libby  Prison 
Oct.  3d,  and  was  successively  in  Libby,  Salis- 
bury and  Danville,  where  he  was  selected  as 
“hostage”  and  sent  back  to  Libby  Jan.  8,  1863. 
He  remained  in  that  terrible  confinement  until 
Feb.  22 d,  when,  with  a number  of  others,  he 
was  paroled.  Afterward,  in  describing  his  feel- 
ings, when  once  more  under  American  colors, 
he  said:  “I  can  never  forget  that  day — never, 
never,  never!  No  one  can  who  has  not  ex- 
perienced the  same  sensations  and  thoughts  that 
came  in  throngs  in  seeing  and  knowing  that 
once  more  I was  under  the  Star-Spangled  Ban- 
ner. Under  their  influence  I wrote  this  letter 
to  my  family  from  the  deck  of  the  flag-of-truce 
boat  where  each  of  us  was  handed  a sheet  of 
paper  and  envelope — my  family  had  not  heard 
from  me  for  five  months,  and  the  newspapers 
had  reported  me  dead:  ‘On  board  God’s  flag-of- 
truce  boat,  James  River,  Feb.  22f  1865.  Dear 
Wife. — Once  more  in  the  land  of  liberty.  Once 
more  in  the  land  where  the  spirit  of  the  Lord 
dwelleth.  Out  of  the  jaws  of  death,  out  of  the 
gates  of  Hell.  V ell.  Love  to  all.  Everett. 

Major  Horton  was  granted  a furlough  of 
thirty  days,  and  was  soon  exchanged ; he  left 


Attleboro  to  rejoin  his  regiment  on  the  day  that 
Petersburg  was  captured,  was  ordered  to  Wash- 
ington, and  there  mustered  out  of  service  in 
July,  1865.  On  June  12,  1865,  he  was  detailed  as 
Division  Inspector,  2d  Division,  9th  Army 
Corps,  by  command  of  Brevet-Maj.  General 
Wilcox  and  John  D.  Bartolette,  Assistant  Ad- 
jutant-General. The  following  letter  speaks  for 
itself  : 

Headquarters  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  9th  Army  Corps, 
Near  Alexandria,  Va. 

July  13,  1865. 

This  is  to  certify  that  Major  E.  S.  Horton  commanded 
his  regiment  (58th  Mass.  V.  I.)  in  all  the  battles  and  on 
all  occasions  from  June  3d  to  the  engagement  of  Peeble’s 
Farm,  Sept.  30th.  1864,  when  he  was  captured  by  the  enemy. 

Dear  Major:  It  is  with  pleasure  I extend  to  you  my 
high  appreciation  for  the  very  efficient  and  successful  man- 
ner (in)  which  you  on  all  occasions  commanded  your  regi- 
ment, and  the  promptness  and  cheerfulness  with  which 
you  have  performed  your  every  duty  whilst  under  my 
command.  Wishing  you  success,  I remain, 

Very  truly  yours, 

Jno.  C.  Curtin,  Br’t.  Brig.  General. 

During  the  war  Major  Horton  had  received 
seven  commissions  and  was  mustered  into  ser- 
vice on  six  of  them.  He  was  a soldier  of  un- 
questioned gallantry  and  bravery,  doing  all  his 
duty  with  unflinching  courage,  and  winning  the 
esteem  and  confidence  of  his  comrades.  As  an 
officer  he  was  strict  in  discipline,  universally 
popular',  and  careful  of  the  comfort  of  his  men. 
During  the  latter  part  of  his  service  he  was  de- 
tailed as  inspector  of  the  2d  Division,  9th  Army 
Corps,  and  served  on  the  staff  of  Generals  Pot- 
ter and  Griffin. 

Returning  from  the  war  Major  Horton  was 
employed  as  manager  for  Daniels  & Cornell, 
of  Providence,  R.  I.,  proprietors  of  the  largest 
wholesale  grocery  house  in  the  State.  He  con- 
tinued in  that  capacity  until  after  the  death  of 
his  brother,  Edwin  J.,  when  he  succeeded  to  the 
latter’s  interest  in  the  manufacturing  establish- 
ment of  Horton,  Angell  & Co.,  at  Attleboro. 
This  concern  was  organized  in  1870,  by  Edwin 
J.  and  Gideon  M.  Horton  and  Benjamin  J.  An- 
gell. under  its  present  firm  name,  and  it  is  now 
one  of  the  largest  and  most  important  in  the 
country  for  the  manufacture  of  gold-plated 
goods,  consisting  of  men’s  jewelry,  ladies’  sets, 
etc.  The  product  is  all  strictly  first  quality,  of 
rolled  gold  plate,  and  finds  a market  in  every 
part  of  this  continent  and  in  many  European 
countries.  Mr.  Angell  and  Gideon  M.  Horton 
died  in  1887,  and  since  then  Major  Horton  has 
been  the  senior  partner;  his  associates  are 
Thomas  S.  Carpenter,  C.  T.  McCautchey,  and 
others. 

Major  Horton  has  long  been  one  of  Attle- 
boro’s most  public  spirited  and  enterprising  cit- 
izens. In  politics  he  is  an  earnest  Republican. 
He  served  in  the  Massachusetts  Legislature — 
House,  1891-92,  and  Senate,  1893.  He  has  been 


RHODE  ISLAND 


chairman  of  the  board  of  selectmen  of  Attleboro 
several  times,  commissioner  of  the  Attleboro 
Sinking  Fund  for  many  years,  and  president  of 
the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Attleboro  Public 
Library  since  its  organization,  having  been  one 
of  the  principal  founders.  He  was  long  a trus- 
tee and  the  secretary,  and  is  now  president,  of 
the  Richardson  School  Fund,  and  was  one  of  the 
organizers  in  1876  of  the  Attleboro  Savings  and 
Loan  Association,  which  he  has  served  contin- 
ually as  a director,  and  of  which  he  is  now  pres- 
ident. He  was  also  a vice-president  of  the  Jew- 
elers’ Board  of  Trade,  whose  headquarters  are 
in  Providence,  R.  I.,  for  several  years,  until  his 
resignation  in  1904  because  of  poor  health. 
Since  the  war  he  has  taken  an  active  interest  in 
G.  A.  R.  matters,  becoming  a charter  member  of 
William  A.  Streeter  Post,  No.  145,  of  Attleboro, 
of  which  he  has  several  times  been  commander, 
serving  also  as  commander  of  the  Bristol  County 
Association  of  the  G.  A.  R.  for  two  years.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  and  of  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal 
Legion.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church  for, many  years.  He  is  a leader 
in  town  affairs,  a patriotic  and  progressive  citizen, 
a strong  friend,  and  universally  respected  and  es- 
teemed. He  is  a thirty-second  degree  Mason. 

Major  Horton  owns  one  of  the  finest  and  larg- 
est collections  of  curios  and  antique  relics  in  New 
England  in  the  possession  of  an  individual.  He 
began  accumulating  objects  of  interest  when 
only  a boy  of  eight  years,  and  has  spent  consid- 
erable time  and  money  in  this  pursuit.  He  not 
only  has  many  mementoes  of  his  own  interest- 
ing and  eventful'  career,  but  numerous  articles 
of  value  as  representing  the  various  periods  of 
Colonial  history,  many  of  his  specimens  being 
extremely  rare  and  valuable.  His  interest  in 
such  matters  was  fully  demonstrated  when  the 
present  edifice  of  the  Second  Congregational 
Church  in  Attleboro  was  constructed.  The  plan 
of  bringing  from  Attleboro,  England,  a stone 
from  the  old  church  there,  to  be  placed  in  the 
vestibule  of  the  new  house  of  worship  was  orig- 
inal with  him  and  carried  out  at  his  private  ex- 
pense. 

On  June  12,  1861,  Major  Horton  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Ann,  only  daughter  of  Jesse  R. 
and  Mary  Carpenter,  of  Attleboro.  She  died 
June  12,  1871,  leaving  one  child,  Mary  Edith, 
born  June  22,  1862,  now  the  wife  of  Thomas  D. 
Gardiner,  of  near  Pasadena,  Cal.,  and  the  mother 
of  two  children,  Ethel  Horton  and  Everett 
Southworth.  Major  Horton  married  (second) 
Sept.  24,  1873,  Eliza  Dutton  Freemont,  of  Ames- 
burv,  Mass.,  and  they  have  had  two  children : 
Gertrude  E.,  born  May  29,  1876;  and  Addie  D., 
who  died  in  infancy. 

Major  Horton  has  spent  much  time  in  travel, 
and  with  his  experience  in  the  Civil  war  he  has 
gathered  a vast  fund  of  information  and  is  an 


819 

engaging  conversationalist,  with  kindly  wit.  He 
has  also  devoted  some  attention  to  genealogi- 
cal research,  and  is  one  of  the  best  posted  mem- 
bers of  the  Horton  family  along  that  line.  He 
has  a wide  acquaintance,  and  no  man  is  more 
deservedly  popular. 

(VI)  Edwin  Jackson  Horton,  second  son  of 
Gideon  Martin  and  Mary  (Smith)  Horton,  was 
born  Nov.  10,  1837,  in  Attleboro.  Of  his  boy- 
hood and  youth  there  is  little  to  be  said.  He  at- 
tended the  public  schools  of  the  town,  receiving 
no  further  advantages  in  the  way  of  instruction, 
but  he  possessed  an  active  mind — one  bent  on 
inquiry — and  realizing  the  benefits  of  a good  ed- 
ucation he  determined  to  do  the  best  he  could  in 
that  direction  for  himself.  With  him  a deter- 
mination was  also  an  accomplishment,  and  he 
improved  every  opportunity  for  reading,  study 
and  observation  and  “became  in  reality  a thor- 
oughly informed  man.”  On  Aug.  17,’  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  40th  Mass.  V.  I.,  and 
for  three  years  was  a good  soldier.  He  served 
as  corporal,  then  color-bearer,  and  also  as  ser- 
geant, during  the  last  year  of  the  war  serving 
as  sergeant  in  the  commissary  department.  His 
honorable  discharge  bears  date  of  June  17,  1865. 
With  the  exception  of  this  time  he  spent  his 
entire  life  in  his  native  village.  A few  years 
after  the  war  the  well-known  firm  of  Horton, 
Angell  & Co.,  was  organized  and  started  in  man- 
ufacturing. Of  this  firm  Mr.  Horton  was  the 
senior  member — may  properly  be  called  its  orig- 
inator— and  to  him,  no  doubt,  its  marked  suc- 
cess and  continued  prosperity  were  in  a large 
measure  due.  He  was  a member  of  many  organ- 
izations and  at  various  times  held  important  of- 
fices in  them.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  the 
Young  Men’s  Christian  Association,  and  was  its 
president  at  the  time  of  his  death;  he  was  es- 
pecially attached  to  the  G.  A.  R.  and  to  his  own 
Post,  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  its  duties, 
earnest  in  labors  for  its  well-being,  and  a loved 
member  of  Ezekiel  Bates  Lodge  of  the  A.  F. 
& A.  M.,  and  of  the  Royal  Arcanum ; at  the  time 
of  his  death  he  was  noble  grand  of  Orient 
Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Second  Congregational  Church,  thoroughly  in- 
terested in  its  welfare  and  foremost  in  its  benev- 
olent enterprises. 

Mr.  Horton  in  1879  represented  the  town  in 
the  Legislature,  and  served  as  a member  of  the 
committee  on  Health.  In  all  municipal  affairs 
he  was  an  active  participant,  ever  urging  for- 
ward works  of  progress  and  reform.  His  prin- 
ciples were  known  of  men,  and  he  was  firm  in 
his  adherence  to  them.  Having  made  up  his 
mind  to  the  right  of  a position  or  course  of  ac- 
tion, he  boldly  advocated  the  one  and  unswerv- 
ingly followed  the  other.  Such  a man  must 
make  his  mark  in  his  community,  but  he  inev- 
itably gains,  at  least,  political  enemies,  as  was 
the  case  with  Mr.  Horton,  though  the  fact  that 


820 


RHODE  ISLAND 


he  was  elected  to  one  of  the  highest  offices  in  the 
power  of  his  fellow-citizens  to  bestow — an  elec- 
tion “won  in  one  of  the  severest  political  con- 
tests ever  recorded  for  this  town” — is  undenia- 
ble proof  that  he  possessed  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence of  a majority. 

Mr.  Horton  was  a passenger  from  New 
York,  and  was  drowned  in  that  awful 
disaster  which  followed  the  collision  of 
the  sound  steamers  “Narragansett”  and 
“Stonington,”  on  June  n,  1880.  His  funeral 
occurred  on  June  15th.  During  the  time  of  the 
service  there  was  a general  suspension  of  busi- 
ness, all  shops  and  stores  being  closed ; flags 
w'ere  displayed  at  half-mast,  buildings  were 
draped  in  black;  and  crowds  far  beyond  the  ca- 
pacity of  the  home  to  accommodate  were  gath- 
ered together.  Rarely,  if  ever,  has  there  been 
seen  a more  saddened  assemblage,  or  more  sin- 
cere and  widespread  mourning.  The  then  pas- 
tor of  the  church,  Rev.  W.  A.  Spaulding,  and 
two  former  pastors,  the  Revs.  F.  N.  Peloubet 
and  Samuel  Bell,  were  the  officiating  clergy- 
men. All  the  orders  of  which  Mr.  Horton  was 
a member  were  in  attendance,  and  there  were 
delegations  from  similar  orders  in  other  parts 
of  the  town  and  from  other  places,  and  the  offer- 
ings of  flowers  were  varied  and  most  beau- 
tiful. The  sympathy  was  heartfelt  and 
the  sorrow  sincere  for  this  untimely  death. 
Many  friends  followed  the  funeral  pro- 
cession to  Woodlawn  cemetery,  where  kind 
hands  had  gone  before  and  spread  a 
fair  covering  of  evergreens  and  roses  over  the 
unsightly  surroundings  of  the  open  grave.  On 
Memorial  Day,  just  previous  to  his  death,  Mr. 
Horton  had  expressed  a wish  to  be  buried  by 
the  G.  A.  R.  This  wish  was  remembered,  and 
he  was  lowered  to  his  last  resting-place  by  the 
hands  of  his  former  ' comrades-in-arms,  and  re- 
ceived the  burial  rites  of  their  order.  A fitting 
summary  of  his  life  and  character  may  be  found 
in  the  following  extracts  from  the  written  words 
of  various  friends : 

“That  man  is  an  exception  who  so  lives  that 
at  his  death  all  classes  in  the  community  where 
he  was  born  and  has  spent  all  his  days  will  sin- 
cerely mourn  his  departure  and  pay  tribute  to 
his  memory  in  unfeigned  sympathy.  That  life 
which  can  and  does  command  universal  respect 
must,  indeed,  have  much  of  merit  in  it.  That 
character  which,  while  from  positiveness  makes 
enemies,  can  stand  squarely  before  all  their  at- 
tacks, has  more  than  ordinary  strength.  Such 
a man  was  Edwin  J.  Horton ; such  a life  he 
lived,  and  such  a character  was  his.  He  was  an 
uncommon  man  in  many  ways,  as  a business 
man  with  wonderful  fertility  of  resource  and 
skill  of  execution,  as  a deeply  conscientious  and 
highly  religious  nature,  and  a man  of  un- 
bounded charitv.  It  seems  almost  unaccounta- 


ble that  just  in  the  prime  of  life,  when  the  ac- 
tivities of  his  being  were  accomplishing  so  much 
good,  the  chapter  of  his  life  should  close  so  sadly 
and  abruptly,  leaving  many  to  mourn  his  un- 
timely death,  but  to  the  question  ‘Why?’  comes 
no  answer.  Fie  grew  from  boyhood  to  man- 
hood and  entered  business  with  a determination 
to  succeed,  and  he  did  succeed.  He  was  always 
foremost  in  matters  of  public  enterprise,  and 
ready  to  assist  in  private  undertakings  where 
help  was  needed.  No  one  ever  went  to  him  for 
advice  or  assistance  and  was  turned  away  with- 
out a hearing.  If  he  could  give  the  one,  and 
furnish  the  other,  both  were  cheerfully  granted. 
It  may  safely  be  recorded  that  no  business  man 
of  Attleboro  bestowed  more  of  his  material  sub- 
stance for  the  support  of  public  institutions,  and 
for  the  friendly  succor  of  individuals,  than  Mr. 
Horton.  Perhaps  the  society  that  will  most 
miss  his  aid  and  counsel  is  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association,  of  which  he  was  president 
during  the  last  year  of  his  life,  and  which  looked 
to  him  for  the  larger  portion  of  the  money 
needed  for  its  support.  The  same  liberality  was 
manifested  in  his  gifts  to  the  church,  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  and  other  organizations 
of  which  he  was  a member.  He  was  emphati- 
cally a self-made  man.  He  arrived  at  a position 
of  wealth  and  influence  by  dint  of  indomitable 
energy  and  perseverance  in  the  short  space  of 
ten  years.  Few  men  have  prospered  so  rap- 
idly, and  few  men  have  shared  their  prosperity 
so  freely  and  unstintedly  with  the  community 
in  which  they  lived.” 

This  work  of  charity  and  liberality  has  by 
no  means  ceased,  but  is  nobly  and  loyally  car- 
ried on  by  his  widow  and  son,  though  often  so 
quietly  as  to  be  known  only  to  those  who  were 
personally  benefited. 

“No  member  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives shared  more  largely  in  the  esteem  and  con- 
fidence of  the  other  members  of  that  body  than 
Mr.  Horton ; and  no  speaker  was  listened  to 
with  closer  attention.” 

“He  had  his  failings,  and  none  knew  them 
better  than  his  friends,  but  his  virtues  far  out- 
weighed them,  and  endeared  him  to  the  hearts 
of  most  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.” 

His  death  occurred  in  an  awful  tragedy,  and 
it  left  a wide  gap  in  the  ranks  of  the  active  and 
worthy  citizens  of  Attleboro,  a vacant  place 
“hard  to  fill.” 

Mr.  Horton  was  married,  May  8,  1862,  to 
Miss  Rhoda  Adelaide  Lee,  and  two  children 
were  born  to  them : Edwin  Jackson,  Jr.,  born 
Jan.  23,  1869,  who  died  Dec.  22,  1878;  and  Ray- 
mond Martin,  born  Aug.  28,  1875.  Mr.  Horton 
spared  neither  time  nor  money  to  make  his 
home  attractive  and  to  the  influences  emanating 
from  that  home  the  position  he  attained  in  the 
communitv  was  in  no  small  measure  due. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


821 


(VI)  Gideon  M.  Horton,  the  third  son  of 
Gideon  M.  and  Mary  (Smith)  Horton,  was  born 
Sept.  26,  1839.  Like  his  brothers  he  attended 
the  town  schools,  which  were  his  only  means 
of  instruction,  and  like  the  two  older  ones  he 
entered  the  army,  serving  in  the  10th  Rhode 
Island  Battery.  He  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  the  firm  of  Horton,  Angell  & Co., 
and  became  a ^prosperous  business  man.  He 
manifested  his  public  spirit  by  erecting,  at  the 
cost  of  $36,000,  the  business  block  bearing  his 
name,  which  added  greatly  to  the  attractive  ap- 
pearance of  Attleboro.  A few  years  before  his 
death  his  health  began  to  fail,  and  he  took  ex- 
tended journeys  in  all  directions,  seeking  in  the 
winter  seasons  the  climate  of  such  places  as 
Mexico,  California  and  the  Sandwich  Islands, 
in  preference  to  the  rigors  of  the  climate  of  New 
England.  His  health  continued  to  fail  and  he 
was  ordered  to  leave  New  England,  hut  delays 
from  one  cause  or  another  occurred,  and  at  last, 
when  ready  for  the  necessary  journey,  it  was 
too  late  to  expect  any  lengthy  or  decided  im- 
provement. Mr.  Horton  himself  was  aware  of 
this,  but,  realizing  it  is  every  one’s  duty  to  live 
as  long  as  he  possibly  can,  he  made  all  the  nec- 
essary preparations,  arranged  his  business  af- 
fairs, and  bravely  started  to  meet  the  death  he 
felt  soon  awaited  him,  but  might  be  a little 
longer  delayed  in  a milder  climate.  The  man 
who  cheerfully  speaks  parting  words  with  his 
dearest  friends,  and,  looking  for  the  last  time 
on  familiar  scenes  and  loved  faces,  turns  from 
them  hopeless,  yet  with  a smile,  to  seek  the  al- 
most impossible  lengthening  of  his  life,  has  in 
him  something  of  the  heroic,  and  this  Mr.  Hor- 
ton did.  He  had  attained  success  at  middle  life; 
he  had  made  for  himself  a beautiful  home,  and 
he  could  rightly  look  forward  to  many  years 
of  enjoyment  in  it,  and  to  years  of  usefulness  in 
his  community,  in  the  sharing,  as  he  did  gener- 
ously, of  the  results  of  his  industry  with  those 
about  him.  To  give  up  such  hopes  requires 
courage,  and  he  possessed  it,  for  he  fought  out  the 
fight,  and  could  say  to  his  friends  calmly,  even 
cheerfully,  in  view  of  the  end,  that  it  was  well. 
He  went  to  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  there  his 
death  occurred  Dec.  16,  1886.  His  remains 

were  brought  to  Attleboro,  and  were  laid  away 
’mid  grief  and  sincere  mourning. 

Mr.  Horton  was  highly  esteemed  as  a pub- 
lic-spirited and  useful  man,  and  he  possessed 
many  friends.  His  nature  was  retiring,  and  he 
was  entirely  without  ambition  for  public  prefer- 
ment, but  always  contributed  liberally  in  what- 
ever way  he  could  in  the  advancement  of  both 
his  community  and  town.  He  was  generous  in 
the  societies  to  which  he  belonged,  and  in  sup- 
plying the  wants  of  the  needy  around  him. 
Probably  no  man  in  town  did  more  quiet  un- 
seen deeds  of  real  charity  than  he.  One  writes 


thus:  “It  is  easy  to  say  the  familiar  words, 
that  it  is  hard  to  find  a man  that  will  be  more 
missed  when  departed,  but  in  the  case  of  Gideon 
M.  Horton  the  words  will  have  a literal  appli- 
cation. It  is  hard  to  speak  too  strongly  of  Mr. 
Horton’s  excellence,  or  of  the  estimation  in 
which  he  was  held  by  all  who  knew  him.  He 
made  all  feel  as  though  he  was  interested  in 
them,  and  he  seemed  to  be  eager  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  help.  A good  and  useful  man  is  gone. 
It  will  be  a long  time  before  the  town  will  have 
a better  man,  or  a better  citizen.” 

On  Nov.  29,  1865,  Mr.  Horton  married  Helen 
E.  White,  of  Attleboro,  who  died  in  that  town 
Aug.  28,  1885.  Two  children  were  born  of  this 
union:  Mary  Helen,  born  March  21,  1869,  mar- 
ried Samuel  H.  Smith;  Mahel  Josephine,  born 
Aug.  22,  1871,  married  Dr.  Jose  Ourdan,  of 
Providence,  and  died  Feb.  26,  1895. 

Gideon  M.  Horton  was  a member  of  Bristol 
Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Attleboro  Council,  R.  & 
S.  M. ; and  Bristol  Commandery,  Knights  Tem- 
plar. He  was  also  a member  of  Orient  Lodge, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  its  first  noble  grand,  and  a member 
of  Naomi  Encampment  of  Taunton;  and  he  also 
belonged  to  William  A.  Streeter  Post,  G.  A.  R. 
He  was  a trustee  of  the  Farmers  and  Mechanics 
Association,  and  an  active  and  efficient  member, 
a director  of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  be- 
longed to  the  Merchants  and  Manufacturers  As- 
sociation. 

(VI)  James  Jackson  Horton,  youngest 
son  of  Gideon  Martin  and  Mary  (Smith)  Hor- 
ton, was  born  Oct.  19,  1841,  in  Providence,  dur- 
ing a temporary  residence  of  his  father  in  that 
city.  He  was  about  one  year  old  when  his  par- 
ents returned  to  Attleboro.  Like  his  brothers 
he  received  his  education  in  Attleboro,  being  a 
pupil  of  Messrs.  Bailey  and  Allen,  well  known 
instructors  of  that  time.  After  leaving  school 
he  was  employed  for  a year  in  his  father’s  store 
and  working  on  the  farm,  but  for  some  time 
subsequent  he  was  unable  to  engage  in  work  of 
any  kind,  owing  to  the  failure  of  his  health. 
However,  his  courage  and  determination  to 
conquer  his  feebleness  and  the  disease  that  at- 
tacked him  were  remarkable  in  the  face  of  the 
universal  prediction  of  failure.  Upon  recovery 
in  a measure  Mr.  Horton  went  to  Providence, 
and  for  a time  was  employed  as  a bookkeeper 
with  a mercantile  concern.  He  was  too  ener- 
getic and  independent  to  work  for  others,  and  thought 
the  insurance  business  would  be  a good  line 
for  him  to  enter,  as  it  would  afford  him  con- 
siderable outdoor  work,  which  his  health  needed. 
He  embarked  in  that  line  in  the  spring  of  1873, 
in  Attleboro,  and  continued  in  it  for  a few 
years,  when  he  became  a member  of  the  firm  of 
Short,  Nerney  & Co.,  the  other  members  being 
Mace  B.  Short  and  Peter  Nerney.  He  showed 
good  qualities  for  a salesman,  and  was  head  sales- 


8 22 


RHODE  ISLAND 


man  for  the  concern  until  1890.  The  firm  made 
chains  and  continued  in  that  line  until  1897, 
when  they  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  opti- 
cal goods,  and  the  name  was  changed  to  the  Bay 
State  Optical  Company.  Mr.  Horton  attended 
to  the  office  work,  and  did  the  buying  and  sell- 
ing, his  partners  giving  their  attention  to  the 
mechanical  department.  Mr.  Horton  was  one  of 
the  first  members  of  the  Jewelers  Board  of 
Trade  of  Providence,  and  was  for  many  years  a 
member  of  the  board  of  directors.  He  was  also 
a director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Attle- 
boro. His  secret  society  affiliations  were  few. 
He  was  a member  of  Orient  Lodge  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, Attleboro,  and  Howard  Encampment,  at 
North  Attleboro,  and  the  local  council  of  the 
Royal  Arcanum. 

As  before  stated,  from  his  early  boyhood  Mr. 
Horton  was  handicapped  by  ill-health.  His 
trouble  was  largely  of  a pulmonary  nature. 
Where  other  men  who  were  afflicted  would  have 
given  up  the  struggle  he  persevered,  and  made 
for  himself  a name  highly  respected  in  the  trade 
and  in  the  social  world.  He  was  prominent  in 
the  affairs  of  the  Murray  Universalist  Church, 
being  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  society 
and  a generous  contributor  in  a financial  way. 
He  was  naturally  of  a retiring  disposition,  and 
did  not  desire  prominence.  Mr.  Horton  was  a 
very  affable  and  courteous  man,  and  was  a most 
agreeable  social  companion  and  friend.  Among 
the  trade  he  had  an  excellent  reputation  for  in- 
tegrity and  reliabilitv  in  business  affairs.  Mr. 
Horton  died  suddenly  July  22,  1900,  and  was 
buried  in  Attleboro.  His  death  was  a distinct 
loss  to  the  city. 

On  Jan.  12,  1869,  Mr.  Horton  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Emily  Howland  Clark,  a 
native  of  Middleboro,  Mass.,  daughter  of  Samuel 
W.  Clark,  and  sister  of  the  late  Maj.  Herbert 
A.  Clark. 

It  was  somewhat  singular  that  these  four 
brothers — the  entire  family — should  all  have 
settled  for  life  in  their  native  town,  all  finally 
engaged  in  the  same  business  and  all  attained 
such  success.  It  is  also  singular  that  all  made 
homes  for  themselves  on  the  old  homestead 
tract,  within  a “stone’s  throw”  of  the  old  home- 
stead and  of  each  other.  The  site  of  this  home- 
stead was  the  home  of  James  Horton,  but  now 
the  residence  of  Raymond  M.  Horton,  the  old 
house  having  been  moved  away,  but  not  des- 
trovecl.  It  is  still  kept  and  well  cared  for,  val- 
ued as  a relic  of  the  past,  and  especially  prized 
for  its  many  personal  associations. 

(ATI)  Raymond  Martin  Horton,  son  of  Ed- 
win J.  and  Rhofla  Adelaide  Horton,  was  born 
Aug.  28,  1875.  in  Attleboro,  and  attended  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  town  and  Mowrv 
and  Goff’s  English  and  Classical  School  at 
Providence.  He  entered  Amherst  College  in 


1894,  but  was  compelled  to  give  up  his  studies 
soon  after  entering,  owing  to  illness.  After  a 
period  spent  in  regaining  his  health  he  became 
treasurer  and  secretary  of  the  Attleboro  Steam 
and  Electric  Company,  which  position  he  has 
since  held.  In  1902  he  purchased  an  interest  in 
the  firm  of  W.  E.  Richards  & Co.,  manufactur- 
ers of  gold  brooches  and  scarf  pins,  and  in  Jan- 
uary, 1905,  he  purchased  the  interest  of  his 
partner,  being  now  sole  owner  of  that  thriving 
establishment.  Mr.  Horton  is  treasurer  of  the 
Sun  Publishing  Company;  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  at  Attleboro;  and  director  of  the 
Attleboro  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company. 
Fraternally  he  is  a member  of  Ezekiel  Bates 
Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  King  Hiram  Chapter,  R. 
A.  M.,  Attleboro  Council,  R.  & S.  M.,  and  Bris- 
tol Commandery,  at  North  Attleboro.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Second  Congregational  Church, 
where  he  is  serving  on  the  standing  committee. 

On  March  27,  1901,  Mr.  Horton  was  united 
in  marriage,  in  Pawtucket,  to  Aliss  Una  Clarissa 
McGregor,  a native  of  Yarmouth,  Nova  Scotia, 
daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Alexander  McGregor, 
who  was  pastor  of  the  Pawtucket  Congrega- 
tional Church,  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Horton  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  a 
most  successful  representative  of  the  younger 
class  of  business  men  of  Attleboro.  He  early 
reached  a position  of  influence,  and  he  is  an  ex- 
cellent representative  of  the  honored  name  he 
bears,  a worthy  son  of  a distinguished  father. 

ANTHONY.  The  Anthony  is  one  of  the 
old  and  conspicuous  families  of  Rhode  Island, 
prominent  in  the  Colonial  and  Commonwealth 
annals.  Hon.  John  Anthony,  the  emigrant  from 
England,  served  in  various  public  capacities, 
representing  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  in  the  Colonial 
Assembly,  and  his  son,  Hon.  Abraham  Anthony, 
was  many  times  honored  with  a seat  in  the  Gen- 
eral Court,  and  was  at  one  time  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Deputies.  Many  of  the  name  who 
later  chose  Providence  as  their  field  of  action 
acquitted  themselves  in  keeping  with  the  rec- 
ords of  their  forefathers.  The  State  is  proud  of 
her  distinguished  sons,  the  late  Hon.  Flenry  B. 
Anthony,  journalist  and  statesman,  and  the  late 
Hezekiah  Anthony,  of  Providence,  merchant 
and  banker,  who  held  a creditable  place  in  that 
city’s  business  life  for  over  fifty  years. 

This  article,  however,  is  to  treat  of  the  Mid- 
dletown branch  of  the  old  Portsmouth  family, 
whose  illustrious  sons  have  held  promi- 
nent positions  in  their  various  communities, 
other  branches  being  referred  to  elsewhere  in 
this  work.  To  the  Middletown  branch  belongs 
the  Hon.  James  Anthony,  who  has  most  intelli- 
gently represented  his  town  in  the  State  Assem- 
bly and  efficiently  served  his  county  as  sheriff; 
and  Hon.  Elijah  Anthony,  one  of  the  substan- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


823 


tial  citizens  of  Jamestown,  R.  I.  The  geneal- 
ogy following  is  chronological,  generations  from 
the  settler  being  designated  by  Roman  nu- 
merals. 

(I)  John  Anthony,  born  in  1607,  a resident 
of  the  village  of  Hampstead,  near  London,  Eng- 
land, came  to  New  England  in  the  bark  “Her- 
cules,” in  1634.  He  is  of  record  in  1640  in  Ports- 
mouth, R.  I.,  and  was  made  a freeman  in  1640. 
He  became  a corporal  in  a military  company  and 
had  land  assigned  to  him  at  the  “Wading  River” 

• in  1644.  He  had  authority  granted  him  May  25, 
1655,  to  keep  a house  of  entertainment  in  Ports- 
mouth. He  was  commissioner  in  1661,  and  dep- 
uty in  1666-72.  Both  he  and  his  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Susanna  Potter,  died  in  1675. 
Their  children  were:  John,  born  in  1642;  Sus- 
anna ; Elizabeth ; Joseph  ; and  Abraham. 

(II)  Abraham  Anthony,  son  of  John,  mar- 
ried Dec.  26,  1671,  Alice  Wodell,  born  Feb.  10, 
1650,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Wodell, 
and  they  were  residents  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I., 
when  he  was  made  a freeman  in  1672.  He  was 
deputy  in  1703,  1704,  1705,  1707,  1708,  1709,  1710 
and  1711,  and  was  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Dep- 
uties in  1709-10.  He  died  Oct.  10,  1727,  and  his 
widow  passed  away  in  1734.  Their  children 
were:  John,  born  Nov.  7,  1672;  Susanna,  Aug. 

29,  1674;  Mary,  Aug.  29,  1674:  William,  Oct.  31, 
1675;  Susanna,  Oct.  14,  1677;  Mary,  Jan.  2, 
1680;  Abraham,  April  21,  1682;  Thomas,  June 

30,  1684;  Alice,  Jan.  22,  1686;  James,  Jan.  22, 
1686;  Almy,  Jan.  30,  1688;  Isaac,  April  10,  1690; 
and  Jacob,  Nov.  15,  1693. 

(III)  William  Anthony,  son  of  Abraham, 
born  Oct.  31,  1675,  married  March  14,  1694, 
Mary  Coggeshall.  daughter  of  John  Coggeshall, 
and  their  children  were:  William,  born  May 
14,  1695;  Abraham,  Sept.  26,  1696;  Elizabeth, 
May  2,  1698;  Mary,  Dec.  8,  1699;  John,  Sept. 
12,  1702;  Alice,  May  22,  1705;  Anne,  March  17, 
1707;  John  (2),  Nov.  16,  1708;  Amey,  Nov.  16, 
1708;  William  (2),  Oct.  26,  1709:  James,  Nov. 
9,  1712;  Job,  April  10,  1714:  Benjamin,  June  10, 
1716:  and  Daniel,  .May  19,  1720. 

(IV)  Abraham  Anthony  (2),  son  of  William, 
born  Sept.  26,  1696,  married  in  Swansea,  Mass., 
Feb.  7,  1716-17,  Elizabeth  Gray,  and  their  chil- 
dren, the  first  nine  born  in  Swansea  and  the 
others  in  Portsmouth,  were:  Abraham,  born 
Dec.  9,  1717:  Mary,  Feb.  9,  1718-19:  Edward, 
May  3,  1720  (died  Feb.  6,  1821)  ; Thomas,  Oct. 
19.  1721:  Philip,  April  11,  1723  (died  Sept.  8, 

1 777);  Elizabeth,  April  24,  1723:  Isaac,  March 
7,  1727;  Sarah,  April  7,  1730;  Elisha,  Dec.  15, 
1732;  Jonathan,  Jan.  12,  1734;  Peleg,  Sept.  30, 
1735:  and  Daniel,  Sept.  I,  1738. 

(V)  Jonathan  Anthony,  son  of  Abraham 
(2),  born  Jan.  12,  1734,  married,  Nov.  10,  1757, 
Elizabeth  Gould,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Eliz- 
abeth Gould,  and  they  were  residents  of  Mid- 


dletown. R.  I.  He  died  at  forty-one  years  of 
age,  and  his  widow  Elizabeth  lived  to  be  sev- 
enty-seven, dying  in  Middletown  Dec.  13,  1812. 
Their  children  were:  Mary,  born  Aug.  19, 
1758;  Gould,- Sept.  30,  1759;  Elizabeth,  July  16, 
1762;  Elijah,  Oct.  19,  1767;  and  Jonathan, 
March  29,  1769. 

(VI)  Elijah  Anthony,  son  of  Jonathan  and 
Elizabeth,  born  Oct.  19,  1767,  married,  Sept. 
4,  J793>  Lois  Sisson,  of  Middletown,  who  was 
born  in  1772,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Ruth  Sis- 
son. He  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Middle- 
town,  where  he  died  Dec.  3,  1842.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Joseph,  born  June  29,  1794,  died 
from  poisoning  aged  three  years ; George,  born 
Oct.  31,  1796;  Joseph  (2),  born  Dec.  23,  1798, 
was  killed  by  falling  on  a pitchfork  when  he  was 
aged  forty-two  years;  and  Plannah,  born  Feb. 
15,  1802,  died  unmarried,  Nov.  9,  1878. 

(VII)  George  Anthony,  son  of  Elijah  and 
Lois,  born  Oct.  31,  1796,  married,  May  13,  1829, 
Margaret  Hathaway,  daughter  of  George-  and 
Susanna  Hathaway,  and  they  were  residents  of 
Middletown.  He  died  April  9,  1888,  and  she 
passed  away  Oct.  29,  1885,  aged  seventy-seven 
years.  Their  children  of  Middletown  record 
were:  George  Hathaway,  born  May  1,  1830, 
died  unmarried  July  28,  1854;  Joseph  Sisson, 
born  March  11,  1833,  who  now  resides  on  the 
homestead  engaged  in  farming,  married  (first) 
Josephine  Gould,  and  (second)  Sarah  Shove,  of 
Fall  River:  Elijah,  born  May  28,  1835,  is  men- 
tioned below:  Rachel,  born  Nov.  15.  1837,  died 
unmarried  Oct.  27,  1900;  James,  born  Nov.  6, 
1840.  is  mentioned  below;  William,  born  April 
6,  1843,  died  in  infancy ; and  Hannah  Green, 
born  Dec.  10,  1844,  died  aged  thirteen  years. 
George  Anthony,  the  father,  was  a farmer  of 
thrift  and  industry.  In  1829  he  moved  to  the 
farm  where  all  the  rest  of  his  life  was  passed. 
He  was  a man  of  rugged  health,  and  never  but 
once  in  his  long  life  of  ninety-one  years  had  he 
required  the  aid  of  a physician,  and  that  was 
when  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  he  suffered,  an 
attack  of  fever.  He  was  active  in  the  town’s 
affairs,  and  served  as  a member  of  the  town 
council,  of  which  he  was  president.  In  early 
life  he  was  a Whig,  and  later  became  a Repub- 
lican. For  over  fifteen  years  he  was  an  elder 
in  the  Friends  Church.  In  appearance  he  was 
fine  looking,  being  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height, 
and  his  genial  disposition  made  him  many 
friends. 

(VIII)  James  Anthony,  son  of  George  and 
Margaret,  born  Nov.  6,  1840,  in  Middletown, 
R.  I.,  married  Feb.  14,  1869,  Charlotte  S. 
Coggeshall,  and  two  children  blessed  their  un- 
ion: Arthur  R..  who  conducts  a grist  mill  in 
Middletown,  married  Sue  C.  Oxx,  of  Newport, 
and  has  two  daughters,  Louise  H.  and  Charlotte 
H. ; and  Alfred  C.,  a clerk  in  the  employ  of  the 


824 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Newport  Paper  & Grocery  Company,  married 
Flora  Sisson,  of  Portsmouth,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren : George  S.  and  Mabel  C. 

Janies  Anthony  was  reared  on  a farm,  at- 
tending in  boyhood  the  neighborhood  schools 
and  in  season  assisting  his  father  with  the  farm 
work.  His  tastes  and  inclinations  were  in  keep- 
ing with  his  early  labors  and  as  the  years  passed 
he  continued  farming  as  an  occupation,  and  in 
that  calling  kept  abreast  of  the  times  and  suc- 
ceeded in  his  undertakings,  continuing  in  same 
until  the  death  of  his  father. 

Well  fitted  for  public  business  and  successful 
in  his  own  affairs  Mr.  Anthony  has  in  different 
ways  been  called  upon  by  his  fellow  townsmen 
to  look  after,  in  a measure,  the  public  affairs  of 
his  town.  He  has  served  on  the  school  com- 
mittee, and  also  in  the  town  council.  He  has 
also  represented  his  town  in  the  General  As- 
sembly of  Rhode  Island,  and  has  served  his 
county  ably  and  efficiently  as  sheriff  since  1890. 
His  political  affiliations  are  with  the  Republican 
party,  to  the  principles  of  which  he  is  a stanch 
adherent.  Mr.  Anthony  attends  Holy  Cross 
Episcopal  Church  of  Middletown,  of  which  his 
wife  is  a member. 

Mr.  Anthony  is  one  of  the  substantial  and 
useful  men  of  Newport  county,  bearing  the  es- 
teem and  respect  and  holding  the  confidence  of 
a large  acquaintance.  He  is  a member  of  Coro- 
net Council,  No.  63,  Royal  Arcanum,  of  New- 
port ; of  Aquidneck  Grange,  Patrons  of  Hus- 
bandry; of  Weenat  Shassit  Tribe,  No.  6,  I.  O. 
R.  M. ; and  of  the  Red  Men’s  Club  of  Newport. 

(VIII)  Elijah  Anthony,  son  of  George  and 
Margaret,  was  born  in  Middletown,  May  28, 
1835,  and  received  his  educational  training  in 
the  common  schools  of  his  native  town,  supple- 
mented by  a three  terms’  course  at  the  Friends’ 
School  in  Providence.  Leaving  school  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  years,  he  then  took  up  school 
teaching  in  Little  Compton,  Portsmouth  and 
Jamestown,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  five  win- 
ters. When  married  he  set  up  farming  in  Ports- 
mouth and  Middletown,  and  stayed  some 
three  years,  then  removing  to  Jamestown  in 
i860,  and  there  rented  a farm.  For  several 
years  he  ran  a farm  of  160  acres.  Since  1887 
he  has  lived  retired.  Mr.  Anthony  has  always 
been  prominent  in  public  affairs.  He  is  an  ac- 
tive worker  in  the  Republican  party,  and  has 
been  a member  of  the  town  council  for  many 
years,  in  1905  being  its  president.  For  about 
twenty  years  he  was  town  treasurer,  and  he  has 
served  many  years  on  the  school  committee, 
and  as  assessor  of  taxes,  overseer  of  the  poor 
and  tax  collector.  In  1871-1872-1873  he  repre- 
sented his  town  in  the  State  Assembly,  and 
served  on  several  very  important  committees. 

On  Dec.  20,  1855,  Mr.  Anthony  was  married 
to  Harriet  W.  Almy,  daughter  of  David  Alrny, 


of  Portsmouth.  She  died  in  Jamestown  April 
25,  1894.  On  Dec.  6,  1899,  he  married  (second) 
Mrs.  Carrie  R.  (Gorton)  Couch,  of  Ossining, 
N.  Y.,  daughter  of  James  I.  and  Jane  M.  (Sher- 
man) Gorton,  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.  Mrs.  An- 
thony is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  which 
he  also  attends.  Mr.  Anthony’s  children,  all 
born  to  his  first  marriage,  were:  (1)  Louis  W., 
born  Dec.  9,  1856,  in  Portsmouth,  is  a carpen- 
ter, living  in  Jamestown.  He  married  Maude 
Ledyard  St.  Clair,  and  has  three  children : Led- 
yard  St.  Clair,  born  May  19,  1894;  Elijah,  Feb. 

25,  1897;  and  Marion,  Jan.  13,  1903.  (2)  Han- 

nah M.,  born  Dec.  14,  1858,  in  Middletown,  mar- 
ried Hefiry  L.  Smith,  of  Wickford,  a marine  en- 
gineer, and  they  now  live  in  Providence.  Their 
children  are:  Dalton  and  Wayland.  (3) 
George  D.,  born  Oct.  23,  i860,  is  a carpenter  by 
trade.  On  Jan.  4,  1888,  he  married  Emma  H. 
Cushman,  of  Dartmouth,  Mass.,  and  they  have 
had  children  as  follows:  Alma,  born  May  19, 
1890;  Mildred,  April  6,  1892;  and  Doris,  Sept. 

26,  1897.  (4)  Frederic,  born  Dec.  7,  1862,  mar- 

ried Nov.  7,  1889,  Sarah  L.  Anthony,  daughter 
of  Henry  Anthony,  and  their  children  are : 
Kathryn,  born  Aug.  14,  1890;  and  Mariquita, 
May  14,  1892.  (5)  Abraham  L.,  born  April  3, 

1865,  died  July  31,  1867.  (6)  Margaret,  born 

June  28.  1867,  in  Jamestown,  married  May  2, 
1887,  Adolphus  Clarke  Knowles,  of  Jamestown, 
a carpenter  in  the  marine  service.  Their 
children  are:  Ruth  H.,  born  Feb.  27,  1888; 
Foster  S.,  Aug.  23,  1889;  Kenneth  H.,  March 
29,  1891;  Beulah  A.,  July  20,  1892;  and  Harriet, 
April  17,  1897.  (7)  Elijah,  Jr.,  born  Jan.  30, 

1873,  died  Feb.  18,  1873. 

Mr.  Anthony  has  found  other  interests  than 
farming,  and  his  good  judgment  has  been  of  in- 
estimable value  in  various  corporations  in  which 
he  has  been  interested.  He  has  for  several 
years  been  a member  of  the  directorate  of  the 
New  England  Commercial  Bank,  and  of  the 
Arctic  Ice  Company  at  Newport.  He  is  one  of 
the  substantial  citizens  of  Jamestown,  being 
held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  the  entire  com- 
munity, and  enjoys  the  respect  of  all  who  know 
him.  Mrs.  Anthony  is  a descendant  of  sev- 
eral of  New  England’s  earliest  settled  families, 
among  them  being  the  Sherman,  Rogers  and 
Gorton  families. 

ANTHONY.  This  name  has  been  a con- 
spicuous and  prominent  one  in  the  New  Eng- 
land States  for  the  last  two  and  one-half  cen- 
turies. Many  members  of  the  family  have  held 
prominent  positions  in  the  business,  social  and 
political  circles  of  their  various  communities. 
The  first  known  of  the  family  was  one  William 
Anthony,  who  was  born  in  1495,  in  Cologne, 
Germany.  He  had  three  sons,  the  youngest, 
Francis,  being  goldsmith  and  jeweler  to  Queen 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Elizabeth  of  England,  and  several  of  his  de- 
scendants became  noted  physicians  of  Europe. 
The  first  of  the  name  to  come  to  America  was: 

(I)  John  Anthony  (or  Antonie,  as  he  wrote 
it),  who  was  born  in  1607,  became  the  founder  of 
the  name  in  New  England,  coming  to  America 
in  the  barque  “Hercules,”  John  Kiddey,  master, 
/\pril  16,  1634.  He  had,  says  Savage,  previously 
resided  in  the  beautiful  village  of  Hampstead, 
near  London.  He  married  Susanna  Potter. 
The  first  mention  we  find  of  John  Anthony  is 
in  the  Colonial  records  of  Rhode  Island,  July 
14,  1640,  when  he  was  admitted  a freeman  of 
Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  and  soon  after  chosen  cor- 
poral in  a military  company.  On  Sept.  14,  1644, 
his  land  was  assigned  to  him  at  a place  called 
■“Wading  River.”  On  May  25,  1655,  he  was 
chosen  by  the  General  Court  one  of  the  two  per- 
sons authorized  by  law  to  keep  houses  of  enter- 
tainment in  Portsmouth,  and  was  also  deputy 
and  commissioner.  He  died  July  28,  1675,  aged 
sixty-eight  years,  and  left  five  children:  John, 
Joseph,  Abraham,  Susannah  and  Elizabeth. 

(II)  Abraham  Anthony,  son  of  John,  mar- 
ried Dec.  26,  1671,  Alice  Wodell,  born  Feb.  10, 
1650,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Wodell, 
and  they  were  residents  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I., 
where  he  was  made  a freeman  in  1672.  He  was 
•deputy  from  1703  to  1711,  and  was  speaker  of 
the  House  of  Deputies  in  1709  and  1710.  He 
died  Oct.  10,  1727,  and  his  widow  passed  away 
in  1734.  Their  children  were:  John;  Susanna; 
Mary;  William;  Susanna  (2);  Abraham; 
Thomas;  Alice;  James;  Almv ; Isaac,  and 
Jacob. 

(III)  William  Anthony,  son  of  Abraham, 
was  born  Oct.  31,  1675,  and  married  March  14, 
1694,  Mary  Coggeshall,  daughter  of  John  Cog- 
geshall.  They  were  residents  of  Portsmouth, 
where  their  son,  Abraham,  was  born. 

(IV)  Abraham  Anthony,  son  of  William, 
was  born  Sept.  26,  1696,  and  married  in  Swan- 
sea, Mass.,  Feb.  7,  1716-17,  Elizabeth  Gray. 
Their  children,  the  first  nine  born  in  Swansea, 
and  the  others  in  Portsmouth,  were : Abraham, 
born  Dec.  9,  1717;  Mary,  Feb.  9,  1719;  Edward, 
born  May  3,  1720  (died  Feb.  6,  1821)  ; Thomas, 
Oct.  19,  1721;  Philip,  April  11,  1723  (died  Sept. 
8,  1777)  ; Elizabetfi,  April  24,  1723;  Isaac,  March 
7,  1727;  Sarah',  April  7,  1730:  Elisha,  Dec.  13, 
1732;  Jonathan,  Jan.  12,  1734;  Peleg,  Sept.  30, 
1735;  and  Daniel,  Sept.  1,  1738. 

(V)  Peleg  Anthony,  son  of  Abraham,  born 
Sept.  30,  1735,  married  Mercy  Coggeshall,  born 
Dec.  17,  1733.  daughter  of  Tames  Coggeshall. 
She  died  in  December,  1803.  long  surviving  her 
husband,  who  passed  away  Oct.  4,  1778.  Their 
children  were:  Gideon,  born  July  28,  1758,  who 
died  Nov.  6,  1763;  Edward,  born  Dec.  19,  1759; 
James,  born  Tan.  6.  1763;  Giles,  born  Oct.  28. 
1764,  who  died  Tan.  14,  1785;  Gideon  (2),  born 


825 

Sept.  9,  1766,  who  died  Aug.  5,  1789;  Alice,  born 
Jan.  22,  1770,  who  died  Sept.  9,  1771 ; Cogges- 
hall, born  Oct.  23,  1774,  who  died  Sept.  12,  1778; 
Alice  (2),  born  May  9,  1776;  and  Phebe,  born 
Feb.  28,  1778. 

(VI)  James  Anthony,  son  of  Peleg,  was  born 
Jan.  6,  1763,  and  married  Dec.  23,  1790,  Polly 
Mumford,  born  Sept.  13,  1767.  He  died  Sept. 
27,  1826,  as  a result  of  injuries  received  from 
falling  from  his  horse,  and  his  wife  died  April 
18,  1844,  aged  seventy-six  years.  Their  children 
were:  Peleg  Coggeshall,  born  Dec.  22,  1791; 
Sally  Remington,  Jan.  24,  1795  (died  Dec.  11, 
1875);  James  William,  Sept.  23,  1798;  Mary 
Mumford,  Jan.  4,  1803  (died  Nov.  10,  1869)  ; 
Alice,  Dec.  5,  1805. 

(VII)  Peleg  Coggeshall  Anthony,  son  of 
James,  was  born  Dec.  22,  1791,  in  South  Kings- 
town, R.  I.,  and  died  Jan.  14,  1882,  in  his  ninety- 
first  year.  He  was  married  in  Newport,  March 
26,  1815,  to  Abby  Green  Tillinghast,  who  was 
born  Sept.  4,  1792,  and  who  died  in  Newport, 
Sept.  1,  1863,  her  seventy-first  year.  Peleg 
C.  Anthony  removed  to  Newport  about  1824, 
and  engaged  in  farming,  in  which  occupation  he 
continued  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  chil- 
dren, all  born  at  South  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  were: 
Alice  Maria,  born  Mav  17,  1817;  John  Tilling- 
hast, born  May  3,  1819;  and  Benjamin  Mumford, 
born  Aug.  27,  1821. 

(VIII)  Benjamin  Mumford  Anthony,  son  of 
Peleg  Coggeshall,  was  born  in  South  Kings- 
town, R.  I.,  Aug.  27,  1821,  and  died  in  Newport, 
Feb.  20,  1892.  When  ten  years  of  age  he  came 
to  Portsmouth  with  his  father,  then  removed 
to  Middletown,  and  thence  to  Newport,  where 
he  engaged  in  farming  and  teaming,  becoming 
very  successful.  He  was  a genial,  jovial  man, 
and  possessed  many  friends.  He  was  a stanch 
Republican,  but  although  receiving  many  offers 
of  political  preferment  would  never  accept  pub- 
lic office.  He  was  a member  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist Church  of  Newport. 

Mr.  Anthony  was  married  Sept.  12,  1843,  t° 
Mary  Elizabeth  Peckham,  who  was  born  Sept. 
24,  1823,  and  died  Dec.  25,  1888.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Joshua  and  Eliza  Peckham,  of  Mid- 
dletown. The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  An- 
thony were:  Abraham  Tilley,  born  Aug.  14, 
1845;  Joseph  Smith,  born  April  1,  1847;  Benja- 
min Mumford,  born  Nov.  4,  1848,  who  died  Aug. 
20,  1850;  Benjamin  Mumford  (2),  born  Dec.  9, 
1850,  who  died  Sept.  3,  1871 ; William  Clarke, 
born  May  8,  1852,  who  died  Dec.  16,  1899; 
Charles  Greene,  born  Jan.  17,  1854;  John  Rog- 
ers, born  Aug.  28,  1855,  who  died  Aug.  28, 
1871  ; Eliza  Abby,  born  June  15,  1857,  who  mar- 
ried Nov.  24,  1875,  T.  Fred  Kaull,  a sketch  of 
whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work ; James 
Edward,  born  March  17,  1859;  Mary  Alice,  born 
Feb.  24,  1861,  who  married  Jesse  E.  Peckham, 


826 


RHODE  ISLAND 


of  Newport,  R.  I.,  a complete  sketch  of  whom 
will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this  work; 
Henry  Tillinghast,  born  June  8,  1863,  who  died 
when  two  months  old,  Aug.  18,  1863 ; and  Annie 
Tillinghast,  born  Sept.  17,  1865,  who  died  Aug. 
21,  1867. 

(IX)  Abraham  Tilley  Anthony,  the  eldest 
son  of  the  late  Benjamin  Mumford  and  Mary 
Elizabeth  (Peckham)  Anthony,  was  born  in 
Newport,  R.  I.,  Aug.  14,  1845,  and  acquired  his 
educational  training  in  the  common  schools  of 
his  native  city,  which  he  attended  until  his  sev- 
enteenth year.  After  leaving  school  he  took  up 
his  share  of  work  on  the  home  farm  with  his 
father,  continuing  thus  until  the  latter’s  death, 
which  occurred  in  1892,  since  which  time  he  has 
successfully  conducted  the  same  business.  He 
cultivates  about  seventy-five  acres  of  land,  and 
is  also  extensively  engaged  in  the  dairy  busi- 
ness, keeping  from  fifteen  to  twenty  cows,  the 
product  of  which  he  supplies  to  Newport  cus- 
tomers. In  his  business  enterprises  Mr.  An- 
thony has  met  with  well-deserved  success,  won 
through  his  good  management  and  faithful  at- 
tention to  business. 

Mr.  Anthony,  in  his  political  views,  is  a 
stalwart  adherent  to  the  principles  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  but  has  never  found  time  to  hold 
public  office.  He  and  his  family  attend  the 
Thames  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to 
which  they  give  their  liberal  support.  Mr.  An- 
thony was  married,  Nov.  21,  1872,  to  Marion 
Rebecca  Ball,  of  New  Shoreham,  R.  I.,  daughter 
of  William  Pitt  and  Rebecca  Balk  Mrs.  An- 
thony died  Jan.  10,  T908,  aged  sixty-one  years. 
One  son  came  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anthony,  Benja- 
min Mumford,  who  was  born  Sept.  13,  1873,  and 
married  Lillie  Parmenter,  daughter  of  Jeremiah 
Parmenter,  of  Newport.  They  have  had  two 
children,  Marian,  who  died  when  eleven  months 
old,  and  Harry  Earle  Anthony.  Benjamin  M. 
Anthony  is  associated  with  his  father  in  busi- 
ness. 

Mr.  Anthony  is  a good  citizen,  a kindly 
neighbor,  and  enjoys  the  respect  of  the  commun- 
ity in  which  he  was  born  and  in  which  his  life 
has  been  spent. 

(IX)  Joseph  Smith  Anthony,  the  second  son 
of  Benjamin  Mumford  and  Mary  Elizabeth 
(Peckham)  Anthony,  was  born  in  Newport, 
April  1,  1847,  and  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  his  locality,  which  he  attended  winters,  work- 
ing on  the  farm  during  the  summers  as  was  the 
custom  of  the  farmers’  sons  at  that  time.  Thus 
he  continued  until  nineteen  years  of  age,  and 
after  leaving  school  remained  with  his  father 
until  1882,  when  he  engaged  in  business  for 
himself,  taking  up  the  business  of  teaming  and 
general  dealing  in  gravel,  sand,  stone,  etc.,  as 
a general  jobber  in  the  same.  In  these  business 
enterprises  he  has  met  with  unqualified  success. 


He  is  half  owner  of  the  scow  “Mascot,”  fifty- 
five  tons  burden,  which  plies  the  waters  of  Nar- 
ragansett  bay  in  connection  with  Mr.  Anthony’s 
business.  As  has  been  characteristic  of  the 
family,  Mr.  Anthony  is  a stanch  Republican,  but 
has  never  sought  public  office.  He  and  his 
family  attend  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  New- 
port. 

Mr.  Anthony  is  one  of  Newport’s  successful 
and  enterprising  business  men,  whose  success 
has  been  due  to  his  untiring  energy  and  thrift. 

Joseph  Smith  Anthony  was  married  Jan.  15, 
1871,  to  Abbie  Cook  Hudson,  daughter  of  John 
and  Clarissa  (Greene)  Hudson,  of  Newport,  and 
they  have  become  the  parents  of  children  as 
follows:  Benjamin  and  Clara  Elizabeth,  who 
both  died  in  infancy  ; Joseph  S.,  Jr.,  who  married 
Alice  Hunnewell,  and  is  a painter  and  sign 
writer  by  trade;  and  Louisa  Gray,  who  married 
John  McDougal,  of  Newport. 

(IX)  William  Clarice  Anthony,  the  fifth 
son  of  the  late  Benjamin  Mumford  and  Mary 
Elizabeth  (Peckham)  Anthony,  was  born  in 
Newport,  R.  I.,  May  8.  1852,  and  like  the  farm- 
ers’ boys  of  his  day  received  his  educational 
training  in  the  schools  of  his  native  city.  After 
leaving  school  he  continued  at  home  and  was 
employed  in  the  work  about  the  farm,  thus  con- 
tinuing until  his  marriage,  in  1876,  when  he  en- 
gaged in  business  on  his  own  account,  embark- 
ing in  general  teaming  and  hacking,  which  he 
carried  on  until  his  death.  He  was  an  industri- 
ous man,  and  as  a consequence  accumulated  a 
competence.  Although  not  a member  of  any 
church  Mr.  Anthony  affiliated  with  the  First 
Baptist  Church  of  Newport,  and  in  political 
views  he  was  a stanch  Republican,  though  he 
never  cared  for  nor  sought  public  office. 

On  Aug.  25,  1876.  Mr.  Anthony  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Mary  Jane  Sullivan,  of  Newport, 
who  passed  away  Aug.  25,  1891.  To  this  union 
were  born  seven  children,  as  follows : Ella 
May,  who  is  unmarried,  resides  at  home;  Mary 
Elizabeth  married  John  P>.  Gibson,  of  Newport, 
and  they  have  one  son,  Howard  Anthony  Gib- 
son; William  Clarke,  Jr.,  who  is  conducting  the 
teaming  business  established  by  his  father,  mar- 
ried Helen  P.  Palmer,  of  Newport ; Annie  Pau- 
line, died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years ; Grace 
Tillinghast  and  Howard  Joseph  are  both  at 
home;  John  Rogers,  died  when  seventeen 
months  old. 

Mr.  Anthony  passed  away  in  Newport  Dec. 

16,  1899,  after  an  illness  extending  over  a period 
of  about  a year,  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

(IX)  Charles  Greene  Anthony,  the  sixth 
son  of  the  late  Benjamin  Mumford  and  Mary 
Elizabeth  (Peckham)  Anthony,  was  born  Jan. 

17,  1854,  in  Newport.  After  attending  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  city  he  took  a busi- 
ness course  at  Bryant  & Stratton’s  Business 


s 


RHODE  ISLAND 


827 


College,.  Providence,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated in  1876.  After  completing  his  early  educa- 
tional training  he  took  up  the  duties  which  de- 
volved upon  him  on  the  home  farm,  and  there 
remained  until  January,  1884,  when  he  formed 
a partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  T.  Fred 
Kaull,  under  the  style  of  Ivaull  & Anthony,  en- 
gaging in  the  grocery  and  market  business. 
This  firm  continued  successfully  in  business  un- 
’ til  Oct.  1,  1905,  when,  on  account  of  ill  health, 
Mr.  Anthony  sold  his  interests  in  the  firm  to 
Mr.  Kaull,  who  has  since  conducted  the  bus- 
iness alone.  After  retiring  from  this  business 
in  Newport  Mr.  Anthony  went  to  Berkeley, 
town  of  Cumberland.  R.  I..  where  he  had  erected 
a fine  new  residence,  and  here  he  has  since  been 
extensively  engaged  in  the  poultry  business, 
making  a specialty  of  raising  the  Rhode  Island 
Red  breed.  Air.  Anthony  is  a stanch  Republi- 
can, but  has  taken  little  or  no  interest  in  public 
life*  preferring  to  give  his  time  and  attention 
to  his  business  and  his  home.  He  attended  the 
Thames  Street  Episcopal  Church  of  Newport, 
his  wife  being  a member  of  Emmanuel  Episco- 
pal Church  of  Newport. 

On  Oct.  15.  1884,  Air.  Anthony  married 
Frances  Alary  Hardwick,  daughter  of  the  late 
George  Hardwick  and  his  wife  Alartha 
(Stoakes)  Hardwick.  To  Air.  and  Mrs.  An- 
thony one  daughter  has  been  born,  Aliss  Ethel 
AI.,  who  resides  at  home  with  her  parents.  Mr. 
Anthony  is  one  of  Rhode  Island’s  representative 
citizens.  He  is  very  well  known  throughout 
the  community  in  which  he  resides,  and  is  es- 
teemed and  respected  by  all. 

(IX)  James  Edward  Anthony,  the  ninth  child 
of  the  late  Benjamin  Alumford  and  Alary  Eliza- 
beth (Peckham)  Anthony,  was  born  in  New- 
port, Alarch  17.  1859,  and  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  that  place,  attending  the 
same  until  his  seventeenth  year.  After  leaving 
school  he  remained  at  home  and  did  his  share 
of  the  work  on  the  home  place,  continuing  there 
until  the  death  of  his  father,  in  1892,  at  which 
time  he  entered  into  business  on  his  own  ac- 
count. He  is  now  successfully  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  dairying,  and  also  carries  on  a general 
teaming  business.  In  political  faith  Air.  An- 
thony takes  a neutral  stand,  voting  for  the  man 
whom  he  deems  best  fitted  for  the  office.  He  is 
fraternally  connected  with  the  Weenat  Shassit 
Tribe,  No.  6,  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  and 
with  Alalbone  Lodge,  No.  93,  New  England  Or- 
der of  Protection.  ATr.  Anthony  attends  Em- 
manuel Episcopal  Church,  of  which  his  wife  is 
an  active  member. 

On  Jan.  28,  1885,  Air.  James  Edward  An- 
thony was  united  in  marriage  with  Aliss  Eliza- 
beth P.  Conn-don.  the  estimable  daughter  of  the 
late  Christopher  T.  and  Sarah  E.  (Smith)  Cong- 
don,  of  Newport,  and  a direct  descendant  of  one 


of  New  England’s  earliest  settled  families.  Airs. 
Anthony  is  a member  of  William  Ellery  Chap- 
ter, Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 
Mr.  and  Airs.  James  E.  Anthony  have  had  two 
children,  namely:  Sarah  Talbot,  born  Aug.  16, 
1886  ;•  and  Harold  Congdon,  whose  birth  oc- 
curred Oct.  1,  1892. 

WILLIAM  A.  BROWNING,  of  East  Green- 
wich, R.  I.,  is  the  eldest  son  of  William  G.  Brown- 
ing, and  belongs  to  a family  of  prominence. 

William  G.  Browning  was  born  in  South  Kings- 
town, R.  I.,  May  13,  1840,  son  of  Samuel  K.  and 
Mary  (Greene)  Browning.  His  father  was  pro- 
prietor of  a country  store  at  Hope  Valley,  but 
while  the  boy  William  was  at  a tender  age  Air.  and 
Mrs.  Browning  moved  to  a farm,  and  it  was  the 
out-of-door  life  of  a farmer  lad  that  he  experienced 
until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  Like  most 
farmer  boys  he  knew  what  it  was  to  endure  hard- 
ship and  toil,  and  on  reaching  maturity  he  went 
to  work  for  a farmer  at  Point  Judith,  but  after 
two  or  three  years  on  this  farm,  he  went  to  Wake- 
field and  clerked  in  Charles  Hazard's  store.  He 
was  ambitious  and  used  his  savings  toward  gaining 
a thorough  business  education,  attending  East- 
man’s Business  College  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

After  leaving  school  Mr.  Browning  went  to 
East  Greenwich  and  clerked  in  John  P.  Roberts’ 
store  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Queen  streets,  for 
several  years,  and  then,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two 
years,  he  formed  a partnership  with  Levi  N.  Fitts 
and  bought  the  store  of  Mr.  Roberts.  They  re- 
mained there  for  two  years,  and  then  moved  into 
the  handsome  brick  block,  which  Air.  Browning 
had  built  at  the  corner  of  Alain  and  Kings  streets. 
A thriving  trade  was  carried  on  in  general  house- 
furnishings,  hardware  and  dry  goods  until  the  new 
store  would  not  accommodate  the  business,  so  they 
dissolved  the  firm  and  Mr.  Fitts  removed  the  dry 
goods  department,  Mr.  Browning  continuing  the 
rest  of  the  business  until  1891,  when  failing  health 
induced  him  to  divide  the  responsibility  with  his 
eldest  son,  William  A.,  changing  the  name  to  Wil- 
liam G.  Browning  & Son. 

Always  active  in  public  affairs,  in  1881  Air. 
Browning-  was  elected  a member  of  the  famous 
temperance  town  council.  Later  he  was  chairman 
of  the  building  committee  that  erected  the  town 
hall  in  1886,  and  was  among  the  foremost  in  or- 
ganizing the  first  fire  department  and  building 
Engine  Hall  on  Afontrose  street.  He  served  as 
a trustee  of  School  District  No.  i,  which  includes 
the  village,  and  did  much  for  the  cause  of  local 
education.  In  April,  1893,  he  was  elected  Senator 
to  the  General  Assembly  by  a handsome  majority, 
and  served  his  term  most  satisfactorily,  but  de- 
clined a renomination  owing  to  failing  health.  He 
was  a Republican  in  politics,  always  a public- 
spirited  citizen,  and  as  such  he  had  high  ideals  and 
lived  up  to  them.  His  daily  life  was  the  exempli- 


828 


RHODE  ISLAND 


location  of  a high  type  of  citizenship.  Progressive 
in  the  full  sense,  he  was  an  earnest  advocate  and 
strong  supporter  of  all  movements  whose  object 
was  the  advancement  of  the  general  welfare,  par- 
ticularly in  the  matters  of  education  and  temper- 
ance, which  he  estimated  highly. 

Mr.  Browning  married  Mrs.  Phebe  ‘Fitts  An- 
nabil,  of  Sharon,  Mich.,  Aug.  8,  1871,  and  they 
had  children  as  follows:  William  A.;  Walter  G., 
born  Sept.  11,  1874,  ltiarried  Sept.  14,  1899,  Abbie 
P.  Taber,  of  Centerville  and  is  now  residing  in 
Denver,  Colo;  Howard  F.,  born  Feb.  1,  1878,  mar- 
ried Rose  Maude  Cook,  and  also  lives  in  Colorado ; 
George  M.,  born  Dec.  5,  1886,  died  July  15,  1900; 
and  Frederick  M.,  born  Sept.  24,  1888.  To  all  his 
children  Mr.  Browning  offered  abundant  oppor- 
tunities for  education  and  advancement,  and  they 
have  evinced  a full  appreciation  of  this,  making 
exemplary  progress.  It  is  a family  of  whom  any 
father  might  be  proud,  and  one  in  which  the  prin- 
ciples of  industry  have  been  effectually  instilled. 

In  1892  Mr.  Browning  built  a beautiful  summer 
home  across  the  line  in  Warwick,  and  it  was  there 
that  his  busy  life,  so  potent  for  good,  was  ended, 
July  16,  1894.  He  was  a member  of  St.  Luke’s 
Episcopal  Church. 

William  A.  Browning  was  born  July  4,  1872. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  town  schools  and 
the  East  Greenwich  Academy,  and  at  the  early  age 
of  twenty-one,  became  an  active  partner  in  his 
father’s  business,  later  assuming  control,  and  he 
has  conducted  it  thrivingly  until  the  present  day. 
He  is  noted  for  his  business-like  and  progressive 
methods.  Like  his  father  he  takes  an  active  part 
in  all  matters  which  concern  the  welfare  of  the 
community.  He  is  a Republican,  and  was  for  a 
time  trustee  of  school  district  No.  9 in  Warwick. 
He  has  also  served  in  East  Greenwich  on  the  Re- 
publican committee,  and  was  for  two  years  a mem- 
ber of  the  town  council.  He  has  been  a member  of 
the  Kentish  Guards  for  fifteen  years,  and  for  three 
years  the  commanding  officer. 

William  A.  Browning  was  married  June  18, 
1901,  to  Miss  Isabel  Redfern  Sprague,  of  East' 
Greenwich,  and  they  are  popular  and  prominent 
people  in  the  social  circles  of  the  town.  Mr.  Brown- 
ing is  identified  with  various  energetic,  philan- 
thropic movements,  and  is  connected  with  St.  Luke’s 
Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a member  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Society,  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution. 

JOHN  THOMAS  HAIRE,  one  of  the  leading 
and  successful  business  men  of  Newport,  as  well  as 
one  of  that  city’s  representative  and  highly  re- 
spected citizens,  is  the  son  of  the  late  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Hoey)  Haire.  Although  not  a native 
of  Newport,  Mr.  Haire  has  been  a resident  of  that 
city  since  childhood. 

William  Haire,  father  of  John  Thomas,  was 
born  April  12,  1816,  in  County  Fermanagh,  Ire- 


land, and  in  his  native  land  was  engaged,  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  and  also  in  a mercantile  business, 
and  lie  continued  in  these  vocations  until  coming 
to  America  in  1866,  finally  settling  at  Newport, 
R.  I.,  where  he  passed  away  April  28,  1868.  He 
married  in  May,  1848,  Elizabeth  Hoey,  daughter  of 
John  Hoey,  and  Mrs.  Haire  survived  her  husband 
until  Sept.  27,  1905,  when  she  passed  away  in  Mid- 
dletown, R.  I.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haire  were  born 
the  following  children : James,  a detective  in  the 
White  Chapel  District,  London,  England ; William, 
who  was  drowned  at  Vineyard  Haven,  Mass.;  Jo- 
seph, mentioned  elsewhere  in  these  volumes ; Mar- 
garet Anna,  wife  of  Rev.  John  Reynolds  Mackay, 
pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  at  Glens 
Falls,  N.  Y. ; Samuel,  who  is  engaged  in  farming 
in  Middletown,  R.  I.;  John  Thomas;  and  Robert, 
who  is  engaged  in  the  plumbing  business  in  New- 
port. 

John  Thomas  Haire  was  born  Dec.  23,  1862, 
in  County  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  and  when  between 
three  and  four  years  of  age  was  brought  to 
America  by  his  parents.  He  obtained  his  early 
educational  training  in  the  common  schools  of  New- 
port. The  death  of  his  father  forced  him  to  earn 
his  own  livelihood  early  in  life,  and  at  the  age  of 
fourteen  years  he  left  school,  and  after  working  at 
various  occupations  for'  about  three  years,  he  be- 
came, when  seventeen  years  of  age,  apprenticed  to 
the  trade  of  cabinet-maker  with  J.  L.  & G.  A.  Haz- 
ard, in  whose  employ  he  remained  for  about  four 
and  one-half  years.  Mr.  Haire  then  accepted  a po- 
sition with  George  E.  Vernon  & Co.,  furniture 
manufacturers  of  Newport,  shortly  after  which  he 
was  made  foreman  of  this  establishment,  serving  in 
that  capacity  with  efficiency  until  1900,  when  he 
resigned  his  position  to  engage  in  business  on  his 
own  account.  In  September  of  that  year  he  estab- 
lished himself  in  the  furniture  and  upholstering 
business  on  Bellevue  Avenue,  near  Bowery  street, 
where  he  remained  but  six  months,  and  then  re- 
moved to  his  present  large  and  commodious  store 
room  at  No.  134  Bellevue  Avenue,  where  he  gives 
employment  to  a number  of  men.  Besides  manufac- 
turing furniture  of  every  description  in  all  its 
branches,  Mr.  Haire  also  carries  a complete  line  of 
modern  as  well  as  antique  designs,  and  makes  a 
specialty  of  interior  decorations  of  every  descrip- 
tion. He  has  been  exceptionally  successful,  this 
success  being  due  to  his  energy'  and  enterprise,  his 
upright  and  honorable  dealings,  and  to  his  marked 
ability  as  an  original  designer.  He  is  devoted  to  his 
business,  giving  it  his  untiring  and  undivided  at- 
tention. 

Mr.  Haire  is  a consistent  member  of  the  First 
, Presbyterian  Church,  of  Newport,  as  is  also  his 
wife,  and  he  has  served  as  deacon  for  several  years, 
as  well  as  being  a member  of  the  board  of  trustees. 
Although  he  does  not  take  an  active  interest  in  poli- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


tical  affairs,  he  is  a believer  in  the  principles  of  the 
Republican  party,  but  in  city  affairs  takes  a neutral 
stand. 

On  Jan.  18,  1893,  Mr.  Haire  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Anderson  Lee,  daugh- 
ter, of  Robert  Henry  Lee,  of  Newport,  and  to  this 
union  have  been  born  children  as  follows:  John 
Russell,  Robert  Hoey  and  Joseph  Mackay.  Mr. 
Haire  is  a genial,  courteous  gentleman,  and  a man 
who  bears  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  know 
him.  He  is  very  domestic  in  his  habits,  and  his 
home  life  is  an  ideal  one. 

PIERCE.  (I)  Michael  Pierce.  (II)  Ephraim 
Pierce.  (Ill)  Ephraim  Pierce  (2).  (IV)  Deacon 
Mial  Pierce.  (V)  Rev.  Nathan  Pierce. 

(V)  Joshua  Pierce,  son  of  Deacon  Mial,  was. 
married,  March  24,  1748,  to  Mary  Horton,  and 
they  were  residents  of  Rehoboth  and  Swansea, 
Mass.  Their  children  were : Shubael ; Israel ; Henry, 
born  in  1750;  Barnard,  born  Feb.  4,  1764;  Wil- 
liam, who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years ; 
Joshua  ; Sarah  ; Silence  ; Hannah  ; and  Mary. 

(VI)  Isaac  Pierce,  son  of  Rev.  Nathan,  born 

Sept.  22,  1763,  married,  Oct.  7,  1782,  Anna  Fitch, 
born  March  1,  1763,  daughter  of  Capt.  Amos  Fitch, 
of  Swansea,  Mass.  She  died  Nov.  15,  1809,  and  is 
buried  in  the  Pierce  burying-ground  in  Rehoboth, 
Mass.,  and  he  married  (second)  Nov.  1,  1810, 
Polly  Bowen,  born  Aug.  21,  1789.  She  died  March 
10,  1838,  and  he  married  (third)  Elizabeth  Car- 
penter. Mr.  Pierce  was  a resident  of  Rehoboth, 
Mass.,  where  he  died  Nov.  26,  1849.  He  had  re- 
sided through  life  within  four  miles  of  his  birth- 
place. For  a short  time  he  was  a'  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  army,  at  the  time  being  a lad  of 
only  sixteen  years.  After  his  marriage  he  resided 
for  a period  with  his  grandfather,  Mial  Pierce,  re- 
turning after  two  years  to  his  father’s  farm,  where 
he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days.  He  was  in- 
dustrious and  economical,  reared  a large  family, 
and  always  paid  one  hundred  cents  on  the  dollar. 
When  he  was  a boy  there  was  not  a vehicle  in  Re- 
hoboth, everybody  riding  horseback ; there  were  a 
few  ox-carts,  heavy,  clumsy  affairs,  built  after  the 
pattern  of  the  English.  He  often  went  to  church 
in  an  ox-wagon  with  a seat  placed  on  it.  When 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  joined  his  father’s  church, 
but  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  he  was  ex-communi- 
catecl  because  he  went  to  hear  a Universalist 
preacher.  His  children  were : Hannah,  born  Sept. 
18,  1783;  Nancy,  born  April  15,  1786,  who  mar- 
ried a Chaffee,  of  Seekonk ; Cyrus,  born  June  9, 
1788;  Isaac,  born  Dec.  21,  1789;  Mahala,  born 
April  29,  1792;  Angia,  born  June  1,  1794:  Levi, 
born  June  8,  1797,  who  married  Betsey  Wheeler; 
Mary  A.,  born  May  29,  1799;  Waterman,  born 
Dec.  24,  1801;  Hiram  W.,  born  Feb.  19,  1804; 

Betsev,  born  Feb.  3,  1807;  Lymon,  born  Jan.  1, 
1813:  Holofanes,  born  Feb.  26,  1815;  Polly,  born 
March  21,  1816;  Jeremiah  B.,  born  Aug.  20,  1820; 


829 

Delana,  born  July  13,  1823 ; Laura  A.,  born  May 
18,  1825  ; and  Sophronia,  born  Aug.  12,  1827. 

(VII)  Jeremiah  B.  Pierce,  son  of  Isaac  Pierce 
and  his  wife  Anna  Fitch,  born  Aug.  20,  1820,  mar- 
ried Aug.  29,  1841,  Sarah  P.  Horton,  born  Aug. 
30,  1823,  daughter  of  Otis  Horton.  Their  children 
were:  Warren  R.,  born  June  13,  1843;  La  F., 
born  Dec.  5,  1847,  who  married  Dec.  2,  1873,  Car- 
roll  M.  Foster,  and  died  Feb.  25.  1891,  leaving  one 
daughter,  Mabel  (born  May  18,  1875,  married 
June  9,  1904,  Clarence  E.  Wright). 

(\  III)  Warren  R.  Perce,  son  of  Jeremiah  B., 
born  June  13,  1843,  married  Oct.  28,  1884,  Annie 
E.  Kenyon,  a descendant  in  the  ninth  generation 
from  Roger  Williams.  Warren  R.  Perce  was  born 
in  Rehoboth  in  the  house  of  his  grandfather,  Isaac, 
and  was  brought  to  Providence  when  he  was  six 
months  old.  His  father  was  established  in  busi- 
ness there  with  his  brother,  Lymon  Peirce.  He 
passed  through  the  common  schools  and  the  high 
school  in  Providence,  graduating  from  the  latter 
in  1861,  in  the  fall  of  which  year  lie  entered  Brown 
University,  where  he  was  graduated  as  valedicto- 
rian of  the  class  of  1865.  Upon  his  graduation  he 
received  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  and  in  1868  the  degree 
of  A.  M.,  and  in  1898  the  honorary  degree  of  Doc- 
tor of  Science,  in  recognition  of  his  book  “Gene- 
sis and  Modern  Science,”  published  in  1898.  This 
work  related  mainly  to  astronomy  and  geology. 
During  his  college  days  he  was  somewhat  of  an 
athlete,  and  twice  walked  650  miles  to  and  through 
the  White  Mountains.  He  began  the  study  of  law 
in  1865  with  Hon.  Charles  S.  Bradley,  one  of  the 
most  famous  lawyers  of  Rhode  Island,  who  was 
afterward  chief  justice.  After  two  years  of  study, 
he  was,  Oct.  10,  1867,  admitted  to  the  Rhode  Is- 
land Bar,  where  he  has  ever  since  been  engaged 
in  practice.  Soon  after  he  began  general  practice 
he  was  in  partnership  with  I.  Erastus  Lester,  with 
whom  he  continued  about  one  year,  the  partnership 
being  then  dissolved  on  account  of  the  ill  health  of 
Mr.  Perce.  In  1871  he  formed  a co-partnership 
with  William  B.  W.  Hallett,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Perce  & Hallett,  and  this  partnership  was  a 
most  successful  and  prosperous  one,  continuing 
until  1883.  In  its  time  the  firm  took  part  in  some 
of  the  most  famous  criminal  cases,  the  most  cele- 
brated being  that  of  the  State  vs.  Patrick  F.  Dene- 
hey,  in  1872,  in  which  the  defendant  was  charged 
with  the  murder  of  George  H.  Favor.  The  case 
lasted  nine  days  and  was  noted  all  over  the  coun- 
try. Mr.  Perce  has,  however,  given  special  atten- 
tion to  patent  law,  for  which  he  had  a special 
fitness  on  account  of  his  mechanical  turn  of  mind. 
He  was  also  engaged  in  the  practice  of  real  estate 
law,  a-nd  the  investigation  of  land  titles,  and  has 
had  several  well-known  will  cases.  He  adopted 
the  general  policy  of  settling  cases  of  litigation  be- 
tween parties,  thus  avoiding  vexatious  and  ex- 
pensive lawsuits,  and  in  this  way  he  has  secured  a 
large  clientage. 


830 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Until  1880  Mr.  Perce  was  a Democrat  in  po- 
litical faith,  but  that  year,  firmly  believing  in  a 
moderate  protective  tariff,  he  cast  his  ballot  in 
support  of  the  Republican  party,  and  has  since  been 
active  in  its  support.  W hile  a Democrat,  he  was 
the  candidate  of  his  party  for  the  city  council,  for 
city  solicitor,  representative  and  State  senator,  and 
attorney  general.  He  was  elected  by  the  Repub- 
licans a representative  from  the  city  of  Providence 
to  the  Legislature,  for  the  session  of  1891-92. 

From  his  earlv  life  Air.  Perce  has  been  strongly 
interested  in  temperance,  and  by  force  of  circum- 
stances was  brought  into  prominence  during  cam- 
paigns for  constitutional  prohibition.  After  the 
constitution  was  amended  it  was  found  that  the 
statutes  to  enforce  it  were  defective  and  inadequate. 
Mr.  Perce  became  a member  of  a committee  to 
draft  a law  which  would  be  practical.  As  such 
member  he  drafted  a prohibitory  law  largely  com- 
piled from  the  statutes  and  court  decisions  of  the 
several  States  of  the  Union.  It  then  became  nec- 
essary to  pass  the  law,  and  Mr.  Perce  was  called 
upon  to  conduct  many  public  bearings  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly.  After  a long  fight  the  law  he  pro- 
posed was  passed,  though  amended  and  thereby 
somewhat  weakened  in  its  efficiency.  Again  by 
force  of  circumstances  Mr.  Perce  personally  prose- 
cuted a considerable  proportion  of  the  cases  for 
violations  of  this  law,  and  in  the  discharge  of  this 
duty  he  tried  over  400  cases  and  lost  only  four, 
during  a period  of  three  years,  1888  to  1891. 

Air.  Perce  has  been  a member  of  the  Beneficent 
Congregational  Church  in  Providence  since  1872, 
and  is  one  of  its  board  of  deacons.  He  has  been  a 
teacher  in  the  Sunday-school  since  he  was  sixteen 
years  of  age,  and  has  conducted  large  Bible-classes, 
made  up  largely  of  college  students,  teachers  and 
prominent  business  men,  two  of  the  governors  of 
the  State  having  been  among  his  pupils.  He  has 
also  given  special  courses  of  lectures  in  Evidences 
of  Christianity  and  Church  History. 

(VI)  Barnard  Pierce,  son  of  Joshua,  born  Feb. 

4,  1764,  married  Jan.  14,  1786,  Mary  Rounds,  born 
Nov.  12,  1767,.  daughter  of  Chace  Rounds,  and  they 
were  residents  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.  He  died  May 

5,  1842,  and  she  passed  away  Nov.  16,  1849.  Their 
children  were:  Jeremiah,  born  Aug.  29,  1786; 
Mary,  Dec.  15,  1788:  Nathaniel  R.,  Jan.  1,  1792; 
Hannah  31.,  Nov.  19,  1794;  Barnard,  March  15, 
1797 ; Charles  M.,  Aug.  9,  1799;  Otis  N.,  Feb.  3, 
1803  : Chase  R.,  May  12,  1805 ; Bradford  S.,  Jan. 
14,  t8o8;  and  Marv  A.,  May  7,  1811. 

(VII)  Jeremiah  Pierce,  son  of  Barnard,  born 
Aug.  29,  1786,  married  Nov.  9,  1806,  Candace 
Wbeeler.  born  Sept.  30,  1789,  and  they  resided  in 
Rehoboth,  Mass.  He  died  March  23,  1837,  and  she 
passed  away  Oct.  18,  1882.  Their  children  were : 
Abraham,  born  Feb.  1,  1828:  Mary  W.,  Jan.  13, 
1809:  Cbloe  M.,  Nov.  27.  1810:  Jeremiah,  June 
23,  1812:  Candace,  July  9,  1813;  Charlotte,  Nov.  5, 
1818:  Albert.  Dec.  30,  1821;  Alfred,  Dec.  30,  1821 


(now  living  in  Attleboro,  Mass.)  ; Galen,  July  18, 
1824;  Sarah  J.,  April  29,  1830;  and  Martha,  Sept. 

^32. 

(VII)  Rev.  Waterman  Pierce,  son  of  Isaac, 
born  Dec.  24,  1801,  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  married 
June  15,  1820,  .Betsey  Baker,  born  March  8,  1801, 
and  they  resided  in  East  Providence,  R.  I.  Mr. 
Pierce  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  his  early  educa- 
tion was  necessarily  curtailed.  Fie  was  married 
when  only  nineteen  years  of  age,  and  was  blessed 
with  eleven  children.  Each  of  his  sons  served  in 
the  city  council  of  Providence,  and  one  of  them 
represented  the  city  in-  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
State.  For  over  forty  years  31  r.  Pierce  was  pastor 
of  the  Free  Will  Baptist  Church  at  Barneyville, 
North  Swansea,  Mass.  He  baptized  hundreds  of 
persons,  and  united  in  marriage  nearly  as  many. 
He  officiated  at  funerals  in  fourteen  counties  and 
towns.  Fie  carried  on  his  farm  in  connection  with 
his  ministry,  and  built  the  church  at  Barneyville, 
carting  the  stone  and  wood  for  the  building  from 
his  farm.  His  services  were  given  his  church  free, 
and  he  received  only  a small  annual  donation ; he 
was  very  eloquent,  and  claimed  that  he  spoke 
through  the  spirit,  and  was  called  to  speak  at  many 
revivals.  His  grandfather  was  a clergyman,  and 
one  of  his  grandsons  (George  Horton)  latterly  oc- 
cupied the  pulpit  with  him.  His  children  were: 
Bradford  B.,  born  Nov.  7.  1821,  married  Martba 
K.  Brown;  Sarah  F..  born  July  25,  1826,  married 
Gilbert  31.  Horton  ; Elisha  W.,  born  Jan.  22,  1829, 
married  Elizabeth  W.  Barney;  3Iaria  B.,  born  Feb. 
1,  1835,  married  Oct.  2.  1859,  Samuel  S.  Barney; 
George  L.,  born  Sept.  9,  1837,  married  Sarah  E. 
Cory;  Julia  E.,  born  Nov.  16,  1839,  married  Aug. 
6,  1863,  Dexter  West;  3Iercy  A.,  born  July  14, 
1842,  married  June  17,  1864,  Burden  Monroe; 
Richmond,  born  July  2,  1847,  died  in  infancy;  and 
two  others. 

(VIII)  Galen  Pierce,  son  of  Jeremiah,  born 
July  18,  1824,  married  April  13,  1847,  Phebe  A.  G. 
Barney,  and  resided  in  East  Providence,  R.  I.  3Irs. 
Pierce  died  3Iav  29,  1880.  Their  children  were: 
Eugenia  E.,  born  Feb.  27,  1848  (married  S.  S. 
Rich)  ; .Alfred  G.,  .April  25,  1853;  Walter  E.,  Nov. 
5,  1855  ; and  Galen  F.,  3Iarch  30,  1865.  The  sec- 
ond wife  of  Galen  Pierce  was  Emily  Wilmarth,  of 
East  Providence.  He  died  Aug.  27,  1899. 

(IX)  Walter  B.  Pierce,  son  of  Galen,  bom 
Nov.  5,  1855,  resides  in  East  Providence,  R.  I.  He 
married  Oct.  10,  1882,  Emma  Andrews,  born  July 
22,  1858,  who  died  Sept.  16,  1896.  On  Oct.  5, 
1897,  he  married  (second)  Louise  II.  Sheldon, 
daughter  of  Stephen  Sheldon.  To  the  first  mar- 
riage came  two  children : David,  born  Oct.  29, 
1887;  and  Gertrude,  born  Dec.  13,  1884.  The 
father  of  Mr.  Pierce  was  at  one  time  an  extensive 
merchant  in  India  street.  Providence,  but  when  the 
son  was  a youth  removed  to  East  Providence, 
where  he  became  engaged  in  business,  and  in  about 
1880  erected  in  that  town  what  is  there  known  as 


RHODE  ISLAND 


831 


the  Pierce  block.  The  son  attended  the  schools  of 
East  Providence,  and  later  took  a course  of  study 
at  Bryant  & Stratton's  Business  College  in  Provi- 
dence. He  received  his  practical  business  training 
under  the  direction  of  his  father  in  the  latter’s  bus- 
iness house,  and  on  the  father’s  retirement  became 
his  successor  (1892).  He  dealt  in  hardware, 
paints,  oils,  etc.,  and  in  this  business  proved  worthy 
of  his  father’s  training. 

Mr.  Pierce  was  a man  of  strong  convictions  and 
had  the  courage  of  them.  He  was  independent  in 
his  political  views.  His  principles  he  fearlessly  ad- 
vocated, regardless  as  to  whether  they  were  pop- 
ular or  otherwise.  For  a number  of  years  he  was 
a member  of  the  school  committee  of  East  Provi- 
dence. He  was  a member  of  the  Radical  Club  of 
Providence,  the  Annawan  Club,  the  East  Provi- 
dence Business  Men’s  Association,  and  of  other  or- 
ganizations. He  was  always  much  interested  in 
local  matters  and  took  an  interest  in  the  town  and 
all  that  pertained  to  its  advancement.  In  1904  he 
ran  as  an  independent  for  senator,  and  in  his  own 
precinct  was  several  hundred  ahead  of  his  ticket. 
Mr.  Pierce  died  at  his  home  in  East  Providence 
April  8,  1904. 

CHARLES  S.  BL’SH,  founder  of  the  Charles 
S.  Bush  Company,  Providence,  dealers  in  drugs, 
paints,  oils,  etc.,  comes  from  a family  that  for  sev- 
eral generations  has  been  prominent  in  the  business 
life  of  Rhode  Island. 

(I)  Richard  Bush,  the  first  of  whom  there  is 
authentic  record,  was  born  in  1713.  On  Oct.  4, 
1738,  he  married  Elizabeth  Hammett,  of  Newport, 
and  they  had  four  children,  namely : John,  born 
in  1740;  Jonathan,  in  1742;  Thomas,  in  1752;  and 
Richard,  Nov.  23,  1754. 

(II)  Richard  Bush,  Jr.,  son  of  Richard,  was 
born  in  Jamestown,  R.  I.,  Nov.  23,  1754.  In  his 
early  years  he  was  a butcher,  but  when  the  Revolu- 
tion broke  out,  he  entered  the  army  and  never  again 
resumed  his  former  occupation.  He  served  under 
Lieut.  Archibald  Carry.  When  the  British  invaded 
Rhode  Island,  the  Bush  home  was  ransacked  and 
burned,  and  Mr.  Bush  and  family  fled  to  Newport,, 
where  he  was  afterward  engaged  in  carrying  the 
mail  and  driving  stage.  He  married  Hannah  Haz- 
ard, daughter  of  Oliver  Hazard.  They  had  chil- 
dren: John,  born  March  26,  1776,  who  married 
Penelope  Gibbs;  Thomas,  born  Sept.  27,  1778; 
Hannah,  born  Dec.  7,  1780,  who  died  unmarried; 
Hazard,  born  Jan.  8,  1783,  who  married  Polly  In- 
graham; George,  born  Oct.  10,  1784,  who  never 
married;  Elizabeth,  born  May  24,  1787,  who  mar- 
ried Capt.  Wade;  Nancy,  born  March  7,  1789,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Champanoise ; Richard, 
born  in  June,  1791,  who  died  in  infancy;  Sarah, 
born  July  15,  1792,  who  married  Nicholas  Jeffrey; 
Catherine,  born  July  25.  1794,  who  married  a Air. 
Marble  ; Arnold,  born  Nov.  30,  1793.  who  married 
a Miss  Waldron;  and  Ann,  born  Nov.  18.  1797, 


who  wedded  Peter  Chase.  After  the  death  of  the 
mother  of  these  children,  Richard  Bush  married 
(second)  Eunice  Champlin,  of  Newport,  by  whom 
he  had  a son  Richard,  who  married  Caroline  Almy. 
Mr.  Bush  married  (third)  Mrs.  Sarah  (Gibbs) 
Crandall. 

(III)  Thomas  Bush  was  born  Sept.  27,  1778, 
in  Jamestown,  but  was  taken  at  the  time  of  the 
British  invasion  to  Newport,  where  he  grew  to 
manhood.  He  became  a tanner  and  wool  dresser, 
and,  regardless  of  limited  water  facilities,  he  being 
obliged  to  carry  his  hides  on  horseback  to  a distant 
brook,  he  carried  on  an  extensive  business.  In 
1801  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  chamois 
skin  gloves,  all  the  sewing  being  done  by  hand  by 
the  women  in  the  vicinity.  His  establishment  was 
located  on  what  was  then  Tanner  street,  now  West 
Broadway.  Mr.  Bush  was  active  in  public  affairs 
as  an  old-line  Whig,  and  for  several  years  was  tax 
collector.  Although  not  a communicant,  he  was  a 
regular  attendant  at  Trinity  Episcopal  Church. 
On  Nov.  19,  1799,  Mr.  Bush  married  Mary  Wanton 
Borden,  who  was  born  Sept.  25,  1780,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Borden ; she  died  May  6,  1857.  Their 
children  were:  Thomas,  Jr.,  born  Jan.  26,  1801, 
a tanner  in  Newport,  married  Sarah  Ward;  Rich- 
ard, born  July  16,  1802,  a tanner  in  Providence, 
where  he  died,  married  Elizabeth  Sherman  Hollo- 
way; Mary  Ann,  died  in  infancy;  Elizabeth,  born 
Dec.  20,  1806,  married  George  W.  Taylor,  probate 
clerk  for  many  years  in  Newport,  where  he  died ; 
George  Hazard,  born  July  24,  1808,  a tanner  by 
trade,  married  Abby  May  Brown;  Mary  (2),  born 
Sept.  21,  1810,  became  the  wife  of  William  Tew 
Tilley,  a ropemaker  of  Newport,  where  both  died  ; 
Augustus,  born  March  15,  1813,  an  Episcopal  cler- 
gyman, died  unmarried  in  Detroit,  Mich. ; Edwin 
Arnold,  born  June  4,  1815,  died  in  1906;  John 
Topham,  born  Feb.  25,  1817,  was  a tanner  of  New- 
port, where  both  he  and  his  wife,  Emily  Lyon,  died  ; 
Solon  Wanton,  born  Feb.  11,  1819,  a Unitarian 
minister,  married  Theoda  Foster,  and  died  in  Bos- 
ton; Adeline  Jeffrey  died  in  infancy;  and  Marcus, 
born  in -1823,  a jeweler,  married  Abby  Houghton, 
and  died  in  Melrose. 

(IV)  Edwin  Arnold  Bush,  born  June  4,  1815, 
in  Newport,  died  in  East  Providence,  July  30,  1906. 
He  married  Ellen  Metcalf,  born  June  28,  1817, 
daughter  of  Jesse  and  Eunice  Dench  (Houghton) 
Metcalf,  who  numbered  among  her  ancestors  Gov- 
ernor William  Bradford,  John  Alden,  and  Priscilla 
Mullins,  all  of  the  “Mayflower.’’  Mrs.  Ellen  Bush 
died  July  14,  1902,  at  Adirondack,  N.  Y.  She  was 
a member  of  the  First  Unitarian  Church.  Provi- 
dence. The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bush 
were:  Jesse  M.,  born  May  30,  1847,  died  June  16, 
1905  ; Charles  S.;  dnd  Edwin  A.,  Jr.,  born  June  14, 
1853,  died  at  the  age  of  ten  years.  Edwin  A.  Bush 
left  Newport  when  a young  man  and  came  to  Prov- 
idence where  he  entered  the  employ  of  a tanner. 
After  remaining  in  business  here  for  a few  years 


832 


RHODE  ISLAND 


lie  went  to  Schroon  Lake  in  the  Adirondacks,  and 
was  in  business  there  for  over  forty  years,  or  until 
his  retirement  in  1886.  While  in  Providence  he 
conducted  his  own  business  and  was  also  in  part- 
nership for  some  time.  Mr.  Bush  was  a successful 
business  man,  an  exemplary  citizen  and  held  the 
respect  of  all  men. 

(V)  Charles  S.  Bush,  son  of  Edwin  A.  and 
Ellen,  was  born  June  22,  1849,  in  Newport,  R.  I. 
He  received  his  early  education  in  the  early  schools 
of  Providence,  and  in  Allen’s  English  and  Classical 
School.  West  Newton,  Mass.  After  finishing  his 
course  at  the  latter  institution,  he  spent  about  two 
years  in  the  mill  of  his  uncle,  the  late  Jesse  Met- 
calf, gaining  some  knowledge  of  the  woolen  cloth 
industry.  In  1867,  finding  his  inclinations  more 
favorable  to  a mercantile  life,  he  entered  the  Earl 
P.  Mason  drug  and  chemical  establishment,  with 
the  intention  of  thoroughly  learning  the  business. 
He  started  in  the  lowest  position,  but  through  strict 
attention  to  business,  his  advancement  was  rapid, 
and  at  the  end  of  seven  years  he  was  admitted  as  a 
partner,  the  firm  name  then  becoming  Mason. 
Chapin  & Co.  The  partnership  thus  formed  existed 
until  1883  (nine  years),  when  Mr.  Bush  withdrew 
to  establish  the  house  of  Charles  S.  Bush  Company. 
This  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  State 
of  Rhode  Island,  in  1889,  and  it  has  since  assumed 
large  proportions  under  the  careful  supervision  of 
its  founder.  Originally  the  business  of  the  house 
was  confined  almost  exclusively  to  that  of  im- 
porters, manufacturers  and  dealers  in  drugs,  dye- 
stuffs,  chemicals,  paints,  oils,  etc.,  but  several  kin- 
dred lines  have  been  added  and  the  company  now 
occupies  the  entire  building  at  the  corner  of  \\  ev- 
bosset  and  Page  streets,  and  the  Bush  Electric 
Building  on  Richmond  street.  • 

In  1874,  Mr.  Bush,  then  only  twenty-five  years 
of  age,  was  elected  a director  in  the  Globe  National 
Bank  of  Providence;  he  served  the  institution 
faithfully  for  nearly  a quarter  of  a century  and  was 
made  its  vice-president  a short  time  before  it  was 
consolidated  with  the  Union  Trust  Company. 
After  the  consolidation  he  was  made  a director  of 
the  last  named  institution,  and  his  judgment  is 
highly  esteemed  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  loans 
and  credits.  He  has  been  an  active  member  of  the 
American  Chemical  Society  for  many  years.  In 
the  year  1904  he  was  elected  President  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Business  Men’s  Association.  He  has 
been  a member  of  the  Providence  Board  of  Trade 
for  a third  of  a century,  and  I14S  served  at  two 
different  periods  as  a member  of  the  Executive 
committee.  For  more  than  twenty  years  he  has 
been  a member  of  the  Paint  and  Oil  Club  of  New 
England,  and  for  one  term  was  its  vice-president ; 
and  for  the  same  length  of  time  he  has  belonged  to 
the  Drysalters  Club  of  New  England.  He  is  also 
a member  of  the  Society  of  Mayflower  Descendants. 

Mr.  Bush  is  a member  of  the  following  Masonic 
bodies : St.  John’s  Lodge,  Providence  ; Royal  Arch 


Chapter,  Providence ; Council  of  Royal  & Select 
Masters;  St.  John's  Commandery;  Providence 
Lodge  of  Perfection ; Providence  Council, 
Princes  of  Jerusalem;  Providence  Chapter 
of  Rose  Croix ; Providence  Council  of  Iva- 
dosh.  In  1897  he  was  made  a 33d  de- 
gree Mason,  and  for  several  years  has  been  Dep- 
uty Grand  Commander,  for  the  State  of  Rhode  Is- 
land, of  the  Supreme  Council  of  Sovereign  Grand 
Inspectors  General  of  The  Thirty-Third  and  Last 
Degree,  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  for 
the  United  States  of  America,  their  Territories  and 
Dependencies. 

At  Providence,  Sept.  26,  1872,  Mr.  Bush  was 
married  to  Kate  Davison,  daughter  of  John  and 
Rebecca  (Brown)  Davison,  all  of  Providence. 
Two  daughters  were  born  to  them:  Ellen  Met- 
calf, born  March  19,  1874,  married  Oct.  16,  1901, 
Earl  S.  Colman,  of  Providence ; and  Florence,  born 
July  7,  1877,  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Bush  has  never 
accepted  any  political  office,  and  his  tastes  are  more 
in  the  line  of  mercantile  and  scientific  affairs. 
Though  successful  in  business  he  has  never  accu- 
mulated great  wealth,  but  is  preeminently  a man 
who  believes  that  a reputation  for  strict  integrity 
in  dealing  with  his  fellow  men  is  more  to  be  de- 
sired than  riches. 

MUNRO  or  MUNROE.  Hudson  in  his  His- 
tory of  Lexington,  Mass.,  gives  quite  an  interesting 
account  of  the  Munroes  of  Scotland,  in  connection 
with  the  genealogy  of  the  Lexington  family,  from 
whom  the  latter  were  descended,  and  in  this  account 
we  find  the  following : The  Munroes  who 
acted  a conspicuous  part  April  19,  1775,  and  were 
among  the  first  settlers  of  Lexington,  were  of 
Scotch  descent,  though  it  has  been  said  that  they 
came  from  Ireland  to  Scotland  at  a remote  period. 
The  family  of  Munroes  of  FowliS,  from  which  the 
Lexington  M unroes  were  descended,  is  among  the 
most  ancient  and  honorable  families  in  the  north 
part  of  Scotland,  and  has  generally  been  remark- 
able for  a brave,  martial  and  patriotic  spirit.  They 
have  intermarried  with  many  of  the  best  families 
and  nobility  in  the  north  of  Scotland,  and,  what  is- 
more  to  their  honor,  they  were  among  the  very  first 
in  those  parts  who  embraced  the  Reformation, 
which  they  zealously  supported.  According  to  Bu- 
chanan, it  was  in  the  beginning  of  the  eleventh 
century,  and  about  the  time  of  the  Conquest  of  Eng- 
land, when  Malcolm,  the  second  of  that  name,  King 
of  Scots,  first  distributed  the  lands  in  Scotland  to 
the  principal  families,  on  account  of  their  eminent 
success  in  his  battles  with  the  Danes.  According  to 
tradition  it  was  on  that  occasion  that  the  country 
between  the  Borough  of  Dingwall  and  the  waters 
of  Alness,  in  the  shire  of  Ross,  was  given  to  Don- 
ald Munroe.  A part  of  t-iese  lands  was  afterward 
erected  by  the  King  into  a barony,  called  the  Barony 
of  Fowlis,  and  some  of  the  Munroes  were  Lords  of 
the  barony  from  its  first  erection.  George  Munroe, 


i yiA  //€ 


RHODE  ISLAND 


&33 


IXtli  Baron  of  Fowlis  in  a direct  line  from  Don- 
ald the  first  baron,  was  slain  in  the  memorable  bat- 
tle of  Bannockburn,  fought  by  Robert  Bruce,  of 
Scotland,  against  Edward  II,  of  England,  in  1314. 
And  George,  Xth  Baron  of  Fowlis,  son  of  former, 
was  also  slain  with  others  of  the  name,  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Halidon  Hill  near  Berwick,  where  the  Scots 
were  defeated  July  19,  1333. 

It  is  highly  probable  that  the  Munroes  who 
settled  in  New  England  were  prisoners  of  war  taken 
by  Cromwell,  and  sold  as  slaves,  or  apprentices  as 
the  term  was.  The  custom  was  this : These  pris- 
oners were  sold  in  England  to  shippers  for  a small 
sum,  who  sent  them  to  this  country,  where  they 
were  sold  into  service  of  from  three  to  ten  years 
to  pay  the  first  purchase,  the  cost  of  the  passage 
and  such  profit  as  the  dealers  in  flesh  and  blood 
might  be  able  to  make.  The  Munroes  were  proba- 
bly some  of  those  who  were  taken  at  the  battle  of 
Worcester,  where  Cromwell  was  victorious.  In 
1651,  a cargo  of  prisoners  was  consigned  to  Thomas 
Kemble  of  Boston.  The  list  of  prisoners  contains 
the  names  of  four  Munrows,  as  the  name  was  there 
spelled  viz. : Robert,  John,  Hugh  and  another 
whose  name  is  obliterated.  This  is  supposed  to  be 
William,  the  ancestor  of  the  Lexington  Munroes. 
One  of  the  number  settled  in  Bristol,  then  in  Massa- 
chusetts, but  now  in  Rhode  Island.  The  Munroes 
of  Bristol  were-  relatives  of  those  of  Lexington,  but 
how  near  it  is  impossible  to  say  with  certainty. 

The  date  of  the  emigration  of  the  Munroes  to 
this  country  is  uncertain.  Their  history  has,  like 
that  of  the  names  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  coun- 
try, been  handed  down  to  us  by  tradition,  and  not 
by  full  and  reliable  records.  As  near  as  we  can 
learn  they  came  to  America  about  1650.  Being  a 
young  man  without  a family,  and  destitute  of 
property,  the  name  of  the  first  emigrant — William 
Munroe — does  not  appear  upon  the  records  until 
some  time  afterward. 

There  is  of  town  record  in  Bristol,  R.  I.,  the 
births  of  Elizabeth,  John  and  Samuel,  born,  respec- 
tively, Sept.  11,  1699,  May  14,  1701,  and  May  15, 
1703,  children  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Munro. 

John  Munro,  of  Bristol,  son  of  Thomas  and 
Alary,  born  May  14,  1701,  died  April  18,  1793.  He 
married  April  29,  1728,  Hannah  Rosbotham,  and 
their  children  of  Bristol  town  record  were : Com- 
fort, born  March  22,  1729;  Nathan,  born  Sept. 
29,  1730;  Stephen,  born  April  22,  about  1731-32; 
Rosbotham,  born  Feb.  9,  1733-34;  Benjamin,  born 
Feb.  5,  1735-36;  Elizabeth,  born  Aug.  6,  1738; 
Samuel,  born  Sept.  25,  1740;  John,  born  Dec.  23, 
1742;  Mary,  born  Jan.  5,  1744-45;  Alice,  born  Jan. 
1,  1746-47;  and  Thomas,  born  Dec.  3,  1748;  then 
of  Rehoboth  record  are,  Joseph,  born  Oct.  27, 
1750;  and  Hannah,  born  March  5,  1753.  There  is 
also  of  record,  and  the  first  of  the  Munro  name  in 
the  vital  records  of  Rehoboth,  the  birth  of  Anna, 
Feb.  20,  1742-43,  a daughter  of  Joseph  and  Anna, 
S3 


the  latter  formerly  Anna  Goff,  who  is  of  record 
(and  the  first  marriage  of  the  Munro  name  there) 
as  marrying  Joseph  Munro,  Jan.  9,  1741-42. 

Major  Nathan  Munro,  of  Bristol,  son  of  John 
and  Hannah,  born  Sept.  29,  1730,  was  married  Nov. 
21,  1 75 1 , to  Hannah  Allen,  of  Rehoboth,  and  their 
children  of  Rehoboth  record  were : Hannah,  born 
Nov.  8,  1752;  Sarah,  born  May  15,  1754;  Bette, 
born  April  15,  1756;  Squire,  born  June  27,  1758; 
Lydia,  born  June  5,  1760;  Nathan,  born  Sept.  8, 
1762;  Nancy,  born  Oct.  5,  1764;  Jonathan,  born 
Nov.  28,  1766;  David,  born  Feb.  12,  1769;  Allen, 
born  June  21,  1771 ; and  Thomas,  born  Aug.  22, 
1 773- 

Rosbotham^  Munro,  son  of  John  and  Hannah, 
born  Feb.  9,  1733-34,  married  Letosia,  and  their 
children  of  Rehoboth  record  were : Samuel,  born 
March  28,  1758;  Waitstill,  Jan.  2,  1764;  and  Olive, 
Sept.  27,  1765. 

Benjamin  Munro,  son  of  John  and  Hannah, 
born  Feb.  5,  1735-36,  married  March  27,  1759, 
Alary  Ormsbee,  and  their  children  of  Rehoboth 
town  record  were : Elizabeth,  born  Alarch  24, 
1760;  Jacob,  March  23,  1762;  Benjamin,  July  18, 
J775  J Joseph,  July  21,  1777;  and  Benjamin,  Aug. 
24,  1 / / 9* 

Stephen  Munro,  son  of  John  and  Hannah,  born 
April  22,  1731  or  1732,  married  March  23,  1773, 
Merebah  Shaw,  and  their  children  of  Bristol  town 
record  were:  Stephen,  born  Nov.  26,  1773;  Palmer, 
Nov.  9,  1775;  and  Ellery,  April  27,  1778  (likely  in 
Swansea  where  is  probably  a record  of  the  rest  of 
their  children  as  they  are  reported  to  have  had  four- 
teen in  all,  among  them  Burden,  James,  John,  Jona- 
than and  Merebah,  who  married  Joshua  Rounds). 

Burden  Munroe,  born  in  Swansea,  Alass.,  Oct. 
26,  1791,  son  of  Stephen  and  Merebah  (Shaw) 
Munro,  married  Lydia  Baker,  born  July  28,  1801, 
daughter  of  Joseph,  Jr.,  and  Roby  Baker.  He  died 
Oct.  3,  1866,  aged  seventy-four  years,  eleven  months 
and  seven  days ; his  wife  passed  away  April  10, 
1887.  Their  children,  the  first  four  born  in  Swan- 
sea, and  the  last  seven  in  Rehoboth,  were : Alary, 
born  Feb.  3,  1820;  Philip  Allen,  born  Nov.  27, 
1821 ; Alason,  born  Feb.  5,  1824,  died  when  three 
years,  one  month  and  twenty-nine  days  old ; Lydia, 
born  Feb.  13,  1826,  married  Welcome  Healey;  Bur- 
den, born  in  Warren,  R.  I.,  April  13,  1828;  Ether- 
rinda,  born  in  Warren,  March  22,  1830,  married  Eli- 
sha Davis,  of  Rehoboth ; George  J.,  born  Feb.  22, 
1833;  Eliza,  born  Alarch  15,  1835;  William  Wal- 
lace, born  Feb.  23,  1837,  is  mentioned  below ; El- 
len M.,  born  Alarch  10,  1839  ; Emily  A.,  born  Alarch 
7,  1841;  Andrew  J.,  born  July  19,  1844;  and 

Stephen  F.,  born  Alarch  26,  1846. 

Philip  Allen  AIunroe,  son  of  Burden  and 
Lydia,  born  Nov.  27,  1821,  in  Swansea,  was  but 
five  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  his  parents 
to  Warren,  R.  I.,  where  the  family  resided  for  two 
or  three  years  and  where  two  of  their  children  were 


RHODE  ISLAND 


born.  From  Warren  they  removed  to  Rehoboth 
where  the  father  acquired  a farm  and  where  all 
his  sons  were  reared  to  hard  work.  Young  Philip 
obtained  his  schooling,  which  was  limited,  in  the 
little  old  school  house  in  Rehoboth.  He  was  not  al- 
lowed to  go  for  more  than  the  three  months  in 
winter  after  he  attained  the  age  of  eight  or  nine 
years.  The  course  of  study  was  limited  in  those 
days,  and  the  foundation  for  his  life  work  consisted 
of  a well-grounded  knowledge  of  the  “three  Rs” 
and  no  more.  This  was  his  preparation  for  a life 
of  wide  usefulness  and  substantial  success.  After 
leaving  school  he  learned  the  mason’s  trade,  serving 
a regular  apprenticeship  of  two  years  with  Wil- 
liam Williams  of  Pawtucket.  Previous  to  that,  he 
had  at  his  father's  request,  worked  as  a caulker  on 
vessels,  but  not  liking  the  work  gave  it  up.  He  fol- 
lowed his  trade  of  mason  for  about  one  year  in 
Pawtucket.  At  the  beginning  of  winter  his  brother- 
in-law,  Lyman  Pierce,  who  was  then  in  Providence 
on  business,  asked  him  to  become  a clerk  in  his 
grocery,  and  knowing  he  would  have  no  work  at  his 
own  trade  at  that  season  of  the  year  he  accepted. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  a long  career  as  one  of 
the  substantial  business  men  of  Providence.  After 
being  with  his  brother-in-law  for  six  weeks,  a con- 
tract for  a year  was  made  between  them.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  Mr.  Pierce,  wishing  to  retain  his 
services,  offered  him  an  interest  in  the  business, 
which  he  bought,  having  to  give  his  note  in  pay- 
ment therefor.  This  he  paid  off  in  about  a year’s 
time.  The  partnership  thus  formed  continued  for 
sixteen  years  on  Canal  street,  and  at  the  end  of  that 
period  Lyman  Pierce  retired  from  this  firm  and 
started  in  business  at  another  place.  Mr.  Munroe 
continued  in  business  at  the  old  stand.  At  the  time 
of  his  retirement  in  about  1876,  he  had  been  in  busi- 
ness at  the  old  stand  and  vicinity  about  thirty  years. 
During  that  time  he  had  built  up  a business  which 
had  extended  itself  not  only  through  that  part  of 
Rhode  Island  territory  to  Providence,  but  had 
reached  far  over  the  state  line  into  Rehoboth,  See- 
konk  and  Swansea.  Perhaps  some  of  the  secrets  of 
his  success  were  the  scrupulous  care  he  gave  to  the 
wants  of  his  customers  and  this,  “holding  fast  that 
which  was  good”  and  adding  to  it  all  the  time. 
Since  his  retirement  he  has  given  his  attention 
largelv  to  looking  after  his  real  estate  interests 
in  East  Providence  and  Providence,  having  about 
thirty  houses  and  stores.  Starting  empty  handed  he 
has  acquired  a handsome  competency.  At  eighty- 
six  he  is  hale,  hearty  and  a fine  type  of  the  New 
England  merchant  of  thirty  years  ago.  Mr.  Mun- 
roe votes  for  the  men  and  measures  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic party,  but  has  taken  no  interest  in  politics. 
With  Lewis  Bosworth  Smith  and  Lyman  Pierce, 
he  was  one  of  the  committee  on  the  condemnation 
proceedings  on  the  Kickemuet  River  at  \\  arren. 
He  attends  the  Universalist  Church  of  East  Provi- 
dence. 


On  Dec.  29,  1844,  Philip  A.  Munroe  married 
Delana  Pierce,  born  in  Rehoboth,  July  13,  1823, 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  Polly  Pierce.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Sophrona  Jane,  born  in  Providence, 
Jan.  5,  1847,  died  April  29,  1869;  Lyman  F.,  born 
in  Providence,  June  14,  1848;  Delana  J.,  born  in 
Providence,  Jan.  9,  1850,  died  March  20,  1856; 
Lena  Augusta,  born  in  Providence  Dec.  30,  1850; 
Philip  A.,  Jr.,  born  in  Providence,  June  26,  1852, 
married  Jan.  2,  1877,  Henrietta  Packard,  daughter 
of  H.  H.  Packard,  and  has  two  children,  Henry  H. 
(born  Sept.  27,  1877)  and  Cora  Marguerite  (born 
Feb.  24,  1888)  ; Josephene,  born  April  9,  1854;  Oli- 
ver B.,  born  May  22,  1856,  lives  in  Melrose,  Mass. ; 
Addison  P.,  born  in  Providence,  Jan.  2,  1862;  and 
Nellie  F.,  born  in  Rehoboth,  May  4,  1868,  married 
Clarence  A.  Brower. 

Addison  Pierce  Munroe,  son  of  Philip  A.  and 
Delana,  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  Jan.  2,  1862, 
and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
city,  passing  through  the  grammar  school  only.  He 
left  school  when  about  fifteen  years  of  age  and  for 
about  two  years,  his  health  being  poor,  he  remained 
at  home,  then  going  to  work  for  his  brothers  Ly- 
man and  Philip  A.,  Jr.  He  remained  with  them 
for  a year  or  so  when  they  dissolved  partnership, 
and  he  entered  the  employ  of  Philip  A.,  Jr.,  in  the 
capacity  of  clerk,  in  which  position  he  remained 
until  1885.  In  that  year  he  and  Philip  A.  formed 
a partnership  in  the  grocery  business  then  located  at 
No.  14  Cranston  street.  At  this  same  time  the 
business  was  enlarged,  and  a new  grocery  was 
opened  at  No.  1 1 1 Washington  street,  of  which  lat- 
ter store  Addison  P.  took  charge.  This  partner- 
ship continued  until  1901,  or  for  sixteen  years,  when 
INI r.  Munroe  sold  out  his  interest  in  the  Cranston 
street  store  to  his  brother  and  bought  out  the  in- 
terest of  his  brother  in  the  Washington  street  store. 
Since  1901  Mr.  Munroe  has  conducted  this  latter 
business  with  more  than  usual  success,  having  built 
up  a large  thriving  business  in  a locality  noted  for 
failures  in  this  same  line  by  other  firms.  It  is  inter- 
esting to  note  that  the  family  has  produced  a num- 
ber of  very  successful  merchants  in  this  line,  so  that 
Mr.  Munroe,  if  he  applied  to  his  business  energy, 
high  purpose  and  strong  commercial  integrity  as 
did  his  father  and  uncles,  was  bound  to  succeed. 
He  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  politics,  and 
is  a firm  believer  in  Democratic  principles.  For 
three  years  he  was  president  of  the  Young  Men’s 
Democratic  Club  of  Rhode  Island.  Hg  was  nomi- 
nated as  first  representative  from  the  City  of  Provi- 
dence in  1901,  and  defeated  by  a small  margin; 
nominated  again  in  1902,  as  representative-at-large 
from  the  city,  and  elected  by  over  2000  majority. 
While  in  the  Legislature  he  was  a member  of  the 
committee  on  Accounts  and  Claims.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  order  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution ; the  Rhode  Island  Society  of  Mayflower  De- 
scendants, and  is  one  of  the  Board  of  Assistants  of 


RHODE  ISLAND 


835 


that  society;  and  of  the  Society  of  Colonial  Wars. 
Mr.  M unroe’s  eligibility  to  the  Society  of  Mayflower 
Descendants  is  his  descent  from  Richard  Warren, 
who  came  over  in  the  “Mayflower,”  through  Rich- 
ard Church,  who  married  Elizabeth  Warren,  daugh- 
ter of  Richard,  and  their  son,  Col.  Benjamin  Church, 
and  Alice  Southworth,  whose  daughter,  Elizabeth, 
married  Capt.  John  Rosbotham,  and  they,  in  turn, 
became  the  parents  of  Hannah  Rosbotham,  who 
married  John  Munroe. 

Addison  Pierce  Munroe  married  Anna  Burn- 
side Hopkins,  daughter  of  Nelson  and  Emily 
Greene  (Bateman)  Hopkins,  of  Scituate.  Their 
children  are:  Chester  Pierce,  born  Sept.  1,  1889; 
and  Harold  Bateman,  born  Sept.  11,  1891. 

Burden  Munroe  (2),  son  of  Burden  and  Lydia 
(Baker),  born  April  13,  1828,  was  educated  in  the 
district  schools  near  the  Munroe  homestead  in  the 
town  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.  When  he  had  arrived  at 
a suitable  age  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  trade  of 
mason,  becoming  a very  competent  brick  layer,  and 
following  that  trade  for  some  years.  When  he  was 
about  thirty-four  years  of  age  he  gave  up  his  trade 
in  1863.  temporarily  as  he  intended  to  enter  as  clerk 
in  the  grocery  store  of  his  brother  then  located  on 
Canal  street  in  the  City  of  Providence.  This  part- 
nership continued,  with  the  exception  of  a short  time 
when  a new  building  was  being  erected,  until  1877, 
when  the  two  brothers  retired  from  business.  In 
1876  Mr.  Munroe  built  the  residence  in  East  Provi- 
dence in  which  he  has  continued  to  reside  since 
wholly  retired  from  business.  Mr.  Munroe  was  a 
careful,  keen,  thrifty  business  man,  and  as  a result 
of  his  years  of  industry  accumulated  quite  a com- 
petency. Like  his  brothers  he  was  a self-made  man. 
In  politics  he  was  a stanch  Democrat,  though  he 
never  took  an  active  part  in  party  work.  He  has 
always  been  a domestic  man  desiring  more  the  quiet 
of  his  home.  Though  not  a church  member  he  is 
an  attendant  of  the  Haven  M.  E.  Church  of  East 
Providence,  which  is  also  the  church  of  the  family. 
On  Jan.  17,  1863,  in  Swansea,  Mass.,  Mr.  Munroe 
married  Mercy  Ann  Pearce,  born  July  14,  1842, 
daughter  of  the  late  Waterman  and  Betsey  (Ba- 
ker) Pearce.  They  became  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  (1)  Drusilla  A.,  born  in  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  Oct.  14,  1870,  married  Dec.  24,  1895, 
Edgar  Mann  Johnson.  (2)  George  Burden,  born 
May  14,  1875. 

George  Burden  Munroe,  son  of  Burden  (2) 
and  Mercy  Ann  (Pearce),  was  born  May  14,  1875. 
He  was  graduated  from  the  grammar  and  high 
school  in  Providence,  and  spent  one  year  in  Brown 
University,  intending  at  that  time  to  complete  his 
course.  On  July  6,  1894,  he  took  a position  in  the 
Rhode  Island  Hospital  Trust  Company,  expecting 
to  remain  only  for  the  vacation,  but  he  has  con- 
tinued there  since  that  time,  filling  the  position  of  a 
bookkeeper  in  the  Institution.  On  Dec.  1,  1904, 


he  married  Muriel  Rosetta  Eldredge,  daughter  of 
Franklin  M.  Eldredge,  formerly  of  Chatham,  Mass., 
now  of  Barrington,  R.  I.  Two  children  have  been 
born  of  this  marriage:  George  B.,  Jr.,  born  Sept.  8, 
1905 ; and  Eldredge  Pearce,  born  Dec.  4,  1906. 
Mr.  Munroe  is  a genial,  pleasant  and  deservedly 
popular  young  man. 

William  Wallace?  Munroe,  born  in  Rehoboth, 
Feb.  23,  1837,  son  of  Burden  and  Lydia  Munroe, 
after  acquiring  a common  school  education  entered 
the  store  of  his  brother,  Philip  A.,  to  acquire  a 
knowledge  of  commercial  pursuits.  In  a few  years 
he  determined  to  enter  the  grocery  business  on  his 
own  account.  After  trying  various  locations,  he 
finally  in  1862,  located  on  Water  street,  in  East 
Providence.  Here  he  remained  until  1871,  and  in 
the  meantime  had  associated  with  himself  his 
brother  Andrew  J. — a partnership  that  existed  for 
more  than  a quarter  of  a century.  In  1871  Mr. 
Munroe  leased  the  large  brick  block  erected  by  the 
late  John  T.  Ingraham,  at  Warren  and  Taunton 
Avenues,  now  known  as  Watchemarket  square.  For 
some  years  prior  to  his  retirement  he  had  given  up 
the  upper  floors.  Mr.  Munroe  made  a number  of 
real  estate  investments.  In  the  early  eighties  he 
became  a member  of  the  Haven  M.  E.  Church, 
which  has  since  erected  a house  of  worship  near 
his  residence,  and  almost  from  the  time  he  became 
a member  he  had  been  on  the  Official  Board. 

A few  years  before  his  own  death  the  sudden 
death  of  his  only  son,  William  Morey  Munroe, 
was  a great  blow,  which,  although  enduring 
the  affliction  with  Christian  fortitude,  it  is  prob- 
able he  never  forgot  for  a single  hour.  For  months 
before  his  decease  he  seemed  to  feel  that  his  days 
were  numbered,  but  he  met  death  with  great  calm- 
ness. He  was  an  earnest  Christian,  much  in- 
terested in  the  Gospel  tent  meetings  when  in  prog- 
ress and  warmly  supported  them,  being  present 
every  evening  as  long  as  he  was  able,  taking  part 
on  several  occasions.  Although  he  took  but  very 
little  part  in  politics,  in  1887  he  was  elected  treas- 
urer of  the  town,  and  was  afterward  annually  re- 
elected, at  his  last  election  receiving  nearly  an 
unanimous  vote.  This  was  all  the  more  remark- 
able as  he  was  a strong  Democrat,  and  his  town 
Republican  by  a safe  majority.  As  a public  officer 
he  was  much  esteemed.  His  death  on  Sept.  18, 
1894,  made  a vacancy  in  the  town  administration 
which  was  not  easily  filled.  Mr.  Munroe's  ability 
as  a financier  was  conspicuous  on  several  occasions, 
and  in  making  loans  for  the  town  he  often  saved 
the  town  considerable  amounts.  Mr.  Munroe  was 
a most  just  man,  and  was  quiet  and  unassuming, 
such  public  honors  as  came  to  him,  whether  in  civil 
or  religious  life,  being  wholly  unsought. 

William  Wallace  Munroe  married  Dec.  5,  1871, 
Ellen  M.  Goddard,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mary 
Ann  (Kingsley)  Goddard.  This  union  was  blessed 


836 


RHODE  ISLAND 


with  two  children,  Nellie  Florence,  born  Sept.  17, 
1872;  and  William  Morey,  born  June  24,  1877,  died 
Sept.  30,  1891. 

Nellie  Florence  Munroe  married  June  24, 
1902,  Prof.  J.  R.  D.  Oldham,  superintendent  of  the 
school  of  Hamden,  Conn.  They  have  one  son,  Wil- 
liam De  Crevi,  Goddard,  born  March  30,  1904.  Mr. 
Oldham  was  graduated  from  the  Providence  High 
School  in  1890;  from  the  Rhode  Island  School  of 
Languages  in  about  1895  ; and  from  Brown  Uni- 
versity with  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  in  1900,  and  the 
degree  of  A.  M.  in  1901. 

GREENE  (Central  Falls  family).  Elsewhere 
in  this  work  is  set  forth  much  of  the  early  and 
later  history  of  the  distinguished  Warwick  family 
of  Greenes  descending  from  John  Greene,  surgeon, 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  Providence  Plantations 
and  a man  of  distinction,  importance  and  influence 
in  public  and  social  life  in  early  Rhode  Island. 
Several  of  his  sons  were  men  of  distinction  and 
large  usefulness,  filling  high  positions  in  public 
affairs,  as  have  since  been  many  of  his  posterity. 
It  was  from  this  race  of  Greenes  sprang  both  Gen. 
Nathanael  Greene  and  Col.  Christopher  Greene,  of 
Revolutionary  fame. 

But  it  is  only  intended  in  this  article  to  refer 
briefly  ’to  one  branch  of  this  Warwick  family  of 
Greenes — to  some  of  the  “Stone  Castle  Greenes,” 
in  which  line  descended  Capt.  Benjamin  Greene, 
whose  seafaring  life,  as  master  of  vessels,  took  him 
to  the  far-away  ports,  and  some  of  whose  posterity 
in  turn  now  for  fifty  and  more  years  have  figured 
conspicuously  in  the  industrial  life  of  Central  Falls, 
this  State.  Reference  is  made  especially  to  the 
late  Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin  Greene,  late  of  the 
extensive  thread  manufacturing  corporation 
styled  the  Greene  & Daniels  Manufacturing 
Company,  of  which  business  he  was  the  founder 
and  long  the  chief  executive  officer. 

In  the  family  history  and  genealogy  that  fol- 
lows the  arrangement  is  chronological,  beginning 
with  the  immigrant  settler. 

(I)  John  Greene,  surgeon,  son  of  Richard 
and  Mary  (Hooker)  Greene,  grandson  of  Richard 
Greene  and  great-grandson  of  Robert,  was  born 
on  his  father’s  estate  at  Bowridge  Hill,  in  the 
Parish  of  Gillingham,  County  of  Dorset,  England, 
about  1590.  His  forefathers  had  been  residents 
of  Bowridge  Hill  for  nearly  an  hundred  years  be- 
fore him,  and  Robert  Greene  it  seems  probable 
was  descended  from  a younger  branch  of  the 
powerful  and  wealthy  family  of  Greenes  of  North- 
amptonshire. This  Surgeon  John  Greene  had  early 
removed  to  Sarum  (Salisbury),  the  county  town  of 
Wiltshire,  where,  at  St.  Thomas’s  Church,  Nov. 
4,  1619,  he  was  married  to  Joanne  Tattershall, 
who  was  the  mother  of  all  his  children,  seven  in 
number,  and  all  of  whom  were  baptized  at  St. 
Thomas’s  Church.  Mr.  Greene  here  lived  and  fol- 
lowed his  profession  for  sixteen  years,  when,  in 


1:635,  with  his  wife  and  six  children,  he  sailed 
in  the  ship  “James”  for  New  England,  arriving 
in  Boston  June  3d  of  that  year.  He  first  settled 
at  Salem,  where  he  was  associated  with  Roger 
Williams  and  where  he  purchased  or  built  a house, 
but  soon  after  Mr.  Williams’  flight  from  Salem 
(1636)  he  sold  it,  joined  Williams  at  Providence, 
and  secured  his  home  lot  No.  15  on  the  main  street. 
Surgeon  Greene  was  one  of  the  eleven  men  bap- 
tized by  Roger  Williams  and  one  of  the  twelve 
original  members  of  the  first  Baptist  Church  on 
the  continent,  organized  at  Providence,  R.  I.  He 
was  the  -first  professional  medical  man  in  Provi- 
dence Plantations.  Mrs.  Joanne  Greene  died  soon 
after  the  family’s  removal  to  Rhode  Island  and 
Surgeon  Greene  married  (second)  Alice  Daniels, 
a widow,  and  in  1642-43  they  removed  to.  War- 
wick, R.  I.  After  the  death  of  his  wife  Alice  he 
married  (third)  in  London,  England,  about  1644, 
Phillipa,  who  returned  with  him  to  Warwick,  R. 

I. ,  in  1646.  The  third  Mrs.  Greene  died  March  11, 
1687,  in  Warwick. 

The  first  purchase  by  the  English  of  land  in 
Warwick,  R.  I.,  was  made  by  Surgeon  Greene,  to 
whom  was  deeded  the  tract  of  land  (700  acres),  Oct. 

II,  1642,  called  Occupasuetuxet  by  the  chief 
sachem  of  the  Narragansetts  and  the  local  sachem 
of  Pawtuxet,  and  upon  it  was  an  actual  resident 
in  September,  1644,  and  his  family  held  it  for  140 
and  more  years,  when  it  was  sold,  Oct.  6,  1782,  by 
his  great-great-grandchildren.  Surgeon  Greene 
was  a prominent  man  in  the  public  afifairs  of  the 
town  and  Colony  and  enjoyed  the  confidence  and 
respect  of  his  associates  through  a long  and  active 
political  life,  holding  office  almost  continuously  un- 
til the  summer  before  his  death,  when  he  declined 
to  accept  the  office  of  commissioner.  He  died  and 
was  buried  at  Conimicut,  Warwick,  the  first  week 
in  January,  1659.  His  issue  were:  John,  Peter, 
Richard,  James,  Thomas,  Joan  and  Mary. 

(II)  Thomas  Greene,  born  and  baptized  at 
Salisbury,  in  the  County  of  Wilts,  England,  June 
4,  1628,  came  with  his  parents  to  New  England  in 
1635.  In  1660  he  purchased  from  James  Sweet, 
his  brother-in-law,  a stone  house  in  old  Warwick, 
which  had  been  built  at  the  earliest  settlement 
of  the  town,  and  in  it  he  and  his  posterity  in  turn 
lived  until  1795.  During  King  Philip’s  war,  in 
March,  1675-76,  every  house  in  Warwick  was 
burned  excepting  this  stone  house  of  Mr.  Greene. 
In  this  house  he  and  his  family  remained  in  safety 
dtiring  the  war,  and  they  and  their  descendants 
were  known  thereafter  as  the  “Stone  Castle 
Greenes.”  Thomas  Greene  was  commissioner  in 
1662;  deputy  from  1667  to  1684;  and  assistant 
from  1678  to  1685.  He  married  June  30,  1659, 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Rufus  and  Margaret  Barton, 
of  Old  Warwick,  born  in  1637,  and  died  in  1693. 
He  died  June  5,  1717.  Their  children  were: 
Elizabeth,  born  July  12,  1660;  Thomas,  Aug.  14, 
1662;  Benjamin,  Jan.  10,  1665-66;  Richard,  March 


& 


RHODE  ISLAND 


837 


5,  1666-67;  Welthyan,  Jan.  23,  1669-70;  Rufus, 
Jan.  6,  1672-73  ; and  Nathaniel,  April  10,  1679. 

(III)  Richard  Greene,  born  March  5,  1666- 
67,  married  in  1700  Mary,  born  Sept,  ir,  1677, 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Holden)  Carder,  of 
Old  Warwick.  Mr.  Greene  inherited  the  “Stone 
Castle”  homestead.  He  was  deputy  from  Warwick, 
1699-1700;  from  Portsmouth,  1702;  and  was  one 
of  the  committee  to  send  an  agent  to  London  in 
1700.  He  died  Sept.  25,  1724,  and  his  widow  re- 
married and  died  April  12,  1761.  His  children  of 
Warwick  record  were:  Mary,  born  Sept.  23,  1700; 
Richard,  April  17,  1702;  Elizabeth,  Aug.  20,  1710; 
Thomas,  April  14,  1713;  and  Welthyan. 

(IV)  Richard  Greene  (2),  born  April  17, 

1702,  married  June  7,  1727,  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Capt.  John  and  Elizabeth  (Carr)  Godfrey,  and 
granddaughter  of  Gov.  Caleb  Carr.  She  was  born 
May  21,  1709,  and  died  Nov.  30,  1789.  Mr. 

Greene  was  made  a freeman  in  1724.  He  inherited 
the  homestead  and  other  land.  He  died  Dec.  28, 
1778,  and  was  buried  at  the  “Stone  Castle.”  Their 
children  were:  Elizabeth,  born  June  17,  1728; 

Thomas,  Oct.  11,  1729;  Godfrey,  May  31,  1732; 
William,  Jan.  3,  1734;  William  (2),  June  9,  1737; 
Welthyan,  Jan.  1,  1739;  Benjamin,  Jan.  5,  1741; 
John,  Nov.  10,  1743;  and  Caleb,  Jan.  3,  1746. 

(V)  Godfrey  Greene,  born  May  31,  1732,  in 

the  “Stone  Castle,”  married  July  4,  1755,  Freelove, 
born  Feb.  18,  1734,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah 
(Medbury)  Greene.  Mr.  Greene  lived  on  the  road 
leading  to  the  old  tide-mill  in  Warwick,  R.  I. 
He  was  a mariner  and  shipmaster.  He  was  taken 
prisoner  by  the  French  in  the  old  French  war  and 
by  the  English  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  He 
was  one  of  the  number  confined  at  New  York  in 
the  prison  ship  “Jersey,”  from  which  he  made  his 
escape.  He  died  Oct.  21,  1801,  and  she  passed 
away  Nov.  3,  1804.  Their  children  were:  Almy, 
born  July  11,  1756;  Elizabeth,  Jan.  23,  1759;  Eliza- 
beth (2),  Aug.  20,  1761;  William,  Sept.  2,  1763; 
Sarah,  Jan.  8,  1766;  Godfrey,  May  14,  1768; 

Caleb  Carr,  July  15,  1769;  and  Benjamin,  June  25, 

I77I- 

(VI)  Capt.  Benjamin  Greene,  born  June  25, 
1771,  in  the  town  of  Old  Warwick,  R.  I.,  married 
May  19,  1795,  Harriet,  born  April  5,  1778,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Welthian  (Lippitt)  Greene. 
The  family  homestead  was  south  of  Pawtuxet  and 
included  the  famous  “Mark  Rock,”  with  its  notable 
impressions  and  inscriptions,  and  was  within  the 
limits  of  Warwick,  a region  memorable  in  Rhode 
Island  history.  Captain  Greene  was  a well-known 
sea  captain,  making  voyages  to  the  Indies  and  re- 
mote countries,  and  from  disasters  at  sea  and  other 
causes  lost  his  property.  He  died  Sept.  21,  1847, 
aged  seventy-six  years.  His  wife,  Harriet,  pre- 
ceded him  to  the  great  beyond,  dying  March  21, 
1837,  in  the  fifty-ninth  year  of  her  age.  Mrs. 
Greene  was  a woman  of  great  energy  and  strength 
of  character.  Her  father  was  Chief  Justice  of 


Rhode  Island  in  the  period  of  the  Revolution,  and 
he  was  a brother  of  the  renowned  Gen.  Nathanael 
Greene,  of  the  Revolution. 

The  children  born  to  Capt.  Benjamin  and  Har- 
riet (Greene)  Greene  were:  William  Mont- 
gomery, born  March  26,  1799;  Welthian,  Feb.  20, 
1801;  Godfrey,  May  18,  1804;  Benjamin  Frank- 
lin, Jan.  1,  1807;  Harriet  Godfrey,  June  22,  1809; 
Henry  Payson,  July  30,  1812;  Richard;  and  Philip. 

(VII)  Benjamin  Franklin  Greene,  son  of 
Capt.  Benjamin  and  Harriet  (Greene)  Greene,  was 
born  Jan.  1,  1807,  in  the  town  of  Old  Warwick,  R. 
I.  Owing  to  circumstances  and  conditions  at- 
tending his  boyhood  he  had  only  limited  educa- 
tional advantages,  hut  those  within  his  reach  he 
took  advantage  of,  and  by  reading  in  after  years 
he  acquired  a good  fund  of  information.  When 
but  a lad  of  ten  years  he  found  employment  in  the 
Crompton  Mills  in  his  native  town,  receiving  for 
his  services  one  dollar  per  week.  A little  later, 
in  1816,  he  was  employed  in  the  Natick  Mills,  then 
under  the  direction  of  Gen.  Christopher  Rhodes. 
He  was  still  later  an  employee  under  the  late  Wil- 
liam Sprague,  the  first  to  establish  calico  printing 
in  Rhode  Island.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  in  1824, 
he  began  work  as  second  hand  in  making  thread 
in  the  manufacturing  concern  of  Walker  & Allen, 
in  Central  Falls.  He  became  overseer  of  this  mill 
in  1825,  and  so  continued  until  1840.  Through  his 
energy,  good  deportment  and  skill,  as  the  years 
passed  young  Greene  gained  knowledge  and  ex- 
perience, and  by  1840,  having  acquired  something 
of  a reputation,  in  association  with  Stephen  Bene- 
dict, Joseph  Wood,  Thomas  Benedict  and  Samuel 
Wood,  he  began  business  on  his  own  account  at 
Central  Falls,  as  a manufacturer  of  thread.  It 
may  be  remarked,  however,  that  while  at  the  com- 
ing of  Mr.  Greene  to  Central  Falls,  in  1840,  he 
was  well  equipped  in  knowledge  and  experience 
in  manufacturing  lines,  he  was  poor  in  purse.  But 
resolute  and  willing,  he  applied  himself,  and  as  the 
years  came  and  went  he  grew  with  them  and 
gained  for  himself  a creditable  place  among  the 
manufacturers  of  his  day  in  Rhode  Island,  and 
earned  more  than  a competence.  In  the  concern 
just  alluded  to  Mr.  Greene’s  capital  was  his  ex- 
perience and  knowledge  in  the  line  of  business 
the  partnership  was  to  follow,  while  his  associates 
represented  the  money.  Some  five  years  later,  in 
1845,  Mr.  Greene  withdrew  from  the  partnership, 
and  became  identified  with  the  concern  of  Hill  & 
Carpenter,  in  the  town  of  Burrillville,  R.  I.,  manu- 
facturing for  them  thread  and  warps.  I11  1850  he 
engaged  in  thread  manufacture  at  Clark’s  Mills, 
in  the  town  of  Richmond,  this  State,  and  it  was 
here  that  he  came  in  business  touch  with  the  late 
Gen.  Horace  Daniels,  who  was  then  bookkeeper  in 
the  mill,  and  who  later  became  his  business  as- 
sociate. Mr.  Greene,  in  1855,  leased  a mill  in 
Central  Falls  for  a period  of  ten  years,  from 
Moies  and  Jenks,  General  Daniels  finally  entering 


S3S 


RHODE  ISLAND 


into  partnership  with  him.  It  was  Mr.  Daniels 
who  suggested  putting  up  the  thread  on  spools, 
and  he,  too,  invented  a machine  for  polishing  the 
thread. 

In  i860  the  firm  of  Greene  & Daniels  built  a 
new  mill  in  Pawtucket,  just  across  the  river  from 
Central  Falls,  which  they  enlarged  in  1865,  mak- 
ing a solid  and  beautiful  brick  structure  420  feet 
long,  four  stories  high,  with  a French  roof,  giving 
another  story,  and  three  large  towers.  The  mill 
cost  when  completed  about  $100,000,  and  in  it  ran 
some  twenty-five  thousand  spindles.  General  Daniels 
died  in  1876,  and  Mr.  Greene  purchased  from  his 
heirs  the  Daniels’  interest  in  the  mill  and  business, 
becoming  at  the  time  sole  owner  of  both.  In  the 
year  following,  however,  Mr.  Greene  made  of  the 
business  a joint  corporation,  though  he  held  the 
major  part  of  the  stock  himself.  The  concern  was 
capitalized  at  $300,000,  all  of  which  was  paid  up. 
Of  this  corporation  Mr.  Greene  was  president;  his 
son,  Edward  A.  Greene,  treasurer,  and  George  P. 
Grant,  agent.  Mr.  Greene  was  a director  for  a 
number  of  years  in  the  Slater  National  Bank,  of 
Pawtucket. 

Mr.  Greene,  during  the  Civil  war,  though  him- 
self exempt  from  military  service  on  account  of 
his  advanced  age,  was  an  active  member  of  the 
Home  Guard.  His  political  affiliations  were  first 
with  the  old  Whig  party,  then  with  the  Republi- 
can party.  He  represented  the  town  of  Smith- 
field  in  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  in  1866. 
In  1835  Mr.  Greene,  with  his  wife,  united  with  the 
First  Baptist  Church  of  Pawtucket,  and  in  1844 
they  became  members  of  the  Central  Falls  Baptist 
Church,  continuing  as  such  until  they  died.  Mr. 
Greene  contributed  some  $25,000  or  more  to  the 
building  of  the  new  church  edifice  on  Broad  street 
in  Central  Falls.  He  was  a member  of  the  Home 
and  Foreign  Missionary  Societies  of  his  denomina- 
tion. He  was  one  of  the  managers  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Baptist  State  Convention,  and  a director  in 
the  Baptist  Vineyard  Association,  of  Cottage  City, 
Martha’s  Vineyard.  He  traveled  quite  extensively 
in  this  country  and  Canada,  and  it  was  while  en 
route  to  the  Pacific  coast  that  he  was  called  to  his 
reward. 

On  June  17,  1833,  Mr.  Greene  was  married  to 
Rebecca  Borden'  Linnell,  daughter  of  Josiah  and 
Rebecca  Linnell,  of  Hyannis  Port,  Barnstable 
County,  Mass.  Mrs.  Greene,  a woman  of  rare 
prudence  and  piety  and  one  of  great  industry,  was 
born  June  28,  1808,  and  died  June  3,  1878,  when 
in  the  seventieth  year  of  her  age,  in  the  Greene 
mansion  at  Central  Falls,  R.  I.  Mr.  Greene  died 
Jan.  29,  1886,  at  the  “Hot  Spring  Hotel,”  in  Las 
Vegas,  N.  Mex.,  while  en  route  with  members  of 
his  family  to  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  Thus  passed  away 
one  of  the  oldest  of  American  manufacturers  of 
cotton  thread. 

Children  as  follows  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Greene:  (1)  Eleanor  Frances,  born  Dec.  16,  1834, 


died  March  31,  1849.  (2)  Sarah  Jane,  who  married 

(first)  Levins  Davis  and  (second)  Wanton  Durfee, 
died  Feb.  7,  1903,  in  Central  Falls.  (3)  Herbert 
Franklin,  born  July  21,  1838,  died  July  31,  1839. 
(4)  Mary  Albina,  born  April  29,  1840,  married 
Ellery  Wood  Greene.  (5)  Richard,  Franklin,  born 
July  5,  1842,  who  is  mentioned  below,  married 
Elizabeth  Augusta  Brown.  (6)  Edward  Alonzo, 
born  Feb.  9,  1845,  is  mentioned  below. 

(VIII)  Edward  Alonzo  Greene,  son  of  the 
late  Benjamin  Franklin  and  Rebecca  Borden  (Lin- 
nell) Greene,  was  born  Feb.  9,  1845,  in  Central 
Falls,  R.  I.,  and  acquired  his  book  training  in 
the  public  schools  there  and  at  Bryant  & Stratton 
business  college,  Providence,  R.  I.,  graduating 
from  the  latter  in  1861.  His  business  training  and 
career  began  immediately  on  the  close  of  his  school 
life,  as  a clerk  in  the  office  of  the  firm  of  Greene 
& Daniels,  of  which  firm  his  father  was  the  senior 
partner.  After  an  experience  of  four  years  in 
the  position  named  young  Greene  went  abroad,  and 
while  in  Europe  devoted  considerable  time  to  the 
methods  and  practices  of  many  of  the  large  cotton- 
mills  there.  Returning  to  this  country  and  to  the  mill 
at  Pawtucket,  and  desiring  to  familiarize  himself 
thoroughly  with  the  details  of  the  business  of  the 
concern,  he  passed  four  years  in  the  various  depart- 
ments of  the  factory,  acquiring  a thorough  knowl- 
edge of  the  details  of  the  business.  Thus  fully  equip- 
ped, on  the  death  of  Mr.  Daniels,  in  1876,  and  on  the 
incorporation  of  the  concern  in  1877,  as  the  Greene 
& Daniels  Manufacturing  Company,  Mr.  Greene 
was  elected  treasurer  of  the  corporation ; and  on  the 
death  of  his  father,  the  president  of  the  company, 
in  1886,  he  was  elected  president,  and  later,  in 
1895,  on  the  resignation  of  Air.  George  P.  Grant, 
who  in  the  meantime  had  assumed  the  office  of 
treasurer,  he  was  elected  his  successor,  becoming 
both  president  and  treasurer  of  the  company.  He 
continued  in  these  capacities  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  July  8,  1900,  in  Philadelphia,  from  the 
result  of  nervous  troubles. 

It  goes  without  saying  that  Mr.  Greene  coming 
to  the  office  of  chief  executive  of  such  an  exten- 
sive corporation  so  thoroughly  experienced  and 
prepared  with  the  energy  and  push  he  brought  with 
him  was  a potent  influence  in  the  strides  the  cor- 
poration has  since  made.  Major  Greene  was  a 
director  of  the  Slater  National  Bank  of  Pawtucket, 
and  later  the  Slater  Trust  Company,  at  Pawtucket; 
of  the  Kent-Stanley  Company,  at  Providence ; of 
the  Atlantic  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  at 
Providence;  of  the  Pawtucket  Mutual  Fire  Insur- 
ance Company,  at  Pawtucket ; of  the  River  Spin- 
ning Company,  at  Woonsocket ; and  an  early  trustee 
of  the  Franklin  Savings  Bank,  at  Pawtucket. 

Major  Greene  had  taken  considerable  interest 
in  military  affairs.  After  his  graduation  from 
the  business  college,  in  1861,  he  became  a private 
in  the  Union  Guard,  in  which  he  continued  for 
five  years,  through  the  Civil  war.  He  was  quar- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


839 


termaster  of  the  Union  Guard  of  Central  Falls 
for  a period  of  five  years,  and  served  as  com- 
missary on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Horace  Daniels,  with 
the  rank  of  major.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the 
advocacy  of  all  public  improvements  and  in  meas- 
ures calculated  to  advance  the  affairs  of  Central 
Falls  and  vicinity,  and  contributed  to  the  welfare 
of  his  fellow-citizens. 

When  a boy  Major  Greene  joined  the  Broad 
Street  Baptist  Church  of  Central  Falls,  and  con- 
tinued in  active  membership  until  his  death,  giving 
most  liberally  to  the  support  of  that  congregation. 
For  many  years  he  served  as  a member  of  the 
standing  committee  of  that  church ; he  was  also 
very  active  in  the  Sunday-school  work,  and  was 
much  interested  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  to  the  support 
of  which  he  contributed  generously.  In  political 
views  he  was  a stanch  Republican,  but  never  cared 
for  nor  sought  office.  He  was  a member  of  the 
New  England  Manufacturers’  Association,  the 
Pawtucket  Business  Men’s  Association,  and  the 
To  Kalon  Club,  of  Pawtucket.  Mr.  Greene  was  a 
man  of  very  domestic  habits,  fond  of  his  family, 
to  whom  he  was  much  devoted.  His  sterling  traits 
of  character  won  for  him  many  stanch  and  loyal 
friendships,  among  those  who  knew  him  best. 

On  Feb.  11,  1874,  Major  Greene  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Annie  B.  Houghton,  daughter 
of  John  R.  and  Anne  (Badger)  Houghton,  of 
Brunswick,  Maine.  Mrs.  Greene's  father  was  for 
twenty  years  prior  to  his  death  connected  with  the 
Corliss  Engine  Company.  To  Major  and  Mrs. 
Greene  were  born  children  as  follows:  (1)  Muriel 
H.,  born  April  19,  1875,  married  Edgar  A.  Gove, 
who  is  engaged  in  the  advertising  business  in  New 
York  City.  They  have  one  daughter,  Dorothea 
Gove.  (2)  William  H.,  born  June  28,  1878,  died 
unmarried  on  his  twenty-fourth  birthday,  June  28, 
1902,  at  which  time  he  was  treasurer  of  the  Greene 
& Daniels  Manufacturing  Company.  (3)  Edith 
H.,  born  July  31,  1886,  died  in  infancy.  (4)  Made- 
line H.,  born  May  27,  1889,  is  attending  a private 
school  in  Providence. 

(VIII)  Richard  Franklin  Greene,  son  of 
the  late  Benjamin  and  Rebecca  Borden  (Linnell) 
Greene,  was  born  July  5,  1842,  in  Central  Falls, 
R.  I.,  and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  citv.  Leaving-  school  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  years  he  became  apprenticed  to 
the  trade  of  pattern-maker  with  Jesse  Burdett,  in 
Providence,  with  whom  he  remained  thus  for  two 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  formed  a partner- 
ship with  Mr.  Burdett,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Burdett  & Greene,  which  partnership  continued  for 
about  two  and  a half  years,  during  which  time 
the  firm  was  engaged  in  carpentering  and  pattern- 
making. Mr.  Greene  then  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business,  operating  a steam-mill,  for  sawing  and 
dressing  lumber,  located  at  the  foot  of  Manchester 
street.  As  his  business  outgrew  his  quarters  he 
removed  his  plant  to  the  wharf  at  the  foot  of  South 


street,  where  he  continued  for  eleven  years.  He 
then  closed  out  this  business,  and  shortly  there- 
after opened  up  a business  for  the  dressing  of  large 
beams  in  a mill  which  he  built  at  the  foot  of  Man- 
chester street,  where  he  remained  until  1886.  when 
he  closed  out  the  same.  Since  that  time  he  has 
been  retired  from  active  business  interests.  How- 
ever, he  is  still  serving  as  a director  of  the  Greene 
& Daniels  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Pawtucket. 
In  political  faith  he  is  a Republican,  but  he  has 
never  cared  for  public  office. 

Mr.  Greene  was  united  in  marriage  to  E.  Au- 
gusta Brown,  daughter  of  Parley  Brown,  Jr.,  of 
Hall  River,  Mass.,  and  to  this  union  were  born  three 
children,  all  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 

(IX)  Herbert  Franklin  Greene,  grandson 
of  the  late  Benjamin  and  Rebecca  Borden  (Lin- 
nell) Greene,  was  born  Sept.  6,  1856,  in  Central 
Falls,  and  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
city,  supplementing  the  knowledge  acquired  therein 
by  a course  at  Bryant  & Stratton’s  Business  Col- 
lege, Providence.  After  leaving  school  he  spent 
four  years  as  a resident  of  Bristol,  R.  I.,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  a respected  resident  of  Central 
Falls.  Mr.  Greene  is  a director  of  the  Greene  & 
Daniels  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Pawtucket. 
He  is  an  honored  member  of  the  Masonic  or- 
ganization, holding  membership  in  Union  Lodge, 
No.  10,  A.  F.  & A.  M.;  Pawtucket  Chapter,  No. 
4,-  R.  A.  M. ; Pawtucket  Council,  No.  2,  R.  & S. 
M. ; Holy  Sepulchre  Commandery,  No.  8,  Knights 
Templar;  Palestine  Temple,  Order  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Providence ; and  the  Providence  Valley 
Consistory,  Scottish  Rite,  thirty-second  degree  of 
Masonry.  Mr.  Greene  is  a stalwart  Republican, 
but  has  never  sought  office,  having  refused  the 
nomination  of  mayor  of  his  native  town  by  his 
party.  He  is  an  afifable  and  courteous  gentleman 
and  has  the  good-will  and  respect  of  those  he  meets 
in  any  of  the  relations  of  life. 

On  Aug.  13,  1879,  Air.  Greene  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Hattie  Lillian  Spencer,  daughter 
of  the  late  Charles  L.  and  Guilea  Almy  (Williams) 
Spencer,  of  Central  Falls,  R.  I.,  and  to  this  happy 
union  have  been  born  children  as  follows:  (1) 
Spencer  Benjamin,  born  April  9,  1881,  in  Central 
Falls,  had  the  advantages  of  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  city,  supplemented  by  two  years  at  Brown 
University  and  a course  at  the  Philadelphia  Textile 
School.  He  is  now  employed  at  the  Greene  & 
Daniels  Manufacturing  Company.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Masonic  bodies,  being  a Knight  Templar 
Mason  and  a Shriner.  Fie  is  a member  of  the 
Providence  Chapter  of  the  Society  of  the  Sons  of 
the  Revolution,  having  joined  same  through  be- 
ing a direct  descendant  of  Samuel  Spencer,  of 
Windham,  Conn.,  who  was  an  artisan  of  the  Revo- 
lution. He  is  unmarried.  (2)  Harvey  Linnell, 
born  April  26,  1883,  died  June  17,  1900.  (3) 

Charles  Franklin,  born  Feb.  27,  1889,  is  attending 
the  high  school  at  Central  Falls.  He  is  a mem- 


S40 


RHODE  ISLAND 


ber  of  the  Commodore  Abraham  Whipple  Society 
of  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution  (the  children’s 
branch),  joining  same  through  the  same  descent 
as  his  brother. 

(VII)  Henry  Payson  Greene,  son  of  Capt. 
Benjamin,  was  born  July  30,  1812,  in  Old  War- 
wick, R.  I.,  and  died  in  Pawtucket,  Dec.  24,  1891. 
He  was  a millwright  by  occupation,  and  for  sev- 
eral years  was  in  partnership  with  his  brother  Ben- 
jamin, who  was  the  founder  of  the  Greene  & 
Daniels  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Pawtucket. 
Henry  Payson  Greene  married  Almira  Carpenter, 
of  Lanesville,  Mass.,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
the  following  children:  George  H. ; Harriet,  who 
died  in  infancy;  Sanford  W.,  who  died  in  Paw- 
tucket, Feb.  14,  1899,  aged  fifty-four  years,  .and 
who  was  for  thirty-five  years  connected  with  the 
ticket  department  of  the  'New  York,  New  Haven 

Hartford  Railroad  Company,  at  Providence 
(he  married  first  Annie  Potter,  of  Central  Falls,  and 
second  Olive  Goff  (Bowen)  Weeden,  of  Provi- 
dence) ; and  Benjamin  W.,  who  was  a millwright 
by  trade. 

(VIII)  George  Henry  Greene,  son  of  Henry 
Payson,  was  born  Dec.  28,  1839,  in  Pawtucket, 
R.  L,  and  died  Dec.  25,  1867,  ’n  Pawtucket,  aged 
twenty-eight  years.  He  was  buried  in  the  Moslias- 
suck  cemetery.  As  a boy  he  entered  the  North 
I rovidence  Bank,  where  he  remained  thirteen 
years,  and  was  then  elected  cashier  of  the  Globe 
Bank  of  Providence.  Ill  health,  however,  com- 
pelled him  to  refuse  this  position,  and  his  death  oc- 
curred soon  thereafter.  He  was  a Republican  in 
politics.  Mr.  Greene  was  a member  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church,  and  took  a very  active  part  in 
church  work,  being  also  active  in  establishing  the 

. *'I.  C.  A.  at  Pawtucket,  in  which  he  took  a great 

interest. 

( )n  7-  T86r,  Mr.  Greene  married  Miss 

Aancy  Elizabeth  Davis,  of  Dartmouth,  Mass,  who 
was  born  in  New  Bedford,  daughter  of  Shadrach 
and  Nancy  (Simmons)  Davis,  and  by  this  union 
thcie  were  two  sons,  George  Alvin  and  Charles 
v\ . ( )t  these,  George  Alvin  Greene,  born  Dec. 

21,  1861,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Attleboro, 
Mass.,  married  Eula  Greenwood,  of  Pawtucket 
and  they  had  three  children,  Eula  Maude  (who  died 
in  infancy),  Ora  Almira  and  Florence  C. 

Mis.  Nancy  Elizabeth  (Davis)  Greene  married 
for  her  second  husband  Benjamin  W.  Greene,  a 
brother  of  her  former  husband,  and  two  children 
were  born  to  them : Maude  Elizabeth,  who  died 
April  17,  1904;  and  Almira  B.,  who  is  at  home. 
Mrs.  Greene  is  still  living  and  making  her  home 
with  her  son  and  daughter  on  Smithfield  avenue. 
Benjamin  W.  Greene  died  March  31,  1893. 

(IN)  Charles  Whitcomb  Greene,  son  of 
George  Henry,  was  born  Dec.  7,  1863,  in  Paw- 
tucket, R.  I.,  and  received  his  early  education  in 
the  common  and  grammar  schools  of  his  native 
city,  attending  until  fourteen  years  of  age.  After 


working  for  Samuel  Whiting  for  one  and  one-half 
years,  young  Greene  entered  the  foundry  depart- 
ment of  Brown  & Sharpe,  Providence,  where  he 
served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years  at  the 
molder’s  trade.  For  the  next  one  and  one-half 
years  he  drove  a meat  cart,  but  at  the  end  of  this 
time  entered  the  moulding  department  of  the  Fales 
& Jenks  Machine  Company,  where  he  continued  for 
nine  years,  during  which  period  at  various  inter- 
vals he  served  as  clerk  for  a short  time  in  different 
meat  markets  of  the  city. 

In  the  spring  of  1896  Mr.  Greene  opened  a 
meat  market  and  grocery  at  the  corner  of  Weeden 
street  and  Smithfield  avenue,  and  there  he  con- 
tinued for  about  fifteen  months,  when  lie  erected 
the  building  he  occupies  at  present  at  No.  550 
Smithfield  avenue.  Mr.  Greene  has  since  been 
actively  engaged  in  business  at  this  location.  For 
several  years  his  brother  was  engaged  in  business 
with  him,  the  firm  name  at  that  time  being  Greene 
Brothers,  but  in  1904  Charles  W.  purchased  his 
brother’s  interest,  and  since  that  time  has  been 
alone. 

In  political  matters  Mr.  Greene  is  a stanch  Re- 
publican, and  as  such  has  served  the  Sixth  ward 
as  a member  of  the  council  for  three  years.  He 
attends  the  First  Baptist  Church,  to  which  he  gives 
liberally  of  his  means.  Mr.  Greene  is  very  popu- 
lar in  the  community  in  which  he  resides,  and  is 
considered  an  upright,  honest  and  substantial  busi- 
ness man  and  representative  citizen.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  Eureka  Lodge,  No.  5,  K.  of  P.,  Paw- 
tucket. 

CLARKE.  One  of  the  oldest  families  of 
Rhode  Island  is  that  of  Clarke,  the  name  having, 
from  the  earliest  settlements,  been  one  of  the  most 
honored  in  the  country,  where  those  bearing  it 
have  been  found  in  positions  of  responsibility  in 
every  generation.  This  family  has  a worthy  repre- 
sentative in  Newport,  R.  I.,  in  the  person  of 
Henry  W.  Clarke,  who  is  in  the  eleventh  genera- 
tion from  John  Clarke,  the  earliest  known  ancestor 
of  whom  there  is  definite  record. 

(I)  John  Clarke,  the  first  of  the  family  in  di- 
rect line,  of  whom  there  is  authentic  record,  was 
of  County  Suffolk,  England,  who  was  there  buried 
March  3,  1559.  His  children  were:  John,  Jr.,  and 
Thomas. 

(II)  John  Clarke,  Jr.,  was  born  in  February, 
1541,  as  was  also  his  wife,  Catherine  Cook,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Cook,  and  they  both  died  in  1598. 
Their  children  were;  John,  born  1570;  Thomas, 
August,  1572;  Pasor,  1574:  John  (2),  1577;  Mar- 
garet, 1579;  and  Mary,  1581. 

(III)  Thomas  Clarke,  born  in  August,  1572, 
married  Rose  Kerige,  and  their  children  were : 
Margaret,  born  1600;  Carew,  born  1602;  William, 
1611  ; and  Joseph,  1618.  Both  Thomas  Clarke  and 
his  wife,  Rose,  died  in  1627.  Of  the  children, 
Thomas,  John  and  Joseph  came  from  England  to 


RHODE  ISLAND 


841 


Boston  in  1637,  and  the  next  year  located  in  Rhode 
Island,  making  their  homes  thereafter  in  Newport. 
There  Thomas  died  Oct.  2,  1674,  and  John,  Feb. 
20,  1676,  neither  leaving  male  descendants. 

(IV)  Joseph  Clarke,  born  Dec.  9,  1618,  and 
baptized  at  Westhorpe  on  Dec.  16th,  came,  as  above 
stated,  to  the  New  World  in  1637,  and  he  was  ad- 
mitted an  inhabitant  of  the  Island  of  Aquidneck, 
at  Newport,  in  1638.  He  became  a freeman  in 
1641,  and  in  1644  was  made  one  of  the  original 
members  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Newport, 
and  in  1648  became  a member  of  the  General  Court 
of  Trials.  He  was  made  a freeman  of  the  Colony 
in  1655.  He  acted  as  commissioner  in  1655-57-58 
and  1659;  was  assistant  in  1658-63-64-65-78-80  and 
1690.  He  was  made  a freeman  at  Westerly  in 
1668,  and  was  deputy  to  the  General  Assembly  in 
1668-69-70-71-72  and  1690.  His  name  appears  in 
May,  1669,  in  the  list  of  Westerly  inhabitants,  and 
in  1677  he  was  a member  of  the  Court  of  Justices 
of  the  Peace  to  attend  to  matters  of  the  injurious 
and  illegal  acts  of  the  Connecticut  Colony.  He 
and  his  wife,  Margaret,  appear  of  Newport  in 
1680.  Mr.  Clarke  was  twice  married,  his 
first  wife  dying  at  Newport  in  1694.  The 
name  of  his  second  wife  is  not  known. 
He  died  on  June  1st  of  that  year.  His  children 
were:  Joseph,  William,  Mary,  Sarah,  John,  Su- 
sanna, Joshua,  Thomas,  Carew  and  Elizabeth. 

(V)  Joseph  Clarke  (2),  of  Newport  and 
Westerly,  son  of  Joseph,  born  Feb.  11,  1642,  mar- 
ried (first)  Nov.  16,  1664,  Bethiah  Hubbard,  born 
Dec.  19,  1646,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Tacy 
(Cooper)  Hubbard;  she  died  April  17,  1707,  and  he 
married  (second)  Hannah  Peckham,  widow  of 
Thomas  and  daughter  of  William  Weeden.  Mr. 
Clarke  must  have  removed  from  Newport  to 
Westerly  in  early  life,  for  in  1669  he  became  town 
clerk  of  Westerly,  and  was  such  until  1700.  In 
July,  1675,  he  and  his  family  went  to  Newport 
for  safety  during  the  Indian  war,  returning  to 
Westerly  after  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Clarke 
died  Jan.  ir,  1726-27,  in  Westerly,  and  his  second 
wife  passed  away  March  3,  1723.  His  children 
were:  Judith,  born  Oct.  12,  1667,  at  Newport; 
Joseph,  born  April  14,  1670,  at  Westerly;  Samuel, 
born  Sept.  29,  1672,  at  Westerly;  John,  Aug.  25, 
1675,  at  Newport;  Bethiah,  April  11,  1678,  at 
Westerly;  Mary,  Dec.  27,  1680,  at  Westerly;  Su- 
sanna, Aug.  31,  1683,  at  Westerly;  Thomas,  March 
(or  Nov.)  17,  1686,  at  Westerly;  and  William, 
April  21,  1688,  at  Westerly. 

(VI)  Thomas  Clarke,  of  Westerly  and  Hop- 
kinton,  son  of  Joseph  (2),  born  Nov.  (or  March) 
17,  1686,  married  in  1710,  Elizabeth  Babcock,  born 
Feb.  18,  1691,  in  Westerly,  daughter  of  Capt. 
James  and  Elizabeth  (Saunders)  Babcock.  Mr. 
Clarke  was  baptized  in  1707,  and  his  name  was  in 
the  list  of  the  members  of  the  Baptist  Church  in 
Westerly  in  1718  and  1740.  He  was  ordained 
deacon  of  the  church,  Aug.  26,  1735,  and  was 


chosen  assistant  elder  Oct.  20,  1750.  His  death 
occurred  in  Hopkinton,  Nov.  26,  1767.  His  chil- 
dren were:  Sarah,  born  May  n,  1712;  Thomas, 
March  4,  1715,  at  Westerly;  Joshua,  April  26,  1717, 
at  Westerly;  James,  March  3,  1720,  at  Westerly; 
Joseph,  Sept.  14,  1728. 

(VII)  Rev.  Joshua  Clarke,  of  Westerly,  son 
of  Thomas,  born  April  26,  1717,  married  in  April, 
1738,  Hannah  Cottrell,  born  in  1719.  Mr.  Clarke 
was  chosen  deacon  in  the  Sabbatarian  Church  in 
1756,  but  declined  the  office.  He  appears  in  the 
census  of  1774  as  of  Hopkinton.  He  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  State  Legislature,  and  was  a trustee  of 
Brown  University.  Rev.  Clarke  also  took  part 
in  the  early  Colonial  wars,  and  was  in  the  Revolu- 
tion. His  death  occurred  at  Westerly  March  8, 
1793.  His  widow  Hannah  passed  away  Nov.  4, 

1803.  Their  children  were:  Phineas,  born  Feb.  23, 
1740;  Joshua,  Aug.  17,  1741;  Ethan,  March  7, 
1745;  Hannah,  May  4,  1747;  Thomas,  June  10, 
1749;  Elizabeth,  Nov.  14,  1751;  Arnold,  March 
17,  1754;  Henry,  Dec.  2,  1756;  Willet,  Oct.  20, 
1 759 ; Nathan,  Feb.  7,  1762;  and  Job  Bennett,  May 
13.  I/65- 

(VIII)  Thomas  Clarke,  of  Westerly,  son  of 
Rev.  Joshua,  born  June  10,  1749,  married  June  II, 
1770,  Olive  Marsh,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  born  June 
12,  1756.  Mr.  Clarke  lived  in  Westerly  and  later 
in  North  Stonington,  Conn.  His  death  occurred 
May  28,  1832.  His  wife  passed  away  May  4,  1828. 
Their  children  were : Charlotte,  born  April  23, 
1771  ; Hannah,  June  2-3,  1773;  Abigail,  June  26, 
J775  ; Thomas,  May  10,  1778;  Abel  Marsh,  Aprjl 
22,  1780;  Olive  Marsh,  April  30,  1783;  Russell, 
April  13,  1787;  Samuel,  June  23,  1790;  Clarissa, 
Jan.  1,  1793;  Peleg  Congdon,  July  31,  1796;  and 
George  W.,  Nov.  9,  1799. 

(IX)  Thomas  Clarke  (4),  son  of  Thomas  (3), 
was  born  May  10,  1778,  and  married  Nov.  26, 
1797,  Wealthy  Wright,  born  May  14,  1780,  in  Ver- 
mont. Mr.  Clarke  was  a farmer  and  a resident  of 
Hopkinton,  R.  I.,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are 
buried  in  Oak  Grove  cemetery,  Hopkinton,  R.  I. 
Their  children  were:  An  infant,  born  Feb.  9,  1799, 
died  same  day;  David  Wright,  born  June  4,  1800, 
in  Newport;  Elizabeth  Babcock,  born  Nov.  5,  1801, 
in  Hopkinton;  Clarissa  Augusta,  born  May  18, 
1807,  in  Hopkinton;  Tryphena  Ann,  born  June  12, 

1804,  in  Hopkinton ; Abel  Marsh,  born  Sept.  20, 

1809,  in  Newport ; Thomas  Marsh,  born  Dec.  23, 

1810,  in  Newport;  Daniel  Levitt,  born  April  21, 
1813;  Jerusha  Marsh,  born  June  5,  1816;  Wealthy 
Jane,  born  Dec.  7,  1818,  in  Newport;  Peleg,  born 
in  1819;  Sarah  Wright,  born  Jan.  3,  1820,  in  New- 
port; Benjamin  Foster,  born  April  25,  1822;  and 
Susan  Jane,  born  July  15,  1827. 

(X)  David  Wright  Clarke,  son  of  Thomas  (4), 
was  born  June  4,  1800,  at  Newport,  R.  I.  After 
his  marriage  he  removed  to  Jamestown,  R.  I., 
where  he  was  afterward  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits,  there  operating  several  hundred  acres  of 


842 


RHODE  ISLAND 


land.  He  was  also  largely  and  actively  interested 
in  dairying  and  sheep-raising.  Industrious  and 
thrifty,  he  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  prosperous 
and  progressive  farmers  of  Newport  county.  His 
death,  which  occurred  June  22,  1854,  was  caused 
by  injuries  received  in  his  back  while  rescuing  his 
sheep  from  a snow  drift  during  the  previous  winter. 
Although  a stalwart  Whig  in  politics  and  ever  ac- 
tive in  movements  for  the  public  good,  Mr.  Clarke 
invariably  refused  to  accept  office.  He  was  relig- 
iously affiliated  with  St.  Matthew's  Episcopal 
Church,  of  Jamestown,  of  which  his  wife  was  a 
member.  In  disposition  he  was  genial  and  pleasant, 
and  he  was  known  far  and  wide  as  a good  neighbor 
and  a true  friend. 

Mr.  Clarke  was  married  to  Sarah  M unroe  Chaf- 
fee, daughter  of  Otis  Chaffee.  She  was  born  in 
Newport  in  1802,  and,  although  an  invalid  for 
many  years  prior  to  her  death,  she  lived  to  the 
remarkable  age  of  ninety-four  years,  passing  away 
in  1895.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Wright  Clarke 
were  born  these  children : Mary  Jane,  born  in 
1823,  married  John  E.  Watson,  town  clerk  of 
Jamestown  for  many  years,  and  died  in  1888;  Ann 
Elizabeth,  born  in  1825,  married  Captain  William 
Knowles,  of  Jamestown,  and  died  in  1881  ; David 
Otis,  born  in  1826,  is  living  in  Florida,  where  he 
is  engaged  in  farming ; Henry  W. ; Daniel  Webb, 
born  in  1832,  died  in  Charleston,  S.  C.,  of  yellow 
fever;  Thomas  Hartwell,  born  in  1834,  now  living 
in  Jamestown,  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work ; 
Sarah,  born  in  1836,  married  George  E.  Allen, 
deceased,  of  Providences  where  she  now  resides ; 
Gustavus  Adolphus,  born  in  1839,  is  living  in 
Jamestown;  and  Conrad  Schultz,  born  in  1842,  is 
living  in  Providence,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the 
clothing  business. 

(XI)  Henry  Wright  Clarke  was  born  Dec. 
10,  1829,  in  Jamestown,  R.  I.,  and  his  early  edu- 
cational training  was  received  in  his  home,  where 
the  children  of  the  neighborhood  would  gather, 
receiving  their  instruction  under  Rev.  Hiscox  and 
his  wife  and  others.  Young  Clarke  then  went  to 
Providence,  where  he  attended  the  Ehiiversity 
Grammar  school  for  some  time,  and  later  went  to 
Adelphian  Academy  at  Brockton,  Mass.,  where  his 
tutors  were  Silas  and  Charles  Loomis  and  later 
Prof.  George  S.  Newcomb  of  Bowdoin  College. 
At  the  end  of  his  course  there  he  took  the  examina- 
tions at  Brown  University,  which  he  passed  satis- 
factorily, expecting  to  enter  that  institution  as  a 
student,  but  on  account  of  the  sudden  death  of  his 
father,  he  returned  home.  Mr.  Clarke  took  up 
teaching  as  a profession,  and  after  serving 
in  various  places  he  went  to  North  Stoughton, 
Mass.,  where  he  was  principal  of  the  schools  for 
about  one  year.  Returning  to  Newport  in  1855, 
Mr.  Clarke  became  a teacher  in  the  grammar 
school,  and  for  two  and  one  half  years  was  a 
teacher  in  the  Farewell  school,  and  still  later  spent 
two  and  one-half  years  in  the  Clarke  school.  After 


about  thirty  years  of  faithful  service  in  the  Cod- 
dington  school,  part  of  which  time  he  was  principal, 
Professor  Clarke  was  made  principal  of  the  Lenthal 
school,  in  which  capacity  he  has  served  efficiently 
and  faithfully  to  the  present  time.  For  about  nine 
years  he  conducted  a private  school,  and  during 
this  time  was  private  tutor  in  the  homes  of  several 
of  Newport’s  most  prominent  families. 

Professor  Clarke  is  a devoted  member  of  Trin- 
ity Episcopal  Church,  and  has  served  as  lay  reader 
of  the  church  for  about  fourteen  years,  filling  the 
pulpits  of  the  Episcopal  Churches  of  the  surround- 
ing towns.  He  also  served  as  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  school  of  the  Zion’s  Episcopal  Church 
for  many  years.  In  political  views  he  is  a supporter 
of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party,  but  has 
never  sought  nor  cared  for  public  recognition.  He 
served  as  president  of  the  Gen.  G.  K.  Warren  Post 
Associates  for  a period  of  two  years. 

Professor  Clarke  was  married  June  2,  1858,  to 
Miss  Ann  Catherine  Howland,  daughter  of  John 
Howland,  of  Jamestown,  R.  I.,  and  this  union  was 
blessed  by  children  as  follows : Arthur  Henry,  a 
graduate  of  Annapolis  Military  Academy  and  later 
lieutenant  of  ^Marines  in  the  United  States  Navy, 
passed  away  May  7,  1887,  in  Panama,  while  on 
board  a vessel  stationed  in  those  waters ; and  Mary 
Howland,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  Pro- 
fessor Clarke's  entire  life  has  been  devoted  to  teach- 
ing, his  service  in  that  capacity  to  the  city  of  New- 
port alone  covering  a period  of  over  fifty  years.  He 
is  recognized  as  a learned  and  proficient  tutor, 
and  many  of  his  pupils  in  his  younger  days  are  now 
filling  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  in  the 
business  world.  He  possesses  not  a little  literary 
ability,  and,  in  addition  to  contributing  articles  to 
newspapers  and  magazines,  has  written  much 
poetry.  He  and  his  estimable  wife  are  benevolent 
and  charitable — ever  readv  to  assist  those  less  for- 
tunate than  themselves.  They  command  the  re- 
spect and  esteem  of  the  community  in  which  they 
have  lived  so  many  years. 

COLLINS.  This  well  known  family  of  Paw- 
tucket is  of  English  extraction,  and  for  nearly 
a half  century  has  been  prominently  identified 
with  the  industrial  life  of  that  city.  Prominent 
among  the  machinery  manufacturing  firms  of 
Pawtucket  is  that  of  Collins  Brothers  Machine 
Company,  manufacturers  of  patent  trap  twisters, 
spinning  frames,  patent  filling  winders,  patent 
stop  motion  drum  doubling  machines,  and  drum 
skein  winders.  The  business,  which  is  consid- 
ered one  of  the  most  active  of  its  line  in  the 
country,  is  conducted  by  the  Collins  Brothers, 
Henry  and  Joseph  W.,  leading  citizens  of  Paw- 
tucket, and  sons  of  the  late  William  Wright  Col- 
lins. 

William  Wright  Collins,  who  was  born  Oct. 
T9,  1824,  in  Ashton-under-Lyne,  England,  died 
Feb.  14,  1895,  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I.  In  his  native 


RHODE  ISLAND 


843 


country  he  was  engaged  as  a machinist,  learn- 
ing that  trade  with  the  firm  of  Cryer  & Lees, 
Lancashire,  with  whom  he  continued  until  com- 
ing to  America  in  1859.  In  company  with  his 
brother,  Joseph  Wright  Collins,  he  started  an 
unpretentious  machine  shop  in  1864,  and  from 
this  small  beginning  the  great  industry  of  Col- 
lins Brothers  has  since  developed.  The  first  shop 
was  located  in  the  Benedict  Mill,  Central  Falls, 
but  six  months  later  it  was  removed  to  the  old 
Chip  Stone  building,  where  it  was  continued 
with  much  success  for  two  years.  At  the  end 
of  this  time  the  brothers  decided  to  build,  and 
this  they1  did,  on  the  northern  end  of  the  Mill- 
street  bridge,  on  the  west  side  of  the  roadway, 
this  building  being  occupied  by  the  firm  until 
its  destruction  in  the  great  gale  of  September, 
1869.  Collins  Brothers  immediately  rebuilt  the 
shop,  which  they  sold  to  Bacon  Brothers,  who 
utilized  it  as  a tannery,  and  the  same  premises 
are  now  occupied  by  the  Eagle  Dye  Works.  At 
that  time  the  brothers  dissolved  partnership, 
William  W.  Collins  continuing  the  business 
alone,  and  he  erected,  in  1869,  on  the  east  side 
of  the  road,  a building  75x38  feet,  at  the  bridge, 
opposite  the  former  shop. 

In  1882  Flenry  Collins  was  admitted  as  a 
partner,  and  the  firm  became  Collins  & Son,  and 
two  years  later  William  W.  Collins  sold  his  in- 
terest to  his  sons,  Henry  and  Joseph  Wright, 
who  have  since  conducted  the  business  under 
the  name  of  Collins  Brothers.  The  building 
which  is  now  occupied  by  them  is  located  at  Nos. 
645-647  North  Main  street,  and  bordering  the 
Blackstone  river,  is  four  stories  in  height  and 
62x200  feet  in  dimensions.  The  firm  carries  on 
a general  machinist  business,  and  manufactures 
woolen  and  worsted  machinery,  including  a 
number  of  specialties,  viz. : a trap  twister,  used 
almost  universally  in  worsted  mills ; a new  in- 
vention for  twisting  yarns,  to  take  the  place  of 
the  old  method  of  dyeing  them.  These  special- 
ties are  manufactured  under  patents  recently 
granted,  which  are  the  exclusive  property  of  the 
firm.  The  partners  are  men  of  pronounced  bus- 
iness ability  and  understand  thoroughly  every 
detail  of  the  manufacture  of  this  kind  of  machin- 
ery. The  business  was  incorporated  in  1907  as 
the  Collins  Brothers  Machine  Company. 

William  Wright  Collins  attended  the  Congre- 
gational Church.  In  politics  he  was  a stanch 
Republican,  and  for  two  years  served  the  city 
of  Pawtucket  as  a member  of  the  council.  In 
1844  Air.  Collins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Se- 
lina Hibbert,  born  Nov.  24,  1824,  daughter  of 
Charles  Hibbert,  and  she  died  Aug.  4,  1878,  in 
Pawtucket.  The  children  of  this  union  were : 
Sarah  Ann,  who  married  Charles  H.  Ford,  a re- 
tired machinist  of  Pawtucket ; Henry ; Louisa, 
who  married  Thomas  Briden,  a retired  engineer 
of  Pawtucket,  who  is  serving  as  a license  com- 


missioner; Esther,  who  married  James  Holling- 
worth,  a machinist  of  Pawtucket;  and  Joseph  W. 

Henry  Collins,  son  of  William  Wright  Col- 
lins, was  born  March  9,  1847,  in  Ashton-under- 
Lyne,  England.  His  meagre  education,  secured 
mostly  at  night  schools,  was  obtained  in  Paw- 
tucket, and  when  a mere  lad  he  served  a three 
years’  apprenticeship  at  the  Fales  & Jenks  Ma- 
chine Company,  of  Pawtucket.  Mr.  Collins  then 
entered  the  employ  of  his  father,  who  admitted 
him  as  a partner  in  the  business  in  1882.  Mr. 
Collins  has  marked  ability  in  the  mechanical 
line,  and  is  the  inventor  of  a number  of  ingenious 
and  useful  appliances.  In  politics  he  is  a Repub- 
lican, but  he  has  never  been  an  office  seeker, 
preferring  to  give  his  time  and  attention  to  his 
business  interests.  He  attends  the  Congrega- 
tional Church.  Mr.  Collins  is  a prominent  Ma- 
son, holding  membership  in  Jenks  Lodge,  No. 
24,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of  Central  Falls  ; Pawtucket 
Chapter,  No.  4,  R.  A.  M. : Holy  Sepulchre  Com- 
mandery.  No.  8,  K.  T.  He  also  holds  member- 
ship with  Good  Samaritan  Lodge,  No.  8,  I.  O. 
O.  F. 

On  Nov.  25,  1868.  Henry  Collins  was  married 
at  Lonsdale,  R.  I.,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Holling- 
worth,  of  Ashton-under-Lyne,  daughter  of  Eli- 
jah Hollingworth,  and  to  this  union  there  have 
been  born  the  following  children,  all  in  Paw- 
tucket: (1)  Charles  Everett,  born  Sept.  22, 
1869,  who  is  associated  with  his  father  in  bus- 
iness, and  is  also  extensively  engaged  in  the  dairy 
business  in  South  Attleboro,  Mass.,  married 
Frances  Pollitt,  of  Lonsdale,  R.  I.,  and  has  five 
children.  Marguerite.  Helen,  Henry,  Frances 
and  Esther.  (2)  Elijah  William  Bagster-Collins, 
born  April  16,  1873,  received  his  early  education  in 
America,  went  to  Europe  at  eighteen  years  of 
age.  studied  at  the  Royal  High  School  at  Berlin, 
Germany,  and  returned  to  America,  where  he 
graduated  from  Brown  University.  Mr.  Collins 
has  become  an  author  of  note,  one  of  his  well 
known  works  being  a treatise  on  the  teaching 
of  German,  which  is  now  being  used  in  the  high 
schools,  and  he  is  also  serving  in  the  capacity 
of  Professor  in  German  at  Columbia  College. 
Prof.  Collins  married  Lillian  Bagster,  daughter 
of  Robert  Bagster  of  London,  the  noted  pub- 
lisher of  the  Bagster  Bibles,  and  three  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union,  Ashlyn  Hilary, 
Denzil  and  Jeremy.  (3)  Alice  Selina,  born  Tune 
24,  1877,  married  the  Hon.  Philip  Whitwell 
Wilson,  of  London,  Parliament  correspondent  of 
the  London  Daily  Nezvs,  member  of  Parlia- 
ment from  South  Pancras,  London,  a graduate 
of  Cambridge  College  and  ex-president  of  the 
Cambridge  Union.  Mr.  Wilson  is  also  an  author 
of  reputation.  He  and  his  wife  have  three  chil- 
dren, Oliver  Whitwell,  Theodore  Whitwell 
and  Philip  Whitwell.  (4)  William  \\  right, 
born  May  26,  1880,  in  Pawtucket,  was  educated 


S44 


RHODE  ISLAND 


in  the  public  schools,  and  took  a course  in  the 
Rhode  Island  School  of  Design  at  Providence. 
He  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Collins  Broth- 
ers Machine  Company,  and  by  close  application 
has  worked  himself  up  to  the  position  of  fore- 
man of  the  fitting  department.  He  is  a young 
man  of  ability  and  is  noted  for  his  industry  and 
strict  attention  to  business.  He  is  a member  of 
Jenks  Lodge  of  Masons,  Central  Falls,  and  also 
of  Pawtucket  Chapter,  No.  4,  R.  A.  M.  In  pol- 
itics he  is  a Republican.  He  attends  the  Con- 
gregational Church.  He  married  Autheriena 
Bishop,  daughter  of  Henry  L.  Bishop,  and  they 
hqve  one  child,  Winthrop. 

Joseph  Wright  Collins,  treasurer  and  half 
owner  of  the  Collins  Brothers  Machine  Com- 
pany, of  Pawtucket,  was  born  March  24,  1856, 
at  Ashton-under- Lyne,  England,  son  of  William 
Wright  and  Selina  (Hibbert)  Collins.  He  was 
but  a child  when  his  parents  came  to  America 
and  located  at  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  where  his  edu- 
cational training  was  received.  Inheriting  the 
mechanical  skill  which  had  been  characteristic 
of  his  forefathers  for  generations,  it  was  quite 
natural  for  him  to  take  up  that  line  of  work  in 
preference  to  a professional  career.  After  leav- 
ing school  he  entered  his  father’s  employ  in  or- 
der to  perfect  himself  in  the  trade  of  a machinist. 
This  marked  the  beginning  of  a successful  bus- 
iness career,  in  which  Mr.  Collins’  activity  is 
unabated.  After  some  years  in  the  employ  of 
his  father,  he  became  a member  of  the  firm  of 
Collins  Brothers,  which  came  into  existence  in 
1884,  and  comprised  Henry  and  Joseph  W.  Col- 
lins. The  firm  name  remained  unchanged  until 
1907,  when  the  business  was  incorporated  as  the 
Collins  Brothers  Machine  Company. 

For  nearly  a quarter  of  a century  Joseph  W. 
Collins  has  had  a most  prominent  identification 
with  the  management,  and  likewise  the  success 
and  progress  of  the  concern,  contributing  not 
only  his  energies  and  industry,  but  his  inventive 
genius  and  closest  application.  A thoroughly 
practical  man  in  his  line,  a fine  judge  of  work- 
men and  their  skill,  Mr.  Collins  justly  shares  the 
credit  for  the  high  standing  of  the  Collins  Broth- 
ers Machine  Company  and  the  excellency  of 
their  product. 

As  a citizen  Mr.  Collins  has  always  taken  a 
deep  interest  in  the  advancement  of  his  city,  and 
wdiile  not  a man  seeking  political  honors  his  in- 
terest in  public  affairs  is  keen  and  continuous.  In 
politics  he  is  a stanch  Republican,  and  frater- 
nally both  a Mason  and  an  Odd  Fellow,  being  a 
member  of  Jenks  Lodge,  No.  24,  A.  F.  & A.  M., 
of  Central  Falls;  Pawtucket  Chapter,  No.  4,  R. 
A.  M. ; Holy  Sepulchre  Commandery,  No.  8,  K. 
T. ; and  Good  Samaritan  Lodge,  No.  8,  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  of  Pawtucket.  He  is  a member  of  Pleasant 
View  Baptist  Church,  and  has  held  official  po- 
sitions therein. 


On  Oct.  17,  1883,  Mr.  Collins  was  married 
to  Miss  Eva  E.  Buffum,  of  Millbury,  Mass., 
daughter  of  Benjamin  W.  Buffum,  and  to  this 
union  three  children  have  been  born : Harry 
Wright,  born  July  13,  1884,  graduated  from 
Brown  University,  class  of  1907,  having  given 
special  attention  to  the  languages,  fitting  him- 
self as  a tutor  of  German.  Benjamin  Fletcher, 
born  Feb.  24,  1886,  graduated  from  the  School 
of  Design,  Providence,  in  May,  1906,  and  is  now 
associated  with  the  Collins  Brothers  Machine 
Company.  Elizabeth  Selina,  born  Sept.  19, 
1888,  is  at  home. 

BARTLETT  (Providence-Lonsdale  family). 
The  Bartletts  here  treated  are  a branch  of  the  old 
Massachusetts  family  of  the  name,  which  for  gen- 
erations has  lived  in  that  part  of  the  Bay  State  ad- 
jacent to  Rhode  Island  and  out  of  which  portions  of 
Rhode  Island  came.  The  old  town  of  Providence 
and  subsequent  towns  coming  out  of  it — Smithfield 
and  Glocester — and  as  well  the  town  of  Cumber- 
land, formerly  a part  of  Massachusetts,  were  the 
early  home  of  the  family,  Austin,  the  genealogist 
of  early  Rhode  Island  families,  has  Abner  Bartlett  a 
resident  of  Bellingham,  Mass.,  and  Glocester,  R.  I., 
and  makes  him  a son  of  Jacob  and  grandson  of 
John  Bartlett,  as  marrying  April  30,  1734,  Abigail 
Arnold,  and  dying  Dec.  13,  1784.  While  the  late 
Hon.  John  Russell  Bartlett  begins  his  family  record 
with  Abner  and  Abigail  (Arnold)  Bartlett,  he  has 
Abner,  the  son  of  Abner,  dying  Oct.  27,  1756. 

From  this  source,  as  just  stated,  descended  the 
branch  of  Bartletts  under  consideration — the 
Providence-Lonsdale  family — which  has  played  so 
conspicuous  a part  in  the  affairs  of  Rhode  Island 
and  the  nation  through  much  of  the  nineteenth 
century.  Reference  is  especially  made  to  the  two 
John  Russell  Bartletts,  father  and  son:  The  late 
Hon.  John  Russell  Bartlett,  long  secretary  of  State, 
acting  governor  (1861-62),  author,  distinguished  in 
literature  of  Rhode  Island,  and  as  well  useful  in  the 
nation ; and  the  late  Rear  Admiral  John  Russell 
Bartlett,  retired,  whose  career  in  his  country’s  serv- 
ice, covering  two  wars,  was  one  of  distinction  and 
large  usefulness,  of  which  both  his  native  State 
and  his  country  can  justly  be  proud. 

Rear  Admiral  Bartlett’s  descent  from  Abner  and 
Abigail  (Arnold)  Bartlett — whose  children  of  Glo- 
cester town  record  were  Rufus,  born  Nov.  16,  1739; 
Elisha,  born  Sept.  7,  1742 ; and  Caleb,  born  June  19, 
1745 — is  through  Rufus,  Smith  and  John  Russell 
Bartlett,  the  details  of  which  descent,  as  far  as 
known,  follow  in  chronological  order. 

Rufus  Bartlett,  son  of  Abner  and  Abigail  (Ar- 
nold) Bartlett,  born  in  1736  or  1739,  of  Glocester 
town  record,  married  Margery  Smith,  of  Che- 
pachet,  R.  I.,  and  died  in  '1798.  His  wife  died  in 
1794.  Their  six  children  were;  Anna,  Alpha, 
Philadelphia,  Mary,  Abner  and  Smith. 

Smith  Bartlett,  son  of  Rufus  and  Margery 


RHODE  ISLAND 


(Smith)  Bartlett,  born  April  24,  1780,  in  Cumber- 
land, R.  I.,  married  (first)  Nancy,  born  July  17, 
1782,  in  Providence,  daughter  of  John  and  Martha 
(Martin)  Russell  and  a descendant  of  John  Russell, 
who  was  one  of  the  earliest  inhabitants  of  Woburn, 
Mass.,  being  a subscriber  to  the  town  orders  drawn 
up  for  it  at  Charlestown,  in  1740,  her  lineage  from 
him  being  through  John  (2),  Joseph,  Thomas  and 
John  Russell  (3).  Nancy  (Russell)  Bartlett  died 
Feb.  ir,  1819,  in  Kingston,  in  the  Dominion  of 
Canada,  and  Mr.  Bartlett  married  (second)  Feb  1, 
1824,  Mrs.  Sarah  Gladding,  widow  of  Benjamin 
Gladding,  daughter  of  John  Russell  and  sister  of  his 
first  wife. 

Early  in  life  Smith  Bartlett  was  engaged  in 
mercantile  business  in  Providence,  R.  I.  In  1806, 
after  the  birth  of  his  two  elder  children,  William 
and  John,  he  removed,  to  Kingston,  then  in  Upper 
Canada,  where  he  resumed  business.  He  remained 
in  that  town  during  the  war  between  Great  Britain 
and  the  United  States  (1812-15),  his  mercantile 
operations  becoming  among  the  most  extensive  of 
any  house  in  the  Province.  He  continued  to  re- 
side in  Kingston  until  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Canadian  rebellion  in  1837,  when  he  removed  to  the 
village  of  Cape  Vincent,  on  the  opposite  shore  of 
the  St.  La>vrence,  in  Jefferson  county,  N.  Y., 
where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Mrs. 
Bartlett  died  at  Cape  Vincent,  Oct.  4,  1851,  and 
Mr.  Bartlett  passed  away  there  Nov.  11,  1867,  in 
the  eighty-eighth  year  of  his  age. 

To  the  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Bartlett  were  born 
children  as  follows : William  Russell,  bora  Dec. 
7,  1803,  in  Providence,  R.  I. ; John  Russell,  born 
Oct.  23,  1805,  in  Providence,  R.  I.;  Smith,  born 
May  13,  1808,  who  died  Aug.  22,  1868;  Martha 
Russell,  born  June  6,  1810,  who  died  Oct.  24,  1865  ; 
George  Francis,  born  Aug.  23,  1812;  and  Robert 
Coleman,  born  May  10,  1815,  who  died  Dec.  15, 
1853 — the  four  last  named  all  born  in  Kingston, 
Canada. 

John  Russell  Bartlett,  son  of  Smith  and 
Nancy  (Russell)  Bartlett,  born  Oct.  23,  1805,  i'1 
Providence,  R.  I.,  married  (first)  May  15,  1831, 
Eliza  Allen  Rhodes,  daughter  of  Gen.  Christopher 
Rhodes,  of  Pawtuxet,  R.  I.,  and  a descendant  of 
Zachary  or  Zachariah  Rhodes,  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  the  Colony  of  Rhode  Island,  his  name 
first  appearing  as  a resident  of  Seekonk,  among 
the  proprietors  of  the  contemplated  town  of  Reho- 
both,  Mass.,  in  *1643,  and  in  the  following  year  die 
was  among  those  who  formed  a compact  for  town 
government.  Mrs.  Bartlett  dying  at  Pawtuxet, 
Nov.  11,  1853,  Mr.  Bartlett  married  (second)  at 
New  York,  Nov.  12,  1863,  Ellen,  daughter  of  Nel- 
son S.  Eddy,  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island. 

His  father  having  removed  in  his  early  child- 
hood to  Kingston,  then  in  Upper  Canada,  John 
Russell  Bartlett  there  attended  school.  He  also 
furthered  his  studies  at  Montreal  and  in  the  Somer- 
ville Academy,  Somerville,  N.  Y.  He  was  pre- 


845 

pared  for  mercantile  life  in  his  native  city,  and 
in  1831,  upon  the  organization  of  the  Globe  Bank 
at  Providence,  he  was  chosen  its  cashier.  This 
relation  he  sustained  to  the  bank  until  1837,  when, 
owing  to  the  impairment  of  his  health  by  the 
close  confinement,  he  sought  more  active  employ- 
ment, resigning  his  office.  On  giving  up  banking, 
in  1 837^  he  for  a time  was  engaged  in  a commis- 
sion house  in  New  York  City.  The  house,  how- 
ever, soon  failing,  he,  in  partnership  with  Mr. 
Charles  Welford,  opened  a book  store  for  the  im- 
portation and  sale  of  choice  foreign  works.  These 
men  were  authorities  on  almost  every  subject 
treated  in  the  works  they  collected,  and  their  store 
soon  became  the  popular  resort  for  literary  men. 
Air.  Bartlett  continued  in  business  in  New  York 
until  1849,  an<J  from  1837  until  that  time  resided 
there. 

While  quite  a young  man  Mr.  Bartlett  became 
interested  in  the  cultivation  of  literature  and 
science.  He  joined  the  Franklin  Societv,  in 
Providence,  before  which  he  occasionally  read  pa- 
pers. He  was  an  officer  of  the  Rhode  Island 
Historical  Society  and  later  became  a member  of 
the  New  York  Historical  Society.  He  was  the 
original  projector  of  the  Providence  Athenaeum, 
and,  calling  in  the  aid  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Frederick 
Farley  and  Dr.  Thomas  H.  Webb,  they  became 
the  founders  of  this  excellent  institution,  which 
now  possesses  upward  of  fifty  thousand  volumes 
and  hundreds  of  members. 

After  his  retirement  from  business  in  1849, 
Mr.  Bartlett  was  in  June,  1850,  appointed  to  estab- 
lish the  boundary  between  the  United  States  and 
Mexico,  under  the  treaty  of  Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 
and  for  the  next  three  years,  aided  by  experts,  he 
made  surveys  and  explorations,  supplemented  by 
astronomical,  magnetic,  meteorological,  geological 
and  botanical  observations.  While  on  this  service 
he  made  extensive  explorations  in  Texas,  New 
Mexico,  Chihuahua,  Sonora,  California,  and  the 
country  now  known  as  Arizona,  the  particulars  of 
which  were  published  in  two  volumes  under  the 
title  of  “Personal  Narrative  of  Explorations  and 
Incidents  in  Texas,  etc.,  connected  with  the  United 
States  and  Mexican  Boundary  Commission.” 

In  1855  Mr.  Bartlett  was  elected  secretary  of 
State  of  Rhode  Island,  to  which  office  he  was  an- 
nually re-elected  until  1872,  holding  the  office  for 
seventeen  years.  By  virtue  of  his  office  Secretary 
Bartlett  was  acting  governor  of  Rhode  Island  in 
1861-62,  during  the  absence  of  the  State  Governor 
Sprague  in  the  Civil  war,  his  service  continuing 
one  year.  During  his  service  as  secretary  Mr. 
Bartlett  became  deeply  interested  in  the  history  of 
Rhode  Island,  and  for  ten  years  occupied  himself 
arranging  and  editing  the  State  records.  The  re- 
sults appeared  in  ten  volumes  (1856-65),  entitled 
“Record  of  the  Colony  of  Rhode  Island  and  the 
Providence  Plantations.” 

In  1867  Mr.  Bartlett  visited  Europe,  on  which 


S46 


RHODE  ISLAND 


occasion  he  was  made  a delegate,  by  the  Ameri- 
can Antiquarian  Society,,  to  attend  the  International 
Congress  of  Archaeology,  at  Antwerp ; and  the 
American  Ethnological  Society  to  the  International 
Congress  of  Anthropology  and  prehistoric  Archae- 
ology, at  Paris.  On  his  return  he  presented  a re- 
port of  their  doings,  which  was  printed.  He  again 
visited  Europe,  and  was  one  of  the  LTnited  States 
Commissioners  to  the  International  Prison  Con- 
gress, at  London,  and  attended  their  meetings.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Royal  Society  of  Northern 
Antiquaries,  Denmark;  the  American  Antiquarian 
Society  : American  Geographical  Society ; Academy 
of  Natural  Sciences;  National  Institute  for  the 
Promotion  of  Science,  Washington ; and  one  of  the 
vice-presidents  of  the  New  England  Historic- 
Genealogical  Society.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Historical  Society;  the  Newport  His- 
torical Society ; and  an  honorary  or  corresponding 
member  of  the  Historical  Societies  of  Maine,  Mas- 
sachusetts, Connecticut,  New  York,  Michigan, 
Wisconsin,  Western  Reserve,  Ohio,  Maryland, 
Georgia,  New  Mexico  and  Arizona.  Together 
with  Albert  Gallatin  Mr.  Bartlett  founded  the 
American  Ethnological  Society,  to  the  proceedings 
of  which  he  contributed  extensively. 

Air.  Bartlett  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  liter- 
ary pursuits,  particularly  to  the  field  of  archae- 
ology, philology  and  bibliography.  Among  his 
published  works  not  mentioned  in  the  foregoing 
are:  "Index  to  the  Acts,  etc.,  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  Rhode  Island,  1758-1862"  (1863)  ; "Bi- 
bliography of  Rhode  Island,  with  Notes,  Histori- 
cal, Biographical  and  Critical"  (1864);  “Memoirs 
of  Rhode  Island  Officers  in  the  War  of  the  Re- 
bellion'’ (1867);  “History  of  the  Norton  Family 
of  Newport,  R.  I.”  (1878);  “Naval  History  of 
Rhode  Island”  (1880)  ; a "History  of  the  Destruc- 
tion of  His  Britannic  Majesty’s  Schooner  Gaspe 
in  Narragansett  Bay,  June  ^ 10,  1 772"  (1862); 

“Literature  of  the  Rebellion"  (1866);  “Biblio- 
theca Americana,”  a catalogue  of  books  relating 
to  America  in  the  John  Carter  Brown  Library  at 
Providence  (4  Vols.,  1865-67)  ; Genealogy  of  the 
Russell  Family  (18/8)  ; “Primeval  Man  and  his 
Associations”  (1868).  He  illustrated  for  his  own 
private  library  John  Marshall's  “Life  of  Washing- 
ton" (8  Yols.). 

The  children  born  to  Mr.  Bartlett  and  bis  wife 
Eliza  Allen  (Rhodes)  Bartlett  were  as  follows: 
Elizabeth  D.,  born  June  1,  1833,  in  Providence, 
died  Oct.  8,  1840,  in  Pawtuxet ; Anna  R.,  born  Oct. 
19,  1835,  married  J.  Antoine  Duvillard,  and  both 
have  died  leaving  one  son,  Henry  Anthony ; Henry 
A.,  born  Aug.  19,  1838,  in  Pawtuxet,  R.  I.,  married 
Edith  E.  Blankman ; Geoi^e  F.,  born  Nov.  26, 
1840,  in  New  York,  died  in  Pawtuxet,  Sept.  8, 
1842;  John  Russell  was  born  Sept.  26,  1843,  ’n 
New  York;  Leila,  born  July  11,  1846,  in  New 
York,  died  Oct.  4,  1850,  in  Providence;  Fannie  O. 
was  born  April  28,  1850,  in  Pawtuxet. 


Mr.  Bartlett  died  May  28,  1886,  in  Providence, 
R.  I.,  and  on  the  occasion  the  Providence  Journal 
said  editorially : 

“I11  the  death  of  John  Russell  Bartlett  Rhode 
Island  loses  a citizen  long  familiar  to  the  public 
as  a writer,  an  official,  a man  of  letters,  and  a 
citizen  always  interested  in  whatever  pertained  to 
the  public  welfare.  Perfectly  unassuming,  with  a 
nature  which  shrunk  from  notoriety,  pleasant  in  so- 
cial intercourse,  but  not  courting  popularity,  Mr. 
Bartlett  did  a great  deal  of  literary  work  and  per- 
formed a vast  amount  of  public  service  which  re- 
dounded to  the  advantage  and  to  the  dignity  of  the 
State.  And  in  all  his  contributions  to  the  press, 
which  were  many  and  long  continued,  it  will,  we 
apprehend,  be  impossible  to  find  a bitter  or  un- 
generous word. 

“Born  in  Providence  on  the  23d  day  of  Oc- 
tober, 1805,  and  living  in  this  city  for  the  greater 
part  of  his  life,  he  was  not  merely  by  birth,  but  in 
sentiment  and  purpose,  a Rhode  Island  man.  He 
loved  her  institutions,  he  studied  and  illustrated 
her  history;  he  lived  among  her  most  illustrious 
men  as  one  of  them.  He  knew  them  as  he  knew 
the  traditions,  the  elements  of  social  and  political 
strength,  the  characteristics  and  the  fundamental, 
the  inner,  the  determinate  life  of  the  people  of 
Rhode  Island.  And  he  was  in  many  respects 
a faithful  exponent  of  that  type  which  is 
not  appreciated  by  a mere  surface  survey  of 
casual  acquaintance. 

“Mr.  Bartlett  did  not  long  engage  in  com- 
mercial pursuits ; bis  mental  energies  ran  in  other 
directions;  the  fact  that  in  conjunction  with  Mr. 
Gallatin  he  founded"  the  American  Ethnological 
Society  shows  the  bent  of  his  mind,  and  his  subse- 
quent career  is  proof  of  the  wisdom  which  led  him 
to  study  and  to  literature.  But  Mr.  Bartlett  was 
not  wholly  a student ; as  commissioner  for  the 
survey  of  the  boundary  line  between  the  Lhiited 
States  and  Mexico,  in  pursuance  of  the  provisions 
of  the  treaty  of  Guadalupe-Hidalgo,  he  performed 
a most  valuable  public  service,  and  his  three  years’ 
labors  in  that  expedition,  beginning  in  1850,  gave 
to  the  nation  an  amount  of  information  as  novel  as 
it  was  valuable. 

“Mr.  Bartlett  was  secretary  of  State  of  Rhode 
Island  from  1855  to  1872.  To  him  the  State  of 
Rhode  Island  is  indebted  for  such  recognition,  and 
preservation  and  collation  of  its  archives  as  have 
made  them  accessible  to  the  student  and  to  the 
statesman.  We  shall  not  enumerate  the  many 
works  published  by  Mr.  Bartlett,  but  it  is  notice- 
able that  they  were  such  as  were  calculated  to  af- 
ford useful,  knowledge  and  stimulate  patriotism. 
His  ‘Bibliography  of  Books  and  Pamphlets  Relat- 
ing to  the  Civil  War,’  his  ‘Literature  of  the  War,’ 
his  ‘Memoirs  of  Rhode  Island  Officers  in  the  War 
of  the  Rebellion,’  manifest  bis  intense  regard  for 
his  State  and  for  the  nation. 

“One  of  the  most  valuable  labors  of  his  life 


RHODE  ISLAND 


847 


was  the  assistance  he  gave  to  the  late  John  Carter 
Brown,,  in  the  creation  of  that  unique  and  valuable 
library  of  books  relating  to  the  history  of  America, 
which  could  only  have  been  gathered  through  and 
by  the  combination  of  great  wealth  unstintedly 
used,  and  a sound  literary  judgment,  but  supple- 
mented by  a zealous  purpose. 

“It  will  readily  be  seen  that  the  work  of  Mr. 
Bartlett  will  long  remain  to  do  him  honor.  He 
has  lived  an  active  and  useful  life  in  a sphere  which 
certainly  is  not  crowded.  He  has  added  to  the 
mental  wealth  of  the  State,  as  he  has  incited  those 
sentiments  which  are  essential  to  the  culture  and 
the  proper  pride  and  patriotism  of  a Common- 
wealth. He  will  be  held  in  grateful  recollection, 
not  only  for  his  personal  worth,  but  for  his  high 
rank  as  a scholar  and  a public  servant.” 

John  Russell  Bartlett  (2),  son  of  Hon. 
John  Russell  and  Eliza  Allen  (Rhodes)  Bartlett, 
born  Sept.  26,  1843,  in  New  York  City,  married  Feb. 
6,  1872,  at  Lonsdale,  R.  I.,  Jeanie  R.,  daughter  of 
the  late  Hon.  Thomas  A.  Jenckes,  a lawyer  of 
great  distinction  and  a representative  from  Rhode 
Island  from  1863  to  1871  in  the  United  States 
Congress,  and  a descendant  of  one  of  the  first 
families  of  the  old  Colony  of  Rhode  Island.  Mrs. 
Bartlett  died  in  March.  1907,  at  Naples,  Italy,  while 
on  an  extended  trip  abroad. 

On  Nov.  28,  1859,  Mr.  Bartlett  entered  the 
Naval  Academy,  being  appointed  an  acting  mid- 
shipman. On  May  30,  1861,  he  was  detached  from 
the  academy  and  ordered  to  active  service  afloat. 
He  went  on  the  United  States  ship  “Mississippi.” 
In  July,  1861,  he  assisted  Master  George 
Dewey  in  landing  Wilson’s  Zouaves  from  the 
blockade  of  Mobile.  On  Dec.  2,  1861,  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  United  States  steamer  “Brooklyn,” 
Capt.  Thomas  T.  Craven,  being  made  watch,  di- 
vision and  drill  officer.  He  had  charge  of  the 
fourth  division  of  guns  on  the  “Brooklyn”  at  the 
passage  of  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  below 
New  Orleans,  on  April  24,  1862.  He  assumed 
charge  of  the  first  division  when  Lieutenant  O'Kane 
was  wounded  during  the  fight.  He  was  especially 
mentioned  in  the  reports  of  the  executive  and  com- 
manding officers  for  his  bravery.  He  was  in  the 
attack  on  Chalmette  batteries,  below  New  Orleans, 
and  again  mentioned  by  his  superiors  in  their  re- 
ports. He  remained  on  the  Mississippi  river  five 
months  on  the  “Brooklyn,”  in  charge  of  the  first 
division  of  guns. 

At  the  passage  of  Admiral  Farragut  of  Vicks- 
burg the  “Brooklyn”  remained  below  and  Mid- 
shipman Bartlett  took  dispatches  to  the  Admiral 
through  the  Confederate  lines.  On  the  blockade 
of  Galveston  and  Mobile  he  had  charge  of  the 
cutter  on  the  cutting  out  expedition  of  Point  Isabel, 
Texas.  Midshipman  Bartlett  was  promoted  to 
ensign  on  July  22,  1863,  and  ordered  to  the  staff 
of  Admiral  Dahlgren.  He  was  frequently  under 
fire  while  on  the  picket  monitors.  On  Feb.  22,  1864, 


he  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant  and  was 
transferred  from  the  United  States  steamer  “New 
Ironsides  to  the  United  States  steamer  “Susque- 
hanna,’ on  July  2,  1864.  He  had  charge  of  the  200- 
pound  Parrott  at  both  bombardments  of  Fort  Fisher, 
and  was  with  the  landing,  party  at  the  assault  in 
charge  of  the  second  command  of  the  1st  Division. 
Lieutenant  Bartlett,  with  his  classmate  Lieut.  Ben- 
jamin Porter,  led  the  charge.  They  remained  in  the 
ditch  until  dark,  and  Lieutenant  Bartlett  assisted  to 
carry  the  then  Ensign  Robley  D.  Evans  down  to 
the  beach  and  also  helped  the  surgeon  to  care  for 
him.  He  was  especially  mentioned  by  Admiral 
Porter,  Commodore  Gordon  and  Lieut.-Commander 
Blake  and  also  received  a vote  of  thanks  from  the 
State  of  Rhode  Island. 

On  July  25,  1866,  Lieutenant  Bartlett  was  pro- 
moted to  lieutenant-commander.  He  was  executive 
officer  on  the  United  States  steamer  “Nipsic,” 
Brazil  Station.  From  Dec.  23,  1867,  to  April  26, 
1869,  he  was  assistant  to  Lieut.-Commander  George 
Dewey  at  the  United  States  Naval  Academy. 

Lieut.-Commander  Bartlett  began  work  on  the 
survey  of  the  seas  that  made  him  famous.  He 
started  on  the  United  States  steamer  “Sabine”  on 
Sept.  9,  1870,  under  Commander  John  G.  Walker. 
He  did  the  instrumental  work  on  the  survey  of  the 
Isthmus  Tehuantepec  under  Capt.  R.  W.  Shut- 
feldt.  On  his  return  to  the  United  States  he  re- 
lieved that  office  and  prepared  the  maps  and  reports 
of  the  survey. 

Lieut.-Commander  Bartlett  was  assigned  to 
ordnance  duty  at  the  Boston  Navy  Yard  from  1872 
to  1873.  He  secured  several  three  months’  leaves 
of  absence  after  his  Boston  duty,  and  in  1876  he 
was  assigned  to  duty  at  the  Hydrographic  Office, 
and  in  1877  went  to  the  Bureau  of  Equipment.  He 
compiled  and  arranged  a watch,  quarter  and  station 
bill  for  the  use  of  the  service. 

On  April  25,  1877,  Lieut.-Commander  Bartlett 
was  made  a commander,  and  he  was  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  coast  survey  steamer  “Blake.”  On 
Oct.  26,  1878,  and  from  that  time  till  September, 
1882,  he  was  investigating  the  Gulf  Stream,  and 
made  many  discoveries. 

Commander  Bartlett  took  charge  of  the  Hydro- 
graphic  Office  on  June  30,  1883,  reorganizing  that 
office  and  enlarging  its  sphere.  He  established 
branch  offices  in  the  principal  maritime  cities,  pub- 
lished a pilot  chart  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  advised 
the  use  of  oil  to  calm  the  seas  and  published  a num- 
ber of  pamphlets  on  icebergs,  steamer  routes  and 
other  matters  of  interest  to  seamen.  Commander 
Bartlett  was  retired  from  active  service  July  12, 
1897,  for  incapacity  resulting  from  incidents  of 
active  service,  under  the  act  of  Aug.  3,  1861. 

When  the  war  with  Spain  broke  out  Captain 
Bartlett  reported  at  the  department  and  volun- 
teered his  services,  April  20,  1898.  He  was  re- 
fused sea  duty,  but  was  made  chief  intelligence 
officer,  in  charge  of  the  naval  intelligence  office. 


848 


RHODE  ISLAND 


He  had  charge  of  the  attaches  abroad  and  all  cor-  month  he  was  summoned  by  the  Government  to 
respondence,  also  the  fund  for  secret  agents  in  another  responsible  post,  iiis  death  is  in  every 
Spain.  On  May  9th  he  was  appointed  superintend-  sense  untimely,  for  advancing  years  had  brought 
ent  of  the  Coast  Signal  Service  in  addition  to  no  impairment  of  his  characteristic  energy.  But 


his  other  office.  In  telegraphic  correspondence 
alone  he  sent  8,000  and  received  28,000  words. 
Captain  Bartlett  carried  out  the  scheme  already 
planned  and  made  a success  of  the  service,  spend- 
ing $72,000  of  the  total  $350,000  appropriated.  He 
had  2,000  men  on  the  lookout  along  the  coast.  It 
was  through  this  service  that  the  battleship  “Ore- 
gon” reported  her  arrival  at  Jupiter  Inlet  and  re- 
ceived orders  to  proceed  to  Key  West. 

On  July  9,  1898,  Captain  Bartlett  was  appointed 
by  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  Chief  of  the  United 
States  auxiliary  naval  forces,  with  headquarters  at 
the  Navy  Department.  This  duty  brought  the 
command  of  fifty-nine  vessels,  with  a personnel 
from  the  naval  militia  of  about  3,000  men  and  an 
appropriation  of  over  $3,000,000.  Captain  Bart- 
lett performed  this  duty  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
department,  and  all  bills  were  settled  and  audited 
at  the  time  of  his  detachment,  Oct.  31,  1898. 

Capt.  Bartlett's  last  appointment,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1902,  to  the  Advisory  Board  with  Admiral 
Dewey,  was  an  honor  that  he  richly  deserved  for 
his  untiring  devotion  to  duty.  On  Feb.  18,  1903, 
he  was  confirmed  as  Rear  Admiral,  the  bill  pro- 
viding for  the  appointment  by  President  Roosevelt 
being  passed  by  both  branches  of  Congress  and 
reading  as  follows : “Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  that  the 
President,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of 
the  Senate,  is  hereby  authorized  to  appoint  John 
Russell  Bartlett,  a captain  on  the  retired  list  of  the 
Navy,  to  be  a Rear  Admiral  on  the  retired  list  of 
the  Navy  with  the  rank  of  said  office  provided  that 
no  pay,  bounty  or  other  emolument  shall  accrue 
by  reason  of  the  passage  of  this  act.” 

To  Captain  Bartlett  and  his  wife  were  born 
children  as  follows:  John  Russell,  born  Nov.  17, 
1873,  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  who  died  in  Lonsdale, 
R.  I.,  Sept.  30,  1875  ; Ida  Russell,  born  Aug.  10, 
1875,  in  Lonsdale,  R.  I. ; and  Eleanor,  born  May 
8,  1882. 

Rear  Admiral  Bartlett  died  Nov.  22,  1904,  in 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  on  the  occasion  the  Providence 
Journal  said  editorially : 

“In  the  death  of  Rear  Admiral  John  Russell 
Bartlett,  Rhode  Island  loses  a useful  and  dis- 
tinguished citizen.  Coming  of  a deservedly  promi- 
nent family,  he  served  the  nation  as  well  as  the 
State  in  a calling  in  which  Rhode  Islanders  have 
played  a conspicuously  honorable  part  for  more 
than  one  hundred  years.  His  service  has  been 
long  as  well  as  worthy.  He  bore  himself  gallantly 
under  Farragut  and  other  leaders  during  the  Civil 
war,  and  when  called  out  of  retirement  upon  the 
outbreak  of  our  recent  war  with  Spain  he  dis- 
charged important  duties  in  the  Navy  Department 
at  Washington  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  Presi- 
dent McKinley  and  Secretary  Long.  Within  a 


his  life  was  well  ordered  and  well  spent  and  he 
leaves  behind  him  a record  that  his  State  will  be 
proud  to  remember  and  honor.” 

HOXIE  FAMILY  (of  Kent  .County,  R.  I.), 
one  of  the  oldest  in  the  State,  is  descended  from 
Lodowick  Iioxie  (Hawksie),  the  founder  of  the 
family  in  New  England.  The  name  for  over  fifty 
years  has  been  well  known  in  the  Pawtuxet  val- 
ley, in  which  section  of  the  town  of  Warwick 
the  late  Nathan  E.  Hoxie  and  his  brothers, 
Stephen  J.  and  Presbary  Hoxie,  have  been  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business.  A record  of 
this  old  and  honored  family  is  herewith  given, 
the  Roman  numerals  indicating  generations. 

(I)  Lodowick  Hoxie  (name  variously  spelled 
Hawksie,  Hoxsey  and  Hoxsie)  came  to  America 
probably  soon  after  1650.  He  was  a hatter,  and 
is  of  record  at  Sandwich,  Mass.,  as  early  as  1657. 
He  was  a freeman  in  1675,  and  his  name  was  in 
the  list  of  townsmen  in  1702.  In  1664  he  mar- 
ried Mary,  born  May  10,  1641,  daughter  of  John 
Presbary,  of  Sandwich  as  early  as  1643.  Their 
children  were : Bashua,  Joseph,  John,  Ann,  Gid- 
eon, Hezekial,  John  (2)  and  Solomon. 

(II)  John  Hoxie,  son  of  Lodowick,  born 
March  3,  1677,  married  (first)  Mary,  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Experience  (Harper)  Hull,  and 
(second)  Ann,  born  Nov.  1,  1706,  daughter  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  Richmond.  His  children,  all 
born  of  the  first  marriage,  were:  John;  Joseph; 
Solomon,  born  in  December,  1710;  Stephen,  born 
Nov.  28,  1713;  and  Benjamin. 

(III)  Stephen  Hoxie,  son  of  John,  born  Nov. 
28,  1713,  married  Elizabeth  Kenyon,  and  their 
children,  the  eldest  born  in  Westerly,  the  next 
six  in  Charlestown  and  the  others  in  Richmond, 
were:  Barnabas,  born  Sept.  1,  1735;  Stephen, 
March  8,  1738;  Elizabeth,  May  13,  1740;  Ed- 
ward, Nov.  9,  1742;  Hannah,  Nov.  7,  1744;  Sam- 
uel, June  13,  1747;  Ruth,  Nov.  4,  1749;  John, 
May  28,  1752;  Edward  (2),  Nov.  II,  1754;  Mary, 
March  23,  1757;  Gideon,  Sept.  9,  1759;  Presbary, 
Jan.  14,  1762.  The  father  of  these  died  Oct.  24, 

1 793,  aged  eighty  years  within  twenty-six  days, 
and  was  buried  in  the  Friends’  burying  ground 
in  Richmond,  R.  I.  He  was  clerk  of  the  Friends’ 
meeting  in  Richmond.  His  wife,  Elizabeth,  died 
Oct.  25,  1778,  aged  fifty-nine  years. 

(IV)  Presbary  Hoxie,  youngest  son  of 
Stephen,  was  born  Jan.  14,  1762,  in  the  town  of 
Hopkinton,  Washington  Co.,  R.  I.,  where  he 
owned  and  operated  land,  following  the  occupa- 
tion of  a farmer.  He  also  owned  land  in  the 
town  of  Richmond,  where  he  made  his  home  in 
his  later  years  and  where  he  died.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  was  bur-. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


849 


ied  in  their  cemetery  at  Richmond.  On  Feb.  27, 
1791,  he  married  Alice  Perry,  born  in  Charles- 
town, and  their  children  were : Elizabeth,  born 
Sept.  9,  1792;  Stephen,  born  June  24,  1795;  Sus- 
annah, born  Jan.  2,  1798  (married  Barker 

Brown) ; Alice,  born  Jan.  2,  1800  (married  Peter 
Brown)  ; and  Mary,  born  Aug.  10,  1803. 

(V)  Stephen  Hoxie,  only  son  of  Presbary, 

was  born  June  24,  1795,  in  the  town  of  Hopkin- 
ton,  R.  I.,  and  removed  with  his  parents  to  Rich- 
mond, wdiere  he  became  engaged  in  farming,  set- 
tling on  land  owned  by  his  father,  near  the 
homestead  of  Dr.  Nathan  Knight,  his  father-in- 
law.  He  was  quite  successful  in  his  agricultural 
labors,  which  he  made  his  life  work,  dying  on 
his  farm  in  1870,  when  seventy-five  years  of  age. 
He  was  interred  in  the  Friends’  cemetery  at 
Richmond,  having  been  connected  with  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends.  He  was  first  a Whig  and  later 
a Republican,  and  served  as  treasurer  of  the 
town  of  Richmond  for  some  years.  Stephen 
Hoxie  married  Mary  Baker  Knight,  born  Dec. 
25,  1798,  daughter  of  Dr.  Nathan  and  Sarah 
(Anthony)  Knight,  and  to  them  were  born  four- 
teen children,  two  dying  in  early  infancy.  The 
others  were:  (i)  Anthony  P.,  born  March  28, 
1815,  died  Aug.  1,  1816.  (2)  Elizabeth,  born 
March  8,  1817,  married  Horace  Greene,  and 
resided  in  Richmond.  (3)  Robert  Knight,  born 
March  10,  1819,  married  Lydia  Hoxie  and  re- 
sided at  Shannock,  R.  I.,  where  he  died  July  23, 
1907.  (4)  Mary  A.,  born  April  8,  1821,  married 
Isaac  Andrews  and  resided  in  Charlestown,  where 
she  died  March  15,  1893.  (5)  Nathan  E.  was  born 
March  29,  1823.  (6)  Stephen  J.  was  born  Oct.  27, 
1827.  (7)  Alice  A.,  born  Sept.  22,  1829,  married 

Samuel  Kingsley,  and  died  in  Richmond.  (8)  Sa- 
rah A.,  born  Sept.  17,  1831,  married  Joseph  Ken- 
yon and  died  in  Richmond,  March  31,  1897.  (9) 
Susan  A.,  born  Oct.  10,  1833,  married  Henry  La- 
selle  and  resides  in  Grand  Blanc,  Mich.  (10) 
Adelia  P.,  born  Oct.  30,  1835,  married  (first) 
Charles  Lathrop  and  (second)  Daniel  Briggs. 
She  is  now  a widow,  residing  in  Georgiaville. 
(11)  Marcelia,  born  March  21,  1838,  married 
Charles  Kendall,  and  resided  at  Phenix,  where 
she  died  May  4,  1895.  (12)  Presbary  was  born 
Feb.  19,  1840. 

(VI)  Nathan  E.' Hoxie,  son  of  Stephen,  was 
born  March  29,  1823,  on  the  home  farm,  in  the  town 
of  Richmond,  where  his  boyhood  days  were 
spent,  and  where  he  attended  school,  later  going 
to  Colchester  Academy,  at  Colchester,  New  Lon- 
don Co.>  Conn.,  after  which  he  taught  school  for 
some  years  in  the  town  of  Exeter.  After  giving 
up  teaching  Mr.  Hoxie  began  selling  dry  goods 
and  notions,  traveling  from  place  to  place,  prin- 
cipally in  New  England  towns,  until  i860,  when 
he  located  in  Phenix,  in  the  Pawtuxet  valley. 
In  partnership  with  his  brother,  Stephen  J.  Hoxie, 
he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  buying  out 

54 


the  firm  of  the  late  William  C.  Ames  and  estab- 
lishing the  firm  of  N.  E.  & S.  J.  Hoxie.  In  1872 
they  took  into  partnership  their  brother  Pres- 
bary, the  style  becoming  Hoxie  Brothers,  and 
branches  were  opened  at  Harris,  Lippitt,  Ark- 
wright and  Quidnick,  making  five  stores.  The 
business  grew  to  be  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the 
Pawtuxet  valley,  and  the  Hoxie  brothers  became 
known  all  over  the  State  as  able  and  substantial 
business  men,  of  sterling  character.  At  the  time 
of  the  death  of  Stephen  J.  Hoxie,  in  1894,  Nathan 
E.  retired  from  the  firm,  which  was  taken  up 
by  a new  management.  After  his  retirement  Na- 
than E.  Hoxie  settled  in  Phenix,  where  his 
death  occurred  April  18,  1905.  He  was  in- 

terred in  Greenwood  cemetery.  Mr.  Hoxie  was 
noted  for  his  quiet  but  genial  manner,  and  was 
respected  by  all  with  whom  he  had  dealings  of 
any  kind.  Fraternally  he  was  connected  with 
Warwick  Lodge,  No.  16,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  and 
Landmark  Chapter,  No.  10,  R.  A.  M.  He  at- 
tended the  Episcopal  Church,  but  was  a firm  be- 
liever in  the  doctrines  of  Swedenborg. 

Mr.  Hoxie  was  married  (first)  in  Sterling, 
Conn.,  to  Sarah  A.  Peckham,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Peleg  Peckham,  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  one 
child,  Sarah  Peckham,  was  born  to  this  union ; 
she  is  the  wife  of  Frank  E.  Marchant,  a farmer 
of  South  Kingstown.  Mrs.  Hoxie  died  at  the 
home  of  her  parents  at  Sterling,  Conn.,  and  Mr. 
Hoxie  was  married  (second)  Nov.  27,  1862,  at 
South  Scituate,  R.  I.,  to  Jane  P.  Richardson,  a 
native  of  Portsmouth,  daughter  of  Dr.  William 
and  Jane  (Lawton)  Richardson.  Mrs.  Hoxie 
is  a faithful  member  of  St.  Andrew’s  Episcopal 
Church  at  Phenix,  and  a member  of  the  Daugh- 
ters of  the  King,  at  this  place.  She  has  spent 
much  time  in  travel  in  this  country. 

(VI)  Stephen  Jerome  Hoxie,  son  of  Stephen, 
was  born  Oct.  27,  1827,  on  the  home  farm  in 
Richmond,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  Becom- 
ing, like  his  brothers,  interested  in  the  mercan- 
tile business,  he  engaged  therein  as  a member 
of  the  firm  of  Hoxie  Brothers,  with  which  he 
continued  until  his  death,  Oct.  17,  1894.  He  was 
a man  of  considerable  business  ability,  and  much 
of  the  success  of  the  well-known  firm  was  due 
to  his  excellent  management.  He  wras  well 
known  and  much  respected.  He  married  Mar- 
tha A.  Sweet,  and  they  had  two  children:  Fred- 
erick J.,  of  Phenix,  and  Susie  C.,  wife  of  Frank 
G.  Smith,  also  of  Phenix. 

(VI)  Presbary  Hoxie,  son  of  Stephen,  now 
living  retired  at  Phenix,  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Richmond,  Feb.  19,  1840,  was  educated  in  the 
local  schools,  and  worked  on  the  home  farm  un- 
til eighteen  years  of  age.  At  this  time  he  started 
out  selling  dry  goods  and  notions,  traveling 
through  different  sections  of  Rhode  Island  for 
two  years.  In  i860,  when  his  brothers  started  in 
business  at  Phenix,  Mr.  Hoxie  became  a clerk  in 


RHODE  ISLAND 


850 

the  store,  later  becoming  manager  of  the  branch 
store  at  Lippitt.  In  1872  he  was  taken  into  part- 
nership, the  firm  becoming  Hoxie  Brothers,  and 
he  continued  with  the  business  until  it  was  sold, 
in  1894,  after  the  death  of  his  brother,  Stephen 
J.  Since  that  time  he  has  lived  retired,  making 
nis  home  in  Phenix,  where  most  of  his  life  has 
been  spent.  Mr.  Hoxie  is  one  of  the  most  highly 
respected  men  of  his  locality.  Broad-minded 
and  liberal  in  his  views,  public-spirited  to  a high 
degree,  he  has  won  the  esteem  of  the  people  of 
his  community,  who  recognize  and  appreciate 
his  sterling  traits  of  character.  He  attends  the 
Episcopal  Church  at  Phenix.  In  political  opin- 
ion he  is  a Republican,  but  he  has  never  been 
an  office  seeker.  Fraternally  he  is  connected 
with  Warwick  Lodge,  No.  16,  A.  F.  & A.  M., 
and  Landmark  Chapter,  No.  10,  R.  A.  M.  He 
is  a director  in  the  Phenix  Trust  Company,  of 
Phenix,  formerly  the  Phenix  National  Bank;  he 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Pawtuxet  V al- 
ley Water  Company,  serving  for  fifteen  years 
after  its  organization  as  treasurer  of  the  board, 
and  he  has  been  a member  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors from  the  very  beginning. 

On  April  29,  1886,  Mr.  Hoxie  was  united  in 
marriage  in  Johnston,  R.  I.,  with  Etta  Gould 
Richardson,  who  was  born  in  Johnston,  daughter 
of  Henry  Laurens  and  Mary  M.  (Place)  Rich- 
ardson, and  granddaughter  of  Dr.  William  and 
Tane  (Lawton)  Richardson.  Mrs.  Hoxie  was  ed- 
ucated in  the  public  schools  of  Johnston,  and  at 
Lapham  Institute,  North  Scituate,  after  leaving 
which  she  taught  school  in  Johnston  and  Crans- 
ton for  some  time.  She  attends  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  with  her  husband  enjoys  the  esteem 
of  a wide  circle  of  acquaintances.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hoxie  have  had  one  child,  Mary,  born  June  4, 

I9°3- 

The  Lawton  family,  of  which  Mrs.  Nathan 
E.  Hoxie  and  Mrs.  Presbary  Hoxie  are  descend- 
ants, is  one  of  the  oldest  of  Newport  County. 
Thomas  Lawton,  the  first  of  the  name  here, -was 
at  Portsmouth  as  early  as  1639,  and  was  one  of 
the  twenty-nine  who  signed  the  compact.  He 
was  twice  married,  his  second  wife  being  Grace 
Parsons,  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Elizabeth  Par- 
sons, and  widow  of  William  Bailey.  She  died 
in  1677,  Mr.  Lawton’s  death  occurring  in  1681. 
Their  children  were:  Elizabeth,  Daniel,  Ann, 
Sarah  and  Isaac. 

Isaac  Lawton,  son  of  Thomas,  born  Dec.  11, 
1650,  married  March  3,  1673,  Elizabeth  Tallman, 
daughter  of  Peter  Tallman,  of  Portsmouth.  He 
died  Nov.  23,  1731.  his  wife  May  20,  1701.  Their 
children  were:  Elizabeth,  born  Feb.  16,  1674, 
who  married  Edward  Smith;  Sarah,  born  Oct. 
20,  1676:  Ann,  born  April  20,  1678.  who  married 
Joseph  Kenny,  of  Newport;  Isaac,  born  May  26, 
1681 ; Mary,  born  April  3,  1683 : Isabelle,  born 
March  12/1684,  who  married  William  Corey, 


and  died  Jan.  24,  1722;  Thomas,  born  April  25, 
1686-87;  Susanna,  born  April  3,  1689;  Job,  born 
April  28,  1691;  Ruth,  born  April  9,  1694;  and 
John,  born  Sept.  2,  1696. 

John  Lawton,  son  of  Isaac,  born  Sept.  2,  1696, 
married  March  10,  1719-20,  Abigail  Abbott, 
daughter  of  Josiah  Abbott,  of  Newport,  R.  I., 
and  their  children  of  Portsmouth  town  record 
were:  Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  19,  1720-21 ; Lydia, 

Sept.  15,  1722;  Sarah,  July  5,  1724;  Isaac,  Aug. 
5,  1726;  Abigail,  April  1,  1729;  Anna,  Nov.  30, 
1731  ; Mary,  Aug.  2,  1733. 

Isaac  Lawton,  son  of  John,  born  Aug.  5,  1726, 
married  Oct.  18,  1749,  Mary,  daughter  of  David 
and  Jemima  Fish,  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  and  their 
children  were  born  as  follows:  John,  May  2, 
1750;  David,  April  18,  1751;  Abigail,  Oct.  22, 
1752;  Sarah,  April  7,  1754;  Elizabeth,  Dec.  2, 
1755;  Isaac,  July  27,  1757;  Hannah,  Feb.  15, 
1 759 1 James,  Nov.  27,  1760;  Mary,  Sept.  9,  1762; 
Stephen,  June  15,  1764;  Philip,  Jan.  19,  1766; 
Nathan,  Sept.  15,  1767;  Susanna,  Sept.  12,  1768; 
Peter,  Sept.  3,  1770;  Moses,  July  10,  1772;  Ruth, 
March  11,  1776. 

Isaac  Lawton  (2),  son  of  Isaac,  born  July  27, 
1757,  married  Oct.  16,  1783,  Elizabeth  Gould, 
daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Gould,  of  Middle- 
town,  R.  I.,  and  their  children  were:  Thomas, 
born  July  23,  1784;  Josiah,  born  April  5,  1786; 
Sutonias,  who  located  in  South  Carolina;  Phebe, 
born  Jan.  26,  1790;  Solomon,  born  Feb.  28,  1792; 
Mary,  born  July  27,  1794;  Jane,  born  April  27, 
1 797 ; Charles,  born  Sept.  21,  1799;  John  Gould; 
born  Feb.  25,  1802;  and  Sarah,  born  Nov.  25, 
1804. 

Jane  Lawton,’  daughter  of  Isaac  (2),  born 
April  27,  1797,  married  Sept.  5,  1827,  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Richardson,  the  ceremony  being  performed 
by  Rev.  Michael  Eddy,  of  Portsmouth.  Dr. 
Richardson  had  been  married  previously,  May  8, 
1815,  by  Rev.  C.  John  Gibson,  to  Mary  Almy, 
also  of  Portsmouth.  Dr.  Richardson  was  a well- 
known  physician  of  Portsmouth  and  Newport, 
where  he  had  an  extensive  practice,  and  later  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  the  town  of  Johnston, 
Providence  county,  where  he  continued  his  prac- 
tice, and  there  spending  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  The  children  of  the  Doctor’s  first  marriage 
were  as  follows:  Margaret,  born  Feb.  15,  1816. 
married  William  Henry  Underwood ; Mary  Law- 
ton,  born  June  1,  1817,  died  young;  Elizabeth, 
born  Nov.  9,  1818,  also  died  young;  William, 
born  March  29,  1820,  died  unmarried;  Charlotte, 
born  in  January,  1822,  'married  Henry  A.  Law- 
ton,  of  South  Scituate;  Frances  Potter,  born 
Aug.  16,  1823,  died  young;  and  Joseph  Sewell, 
born  March  12,  1825,  died  at  Knightsville,  R.  I., 
married  Adeline  A.  Bailey.  To  the  second  mar- 
riage of  Dr.  Richardson  came  children  as  fol- 
lows: Henry  Laurens,  born  June  6,  1828;  Sarah 
Almy,  who  died  unmarried;  Charles  Lawton, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


who  died  unmarried,  at  Victor,  Colo.,  March  n, 
1906;  James  Chaplin,  who  married  (first)  Mary 
A.  Phillips  and  (second)  Sarah  B.  Scott,  and  died 
in  Phenix  Feb.  13,  1902;  and  Jane  Phebe,  widow 
of  Nathan  E.  Hoxie,  residing-  at  Phenix. 

Henry  Laurens  Richardson,  son  of  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Richardson,  was  born  in  Portsmouth,  R.  I., 
June  6,-1828,  and  made  his  home  in  Johnston, 
R.  I.,  where  he  died  April  2,  1902.  He  married 
Mary  M.  Place,  and  their  daughter,  Etta  Gould 
Richardson,  became  the  wife  of  Presbary  Hoxie, 
of  Phenix. 

BUCKLIN  (Rehoboth-Providence  family).  The 
Providence  Bucklins  under  consideration  are  a 
branch  of  the  Rehoboth  family,  descendants  of  Jo- 
seph Buckland  or  Buckline.  Here,  in  and  about 
that  ancient  town  and  in  the  parts  of  Rhode  Island 
adjacent  thereto,  generation  after  generation  of  the 
name,  in  turn,  have  continued  to  live  through  a 
period  of  approximately  250  years.  A true  state- 
ment would  be  perhaps  that  since  not  far  from  the 
middle  of  the  eighteenth  century  the  Rhode  Island 
branch  of  the  family  has  been  active  and  more  or 
less  prominent  in  the  business  life  of  this  section, 
or  in  their  communities  elsewhere. 

Some  of  the  early  Bucklins  here,  in  addition  to 
farming,  operated  grist  mills  on  the  banks  of  the 
Seekonk  river,  and  were  owners  of  land  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Pawtucket  Falls,  upon  which  have  since 
stood  large  and  most  valuable  manufacturing  in- 
terests. The  Bucklin  family,  too,  was  represented 
in  the  struggle  for  independence,  as  the  records  of 
Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  give  evidence.  Of 
the  Rhode  Island  branch  of  the  Bucklins  of  more 
recent  generations,  there  are  recalled : the  late 
James  C.  Bucklin,  the  architect  and  designer,  long 
of  the  firm  of  Tallman  & Bucklin,  builders  and 
lumber  merchants  of  Providence ; the  late  Thomas 
Peck  Bucklin,  of  the  firm  of  Bucklin  & Crane,  of 
New  York  City,  extensive  merchants  in  foreign 
trade  and  who  retired  with  a large  fortune  to  a 
house  built  by  him  on  the  site  of  the  old  homestead 
in  the  near-by  town  of  Seekonk ; Samuel  S.  and 
William  Bucklin,  of  Providence,  well  and  favorably 
known  business  men  of  that  city,  and  of  a still 
younger  generation,  several  of  the  sons  of  these 
men  just  mentioned,  are  now  active  and  prominent 
in  business.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned 
Edward  Carrington  Bucklin,  long  prominently 
officially  identified  with  manufacturing  interests 
in  this  section ; and  Col.  James  J.  P.  Bucklin, 
a veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  whose  gallantry  on  the 
field  of  battle  led  to  his  advancement  to  the  com- 
mand of  a regiment,  and  who,  since  the  war,  has 
repeatedly  been  honored  bv  his  fellow  citizens  and 
has  served  in  the  responsible  position  of  harbor 
master  of  the  port  of  Providence. 

It  is  interesting  both  to  a family  and  to  a com- 
munity to  learn  something  of  those  who  have  been 
identified  in  years  gone  by  in  the  upbuilding  of 


851 

both  and  in  the  case  of  the  Bucklin  family  this  is 
unusually  true.  Beginning  with  their  progenitor 
in  the  line  of  the  old  Rehoboth  stock,  the  genealogy 
is  as  follows: 

(I)  The  Bucklin  family  record,  as  shown  by  the 
town  records  of  vital  statistics,  begins  with  the 
marriage  of  Joseph  Bucklin  (Buckline)  and  De- 
borah Allen,  Nov.  5,  1659.  The  children  of  Joseph 
and  Deborah  (Allen)  Bucklin,  of  Rehoboth  town 
record,  were : Deborah,  born  Sept.  16,  1660 ; Jo- 
seph, Feb.  16,  1663;  Barak,  Aug.  1,  1666;  John, 
May  10,  1668;  James,  July  3,  1669;  Isaac,  Jan.  31, 
1672;  Nehemiah,  Sept.  16,  1675  ; Nehemiah,  March 
31,  1678;  and  Lydia,  Sept.  5,  1680. 

(II)  Joseph  Bucklin  (Buckland),  Jr.,  born  Feb. 
16,  1663,  son  of  Joseph  and  Deborah,  was  married 
June  30,  1691,  to  Mehitabel  Sabin.  They  had  chil- 
dren as  follows : Deborah,  born  May  5,  1692 ; To- 
seph,  Sept.  20,  1694:  Martha,  Sept.  6,  1696;  Benja- 
min, Jan.  30,  1697-8;  John,  March  30,  1701;  Ra- 
chel, Dec.  1,  1703;  Nehemiah,  June  6,  1706;  David, 
Oct.  31,  1708;  Esther,  Oct.  3,  1710 ; Jonathan,  Sept. 
I3>  I71 3!  and  William,  Feb.  23,  1716-17. 

(III)  John  Bucklin,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mehi- 
tabel, born  March  30,  1701,  married  Dec.  3,  1724, 
Freelove  Smith,  born  April  4,  1698,  daughter  of 
Daniel  and  Abigail  Smith,  of  Rehoboth,  and  their 
children  were:  Daniel,  born  Oct.  24,  1725;  Abi- 
gail, 1728;  Abigail  (2),  Jan.  12,  1730-31:  John, 
Feb.  12,  1732-33;  Freelove,  Jan.  7,  1734-5;  Esther, 
July  4,  1736  ; Sarah,  July  18,  1740;  and  Joseph, 
Feb.  2i,  1742-3. 

(IV)  Capt.  John  Bucklin,  son  of  John  and 
Freelove  (Smith)  Bucklin,  born  Feb.  12,  1732-3, 
married  Jan.  5,  1764,  Jemima  Peck,  born  May  19, 
1744,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Deliverance  Peck, 
and  their  children  were:  Freelove,  born  Dec.  30, 
1764;  George,  Dec.  6,  1766;  Sarah,  Feb.  10,  1768; 
John,  Oct.  26,  1770;  Thomas,  Sept.  27,  1772;  De- 
liverance, Dec.  2,  1774;  Huldah,  Oct.  6,  1778; 
Esther,  Sept.  17,  1782;  and  Sylvester  Fuller,  Julv 
2,  1784. 

From  “Massachusetts  in  the  War  of  the  Revolu- 
tion” we  take  the  following:  “John  Bucklin,  pri- 
vate in  Capt.  James  Hill’s  company,  Col.  Carpen- 
ter’s regiment;  enlisted  Dec.  8,  1776,  discharged 
Dec.  13,  1776;  service  six  days  on  alarm  at  Bris- 
tol ; reported  as  belonging  to  the  alarm  list ; roll 
sworn  to  at  Rehoboth  ; also  Capt.  Nathaniel  Ide’s 
company,  Col.  Thomas  Carpenter’s  regiment, 
marched  from  Rehoboth  Aug.  7,  1780,  service  nine 
days  under  Gen.  Hieth.” 

(V)  George  Bucklin,  son  of  John  and  Jemima, 
born  Dec.  6,  1766,  married  Jan.  20,  1799,  Hannah 
Bennett,  of  Cumberland,  and  died  at  Seekonk,  Feb. 
14,  1850,  aged  eighty-three  .years,  two  months  and 
eight  days.  Mrs.  Hannah  Bucklin  died  at  Seekonk, 
Nov.  16,  1851,  aged  seventy-seven  years,  one  month 
and  four  days.  Their  children  were:  John,  born 
Nov.  4,  1799;  George  Augustus,  May  1,  1801 ; Hi- 
ram, Feb.  14,  1803;  Thomas  Peck,  Sept.  25,  1804; 


I 


g^2  RHODE 

Virgil  Bennett,  Nov.  23,  1806;  and  Jane  Elizabeth, 
Nov.  13,  1813. 

(VI)  Thomas  Peck  Bucklin,  son  of  George 
and  Hannah  Bucklin,  born  Sept.  25,  1804,  married 
Eliza  Comstock,  and  their  children  were:  Thomas 
P.,  Jr.,  Eliza  Comstock  and  Hannah  Bennett,  all 
deceased;  George;  Mary  Collins,  who  married  Nov. 
26,  1867,  Charles  D.  Owen,  and  had  children, 
Thomas  B.  (born  Sept.  17,  1873),  Charles^  Dexter 
(Sept.  26,  1875)  and  Evan  Bucklin  (Nov.  10, 
1883)  ; William  Comstock,  deceased;  Katherine  A.; 
Edward  Carrington;  Julia  Bullock,  deceased;  and 
Jane  Wells. 

Thomas  P.  B'ucklin  was  born  at  Seekonk,  R. 
I.,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  Edward  Carrington,  subsequently  going  to 
New  York.  There  he  engaged  in  a tea  business 
very  successfully,  and  became  a large  owner  of 
vessels  engaged  in  the  trade  with  China  and  for- 
eign ports.  He  was  a member  of  the  firm  of  Buck- 
lin  & Crane,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  great  bus- 
iness. The  firm  owned  the  clippers  “Comet,”  “Ce- 
lestial,” “Black  Hawk,”  “Intrepid”  and  others,  all 
being  famous  vessels  of  their  time.  He  amassed 
a large  fortune,  probably  aggregating  a half  mil- 
lion, and  was  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  of  his  day. 
His  last  years  were  passed  on  the  site  of  the  old 
homestead,  where  he  had  erected  a new  house. 
The  land  had  descended  in  the  family  from  the  days 
of  Queen  Anne.  A self-made  man  almost  entirely, 
he  was  one  of  the  eminent  business  men  of  his 
generation.  Although  he  retired  from  active  par- 
ticipation in  the  business  of  the  firm  in  the  sixties, 
he  remained  a silent  partner  for  some  years. 

(VII)  Edward  Carrington  Bucklin,  vice 
president  and  treasurer  of  the  Interlaken  Mills, 
which  now  include  the  Arkwright  Company  and 
the  Harris  Manufacturing  Company,  was  born  at 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  7,  1850.  His  education  was 
pursued  at  the  Lyons  Grammar  School  in  Provi- 
dence, at  a boarding  school  in  Vermont,  and  in 
Mowry  & Goff's  English  and  Classical  School  at 
Providence.  After  completing  this  very  liberal  ed- 
ucation, Mr.  Bucklin  lived  for  two  years  on  the 
frontier  of  Colorado,  where  he  was  a member  of 
the  Governor’s  Guard  in  Denver,  in  1871.  For 
some  eighteen  months  he  was  in  a commission 
house  in  New  York,  and  also  received  a practical 
training  in  a cotton  mill.  On  Oct.  14,  1876,  he 
was  elected  treasurer  of  the  Arkwright  Manufac- 
turing Company,  and  in  1877  treasurer  of  the  Har- 
ris Manufacturing  Company,  and  in  1882  treasurer 
of  the  Interlaken  Mills.  Upon  the  reorganization 
of  these  large  industries  and  their  combination, 
he  became  vice  president  and  treasurer  as  men- 
tioned above. 

Mr.  Bucklin  has  numerous  other  important  bus- 
iness interests.  He  is  vice  president  of  the  Provi- 
dence Land  and  Wharf  Company;  was  formerly  a 
director  of  the  National  Bank  of  North  America ; 
is  a director  of  the  Providence  Mutual  Fire  In- 


ISLAND 

surance  Company,  of  the  Mercantile  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Company  and  the  Textile  Fire  Insurance 
Company.  His  social,  business  and  fraternal  con- 
nections are  numerous.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Providence  Art  Club ; the  Rumford  Polo  Club ; the 
Agawam  Hunt ; the  Providence  Athenaeum ; and 
the  New  England  Cotton  Manufacturers’  Associa- 
tion. 

On  Feb.  4,  1874,  Mr.  Bucklin  was  united  in 
marriage  at  Providence,  with  Miss  Jessie  Howard, 
daughter  of  ex-Gov.  Henry  Howard  and  a grand- 
daughter of  ex-Gov.  Elisha  Harris.  They  have 
had  the  following  children : Henry  Howard,  born 
Oct.  26,  1874,  died  July  11,  1878;  Edward  Car- 
rington, Jr.,  born  Dec.  30,  1876,  died  Nov.  20, 
1883;  Harris  Howard,  born  May  21,  1879;  Thomas 
Peck,  born  July  23,  1881  ; Janet,  born  Aug.  6,  1885 ; 
and  Dorothy,  born  May  18,  1888. 

FELIX  AUGUSTUS  WARD,  one  of  the 
enterprising  and  progressive  young  business 
men  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  junior  member  of  the 
well-known  firm  of  J.  W.  Horton  & Co.,  furni- 
ture dealers  and  upholsterers,  is  a descendant  of 
one  of  New  England’s  oldest  settled  families. 

The  name  W7ard  is  one  conspicuous  in  Rhode 
Island  annals,  one  of  the  two  early  Newport 
families  furnishing  several  men  of  distinction 
through  the  Colonial  period,  among  them  sev- 
eral secretaries  of  the  Colony  for  long  periods, 
a deputy  governor,  two  governors  and  a colonel 
in  the  Revolution.  These  were  descendants  of 
John  Ward  of  Gloucester,  England,  and  New- 
port, R.  I.,  who  served  as  an  officer  in  Crom- 
well’s army. 

Another  John  Ward,  who  may  have  been  a 
son  of  Marmaduke  Ward,  whose  name  appears 
in  a list  of  inhabitants  admitted  to  Newport,  R. 
I.,  after  March  18,  1636,  appeared  at  Portsmouth, 
R.  I.,  of  which  town  he  was  deputy  in  1699,  1701 
and  1703.  Mr.  Ward  married  Sarah  Nicholson, 
born  March  1,  1653,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Jane 
Nicholson.  He  died  in  1705,  and  she  after  that 
year.  Their  two  children  were : Elizabeth,  who 
married  Jeremiah  Gould;  and  Joseph,  who  mar- 
ried Sarah  Weeden,  and  through  whose  several 
sons  the  name  has  been  perpetuated.  The  home 
of  Joseph  and  Sarah  Ward  was  in  the  town  of 
Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  and  their  children  were: 
Elizabeth,  born  June  29,  1725;  John,  born  Dec. 
1,1727;  Joseph,  born  Nov.  26,  1729;  Richard, 
born  Aug.  7,  1731;  Sarah,  born  March  19,  1734; 
Philip,  born  Aug.  13,  1735;  and  Marmaduke, 
born  June  6,  1737. 

For  generations  the  towns  of  Portsmouth, 
Middletown  and  Newport  have  been  the  home 
towns  of  the  posterity  of  John  Ward  of  Ports- 
mouth, but  the  vital  records  of  both  town  and 
church  are  so  fragmentary  and  incomplete  as 
not  to  enable  the  tracing  of  lineage.  The  es- 
pecial family  with  which  this  article  deals,  some 


RHODE  ISLAND 


853 


of  the  descendants  of  the  late  Abner  Ward  of 
Middletown,  have  been  residents  of  that  town  for 
generations  and  latterly  at  Newport,  where  now 
resides  Felix  Augustus  Ward,  son  of  Adoniram 
Judson,  grandson  of  Abner,  great-grandson  of 
John  Barker,  and  great-great-grandson  of  Philip 
Ward. 

Philip  W ard  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  and 
a native  of  Middletown,  where  he  spent  his  en- 
tire life.  Among  the  children  born  to  him  and 
his  wife  Martha  was  John  Barker  Ward,  also 
a native  of  that  town.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Barker,  of  Middletown,  daughter  of  Jeremiah 
Barker,  and  their  children  were : Abner,  was  the 
grandfather  of  Felix  A.  Ward.  Henry,  a carpen- 
ter by  trade,  and  later  a boat-builder,  died  in 
Providence.  John,  who  in  early  life  was  engaged 
in  farming  in  Middletown,  and  was  later  em- 
ployed on  the  construction  of  the  locks  on  the 
Erie  canal,  died  in  Providence,  where  he  was 
connected  with  the  Corliss  Engine  Works  for 
a number  of  years.  William,  also  a farmer,  died 
in  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.  Martha,  died  unmar- 
ried. Elizabeth,  also  died  unmarried. 

Abner  Ward,  grandfather  of  Felix  A.,  was 
born  in  April,  1800,  and  died  in  December,  1876, 
in  Newport.  He  followed  farming  throughout 
a long  and  useful  life,  was  a well-known  and 
highly  respected  citizen,  and  was  considered 
well-to-do  for  his  day.  He  married  Margaret 
Pike  Peckham,  daughter  of  Felix  and  Tryphena 
(Stockman)  Peckham,  of  Middletown,  and  she 
died  at  the  age  of  eightv-two  years,  in  Newport. 
Their  children  were : Martha  married  William 
F.  Peckham,  of  Middletown,  and  there  died ; 
Ann  Maria  married  Aaron  Coggeshall,  of  New- 
port, and  also  died  in  Middletown : John  B.,  who 
died  in  Middletown,  married  Sarah  Ann  Sher- 
man. of  that  place;  Gilbert  L.,  who  married 
(first)  Sarah  Weaver  and  (second)  Harriet 
Smith,  followed  farming  throughout  his  life  and 
died  in  Middletown : Adoniram  Judson  is  men- 
tioned further  on;  Jacob  S.,  who  married  (first) 
Harriet  Barker  and  (second)  Harriet  Smith,  fol- 
lowed farming  all  of  his  life  in  Middletown, 
where  he  died. 

Adoniram  Judson  Ward  was  born  April  16, 
1830.  in  Middletown,  R.  I.,  where  his  early  edu- 
cation was  received.  This  was  supplemented  by 
a course  at  the  East  Greenwich  (R.  I.)  Academy. 
In  early  life  it  was  his  intention  to  learn  the 
tailor’s  trade,  and  he  apprenticed  himself  for  two 
years  to  that  calling,  but  gave  it  up  to  teach 
school,  a vocation  which  he  followed  for  four 
years,  first  in  Portsmouth  and  later  in  Middle- 
town.  In  September,  1835,  he  embarked  in  the 
book,  stationery  and  music  business  in  Newport, 
at  No.  Q9  Thames  street,  the  site  now  occupied 
by  A.  C.  Landers  & Co.,  and  there  he  remained 
for  about  three  years,  when  he  removed  to  the 
store  now  occupied  by  Col.  John  Rogers.  There 


he  conducted  a book  and  stationery  store  for  sev- 
eral years,  during  which  time  he  was  in  partner- 
ship with  the  late  Felix  Peckham,  under  the  firm 
name  of  A.  J.  Ward,  Agent.  In  1879  Mr.  \\  ard 
went  out  of  business,  but  later  opened  a store 
on  Clarke  street,  being  in  the  stationery  business 
in  all  for  about  thirty  years.  Mr.  Ward  was  for 
a time  in  business  with  his  son  Remington,  but 
in  later  years  lived  retired. 

Mr.  Ward  was  a member  of  Rhode  Island 
Lodge,  No.  12,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Newport,  of  which 
he  was  a past  grand,  was  a charter  member  of 
Aquidneck  Encampment,  No.  5,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of 
which  he  was  past  high  priest,  and  was  a mem- 
ber of  Coronet  Council,  No.  63,  Royal  Arcanum, 
of  Newport.  He  was  connected  with  the  Central 
Baptist  Church,  having  formerly  been  a member 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  which  body  he 
served  three  years  as  Sunday-school  superin- 
tendent. In  politics  he  was  a stanch  Republican. 

Mr.  Ward  was  married  Jan.  8,  1855.  to  Har- 
riet Field  Gould,  daughter  of  Thomas  Gould,  of 
Portsmouth,  and  to  them  were  born  these  chil- 
dren : Thomas  Gould  died  when  twenty-two 
months  old;  Remington,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
job  printing  business  in  Newport,  married  Lucy 
Helena  Myrtle  Bull,  of  Woodstock,  N.  B.,  and 
has  two  children,  Albert  Flartley  Gould  \\  ard 
and  Elizabeth  Josephine  Ward;  Felix  Augustus 
is  mentioned  further  on ; Howard  Gould,  en- 
gaged in  the  job  printing  business  in  Newport, 
married  Elizabeth  Maude  Dunham,  of  Newport; 
Adoniram  J.,  Jr.,  died  aged  eleven  months;  Ma- 
bel Lacey  married  William  Newell  Gould,  of  St. 
Johnsbury,  Vt.,  where  they  reside.  The  father 
of  this  family  passed  away  in  Newport,  April  28, 
1906,  aged  seventy-six  years. 

Felix  Augustus  Ward  was  born  Nov.  30, 
1863,  in  Newport,  and  acquired  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  city.  Leaving 
school  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  he  became  a 
clerk  for  Gould  & Son,  the  then  well-known 
merchant  tailoring  firm,  in  whose  employ  lie  re- 
mained about  two  and  one-half  years,  after 
which  he  became  assistant  librarian  of  the  Peo- 
ple’s Free  Library,  in  which  capacity  he  spent 
the  next  two  and  one-half  years.  He  was  then 
emploved  bv  Henrv  A.  Young  & Co.,  publishers, 
of  Boston,  Mass.,  but  after  about  five  months 
in  that  company’s  employ  he  returned  to  New- 
nort  and  on  April  28.  1884,  became  a clerk  m the 
furniture  store  of  Hazard  & Horton  He  con- 
tinued as  a trusted  employe  for  about  eight 
years,  and  on  Feb.  2,  1892.  became  a member  of 
the  firm  of  T.  W.  Horton  & Co.,  which  succeeded 

Hazard  & Horton.  , , 

Mr  Ward  is  very  prominent  m the  fraternal 
circles' of  the  city,  his  Masonic  reiations  bemg 
with  St.  Paul’s  Lodge,  No.  14,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of 
which  he  is  past  master:  Newport  Chapter  No. 
2,  R.  A.  M.,  of  which  he  was  scribe;  DeBlois 


854 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Council,  No.  5,  R.  & S.  M.,  of  which  he  has  been 
principal  sojourner;  Washington  Commandery, 
No.  4,  K.  T.,  of  Newport;  and  Palestine  Temple, 
Mystic  Shrine ; he  was  grand  sword  bearer  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  of  Rhode  Island, 
and  is  now  junior  grand  steward  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  Aquidneck  Chapter,  Order  of  the 
Eastern  Star,  of  Newport,  of  which  he  is  past 
worthy  patron.  Further,  he  holds  membership 
in  Rhode  Island  Lodge,  No.  12,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
which  organization  he  joined  in  1885,  and  in 
which  he  is  a past  grand;  and  in  Newport  Camp, 
No.  7677,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  of 
which  he  was  first  venerable  consul,  was  also 
the  first  State  banker  and  is  at  present  State 
consul  of  the  State  organization.  Mr.  Ward  was 
a member  of  the  Business  Men’s  Association, 
later  becoming  connected  with  the  Miantonomi 
Club,  which  succeeded  the  Business  Men’s  As- 
sociation. He  was  also  formerly  a member  of 
the  Newport  County  Club  and  for  several  years 
was  a member  of  the  Newport  Artillery  Com- 
pany. In  politics  Mr.  Ward  is  a stanch  Republi- 
can. He  has  served  his  native  city  as  a member 
of  the  common  council  from  the  Second  ward, 
during  the  administration  of  Mayor  Garrettson. 
He  was  formerly  a member  of  the  Central  Bap- 
tist Church  (now  the  Second  Baptist),  the  soci- 
ety of  which  church  he  served  for  seven  years  as 
treasurer.  He  has  since  become  a member  of 
the  First  Presbvterian  Church  and  is  now  secre- 
tary of  its  board  of  trustees. 

On  Oct.  16,  1889,  Mr.  Ward  was  married  to 
Grace  Olivia  Tibbetts,  foster-daughter  of  Wil- 
liam H.  Baxter,  of  Portland,  Maine,  and  to  this 
union  was  born  one  son,  Baxter  Gould,  who  died 
in  infancy. 

Mr.  Ward  is  an  energetic  and  enterprising 
business  man,  and  enjoys  the  friendship  of  a 
very  large  circle  of  friends. 

HON.  WILLIAM  WINTHROP  BLOD- 
GETT, for  many  years  a leading  figure  in  the  legis- 
lative and  judicial  annals  of  Rhode  Island,  and  for 
more  than  half  a century  an  honored  resident  of 
Pawtucket,  R.,  I.,  is  a son  of  Eli  and  Irene  Blod- 
gett, born  in  Randolph,  Vt.,  July  8,  1824.  He  is  a 
descendant  from  a long  line  of  English  ancestors, 
the  founder  of  the  American  branch  of  the  family 
being  Thomas  Blodgett,  who  emigrated  from  Lon- 
don with  his  wife  and  two  children,  in  1635,  and 
settled  in  Cambridge,  Mass.  From  their  second 
son,  Samuel,  born  in  England,  the  genealogy  is 
traced  through  Samuel  (2),  of  Woburn,  Mass., 
Joshua,  of  Monson,  Mass.,  Joshua  (2),  of  Staf- 
ford, Conn.,  and  Benjamin  and  Eli,  both  of  Ran- 
dolph. Vermont. 

(I)  Thomas  Blodgett,  an  Englishman,  thirty 
years  of  age,  in  1635  departed  from  London  in 
the  ship  “Increase,”  being  accompanied  by  his  wife, 


Susanna,  aged  thirty-seven,  and  their  two  children, 
Daniel,  aged  four  years,  and  Samuel,  an  infant, 
one  and  a half  years  old.  In  Cambridge  there  were 
born  to  them:  Susanna,  born  in  June,  1637;  and 
Thomas,  who  died  Aug.  7,  1639.  'Thomas  Blod- 
gett probably  died  in  1642,  as  according  to  the  rec- 
ords, his  will  was  probated  July  8th  of  that  year, 
and  by  it  his  widow  and  three  children  were  pro- 
vided for.  On  Feb.  15,  1644,  the  widow  married 
James  Thompson,  of  Woburn,  Mass.  Her  daugh- 
ter, Susanna,  on  Nov.  28,  1655,  became  the  wife  of 
Jonathan  Thompson,  son  of  James  Thompson  by 
his  first  wife.  Thomas  Blodgett  was  a glover  by 
occupation.  The  children  born  to  the  marriage  of 
James  Thompson  and  Susanna  Blodgett  were: 
Daniel,  who  removed  to  Chelmsford,  Mass. ; Sam- 
uel and  Susanna,  who  were  lifelong  residents  of 
Woburn,  Mass.  [Benjamin  Thompson  (Count 
Rumford),  the  famous  scientist,  was  a descendant 
of  the  Jonathan  Thompson,  mentioned  above.] 

(II)  Samuel  Blodgett,  second  child  of  Thomas 
and  Susanna,  was,  as  stated,  born  in  England,  and 
brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  parents  when 
an  infant  of  but  one  and  a half  years  old.  He  re- 
moved from  Cambridge  to  Woburn  at  an  early  age, 
and  on  Dec.  13,  1655,  married  Ruth  Iggleden  (or 
Eggleden).  The  following  seven  children  were 
born  to  their  union:  Ruth,  Dec.  28,  1656;  Samuel, 
Dec:  10,  1658;  Thomas,  Feb.  26,  1661,  married 
Rebecca  Tidd,  on  Nov.  11,  1685;  Susanna  (twin 
sister  of  Thomas)  married  Dec.  29,  1685.  James 
Simonds  ; Sarah,  born  Feb.  17,  1668:  Martha  and 
Mary,  twins,  born  Sept.  15,  1673,  the  former  of 
whom  married  Joseph  Winn,  in  1696.  Samuel 
Blodgett,  the  father,  died  July  3,  1687,  and  his  wife 
died  Oct.  14,  1703. 

(III)  Samuel  Blodgett  (2),  of  Woburn,  son  of 

Samuel  and  Ruth,  married  Huldah,  daughter  of 
William  Simonds,  and  died  Nov.  5,  1743.  It 
is  of  record  that  he  represented  Woburn  in  the  Gen- 
eral Court  of  Massachusetts  in  1693.  His  widow 
died  March  14,  1745-46.  They  were  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  Samuel,  born  Dec.  21, 
1683;  Daniel,  March  24,  1685;  William,  Jan.  11, 
1686-87 ; Huldah,  Feb.  9,  1688-89,  married  Eben- 
ezer  Reed;  Caleb,  Nov.  11,  1691;  Joshua,  Feb.  26, 
1^>93~94-  Josiah,  March  27,  1696;  John,  April  19, 
1699;  Benjamin,  March  4,  1701;  and  Nathan, 

March  15,  1704. 

(IV)  Joshua  Blodgett,  sixth  child  of  Samuel 
Blodgett  and  Huldah  Simonds,  settled  in  Monson 
(then  a part  of  Brimfield),  Mass.,  in  all  likelihood 
prior  to  December,  1724,  since  one  of  his  sons  was 
born  there  on  the  2ist  of  that  month.  Mr.  Blod- 
gett left  his  wife  and  five  children  in  Monson  in 
1735,  and  departed  for  England  to  claim  property 
to  which  he  believed  he  was  entitled.  No  trace  of 
him  could  afterward  be  obtained.  His  widow  sub- 
sequently married  a Mr.  Warner.  Joshua  Blodgett 
left  two  sons.  James  and  Joshua,  Jr.,  and  three 
daughters.  Stafford,  Conn.,  was  founded  about 


RHODE  ISLAND  855 


1720,  and  among  the  first  dozen  settlers  were  Dan- 
iel and  Josiah  Blodgett,  who  are  believed  to  be 
brothers  of  Joshua. 

(V)  Joshua  Blodgett  (2),  of  Stafford,  Conn., 
son  of  Joshua,  married  a Miss  Alden,  and  was  the 
great-grandfather  of  Judge  Blodgett.  Records  re- 
garding him  are  very  defective. 

(VI)  Benjamin  Blodgett,  son  of  Joshua  (2), 
was  born  in  Stafford,  Conn.,  about  1760,  and  when 
some  twenty  years  of  age  removed  to  Randolph, 
Vt.  By  occupation  he  was  a farmer,  and  he  served 
in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  He  married  Mary 
Riddel,  and  died  at  Randolph,  Dec.  12,  1843,  a* 
the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  He  had  nine  sons 
and  three  daughters.  Of  these  there  is  definite 
record  of  the  following : Luther  graduated  from 
the  University  of  Vermont,  was  a lawyer  and 
practiced  his  profession  in  Royalton  and  Bethel, 
Vt. : Joseph,  a tanner  of  Randolph,  Vt.,  removed 
to  Geneva,  Wis.,  where  he  died ; Benjamin  was 
editor  and  publisher  of  a newspaper  in  Geneva,  N. 
Y. ; Dan,  a graduate  of  Dartmouth,  and  Andover 
Theological  Seminary,  settled  as  a clergyman  in 
Fairlee,  Vt.,  and  married  Pamela  Child,  but  had 
no  children ; Eli,  the  father  of  Judge  Blodgett,  is 
mentioned  below. 

(VII)  Eli  Blodgett,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Mary 
(Riddel)  Blodgett,  was  born  in  Randolph,  Vt., 
in  1798,  and  became  a farmer.  He  married  Irene, 
daughter  of  John  Blodgett,  and  died  in  August, 
1876.  They  had  five  children,  as  follows:  (1) 
Elijah  Dickinson,  born  in  May,  1820,  at  time  of  his 
death,  June,  1904,  was  town  clerk  and  town  treas- 
urer of  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.  He  was  in  early  life  a 
merchant  at  Royalton,  Vt.,  and  later  for  many  years 
was  in  the  employ  of  the  Fairbanks  Scale  Works  in 
St.  Johnsburv.  He  married-  (first)  Augysta  Max- 
ham,  of  Randolph,  bv  whom  he  had  one  daughter, 
and  (second)  Eliza  Wood,  of  Montpelier,  daughter 
of  Zenas  Wood,  by  whom  he  had  one  son  Herbert 
Wood  Blodgett,  a resident  of  St.  Johnsbury.  Both 
wives  and  his  daughter  are  deceased.  (2)  William 
Winthrop  is  mentioned  below.  (3)  Miss  Elizabeth 
Mandane,  born  in  1826,  is  a resident  of  Crete,  Neb. 
(4)  Pearl  Davis,  born  at  Randolph,  Vt.,  in  May, 
1828,  served  during  the  Civil  war  as  captain  of  the 
10th  Vt.  V.  I.,  and  afterward  was  an  insurance 
agent  at  St.  Johnsbury.  He  died  in  Burlington, 
Vt.,  May  22,  1903,  leaving  a wife  (Laura  Free- 
man) and  five  children,  namely:  Pearl  Freeman, 
with  the  National  Life  Insurance  Company  at 
Montpelier,  Vt. : Ernest,  assistant  postmaster  at  St. 
Johnsburv ; William  Winthrop,  with  the  Fairbanks 
Scale  Works,  at  St.  Johnsbury ; Flarriet,  wife  of  a 
Air.  Belnap  of  Minneapolis;  and  Elis  W.,  manager 
of  a music  store  in  Burlington,  Vt.  (5)  Harriet, 
is  the  widow  of  Rev.  William  P.  Bennett,  late  of 
Crete,  Nebraska. 

(VIII)  William  Winthrop  Blodgett,  son  of  Eli 
and  Irene,  born  July  8,  1824,  in  Randolph,  Vt., 
married  Oct.  9,  1855,  Salome  W.‘  Kinsley  of  Paw- 


tucket, R.  I.,  and  the  union  was  blessed  with  seven 
children. 

Judge  Blodgett  was  prepared  for  college  at 
the  Orange  County  Grammar  School  of  his  native 
town.  In  1843  he  entered  the  University  of  Ver- 
mont at  Burlington,  from  which  institution  he  was 
graduated  with  the  highest  honors  in  1847.  Fol- 
lowing a brief  period  of  teaching  in  that  same 
year,  as  principal  of  the  Keene  (N.  H.)  Academy, 
young  Blodgett  was  prepared  for  the  legal  profes- 
sion under  the  direction  of,  respectively,  the  late 
Hon.  William  P.  Wheeler,  in  Keene,  N.  H.,  and 
Hon.  Isaac  F.  Redfield,  then  Chief  Justice  of  the 
State  of  Vermont,  and  Messrs.  Wires  & Peck,  at 
Burlington.  Soon  after  his  admission  to  the  Bar  in 
Orange  county,  Vt.,  Mr.  Blodgett  removed  to  Paw- 
tucket, then  in  Massachusetts.  He  was  admitted 
in  November,  1850,  to  practice  in  the  courts  of 
Massachusetts,  by  the  Supreme  court  then  sitting 
at  New  Bedford.  This  was  the  beginning  of  a 
long,  honorable  and  useful  professional  and  public 
career. 

The  long  pending  controversy  between  Massa- 
chusetts and  Rhode  Island  relating  to  the  eastern 
boundary  line  of  Rhode  Island  was  brought  to  a 
satisfactory  close  through  the  wise  counsel  and  pro- 
posal of  Mr.  Blodgett  in  1861.  He  had  been  a 
member  from  Attleboro  and  Pawtucket  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Legislature  in  1859-60,  and  in  the  year 
following  the  boundary  controversy  culminated  in 
a compromise  line  agreed  upon  by  the  counsel  of 
the  respective  States,  and  submitted  to  their  legisla- 
tures for  ratification.  This  proposed  line  of  divis- 
ion was  unsatisfactory  to  Rhode  Island  and  would 
have  been  rejected  by  that  State.  A new  line  was 
proposed  by  Mr.  Blodgett,  and  finally  adopted,  and 
on  March  1,  1862,  the  town  of  Pawtucket  and  that 
part  of  Seekonk,  now  East  Providence,  became  a 
part  of  Rhode  Island.  On  the  day  of  the  trans- 
fer Air.  Blodgett  was  elected  to  the  Rhode  Island 
Senate.  He  has  since  frequently  and  of  later  years 
continuously  been  honored  with  positions  of  pub- 
lic trust  and  responsibility.  He,  too,  has  continu- 
ously practiced  his  profession  in  Rhode  Island.  For 
twenty-seven  years  he  has  represented  Pawtucket 
in  the  House  of  Representatives.  In  1868  he  was 
elected  Judge  of  Probate  for  North  Providence, 
which  office  he  held  by  annual  election  until  1874, 
when  the  village  of  Pawtucket  was  consolidated 
into  one  town  of  the  same  name.  This  office  he 
held  continuously  until  i879>  when  he  resigned, 
but  after  a period  he  was  again  chosen  to  the  same 
office,  and  in  all  probably  has  served  for  more  than 
thirty-five  years.  He  was  commissioner  of  in- 
solvency for  the  State  of  Massachusetts  and  was  a 
Rhode  Island  Bank  Commissioner. 

Judge  Blodgett  is  a member  of  St.  Paul's  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  has  served  as  one  of  the  Dio- 
cesan convention,  and  on  the  Standing  committee  of 
the  Diocese  for  a number  of  years. 

The  children  born  to  Judge  Blodgett  and  his 


856 


RHODE  ISLAND 


wife  were:  Ellen  Hobert,  born  July  30,  1856, 
married  Dr.  Frederick  J.  Beckwith,  of  New  Lon- 
don, Conn. ; Edward  Wilkinson  was  born  Sept.  27, 
1857;  William  Constantine  died  at  the  age  of  ten 
years;  Lloyd  Morton,  deceased,  born  Feb.  23,  1863, 
was  a clergyman;  John  was  born  April  15,  1865; 
Chauncey  Hayden,  born  March  23,  1870,  is  rector 
of  St.  John’s  Church,  Fall  River,  Mass. ; and  Kins- 
ley, born  Feb.  3,  1874,  is  a clergyman  at  Menlo 
Park,  California. 

Edward  Wilkinson  Blodgett,  son  of  William 
W.  and  Salome  (Kinsley)  Blodgett,  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  Pawtucket  and  at  Yale 
University,  graduating  from  the  latter  institution 
in  the  class  of  1878.  He  studied  law  with  his  fa- 
ther, was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1881,  and  has 
since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion in  Pawtucket,  and  in  the  discharge  of  various 
public  functions  connected,  with  it.  In  1882  the 
General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island  elected  him 
clerk  of  the  Tenth  Judicial  district  and  by  succes- 
sive elections,  every  three  years,  he  held  the  posi- 
tion until  1889,  when  he  resigned  to  engage  in  the 
active  practice  of  his  profession  at  Pawtucket.  He 
is  now  conceded  to  be  one  of  the  most  able  lawyers 
on  the  local  Bar,  and  accordingly  has  come  into 
prominent  notice. 

As  an  able  lawyer  and  stalwart  Republican  ac- 
tively intefested  in  municipal  affairs,  Mr.  Blodgett 
has  held  the  office  of  city  solicitor  by  annual  elec- 
tions since  February,  1900.  For  five  years  he  was 
also  a member  of  the  school  board,  being  its  chair- 
man during  the  last  years  of  his  incumbency.  He 
is  identified  with  the  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  and  with  St. 
Paul's  Episcopal  Church  of  Pawtucket,  of  which 
he  is  one  of  the  vestrymen. 

Edward  W.  Blodgett  married  Caroline  Alden 
Morgan,  daughter  of  Theodore  M.  and  Caroline 
(Dodge)  Morgan,  and  their  children  are:  Mor- 
gan, Caroline,  William  Winthrop  and  Edith  Kins- 
ley. 

Rev.  Lloyd  M.  Blodgett,  deceased,  third  son 
of  Judge  Blodgett,  was  a graduate  of  Brown  Uni- 
versity, and  of  Cambridge  Theological  Seminary. 
He  was. ordained  to  the  ministry  and  for  three  years 
was  a curate  of  a church  in  Nice,  France.  He 
then  became  rector  of  the  church  in  Wilkinsonville, 
Mass.,  and  died  in  January,  1898. 

John  Blodgett,  fifth  child  of  Judge  Blodgett, 
was  graduated  from  the  Institute  of  Technology  in 
Boston,  Mass.,  and  is  a civil  engineer  in  the  employ 
of  the  American  Bridge  Company,  of  Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

Rev.  Chauncey  H.  Blodgett,  son  of  Judge 
Blodgett,  graduated  from  Harvard  University 
( 1892)  and  from  the  Cambridge  Theological 
School.  He  was  deacon  of  Grace  Episcopal  Church 
of  New  York  City,  under  Dr.  Huntington ; later, 
for  three  years,  he  was  assistant  rector  of  St.  Paul’s 
Church,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  since  1900  has  been 


rector  of  St.  John's  Episcopal  Church,  of  Fall 
River,  Massachusetts. 

Rev.  Kinsley  Blodgett,  son  of  Judge  Blod- 
gett, was  a student  at  Harvard  University  for  a 
time,  and  for  three  years  was  in  attendance  at  the 
Institute  of  Technology,  Boston,  Mass.  He  was 
employed  as  a civil  engineer  at  Harrisburg,  Pa., 
for  about  two  years,  but  the  profession  was  not  to 
his  liking,  and  he  subsequently  entered  Hobart 
College,  at  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  from  which  he  graduated. 
Still  later  he  pursued  a theological  course  at  the 
Cambridge  School,  of  which  he  is  also  a graduate. 
He  served  as  deacon  of  Grace  Episcopal  Church, 
New  York  City,  for  three  years,  and  in  August, 
1904,  departed  for  the  scene  of  his  present  rector- 
ship, at  Menlo  Park,  California. 

SMITH.  One  of  the  best  known  and  most 
prominent  of  New  England  families  is  that  of 
Smith,  members  of  which  may  be  found  through- 
out various  sections  of  the  country,  and  partic- 
ularly in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  where  reside 
Orin  Smith,  Amsden  Id.  Smith,  Orin  Smith,  Jr., 
and  Frederick  W.  Smith — all  in  Pawtucket  and 
vicinity.  The  following  is  a genealogical  record 
of  the  family  from  the  progenitor,  the  Roman 
numerals  signifying  generations. 

(I)  Henry  Smith,  of  the  County  of  Norfolk, 
England,  came  to  New  England  in  1638  in  the 
ship  “Diligent,”  with  wife,  three  sons,  two 
daughters,  and  three  men  and  two  maid  ser- 
vants. He  was  made  a freeman  March  13,  1639; 
was  a representative  in  1641  ; removed  to  Reho- 
both, Mass.,  in  1643,  and  theife  died  in  1649. 
His  will,  of  Nov!  3,  1647,  giyes  his  wife  his  house 
and  makes  her  the  executrix  of  the  document, 
names  brother  Thomas,  cooper,  and  sons  Henry 
and  Daniel,  and  daughter  Judith.  The  will  of 
Judith,  his  wife,  dated  Oct.  24,  1650,  names  her 
son  Henry,  daughter  Judith,  son  and  daughter 
Hunt,  son  John’s  three  children,  son  Daniel  and 
three  children  of  her  son  Hunt. 

(II)  Daniel  Smith,  son  of  Henry,  married 
Oct.  20,  1659,  Esther  Chickering,  and  the  follow- 
ing children  are  assigned  to  this  union  by  Arnold 
in  his  Vital  Statistics  of  Rehoboth,  Mass. : Sa- 
rah, born  Nov.  19,  1660;  Hester,  Feb.  7,  1661; 
Paul,  Oct.  16,  1663;  Elizabeth,  Oct.  24,  1664; 
Mary,  Aug.  13,  1666:  Solomon,  Sept.  2,  1668; 
Sarah,  Aug.  8,  1670;  Daniel,  Aug.  28,  1672;  . Na- 
thaniel, Aug.  7,  1674;  Ebenezer,  July  23,  1676; 
Judith,  Feb.  7,  1678;  Rebecca,  April  26,  1680. 
The  mother  of  these  children  was  buried  June 
6,  1687,  and  the  father,  May  1,  1692. 

(III)  Daniel  Smith  (2),  son  of  Daniel,  born 
Aug.  28,  1672,  married  June  23,  1696,  Abigail 
Preston,  of  Dorchester,  Mass.,  and  their  children 
of  Rehoboth  town  record  were,  according  to  Ar- 
nold : Freelove,  born  April  4,  1698:  Abigail, 
April  19,  1700;  Daniel,  March  27,  1702;  Solomon, 


RHODE  ISLAND  857 


Dec.  27,  1704^  Nathaniel,  April  19,  1708;  Esther, 
June  6,  1712;  Elizabeth,  Oct.  12,  1715;  John, 
Jan.  28,  1718-19.  The  father  of  these  died  March 
31,  1724.  “Abigail  (Smith),  widow,  died  Nov. 
9-  1732.” 

(IV)  Daniel  Smith  (3),  son  of  Daniel  (2), 
born  March  27,  1702,  married  Feb.  29,  1727-28, 
Judith  Robinson,  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  and  their 
children  of  Rehoboth  town  record  were : Dan- 
iel, born  March  3,  1728-29;  Judith,  April  19, 
1732;  Rachel,  Jan.  13,  1735-36;  Jonathan,  Oct. 

26,  1739;  and  Freelove,  Nov.  25,  1743.  Two  ad- 
ditional children  are  recorded  to  this  couple  in 
the  town  of  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  namely:  John, 
born  Nov.  3,  1745;  and  Freelove  (2),  June  13, 
1750,  and  there  is  a record  to  the  effect  that 
Freelove  (1),  born  in  Rehoboth,  died  in  Cum- 
berland Sept.  16,  1747. 

(V)  Jonathan  Smith,  son  of  Daniel  (3),  born 
Oct.  26,  1739,  likely  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  as  his 
birth  is  recorded  there,  married  April  7,  1768, 
likely  in  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  as  his  marriage  is  of 
record  there,  Rebecca  Nichols,  of  Rehoboth, 
Mass.,  and  their  children  of  Cumberland  town 
record  were;  Jesse,  born  Jan.  6,  1769;  Sylvester, 
Dec.  15,  1772  (located  in  Maine)  ; and  Rebecca. 
Aug.  31,  1776.  He  may  have  previously  been 
married,  to  Robe,  to  whom  one  child,  Jonathan, 
is  given  as  born  Feb.  20,  1760,  and  may  have 
subsequently  married,  April  2,  1777,  Margaret 
Read,  of  Rehoboth,  as  there  is  a record  in  that 
town  of  such  marriage,  “Jonathan  Smith  of 
Cumberland.”  Two  children  are  assigned  in 
Cumberland  to  Jonathan  and  Margaret,  namely: 
Jacob,  born  April  18,  1779;  and  Margaret,  born 
Dec.  13,  1781. 

(VI)  Jesse  Smith,  son  of  Jonathan,  born  Jan. 
6,  1769,  in  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  died  Dec.  26,  1864, 
in  Pawtucket,  R.  I.  For  many  years  he  was  en- 
gaged in  farming.  After  retiring  from  business 
he  made  his  home  twenty-five  years  with  his 
son  Orin,  where  he  died.  He  married  May  19, 
1808,  Lorua  Wilbur,  daughter  of  Daniel  Wilbur, 
of  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  where  she  died,  and  to  this 
union  were  born  children  as  follows : Leonard 
Nichols,  born  March  21,-  1809,  died  in  young 
manhood,  unmarried;  Irene,  born  April  15,  1810, 
married  William  Cunliffe.  and  resided  at  Au- 
burn. where  they  both  died:  Jacob,  born  Feb. 
10,  1812,  died  Aug.  16,  1814;  Rebekah,  born  Dec. 
4,  1813.  married  Tames  Pitcher,  of  Pawtucket, 
and  died  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.;  Arnold,  born  Feb. 

27.  1815,  was  killed  by  a yoke  of  oxen;  Levi, 
who  was  born  June  3,  1816,  married  Adeline 
Lane,  and  died  Dec.  20,  1892,  in  Pawtucket, 
was  engaged  in  teaming  from  Providence  to 
Woonsocket  before  the  railroads  were  built ; 
George,  born  Jan.  10,  1819,  married  Susan  Haw- 
kins and  died  in  1905,  in  Lincoln,  R.  I.  (he  was 
engaged  in  teaming)  ; Caroline,  born  Nov.  21, 
1820,  died  Jan.  21,  1894,  unmarried;  Orin  was 


born  Nov.  8,  1822 ; Martin  Sayles,  born  Aug.  16, 
1824,  died  young. 

(VII)  Orin  Smith,  son  of  Jesse,  born  Nov. 
8,  1822,  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town, 
and  later  was  a student  in  a private  school  at 
Bolton  and  Oxford,  Mass.,  leaving  at  the  age 
of  seventeen  years.  At  the  age  of  six  years  he 
left  home  and  for  a number  of  years  lived  with 
an  aunt.  After  leaving  school  he  went  to  work 
at  farming,  receiving  for  his  services  twelve  dol- 
lars per  month,  and  finally  became  farm  foreman 
for  George  Carpenter,  of  North  Providence,-  in 
whose  employ  he  remained  three  years.  He 
then  became  foreman  on  the  farm  of  Dr.  A.  C. 
Hawes  and  brother,  of  North  Providence,  con- 
tinuing in  that  capacity  for  about  seven  years. 
In  1865  Air.  Smith  purchased  the  farm  of  Joseph 
Fletcher,  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Lincoln, 
which  at  that  time  comprised  about  100  acres. 
He  has  since  sold  part  of  the  place,  and  purchas- 
ing other  land  now  has  about  fifty  acres.  Upon 
this  farm  Mr.  Smith  took  up  agricultural  pur- 
suits, in  which  he  has  since  been  actively  en- 
gaged. For  about  three  years  he  also  conducted 
a milk  route  in  Providence.  During  the  con- 
struction of  the  Pawtucket  gas  works  and  pipe 
lines  Mr.  Smith  was  employed  on  the  same  as  a 
foreman  of  construction,  and  this  position  he 
held  for  over  a year.  In  July,  1879,  he  was  ap- 
pointed overseer  of  the  Pawtucket  waterworks 
reservoir,  which  is  situated  on  land  adjoining 
his,  and  this  position  he  has  filled  ever  since. 
Mr.  Smith  is  a stalwart  Republican,  and  has 
served  the  town  of  Lincoln  as  highway  surveyor 
for  several  years  and  as  a member  of  the  school 
committee  for  a like  period.  He  and  his  wife  at- 
tend the  Baptist  church. 

On  May  19,  1844,  Air.  Smith  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Sallie  Hutchinson  Williams, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Freelove  (Hutchin- 
son) Williams,  she  born  Feb.  10,  1825,  in  Smith- 
field,  R.  I.  To  this  happy  union  have  come 
children  as  follows : Henry  Almon,  born  Alav  8, 
1845,  in  North  Providence,  is  mentioned  further 
on;  Amanda  Augusta,  born  Nov.  5> 
Smithfield,  R.  I.,  married  William  J.  Kent,  of 
Lonsdale,  R.  I.,  who  was  for  several  years  su- 
perintendent of  the  Wamsutta  Mills,  at  New 
Bedford,  Alass.,  where  he  died  leaving  one  son, 
Philip;  Alice  Hawes,  born  July  19,  1853,  in 
Smithfield,  R.  I.,  married  Daniel  L.  Willmarth, 
who  is  one  of  the  leading  builders  and  contrac- 
tors of  Pawtucket,  and  they  have  one  son,  Dan- 
iel Luther;  Walter  Franklin,  born  Jan.  19,  1857, 
in  Smithfield,  died  in  infancy;  Amsden  Hilton, 
born  Tan.  23,  1863,  in  Smithfield,  is  mentioned 
further  on  ; Orin,  Jr.,  born  July  9,  1866,  in  Smith- 
field,  is  mentioned  further  on.  The  parents  of 
these  children  have  spent  a wedded  life  of  over 
sixty-three  years  and  both  are  exceptionally  ac- 


858 


RHODE  ISLAND 


tive,  in  possession  of  their  faculties  and  strength 
to  a remarkable  degree.  They  are  well  known  in 
the  vicinity  in  which  they  have  spent  so  many 
years,  and  are  esteemed  and  respected  by  all. 

(VIII)  Henry  Almon  Smith,  son  of  Orin, 
was  born  May  8,  1845,  'n  North  Providence,  and 
after  receiving  his  early  educational  training 
in  his  native  town  acquired  a thorough  and  prac- 
tical knowledge  of  the  carpenter’s  trade  from 
experience  at  the  business.  He  first  engaged  in 
that  line  on  his  own  account  in  the  spring  of 
1870,  his  first  contract  being  the  building  of 
a barn  for  Dr.  James  L.  Wheaton.  From  a small 
beginning,  through  his  energy,  ability  and  ambi- 
tion, his  business  rapidly  grew,  and  he  became 
one  of  the  leading  contractors  and  builders  of 
Pawtucket.  At  the  age  of  forty-five  years  Mr. 
Smith  retired  from  active  life  with  a good  com- 
petence, and  removed  to  his  summer  home  at 
Nayatt,  in  the  town  cf  Barrington.  R.  I.,  where 
the  remainder  of  his  days  was  spent  in  retire- 
ment. His  death  occurred  July  22,  1903,  in  his 
residence  at  Nayatt  Point.  During  his  active  ca- 
reer Air.  Smith  as  a contractor  erected  many  of 
the  leading  buildings  in  Pawtucket  and  vicinity, 
many  of  which  still  stand  as  monuments  to  his 
skill ; among  them  are  the  Music  Hall.  St. 
George's  church  and  parsonage  at  Central  Falls, 
R.  I.,  and  various  manufacturing  and  educational 
buildings  in  that  vicinity. 

When  still  a young  man  Mr.  Smith  took  a deep 
and  active  interest  in  public  affairs  and  was 
later  a member  of  the  town  council  of  the  town 
of  Pawtucket,  serving  in  that  body  for  several 
years.  He  was  a member  of  the  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  town  council  in  1883,  when  the 
first  steps  were  taken  toward  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  excellent  system  of  sewers  with 
which  the  city  is  now  furnished.  This  commit- 
tee witnessed  the  practical  inception  of  the  work 
which  had  been  intrusted  to  it.  Mr.  Smith  was 
also  chairman  of  the  board  of  tax  assessors  of 
the  city  for  three  years,  and  during  this  time 
there  was  a revaluation  of  the  property  of  the 
city  which  increased  the  revenue  considerably. 
Mr.  Smith  was  public-spirited  to  the  point  of 
self-sacrifice,  being  ever  ready  to  give  of  his  time 
or  substance  to  movements  that  had  for  their  ob- 
ject the  welfare  of  his  city.  He  was  connected 
with  various  business  enterprises,  being  for  sev- 
eral years  president  of  the  Blackstone  Stocking 
Company,  of  Central  Falls,  and  a director  of  the 
Franklin  Savings  Bank  at  Pawtucket,  until  that 
institution’s  consolidation  with  the  Slater  Trust 
Company. 

On  May  18,  1870,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to 
Amev  T.  Payne,  daughter  of  the  late  Charles 
Payne,  of  Pawtucket,  and  his  wife  Keziah  Bind- 
ley, and  to  this  union  came  two  children  : Fred- 
erick Williams,  born  April  25,  1876,  in  Paw- 
tucket; and  Jessie  Payne,  born  Aug.  6,  1883,  in 


Pawtucket,  who  resides  at  home  with  her  wid- 
owed mother,  unmarried. 

(IX)  Frederick  Williams  Smith,  son  of  the 
late  Henry  A.  and  Amey  T.  (Payne)  Smith,  was 
born  April  25,  1876,  in  Pawtucket.  His  educa- 
tion was  commenced  in  the  common  schools  of 
his  native  city,  after  leaving  which  he  became 
a student  at-  the  University  Grammar  School  of 
Providence.  After  leaving  the  latter  he  took  a 
course  in  A.  G.  Scholfield’s  Business  College, 
Providence,  and  during  that  time  he  was  also 
serving  as  a clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Blackstone 
Stocking  Company  at  Central  Falls.  After  com- 
pleting his  education  Air.  Smith  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Berlin  Iron  Bridge  Company,  where 
lie  continued  for  about  one  year  as  paymaster 
on  construction  work,  then  engaging  with  the  Gen- 
eral Electric  Company,  at  Lynn,  Mass.,  where 
he  remained  for  two  and  one-half  years,  during 
which  time  he  acquired  a very  comprehensive 
knowledge  of  electricity  and  electrical  appli- 
ances. Returning  to  Pawtucket,  Mr.  Smith  en- 
tered the  employ  of  the  Pawtucket  Steam  and 
Gas  Pipe  Company,  remaining  with  this  firm  for 
three  years.  In  July,  1902,  in  compa,nv  with  A. 
C.  Sisson,  he  engaged  in  the  machine  and -elec- 
trical business,  this  association  continuing  until 
November,  1905,  when  Mr.  Smith  bought  his 
partner’s  interest  in  the  business,  which  has 
since  been  conducted  as  the  New  England  Ma- 
chine and  Electric  Company,  Mr.  Smith  being 
the  sole  proprietor.  On  Tan.  1,  1908,  it  was  in- 
corporated under  that  title  with  Mr.  Smith  as 
president  and  treasurer.  Under  his  able  man- 
agement the  business  has  grown  rapidly,  employ- 
ment now  being  given  to  from  fifteen  to  thirty 
men,  who  install  anvthing  in  the  electrical  line, 
from  an  electric  bell  to  an  electric  plant.  Mr. 
Smith  is  a member  of  the  Business  Men’s  Asso- 
ciation and  the  To-Kalon  Club  of  Pawtucket. 
He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  his  religious 
affiliations  are  with  the  Congregational  Church. 

On  Aug.  20,  1898,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Nelson  McKinley,  daughter  of 
William  and  Jessie  (Nelson)  McKinley,  of  Paw- 
tucket, and  by  this  union  there  is  one  daughter, 
Muriel  Elizabeth,  born  July  14,  1902,  at  Paw- 
tucket. 

(VIII)  Amsden"  Hilton  Smith,  son  of  Orin 
and  Sallie  H.  (Williams)  Smith,  was  born  Jan. 
23,  1863,  in  Smithfield.  R.  I.,  and  received  his 
education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native 
town  and  at  Mowrv  & Goff’s  English  and  Clas- 
sical School.  Providence,  graduating  from  the 
latter  in  1881.  He  then  entered  the  machine 
shop  of  the  Border  City  Cotton  Mills,  at  Fall 
River,  Mass.,  where  he  was  employed  for  a short 
time,  when  he  came  to  Pawtucket,  there  entering 
the  employ  of  the  Fales  & Jenks  Machine  Com- 
pany, with  which  he  remained  two  and  one-half 
years.  Returning  to  Fall  River  he  became  an 


RHODE  ISLAND 


859 


employee  in  the  Grinnell  Cotton  Mills’  machine 
department,  where  he  remained  about  one  year, 
when,  on  account  of  ill  health,  he  was  compelled 
to  resign  his  position,  and  during  the  following 
year  he  was  not  engaged  in  business  of  any 
kind.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  his 
brother,  the  late  Henry  A.  Smith,  and  for  about 
five  years  acted  as  foreman  and  draftsman  for 
the  latter.  After  spending  about  six  months  as 
foreman  for  the  Blackstone  Knitting  Company, 
of  Central  Falls,  Mr.  Smith  was  for  one  and  one- 
half  years  in  the  knitting  department  of  the  E. 
Jenckes  Manufacturing  Company,  at  Pawtucket, 
after  which  he  became  superintendent  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Hosiery  Company  of  Central 
Falls,  remaining  in  that  capacity  for  about  one 
year. 

In  1892,  in  company  with  George  H.  Lumb, 
Mr.  Smith  organized  the  Blackstone  Stocking 
Company  of  Central  Falls,  and  in  1902,  upon  the 
incorporation  of  the  company,  with  a capital 
stock  of  $150,000,  Mr.  Smith  was  elected  treas- 
urer and  general  manager.  The  following  year, 
on  the  death  of  his  brother,  Henry  A.,  he  was 
elected  president.  The  company  manufactures 
wool  and  cashmere  hosiery  of  all  kinds,  employ- 
ing about  two  hundred  hands.  Mr.  Smith  is  a 
member  of  Barney  Merry  Lodge,  No.  29,  A.  F. 
& A.  M-,  Pawtucket  Chapter,  No.  4,  R.  A.  M., 
and  Pawtucket  Council,  No.  2,  R.  & S.  M.  He 
is  a Republican  in  politics  and  served  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  Lincoln  town  school  committee  for 
five  years,  during  two  years  of  which  time  he 
was  chairman  of  the  board.  He  is  a member 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Pawtucket. 

In  March,  1887,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to 
Annie  J.  Doran,  of  Pawtucket,  and  three  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  union:  Warren  Hutchin- 
son, Gertrude  Webster  and  Alice  Winslow. 

(VIII)  Orin  Smith,  Jr.,  son  of  Orin  and  Sal- 
lie  Hutchinson  (Williams)  Smith,  was  born  July 
9,  1866,  in  Smithfield  (now  Lincoln),  R.  I.  He 
acquired  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of 
Pawtucket,  after  which  he  became  a student  at 
Mowry  & Gofifs  English  and  Classical  School, 
Providence,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1884.  He  then  entered  the  Fales  & Jenks  Ma- 
chine Company,  of  Pawtucket,  where  he  served 
a two  years’  apprenticeship  to  the  trade  of  ma- 
chinist, and  from  there  went  to  Lynn,  Mass., 
where  he  spent  one  year  in  the  machine  shop 
of  the  Thompson  & Houston  Company.  Mr. 
Smith  next  served  a three  years’  apprenticeship 
to  the  trade  of  electrician  with  the  same  com- 
nanv.  Thoroughly  equipped  with  a knowledge 
of  electricity  in  its  various  branches,  Mr.  Smith 
then  returned  to  Pawtucket  and  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Pawtucket  Electric  Company,  as 
electrician,  and  by  close  application  to  his  work- 
proved  his  worth  to  this  company,  in  1896  being 
made  superintendent  of  the  company  and  in  1904 


promoted  to  the  position  of  general  manager. 
Mr.  Smith  was  also  for  about  five  years  pro- 
prietor of  a floral  establishment,  which,  how- 
ever, he  has  since  disposed  of. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, holding  membership  in  Barney  Merry 
Lodge,  No.  29,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  Pawtucket  Chap- 
ter, No.  4,  R.  A.  M.,  Pawtucket  Council,  No.  2, 
R.  and  S.  M.,  and  Holy  Sepulchre  Conmiand- 
ery,  No.  8,  K.  T.,  of  Pawtucket.  In  political 
matters  he  is  a Republican.  Fie  and  his  wife  at- 
tend the  Park  Place  Congregational  Church,  to 
which  they  give  their  liberal  support. 

On  Jan.  6,  1892,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to 
Miss  Eleanor  T.  Edgar,  daughter  of  the  late 
Leonard  P.  Edgar,  of  Pawtucket,  and  they  have, 
had  one  son,  Earl  Everett,  born  June  23,  1894, 
in  Pawtucket. 

LEE.  The  Lee  family  of  Newport  is  one  of 
over  an  hundred  years’  standing  in  that  community, 
and  the  branch  of  which  this  article  treats  has  been 
a numerous  one.  Many  of  its  members  have  been 
identified  with  the  varied  interests  of  the  city. 

Samuel  Lee,  the  grandfather  of  the  present 
generation  of  this  family,  married  Sarah  Jouvet, 
who  was  of  French  extraction,  and  to  this  union 
were  born  the  following  children : Samuel  was  a 
whaler  in  early  life,  was  later  engaged  in  the  coast- 
ing trade,  and  died  in  Newport;  William,  who  left 
Newport  in  early  life,  was  never  heard  of  again ; 
Henry,  who  was  a sea  captain,  was  drowned  in 
Newport  harbor;  Thomas  followed  the  sea  in  early 
life,  and  was  later  engaged  in  the  fishing  busi- 
ness in  Newport,  where  he  died;  Susan  married 
Norris  Lawton,  and  died  in  Natick,  R.  I. : Sarah, 
who  married  (first)  William  Weeden  and  (second) 
Erastus  Williams,  died  in  Lebanon,  Conn.;  Peter  J. 
was  the  father  of  Frederick  P.  Lee,  of  Newport. 

Peter  I.  Lee,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  ( Jouvet) 
Lee,  was  born  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  April  18,  1825, 
and  passed  away  in  the  same  city  on  Dec.  17,  1899, 
aged  seventy-four  years,  seven  months,  and  twenty- 
nine  days.  After  acquiring  his  early  educational 
training  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city  he 
became  apprenticed  to  the  trade  of  spar-making, 
and  for  several  years  was  employed  at  the  Her- 
reshoffs’  shipyard,  at  Bristol,  R.  I„  after  which  for 
a number  of  vears  he  was  engaged  at  his  trade  in 
the  J.  & S.  Cottrell  shipyard,  at  Newport.  He  then 
became  interested  in  the  occupation  of  trap-fishing, 
and  continued  at  this  vocation  during  the  remainder 
of  his  life — a period  of  nearly  fifty  years.  In  early 
life  he  was  a member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  for  a number  of  years  was  cap- 
tain of  Hercules  Engine  Company,  No..  7.  of  the 
volunteer  fire  department.  In  political  faith  he  was 
a Republican.  He  married  Margaret  V allace, 
who  was  born  in  Augusta,  Maine,  the  daughter  of 
Patrick  Wallace  and  Margaret  Cahill,  granddaugh- 
ter of  Richard  Wallace  and  Ellen  Gorman,  and 


86o 


RHODE  ISLAND 


great-granddaughter  of  Thomas  Wallace  and  Lady 
Catherine  Butler,  the  latter  the  sister  of  the  Duke 
of  Ormond.  Mrs.  Lee  died  in  Newport  Aug.  9, 
1889,  aged  sixty-two  years,  four  months.  To  this 
union  were  born  children  as  follows : Sarah 
Weeden,  who  is  the  wife  of  Harwood  E.  Read,  of 
Newport ; Samuel,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three  years,  and  who  was  a clerk  in  a Boston  bank ; 
Ella,  who  married  N.  B.  Thompson,  of  Long  Is- 
land ; William  Henry,  superintendent  of  letter  car- 
riers at  the  Newport  postoffice,  who  married  Mar- 
tha Spencer ; Thomas,  who  married  Elizabeth  Bar- 
ker, and  is  engaged  in  fishing  in  Newport ; Robert 
Proud,  who  is  superintendent  of  the  Street  Rail- 
way Company,  at  Meriden,  Conn.,  married  to  Helen 
Buchanan  ; Frederick  P. ; and  Lillian,  who  married 
William  P.  Kelly,  superintendent  of  the  public 
schools  of  Meriden,  Connecticut. 

Frederick  P.  Lee,  son  of  the  late  Peter  J.  and 
Margaret  (Wallace)  Lee,  was  born  Jan.  11,  1865, 
in  Newport,  and  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
city  received  his  early  educational  training.  He 
then  became  apprenticed  to  the  cabinet-making 
trade  with  the  late  George  E.  Vernon,  in  whose  em- 
ploy he  remained  for  several  years,  when  he  be- 
came electrician  on  the  steamer  “Pilgrim,”  plying 
between  New  York  and  Fall  River,  in  which  ca- 
pacity he  remained  for  a period  of  five  years.  In 
March,  1894,  he  accepted  the  position  of  assistant 
undertaker  with  Robert  C.  Cottrell,  in  which  ca- 
pacity he  has  since  continued.  Mr.  Lee  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  organization,  holding  member- 
ship in  St.  Paul’s  Lodge,  No.  14,  A.  F.  and  A.  M. ; 
Newport  Chapter,  No.  2,  R.  A.  M. ; DeBlois  Coun- 
cil, No.  5,  R.  and  S.  M. ; and  Washington  Com- 
mandery,  No.  4,  Knights  Templar.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  Coronet  Council,  No.  63,  Royal  Ar- 
canum. For  a number  of  years  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Newport  fire  department,  connected 
with  Torrent  Engine  Company,  No.  1.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lee  are  members  of  the  United  Congre- 
gational Church.  In  political  faith  Mr.  Lee  is  a 
Republican,  and  in  1907,  at  the  second  election  held 
under  the  new  charter  granted  the  city  of  Newport, 
he  was  elected  a member  of  the  representative  coun- 
cil for  the  term  of  three  years  from  the  Third  ward. 

On  Oct.  12,  1893,  Mr.  Lee  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Clara  Elizabeth  Peabody,  the 
daughter  of  the  late  Charles  H.  and  Hannah  (Ail- 
man)  Peabody,  of  Newport,  and  this  union  has 
been  blessed  with  two  children  : Frederick  Mor- 
ton, born  Sept.  7,  1894,  and  Katherine  Rawson, 
born  Nov.  12,  1903. 

DARWIN  RUSH  MOWRY.  The  late  Dar- 
win R.  Mowry,  in  his  day  one  of  the  well-known 
business  men  of  Providence,  successfully  conducted 
for  many  years  a hay,  grain  and  flour  business.  He 
was  a descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most 
numerous  families  of  Northern  Rhode  Island,  the 
early  record^  of  which  are  given  elsewhere. 


Darwin  Rush  Mowry  was  the  eldest  son  of 
Daniel  A.  and  Mary  J.  (Harris)  Mowry,  and  was 
born  Jan.  13,  1820,  in  Smithfield,  being  about 
twelve  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed  to 
Providence.  His  education  was  received  in  the 
district  schools  of  his  native  town,  the  public 
schools  of  Providence,  and  a private  school.  After 
leaving  the  latter  he  became  connected  with  his 
father  in  business,  at  the  latter's  death  succeeding 
him,  and  so  continued  until  his  own  death.  He  was 
very  well-known  throughout  the  State  as  a dealer 
in  hay  and  grain.  The  business  had  been  located 
at  the  corner  of  Smith  and  Canal  streets  since  1845, 
and  he  was  the  oldest  man  in  his  line  in  the  city. 
He  was  very  active  in  his  business  until  his  death, 
April  18,  1889,  and  he  was  buried  at  Swan  Point 
cemetery.  In  his  political  faith  Mr.  Mowry  was 
a Republican,  but  he  never  took  interest  in  politics, 
beyond  the  casting  of  his  vote.  He  was  not  a 
member  of  any  secret  organization,  being  a great 
lover  of  his  home  and  family,  and  of  quiet,  domestic 
tastes.  He  was  keen,  careful  and  conservative  in 
all  business  relations,  a man  of  high  integrity, 
thoroughly  honest  in  all  his  dealings,  and  he  com- 
manded the  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.  He  was 
a successful  man,  and  the  architect  of  his  own 
career.  His  home  was  for  forty  years  on  Smith 
Hill,  and  his  home  at  No.  48  Jefferson  street  was 
erected  by  him. 

On  May  26,  1844,  Mr.  Mowry  was  married  to 
Mary  E.  Steere,  born  April  29,  1825,  daughter  of 
Major  Asa  and  Susan  (Burlingame)  Steere,  and 
a representative  of  the  seventh  generation  from 
John  Steere,  the  progenitor  of  the  family  in 
America.  Mrs.  Mowry  died  July  14,  1901.  The 
children  of  this  union  were : Mary  Jenckes,  Ada 
Isabel  and  Florine  Holbrook,  the  latter  being  the 
only  one  to  reach  adult  age,  and  she  occupies  the 
homestead  on  Jefferson  street. 

Steere.  Mrs.  Mowry  was  a descendant  of 
John  Steere,  the  ancestor  of  the  family  in  Rhode 
Island,  the  lineage  being  as  follows : 

(I)  John  Steere,  of  Providence,  married  Han- 
nah Wickenden. 

(II)  Lieut.  John  Steere,  eldest  son  of  John, 
married  Esther  Whitman. 

(III)  Hosea  Steere,  son  of  Lieut.  John,  born 
about  1702,  married  Sarah,  and  took  up  his  resi- 
dence in  Glocester.  His  children  were : Enoch, 
Noah  and  John. 

(IV)  Enoch  Steere,  son  of  Hosea,  married 
April  14,  1762,  Alice  Place,  and  resided  in  Gloces- 
ter, where  he  followed  farming.  His  children  were : 
Thomas,  Daniel,  Joseph,  Hosea,  Zebedee,  Ann  and 
John. 

(V)  Zebedee  Steere,  son  of  Enoch,  born  Jan.  9, 
1771,  resided  in  Glocester,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  farming,  and  there  died  Dec.  19,  1852.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Wood,  daughter  of  Jonah  Wood,  of 
Vermont,  and  she  died  Oct.  23,  1851.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Enoch,  born  Oct.  4,  1794;  Jonah,  in 


l/ J-f  Stcrs  & Co 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1795;  Willard,  in  1796;  Daniel,  March  29,  1798; 
Asa,  April  19,  1800;  Rachel,  in  1804;  Almon,  in 
1806;  and  Elsie,  in  1808. 

(VI)  Major  Asa  Steere,  son  of  Zebedee,  was 
born  April  19,  1800,  in  Glocester,  and  after  his 
marriage  located  at  Centredale,  his  estate  being 
that  immediately  south  of  the  present  home  of 
Frank  C.  Angell.  Major  Steere  was  engaged  in 
butchering,  disposing  of  his  product  in  Centredale 
and  neighboring  villages,  as  well  as  in  Providence. 
He  was  successful  in  his  business  operations,  and 
for  the  last  twenty-five  years  of  his  life  was  not 
engaged  in  active  business.  He  received  his  title 
by  holding  rank  in  the  old  Militia.  Major  Steere 
died  May  6,  1882,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery 
at  Centredale. 

Major  Asa  Steere  married  Susan,  daughter  of 
Olney  Burlingame,  born  Sept.  26,  1806,  and  she 
died  June  11,  1879.  Their  children  were:  Mary, 
Mrs.  Darwin  R.  Mowry ; Catherine  J.,  who  married 
(first)  Thomas  Davis  (a  tailor  of  Providence,  who 
died  at  Centredale)  and  had  one  daughter,  Lillian, 
who  died  young,  and  (second)  Benjamin  F.  Whip- 
ple, and  both  died  in  Providence ; and  Elizabeth  A., 
widow  of  William  Cunliff,  a cotton  manufacturer 
in  Providence,  by  whom  she  had  two  children : 
Lillian  M.  (who  died  at  the  age  of  six  years)  and 
Truman  A.  (who  married  Mrs.  Emma  A.  (Lincoln) 
Haskins,  and  resides  in  Providence). 

GORHAM.  This  family  has  been  well  repre- 
sented in  Bristol  for  many  years  by  William  M. 
Gorham,  who  for  fifteen  years  served  that  town  as 
postmaster  and  has  held  various  other  official  po- 
sitions. 

(I)  Ralph  Gorham,  of  Benefield,  England,  son 
of  James,  was  the  first  ancestor  of  this  line  in 
America,  emigrating  before  1637. 

(II)  Capt.  John  Gorham,  second  son  of  Ralph, 
was  born  in  Benefield,  England,  and  was  baptized 
Jan.  28,  1621.  He  was  married  in  1643  to  Desire 
Howland,  who  was  born  at  Plymouth  about  1623, 
daughter  of  John  Howland  and  Elizabeth  Tilley, 
of  the  original  “Mayflower”  company.  Capt.  Gor- 
ham was  buried  at  Swansea  Feb.  5,  1675-76,  and 
his  widow  died  at  Barnstable,  Massachusetts,  Oct. 
13,  1683. 

(III)  Jabez  Gorham,  fourth  son  and  seventh 
child  of  Capt.  John  Gorham,  was  born  at  Barn- 
stable Aug.  3,  1656,  and  married  Hannah  Sturgis 
(Widow  Gray),  daughter  of  Edward  Sturgis,  of 
Barnstable  and  Yarmouth.  They  removed  from 
Barnstable  to  Bristol,  R.  I.  He  died  between 
March  16,  1724-25  (the  date  of  his  will)  and  May 
18,  1725,  when  his  son  Isaac  gave  a receipt  for  his 
portion  of  the  estate.  His  wife  died  Oct.  17,  1736. 
Their  children  were : Hannah,  born  Dec.  23,  1677 
(died  March  28,  1682)  ; Samuel,  born  April  15, 
1682  (died  Nov.  24,  1735)  ; Jabez.  born  Jan.  31, 
1683-84;  Shubel,  born  April  12,  1686;  Isaac,  born 
Feb.  1,  1689;  John,  born  Nov.  8,  1690  (died  in 


861 

January,  1717)  ; Joseph,  born  Aug.  22,  1692  (bap- 
tized in  Christ  Church,  Bristol,  Aug.  11,  1695)  ; 
Hannah,  born  Feb.  21,  1693-94  (baptized  at  Christ 
Church,  Bristol,  Aug.  11,  1695)  ; Benjamin,  born 
Dec.  11,  1695  (died  in  1771  or  1772);  Thomas, 
born  Oct.  30,  1701  ; and  Elizabeth. 

(IV)  Isaac  Gorham,  born  Feb.  1,  1689,  died 
in  1739-40.  He  married  (first)  Mary,  who  died 
Sept.  11,  1716.  He  married  (second)  Aug.  6,  1717, 
Hannah  Miles,  daughter  of  Richard  Miles,  of  New 
Haven,  Conn.  Two  children  were  born  to  Isaac 
and  Mary  Gorham,  both  born  in  Bristol : Isaac, 
born  May  28,  1713,  died  Dec.  1,  1760;  Hezekiah, 
born  Feb.,  1714-15,  died  Dec.  15,  1715.  The  chil- 
dren of  Isaac  and  Hannah  Gorham  were : John ; 
Mary,  born  Oct.  10,  1721  ; Timothy,  born  Nov.  13, 
1723;  Hezekiah,  born  Dec.  15,  1725;  Samuel;  Eliz- 
abeth, and  Hannah.  Isaac  Gorham,  the  father, 
bought  land  in  New  Haven  March  1,  1719-20.  He 
is  described  as  a cooper.  He  was  admitted  as  an 
inhabitant  of  the  town  Dec.  26,  1720. 

(V)  Isaac  Gorham,  born  in  Bristol  May  28, 
1713,  died  there  Dec.  1,  1760.  He  was  married 
Oct.  19,  1742,  to  Jemima  Potter,  daughter  of  Hope- 
still  and  Lydia  (Hubbard)  Potter.  She  died  Oct. 
10,  1806.  Children:  Mary,  born  July  28,  1743; 
Hannah,  born  Sept.  25,  1745;  Isaac,  born  in  1747; 
Althea,  born  in  1751  (died  June  17,  1823;  married 
in  1774  Gilbert  Richmond)  ; Lydia,  baptized  in  St. 
Michael’s  Church  May  9,  1759  (died  May  10, 
17 59)  ; William,  baptized  Dec.  9,  1759,  at  St.  Mi- 
chael's (shipwrecked  at  Martha’s  Vineyard  Dec. 
26,  1778,  and  perished  with  the  cold). 

(VI)  Isaac  Gorham,  born  in  1747,  was  baptized 

March  17,  1748-49,  at  St.  Michael’s  Church,  Bris- 
tol. He  died  at  sea  in  September,  1795,  aged  forty- 
eight  years.  On  Sept.  4,  1774,  he  married  Sarah 
Thomas,  of  Warren,  who  died  Feb.  25,  1835.  They 
had  children  as  follows:  (1)  Jemima  was  born 
Aug.  28,  1775.  (2)  Isaac,  born  in  1777,  died  at 

sea  Aug.  21,  1798.  (3)  Sarah,  born  May  17,  1780, 

died  Dec.  16,  1869.  She  married  Feb.  2,  1800, 
Nicholas  Peck.  (4)  Hannah,  born  July  25,  1782, 
died  Aug.  1,  1846.  She  married  Oct.  28.  1803, 
Lemuel  Clarke  Richmond,  who  was  born  in  Bristol 
Sept.  25,  1781,  and  died  June  23,  1876.  He  was 
a son  of  Gilbert  and  Althea  (Gorham)  Richmond. 
(5)  Susan,  born  March  11,  1785,  died  Aug.  4,  1868. 
On  Nov.  8,  1807,  she  married  Abram  Hathaway, 
of  Raynham,  Mass.  (6)  William,  born  July  10, 
1788,  died  at  sea  June  6,  1809,  aged  twenty-one. 
(7)  Mary,  born  Dec.  10,  1791,  died  Sept.  26,  1881. 
She  married  July  9,  1814,  Rev.  John  P.  K.  Hen- 
shaw  (father  of' Charles  Henshaw  of  Providence, 
R.  I.),  who  was  born  Jan.  19,  1792!  he  was  after- 
ward Bishop  of  Rhode  Island.  (8)  Ruth,  born  in 
April,  1793,  died  in  1880.  On  Feb.  8,  1815,  she 
was  married  to  Dr.  Jabez  Holmes,  of  Stonington. 
Conn.  (9)  Amos  Thomas,  born  Aug.  20,  1795, 
died  March  12,  1861. 

(VII)  Amos  Thomas  Gorham,  born  Aug.  20. 


862 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1795,  died  March  12,  1861.  On  June  18,  1820,  he 
married  Fanny  Rutan  Sanford,  daughter  of  Ellery 
and  Sally  Sanford.  She  died  June  7,  1878.  To 
this  union  came  children  as  follows:  (1)  Sarah 
Thomas,  born  Aug.  9,  1821,  died  Nov.  10,  1898. 
On  May  31,  1857,  she  was  married  to  William 
Mumford  Coit,  who  died  Jan.  31,  1895.  They  had 
no  children.  (2)  William  Thomas,  mentioned  be- 
low, was  born  July  23,  1824.  (3)  Isaac,  born  Sept. 

11,  1826,  died  Aug.  1,  1863.  On  Dec.  14,  1852,  he 
married  Julia  F.  Franklin,  daughter  of  Jonathan 
and  Elizabeth  (Case)  Franklin;  she  died  Nov. 
16,  1886.  They  had  three  children,  Isaac  Hobart, 
of  Bristol;  Emma  Frances,  who  married  William 
Blye ; and  Elizabeth  Bradford,  who  married  Her- 
man Kupfer.  (4)  Ruth  Holmes,  born  Feb.  9,  1829, 
died  July  2,  1876.  (5)  Frances  Thomas,  born  July 

25,  1831,  died  Nov.  20,  1886.  (6)  Amos  Thomas, 

born  Oct.  18,  1833,  was  married  March  20,  1856, 
to  Mary  Eunice  Waldron,  born  Oct.  1,  1837,  and 
they  had  three  children:  Richmond  Holmes;  Mary 
Richmond,  born  Aug.  28,  i860,  who  married  Jan. 

26,  1887,  William  Entwistle,  born  May  16,  1855, 

overseer  of  the  machine  shop  of  the  Charles  L. 
Seaburv  Company,  Inc. ; and  Elizabeth  Osborn, 
born  Dec.  12,  1862,  who  married  Jan.  26,  1887, 
Charles  Lincoln  Seaburv,  born  Aug.  4,  i860,  vice- 
president  of  the  Charles  L.  Seabury  Company,  Inc., 
builders  of  steam  yachts,  launches  and  marine  ma- 
chinery and  naphtha  yachts,  launches  and  tenders, 
and  they  have  had  two  children,  Lincoln  Gorham 
(born  Nov.  26,  1887,  died  Nov.  26,  1887)  and 
Mary  Richmond  (born  March  28,  1889).  (7)  La- 

Favette,  born  Jan.  31,  1836,  died  Oct.  7,  1838.  (8) 
Washington  was  born  July  2,  1838.  (9)  Mary 

Hannah,  born  Sept.  6,  1840,  was  married  Nov.  26, 
1872,  to  Edward  W.  Spencer.  ( 10)  LaFayette, 
born  Feb.  26,  1843,  ’s  mentioned  below.  (11)  San- 
ford was  born  May  22,  1845. 

(VIII)  LaFayette  Gorham,  born  Feb.  26, 
1843,  married  Oct.  25,  1877,  Elizabeth  McNutt, 
who  died  May  12,  1903.  They  had  one  child, 

Amos  Sanford,  born  Nov.  2T,  1879,  who  is  now  in 
the  Bristol  Branch  of  the  Industrial  Trust  Co.  Mr. 
Gorham  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Bristol,  in 
which  place  his  entire  life  has  been  passed.  For 
a number  of  vears  he  was  a coachman  for  Bishop 
Howe  and  Miss  Codman,  and  for  thirty  years  has 
been  engaged  in  the  express  business  in  Bristol. 
He  keeps  six  horses  and  three  men  the  year  round, 
and  does  all  the  business  in  that  line  in  town.  His 
success  is  the  result  of  his  own  individual  effort. 
He  has  always  taken  an  interest  in  local  matters. 
He  belongs  to  the  Bristol  Artillery,  and  is  a mem- 
ber and  treasurer  of  the  Veteran  Artillery  Asso- 
ciation. Air.  Gorham  is  a consistent  churchman, 
belonging  to  St.  Michael’s  Episcopal  Church.  On 
Oct.  4,  1870,  he  joined  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  has 
been  through  all  the  chairs,  taking  a great  interest 
in  the  work. 

(VIII)  William  Thomas  Gorham,  born  July 


23,  1824,  died  Oct.  4,  1866.  He  was  married  Oct. 
20,  1847,  to  Mary  Theresa  Spencer,  who  was  born 
in  October,  1829,  and  died  March  4,  1870.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gorham  were  of  the  eighth  genera- 
tion in  descent  from  John  Howland,  of  the  “May- 
flower” company.  They  had  three  children, 
namely:  William  Spencer,  born  July  1,  1850,  who 
died  Feb.  27,  1834;  William  Merrill,  born  Aug. 
2,  1854;  and  Lulie  Burnside,  born  Jan.  24,  1863. 

Lulie  Burnside  Gorham,  born  Jan.  24,  1863, 
was  legally  adopted  by  Jeremiah  Sheldon,  of  Prov- 
idence, becoming  Hattie  Gorham  Sheldon.  She 
was  married  Oct.  10,  1883,  to  Wayland  A. 

Wheaton,  who  was  born  Oct.  19,  1846,  and  they 
have  two  children:  Childs  Sheldon,  born  July  31, 
1884,  and  Linda  Gorham,  born  Dec.  24,  1885.  Mrs. 
Wheaton  has  been  active  in  the  work  of  the  Wo- 
man’s Relief  Corps,  and  served  as  Senior  Vice- 
President  of  the  Rhode  Island  Department,  and  in 
1907  was  elected  Department  President. 

(IX)  William  Merrill  Gorham,  son  of  Wil- 
liam T.  Gorham,  was  born  Aug.  2,  1854,  and  grew 
to  manhood  in  Bristol.  He  attended  the  public 
schools,  and  had  gone  as  far  as  the  high  school 
when  obliged  to  leave  on  account  of  his  father’s 
death,  in  1866.  It  being  necessary  for  him  to  com- 
mence work  without  delay,  he  entered  the  store  of 
James  A.  Miller,  who  paid  him  three  dollars  a 
week  for  his  services  at  first.  He  continued  to 
work  there  and  in  other  stores  until  the  death  of 
his  mother,  which  occurred  in  1870,  after  which 
he  went  to  live  with  his  great-aunt,  Mrs.  Sally 
(Merrill)  Dyer.  In  1872  he  obtained  a position 
with  the  American  Screw  Company,  of  Providence, 
as  an  assistant  in  the  shipping  department,  applying 
himself  to  his  work  with  such  good  results  that 
within  a year  he  had  the  second  position  in  the  de- 
partment. However,  in  the  spring  of  1873  he  came 
back  to  Bristol,  where  he  went  into  the  employ  of 
the  National  Rubber  Company,  learning  the  trade 
of  painter,  which  he'  followed  under  Mr.  Burnham. 
After  the  latter’s  death  he  was  made  boss  painter, 
and  was  engaged  thus  for  a number  of  years,  re- 
maining with  that  company  in  all  fourteen  years. 

Mr.  Gorham  has  always  been  a strong  Republi- 
can and  active  in  the  workings  of  his  party,  and 
was  appointed  postmaster  of  Bristol  under  Benja- 
min Harrison,  taking  office  in  March,  1890.  He 
served  until  April,  1895,  his  retirement  being  one 
of  the  results  of  the  change  of  administration.  For 
some  time  following  he  was  surveyor  of  highways 
for  Bristol,  on  July  10,  1899,  being  again  appointed 
postmaster,  by  President  McKinley.  The  appoint- 
ment was  confirmed  by  the  Senate  Dec.  13,  1899, 
and  on  Dec.  19,  1903,  he  was  reappointed  by  Presi- 
dent Roosevelt,  the  appointment  being  confirmed 
the  same  day.  His  services  have  been  eminently 
satisfactory,  and  he  has  gained  high  standing  in 
the  community  by  his  efficiency  and  fidelity.  He 
has  given  ample  evidence  of  high  executive  ability, 
and  with  the  same  qualities  which  brought  him 


RHODE  ISLAND 


success  in  previous  positions  has  justified  his  long 
retention  in  office. 

Mr.  Gorham  is  an  energetic  man,  and  has  many 
interests,  being  active  in  every  cause  with  which 
he  is  identified.  He  has  always  been  a reliable 
worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  Republican  party,  and 
was  a member  of  the  town  committee  when  Isaac 
F.  Williams  was  chairman.  Fraternally  he  belongs 
to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  holding  membership  in  United 
Brothers  Lodge,  at  Bristol,  has  passed  all  the 
chairs,  and  is  a member  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  He 
also  belongs  to  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  and  served 
one  term  as  lieutenant-colonel  of  Rhode  Island. 
He  is  a member  of  Trinity  Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  Gorham  was  married,  June  26,  1884,  to 
Annie  M.  Boetcher,  who  was  born  Dec.  23,  1862, 
daughter  of  John  and  Meta  Boetcher,  and  two  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  them : Marguerite  Merrill, 
on  March  20,  1886,  and  Mildred  Usher,  on  June  6, 
1890. 

The  Merrill  Family,  from  which  Mr.  Gor- 
ham is  descended  through  his  mother,  who  was  a 
daughter  of  Simmons  Spencer  and  Hannah  Graves 
Merrill,  is  descended  from  Nathaniel  Merrill,  of 
Newbury  (1591-1665),  who  was  perhaps  a son  of 
John  Merrill,  who  went  to  Stafford.  Of  the  sixth 
generation  in  descent  from  Nathaniel  was 

Spencer  Merrill,  of  Killingly,  Conn.  On  Jan. 
26,  1770.  he  married  Desire  Slocum  Greene,  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Desire  (Slocum)  Greene,  and 
they  had  three  children  (order  of  birth  uncertain)  : 
Elizabeth,  who  was  married  in  January,  1795,  to 
Thomas  Bateman,  of  East  Greenwich,  a descendant 
of  Thomas  Bateman,  of  Boston ; Hannah,  who  was 
married  Aug.  9,  1801,  to  Aaron  Bowen,  a descend- 
ant of  Philip  Bowen,  of  Coventry;  and  William 
Greene. 

William  Greene  Merrill,  son  of  Spencer,  was 
born  Dec.  27,  1774,  and  died  Nov.  24,  i860.  On  Jan. 
20,  1794,  he  married  Sabra  Nichols,  who  was  born 
April  19,  1772,  and  died  April  17,  1837.  She  was 
of  the  sixth  generation  in  descent  from  Thomas 
Nichols,  of  Newport.  Thirteen  children  were  born 
to  this  union,  of  whom  we  have  the  following  rec- 
ord: (1)  Phoebe  Merrill,  born  July  21,  1795,  died 

Feb.  9,  1868.  On  May  10,  1812,  she  married 

Daniel  Whelock,  who  was  born  July  1,  1793,  son 
of  Philetry  and  Avisie  Whelock,  of  Uxbridge,  and 
died  Sept.  8,  1872.  (2)  William  Brown,  born  Jan. 

23,  T797*  hied  March  22,  1867.  He  married  Oct. 
9,  1825,  Catherine  L.  Manchester,  who  was  born 
in  1796  and  died  Sept.  11,  1833.  (3)  Josiah,  born 

Dec.  5,  1799,  died  Aug.  2,  1876.  He  married  Nov. 
23,  1820,  Phebe  Ann  Greene,  who  was  born  March 
15,  1799,  daughter  of  Lloyd  Greene,  and  of  the  sixth 
generation  in  descent  from  John  Greene,  of  Shaw- 
mut.  She  died  May  8,  1885.  (4)  Sally  Colburn, 

born  Oct.  31,  1800,  was  married  Dec.  27,  1829,  to 
Daniel  Dyer  (of  the  eighth  generation  from  Wil- 
liam and  Mary  Dyer,  of  Newport),  who  was  born 
Nov.  6,  1808.  She  died  April  21,  1881,  and  Mr. 


863 

Dyer  survived  until  Dec.  7,  1894.  (5)  Hannah 

Graves,  born  March  17,  1803,  became  the  wife  of 
Simmons  Spencer.  (6)  Eliza  Jane,  born  May  4, 
1805,  hied  Jan.  2,  1806.  (7)  Isabella  Maria  Flagg, 

twin  of  Eliza  Jane,  born  May  4,  1805,  died  March 
9,  1891.  She  was  married  June  24,  1828,  to  Samuel 
G.  Allen,  seventh  in  direct  line  from  William  Allen, 
of  Prudence  Island.  Mr.  Allen  was  born  Aug.  5, 
1805,  and  died  April  24,  1887.  They  had  two 
children:  Henry  Byron,  born  Feb.  24,  1837,  died 
Aug.  30,  1842  ; and  Isabella  Jane,  born  July  3,  1843, 
married  Richard  G.  Howland  (born  at  Centreville, 
Sept.  19,  1840,  eighth  generation  in  descent  from 
Henry  of  Duxbury),  and  she  died  Feb.  12,  1884, 
the  mother  of  five  children — Richard  Allen  (born 
June  27,  1869,  died  April  17,  1872),  Anna  (born 
Oct.  1,  1871,  died  Dec.  29,  1878),  Alice  Merrill 
(born  May  1,  1874,  educated  at  Vassar),  Daniel 
(born  June  9,  1878,  Brown  University,  1900)  and 
Abigail  Susan  (born  June  17,  1882,  died  Aug.  25, 
1882).  Mr.  Richard  G.  Howland  married  (sec- 
ond) Alice  Sisson.  (8)  Almy  Greene,  born  July 
5,  1807,  died  Feb.  20,  1877.  On  Oct.  10,  1825,  she 
married  Nicholas  W.  Cook,  who  was  born  Nov.  8, 
1800,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Waterman)  Cook, 
and  died  in  December,  1871.  (9)  Sylvester  Knight, 
born  Jan.  29,  1809,  died  Feb.  10,  1855.  On  July 

4,  1830,  he  married  Almy  R.  Tillinghast  (of  the 

sixth  generation  from  Rev.  Pardon  Tillinghast,  of 
Providence),  who  was  born  Aug.  24,  1808,  and 
died  July  13,  1872.  (10)  Ellery  Spencer,  born  Dec. 

19,  1810,  was  married  Jan.  9,  1837,  to  Amanda 
Malvina  Bowen,  who  was  born  Jan.  23,  1817, 
daughter  of  Brown  Bowen,  of  Seekonk,  Mass.  He 
died  July  18,  1867,  ar*h  she  survived  until  Nov.  16, 
1893.  (11)  Lewis  Chandler,  born  Feb.  21,  1812, 

died  in  April,  1885.  On  Oct.  10,  1831,  he  married 
Sarah  Caroline  Bowen,  who  was  born  Oct.  29, 
1812,  and  died  April  6,  1875.  (12)  Ann  Frances, 

born  April  1,  1814,  died  March  7,  1854.  She  was 
married  Feb.  22,  1833,  to  Spalding  Newell  Ross, 
who  was  born  May  8,  1815,  and  died  Dec.  4,  1894. 
(13)  Maria  Theresa,  born  Sept.  12,  1816,  died 
Sept.  20,  1822. 

Hannah  Graves  Merrill,  daughter  of  William 
Greene  Merrill,  born  March  17,  1803,  was  married 
March  26,  1826,  to  Simmons  Spencer,  who  was 
also  born  in  1803,  and  who  was  of  the  fifth  genera- 
tion in  descent  from  John  Spencer,  of  East  Green- 
wich. Simmons  Spencer  died  Sept.  12,  1854,  and 
Mrs.  Spencer  passed  away  Jan.  14,  1879.  The 
record  of  their  children  is  as  follows:  (1)  Rich- 
ard B.  S.  Spencer.  (2)  Almy  Spencer,  born  in 
November,  1831,  married  Benjamin  Mawnev,  of 
East  Greenwich,  of  the  sixth  generation  from 
Moses  Le  Moine,  and  they  had  one  child,  George 

5.  (3)  Edward  William  Spencer,  born  March  11, 
1833,  married  Nov.  26,  1872,  Mary  Hannah  Gor- 
ham, who  was  born  Sept.  6,  1840,  and  is  of  the 
eighth  generation  from  Ralph  Gorham,  of  Bene- 
field, England.  They  had  one  child,  Fanny  Merrill 


864 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Gorham,  born  Oct.  4,  1873,  who  died  Feb.  19,  1890. 
(4)  Mary  Theresa  Spencer,  born  in  October,  1829, 
died  March  4,  1870.  On  Oct.  20,  1847,  she  mar_ 
ried  William  Thomas  Gorham. 

Gov.  William  Greene,  from  whom  Mr.  Gorham 
is  descended  through  his  great-grandmother,  De- 
sire Slocum  (Greene)  Merrill,  was  of  the  seventh 
generation  of  his  family  in  this  country.  He  lived 
on  Division  street,  in  Warwick.  He  filled  many 
public  positions,  being  surveyor,  1728;  for  many 
years  clerk  of  court;  deputy,  1740-43;  and  gover- 
nor, 1743-46  and  1748-58,  dving  in  office  Feb.  22, 
1758.  His  son  William  (1732-1809)  twenty  years 
later  occupied  his  father’s  place  as  governor,  serv- 
ing from  1778  to  1786,  and  like  him  transmitted  an 
honorable  name  to  a numerous  posterity. 

James  Greene,  of  Centreville,  son  of  Gov.  Wil- 
liam, born  Sept.  8,  1713,  died  March  30,  1792.  On 
Jan.  15,  1737,  he  married  Desire  Slocum,  who  was 
a descendant  of  Anthony  Slocum,  of  Newport,  in 
the  fifth  generation,  through  Giles,  Ebenezer  and 
Giles.  They  had  ten  children,  namely : William, 
born  Jan.  7,  1738  (died  Jan.  23,  1778)  ; Mary,  born 
Jan.  5,  1739;  Sarah,  born  Aug.  17,  1742;  Giles  Slo- 
cum, born  March  25,  1745  (married  Sept.  13,  1774, 
Phebe  Rhodes,  daughter  of  John  Rhodes)  ; Eliza- 
beth, born  July  15,  1748  (died  Sept.  12,  1751)  ; De- 
sire Slocum,  born  Jan.  6,  1750  (married  Spencer 
Merrill)  ; Almy,  born  May  27,  1752  (married  Jan. 
1,  1774,  Jabez  Comstock,  of  Chatham,  Conn.,  fifth 
in  descent  from  William  Comstock,  of  New  Lon- 
don) ; Capt.  James,  born  in  1754  (he  died  Oct.  14, 
1825 ; married  Rebecca  Pitman,  who  was  born  in 
1763,  daughter  of  Sanders  Pitman,  of  Providence, 
and  sixth  in  descent  from  William  Sanders,  of  New 
London;  she  died  in  July,  1806,  and  Capt. 
Greene  afterward  married  Mercy  Waterman, 
who  was  born  in  1780,  daughter  of  Capt. 
Richard  Waterman,  and  sixth  in  descent 
from  Richard  Waterman,  of  Salem,  and  died 
Feb.  28,  1851)  ; Rachel  (who  married  in  De- 

cember, 1786,  Thomas  Whitaker,  of  Haverhill,  N. 
H.,  sixth  in  descent  from  Abraham,  of  New  Hamp- 
shire) ; and  Agnes. 

JEREMIAH  K.  SULLIVAN.  While  there 
are  numerous  cases  where  men  attempt  to  establish 
themselves  in  a business  enterprise  with  no  capital 
other  than  a willingness  to  work,  combined  with  a 
goodly  amount  of  pluck,  energy  and  perseverance, 
yet  many  of  these  meet  with  failure,  and  few,  in- 
deed, are  they  who  succeed  in  increasing  their 
trade  to  the  volume  of  business  achieved  by  Jere- 
miah K.  Sullivan,  who  is  one  of  Newport’s  best 
known  citizens,  and  a native  of  that  city  in  which 
he  has  acquired  his  remarkable  success. 

Tohn  Sullivan,  father  of  Jeremiah  K.,  was  born 
in  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  and  came  to  America 
from  his  native  land  settling  in  Newport  in  about 
1850.  As  ne  had  no  regular  trade  he  worked  at 
whatever  he  could  find  to  do,  passing  the  years 


thus  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Newport 
in  1883.  Mr.  Sullivan  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza 
Coffey,  who  died  in  Newport,  the  mother  of  four 
children  who  survived  her,  namely : Jeremiah 
K. ; Margaret,  wife  of  Michael  P.  Vaughan,  a 
mason  of  Newport;  John  J.,  who  married  Miss 
Julia  Issler,  of  Newport,  and  is  manager  for  his 
brother,  Jeremiah  K. ; and  Miss  Elizabeth,  who 
resides  in  Newport. 

Jeremiah  Kirrian  Sullivan  was  born  in  New- 
port, Nov.  28,  1857.  Until  be  had  attained  the  age 
of  thirteen  years  he  was  receiving  his  early  training 
in  the  schools  of  his  native  city,  and  during  the  fol- 
lowing summer,  as  a boy,  was  employed  by  Mr. 
St.  John,  who  was  one  of  Newport’s  summer  resi- 
dents from  New  York,  in  caring  for  the  latter’s 
children’s  pony.  For  the  next  two  years  he  was 
employed  in  the  livery  stable  of  Sullivan  & Shee- 
han. He  decided  to  learn  a trade,  and  accordingly  be- 
came apprenticed  to  learn  carpentry  under  William 
E.  Tripp,  in  whose  service  he  remained  for  a period 
of  three  years.  Having  acquired  a thorough 
knowledge  of  the  carpentering  business  he  con- 
tinued to  follow  that  trade  as  a journeyman  for 
about  two  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  about 
1878,  he  had  saved  from  his  earnings  enough 
money  to  purchase  a horse  and  express  wagon, 
which  humble  beginning  proved  to  be  the  nucleus 
of  his  present  large  and  extensive  business.  For 
four  or  five  years  he  continued  in  the  express  busi- 
ness, driving  his  wagon  himself,  but  meantime  his 
business  increased  so  that  in  1880  he  started  a 
livery  stable.  This  business  has  grown  to  such  an 
extent  that  to-day  he  has  the  largest  livery  business 
in  the  city,  requiring  from  seventy-five  to  ninety 
horses  and  over  one  hundred  wagons  and  vehicles 
to  accommodate  his  large  and  extensive  patronage. 

Besides  his  extensive  livery  business,  with  its 
various  branches,  Mr.  Sullivan  is  also  largely  en- 
gaged in  heavy  teaming  and  in  contract  work  of 
all  kinds.  From  general  contracting  he  gradually 
launched  out  into  the  wrecker  and  lighter  business, 
and  lias  added  thereto  at  various  intervals  until 
now  his  equipment  in  this  department  of  his  busi- 
ness consists  of  the  tug,  “Solicitor,”  three  lighters 
and  a water  boat,  the  latter  being  used  to  supply 
fresb  water  to  the  vessels  of  all  kinds  and  sizes 
which  frequent  Newport  harbor.  His  equipment 
in  this  department  is  very  complete,  and  he  is  fully 
prepared  to  do  all  kinds  of  wrecking,  building  of 
sea  walls,  break-waters,  etc.,  in  which  line  he  has 
met  with  pronounced  success.  Since  Jan.  1,  1901, 
Mr.  Sullivan  has  held  the  position  by  appointment 
of  the  city  council  of  wreck  commissioner  of  the 
harbor  of  Newport.  In  politics  Mr.  Sullivan  is 
independent,  giving  his  influence  and  support  to 
the  man  whom  he  considers  best  fitted  to  fill  the 
office.  Although  he  has  never  aspired  to  political 
office  himself,  he  was  in  1906,  at  the  first  election 
held  under  the  new  charter  granted  the  city,  elected 
a member  of  the  representative  council  for  the  one 


RHODE  ISLAND 


865 


year  term  from  the  Third  ward  and  at  the  first 
meeting  of  the  representative  council,  held  in  Janu- 
ary, 1907,  he  was  elected  by  that  body  as  street 
commissioner  of  the  city  for  the  ensuing  year, 
being  re-elected  in  1908,  for  another  year,  in  1907 
he  was  re-elected  to  the  representative  council  for 
a term  of  three  years.  Also,  in  1907  he  was 
elected  a director  of  the  Newport  Water  Works, 
to  succeed  the  late  T,  Mumford  Seabury.  He  is 
also  a director  of  the  Puritan  Life  Insurance  Com- 
pany, of  Providence. 

On  Jan.  5,  1885,  Mr.  Sullivan  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Gertrude  May,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Issler,  of  Newport,  and  this  happy  union  has  been 
blessed  with  two  daughters,  Gertrude  May  and 
Helen  Louise.  Mr.  Sullivan  and  his  family  are 
consistent  members  of  St.  Mary’s  Catholic  Church 
of  Newport,  to  which  they  are  liberal  in  their  sup- 
port, and  Mrs.  Sullivan  is  especially  active  in  the 
church  work.  Their  present  handsome  residence 
on  Pelham  street  was  completed  March  24,  1898, 
the  anniversary  of  the  date  upon  which  Mr.  Sulli- 
van started  in  business  for  himself. 

The  success  which  Mr.  Sullivan  has  attained 
has  been  due  to  his  energy  and  ability  to  take  the 
initiative,  combined  with  a natural  born  business 
acumen,  and  he  has  earned  for  himself  a high  place 
in  the  'confidence  of  the  business  circles  of  his  na- 
tive city  as  well  as  in  all  circles  in  which  he  is 
known.  He  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the 
Newport-Nevada  Mining  Company,  and  holds  the 
office  of  president  of  this  corporation.  As  is  shown 
by  the  foregoing,  Mr.  Sullivan  is  in  the  truest 
sense  of  the  word'Oi  self-made  man,”  and  the 
architect  of  his  own  remarkable  and  successful 
career,  showing  what  may  be  accomplished  by  one 
who  possesses  those  qualities  so  essential  to  achieve- 
ment— self-reliance,  pluck,  energy,  thrift  and  de- 
termination. He  is  generous  in  his  impluses,  and 
charitable  to  those  who  have  been  less  fortunate 
than  he.  He.  is  Democratic  in  his  manner,  and  un- 
pretentious in  his  nature.  He  has  just  cause  to 
feel  a pride  in  his  life’s  achievements,  acquired  in 
the  ritv  of  his  birth,  where  he  holds  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  the  entire  community. 

HENRY  C.  GLADDING,  one  of  the  most 
widely  known  machinists  and  master  mechanics  in 
Rhode  Island,  and  now  engaged  in  Providence  at 
his  life  long  occupation,  is  a member  of  an  old  and 
substantial  family  which  figures  prominently  in  the 
history  both  of  that  State  and  of  Massachusetts. 
His  American  progenitor  was  John,  who,  according 
to  the  records  of  Newbury,  Mass.,  was  residing  in 
that  town  as  early  as  1666.  The  ancestry  is  then 
traced  through  five  successive  Johns  to  Benjamin, 
the  father  of  Henry  Coggeshall  Gladding,  many  of 
whose  earlier  forefathers  were  residents  of  Bristol, 
R.  I.,  where  the  first  decade  of  his  career  as  a ma- 
chinist was  also  passed.  His  direct  line  of  Ameri- 
can ancestors  is  traced  below : 

55 


(I)  John  Gladding  (Glading)  is  of  record  at 
Newbury,  Mass.,  in  1666,  as  marrying  on  July  17th 
of  that  year  Elizabeth  Rogers,  and  their  children, 
of  record  in  Newbury,  are:  Susanna,  John,  Wil- 
liam, Elizabeth,  Mary  and  Hannah.  Additional 
children,  of  record  in  Bristol,  were:  Joshua,  Dan- 
iel and  Sarah.  According  to  family  manuscripts 
Mr.  Gladding  died  April  27,  1726,  aged  eighty- 
four  years. 

(II)  John  Gladding  (2),  born  Oct.  11,  1670, 
married  Alice,  born  Oct.  31,  1663,  daughter  of 
Uzell  Wardwell.  Their  children  were:  Mary, 
John,  William,  Jonathan,  Ebenezer,  Joseph,  Alice, 
Elizabeth,  Nathaniel,  Sarah  and  Sarah  (2).  The 
mother  of  these  children  died  March  3,  1720. 

(III)  John  Gladding  (3),  born  Sept.  8,  1694, 

married  July  12,  1716,  Martha  Smith.  The  chil- 
dren of  John  Gladding  and  wife  were:  John, 

Charles,  Daniel,  Martha,  George,  Samuel,  Phebe 
and  Mary. 

(IV)  John  Gladding  (4),  born  Jan.  30,  1717, 
married  (first)  Mary  Drown,  who  died  April  14, 
1759,  aged  forty  years,  and  he  married  (second) 
Sept.  6,  1759,  Hannah  Short.  His  children  were: 
John,  Josiah,  Peter,  Martha,  Daniel,  Martha  (2), 
Mary,  Solomon  and  Josiah  (2).  Capt.  Gladding 
died  Nov.  8,  1785,  in  his  sixty-ninth  year. 

(V)  John  Gladding  (5),  born  Jan.  3,  1739, 
married  Sept.  17,  1761,  Lucretia  Smith.  His  wife 
died  May  5,  1813,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  her  age. 
Mr.  Gladding  died  Sept.  25,  1820.  Their  children 
were:  John,  Hannah,  Lucretia,  Samuel,  Richard, 
Benjamin,  Polly,  Richard  (2),  Rebecca,  Sarah  and 
Lucretia  (2).  In  his  day  John  Gladding  (5)  had 
no  equal  as  a boat  builder. 

(VI)  John  Gladding  (6),  born  Nov.  19,  1762, 
married  Rachel,  daughter  of  Edward  Tolbee,  of 
Bristol,  R.  I.,  and  to  them  came  the  following  chil- 
dren: John,  Edward  T.,  Lydia,  Benjamin,  Han- 
nah, Samuel  (died  at  sea  aged  twenty-two), 
Rachel,  Stephen  and  James  N.  Mr.  John  Glad- 
ding owned  and  occupied  an  estate  on  Union  street, 
a little  east  of  High  street,  where  several  of  his 
children  were  born.  This  property  he  exchanged 
for  a lot  and  dwelling,  the  former  bounded  by 
High,  Valley  and  Water  streets,  also  the  windmill 
and  shore  lot.  Mr.  Gladding  was  one  of  the  best 
citizens  of  the  town,  always  just  and  a lover  of 
righteousness.  For  many  years  he  served  effici- 
ently as  deputy  sheriff  of  Bristol  county,  and  the 
only  thing  that  prevented  his  being  sheriff  was  that 
he  was  afraid  that  he  might  have  to  hang  some 
poor  wretch.  He  died  Oct.  20,  1821,  aged  fifty- 
eight  years,  and  was  buried  in  Bristol. 

(VII)  Benjamin  Gladding,  born  Feb.  9,  1792, 

married  Sept.  27,  1814,  Mehitabel  Coggeshall 

(daughter  of  James  and  granddaughter  of  Newby), 
and  there  were  born  to  them  the  following  chil- 
dren: Benjamin  F.,  Oct.  19,  1815;  Mehetabel  Ann, 
Jan.  28,  1818,  married  Thomas  Coats;  George  W., 
April  9,  1820;  Ellen  B.,  Nov.  11,  1822,  married 


866 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Aug.  13,  1855,  John  Huyk;  Charles  G.,  Jan.  8, 
1825;  Henry  Coggeshall,  Jan.  11,  1827;  Maryett, 
Jan.  19,  1829,  married  P.  Palmer;  Anjanett,  March 
26,  1831,  married  George  L.  Buckingham;  James 
N.,  Jan.  21,  1834;  Lydia  W.,  Oct.  8,  1838;  and 
William  who  died  in  infancy. 

In  boyhood  Benjamin  Gladding  was  apprenticed 
to  a man  in  Providence  to  the  carpenter's  trade.  In 
about  1815  he  with  his  brother,  John, and  their  fami- 
lies removed  from  Bristol  to  Chenango  county,  N.  Y. 
In  1827  Benjamin  and  his  family  removed  to 
Waterville  in  Oneida  county,  same  State,  where  he 
spent  the  balance  of  his  life,  his  death  taking  place 
Sept.  13,  1847.  Although  a carpenter’s  apprentice 
in  boyhood,  he  later  mastered  the  millwright’s 
trade,  and  engaged  in  that  occupation  until  1835. 
He  then  became  a cord  manufacturer  and  con- 
tinued in  that  line  for  the  succeeding  twelve  years, 
or  until  his  death.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were 
buried  in  Waterville.  Mr.  Gladding  was  a very 
religious  man,  extremely  active  in  the  local  work 
of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  was  also  earnest  in  his 
political  beliefs,  being  a strong  Abolitionist  and 
Whig,  although  never  a politician. 

(VIII)  Henry  C.  Gladding,  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Mehitabel  Gladding,  was  born  Jan.  11,  1827,' 
and  was  apprenticed  to  the  machinist’s  trade  at 
Waterville,  N.  Y.  His  term  expired  within  six 
months  of  his  majority,  and  he  then  decided  to 
establish  himself  in  a more  important  industrial 
center.  In  1847,  therefore,  he  located  in  Bristol, 
R.  I.,  the  home  of  his  early  ancestors,  where  with 
the  exception  of  one  winter,  he  remained  for  the 
succeeding  decade.  Until  the  fall  of  1849  ^ie  was 
engaged  in  the  installation  of  new  machinery  for 
the  Pokanoket  Cotton  Mill,  and  in  the  winter  of 
that  year  he  was  employed  at  Oriskany  Falls, 
Oneida  county,  N.  Y.  On  account  of  ill  health  he 
returned  to  Bristol,  where  he  assumed  charge  of  the 
machinery,  patterns,  etc.,  of  the  Bristol  Butt 
Foundry.  As  the  plant  was  burned  in  the  summer 
of  1850,  he  was  thrown  out  of  employment  and 
formed  a partnership  with  J.  Gladding  in  the  tin, 
sheet-iron  and  general  merchandise  business.  The 
partnership  continued  until  Sept.  18,  1851,  when 
it  was  dissolved  in  order  that  Mr.  Gladding  could 
join  his  brother,  who  was  engaged  in  constructing 
a plank  road  from  Petersburg  to  Boydton  and 
Clarksville,  Va.  The  road  was  ninety  miles  in 
length  and  embraced  a number  of  substantial 
bridges.  In  the  building  of  the  latter  it  was  yeces- 
sary  to  get  out  considerable  extra  lumber,  and  Mr.  4 
Gladding  was  appointed  the  master  mechanic  in 
charge  of  the  sawmills  which  were  engaged  in  this 
work.  The  position  called  for  great  energy,  me- 
chanical skill  and  ingenuity,  and  he  fully  met  all 
the  requirements.  He  returned  to  Bristol  in  the 
early  summer  of  1852,  and  became  an  employe  of 
J.  Gardner,  thus  continuing  until  his  works  were 
burned  in  1854.  In  that  year  the  Burnside  Gun 
Works  were  established  and  Mr.  Gladding  was 


connected  with  that  concern  until  1858,  when  the 
business  was  transferred  to  Providence.  Duringf 
that  peno'd  his  duties  were  of  the  utmost  import- 
ance, including  a general  supervision  of  boiler, 
engines  and  machinery  in  general.  He  also  made 
the  hand  tools  required  and  invented  a number  of 
valuable  labor  saving  devices.  Among  the  latter 
were  ingenious  mechanisms  used  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  several  parts  of  the  gun  lock,  and  in  the 
forging  department  generally,  which  reduced  the 
cost  of  labor  all  the  way  from  5 to  100  per  cent. 
When  the  works  were  removed  from  Bristol  to 
Providence,  in  1858,  Mr.  Gladding  also  located  in 
the  latter  city,  establishing  with  his  brother  the 
firm  of  H.  C.  and  J.  N.  Gladding,  general  machin- 
ists. In  1861,  in  connection  with  J.  Ralph,  he  se- 
cured a government  contract  for  the  manufacture 
of  a large  quantity  of  gun  locks,  but,  as  they  were 
both  practical  machinists  and  not  business  men, 
they  turned  the  contract  over  to  Walter  Coleman 
& Sons.  In  this  new  arrangement  Mr.  Gladding 
was  master  mechanic.  Later  he  was  appointed 
foreman  of  the  machine  department  of  the  Union 
Screw  Factory,  and  when  this  establishment  was 
absorbed  by  the  Eagle  Screw  Company,  about  two 
years  afterward,  he  founded  an  independent  busi- 
ness, which  he  conducted  up  to  1897.  He  then 
retired  from  active  business  and  has  since  given  his 
time  to  looking  after  his  estate.  He  is  quite  active 
for  his  years.  ’ 

Henry  C.  Gladding  married  (first)  Emily  P., 
daughter  of  Capt.  Samuel  Eldred,  who  died  in 
May,  1852,  in  Petersburg,  Va.  He  married  (sec- 
ond) Sarah,  daughter  of  Capt.  Allen  and  Martha 
(Gladding)  Waldron.  She  died  Nov.  20,  1906, 
aged  eighty-two  years,  and  was  buried  in  Bristol. 
One  daughter  was  born  to  the  first  marriage,  Emily, 
now  the  wife  of  Levi  D.  Nelson,  a well  known 
jewelry  dealer  at  Providence. 

LYMAN  R.  HOPKINS.  Industry  and  enter- 
prise owe  much  to  the  subject  of-  this  sketch,  not 
only  for  the  helpful  influence  of  his  example  as  a 
successful  manufacturer,  but  also  for  what  he  has 
done  to  advance  the  interests  of  practical  technical 
education  in  the  process  of  textile  fabrication. 
Though  well  past  the  age  of  threescore  and  ten,  he 
is  active  in  both  mind  and  body,  and  maintains  a 
close  personal  supervision  over  his  varied  and  ex- 
tensive private  interests,  in  an  able  manner  which 
would  become  a capable  business  man  twenty- 
five  years  his  junior. 

Mr.  Hopkins  was  born  in  West  Greenwich,  R. 
I.,  April  2.  1824,  son  of  David  and  Sarah  (Frank- 
lin) Hopkins.  The  Hopkins  family  ancestry  dates 
back  to  a connection  with  Oliver  Cromwell.  The 
mother  of  Mr.  Hopkins’s  earliest  ancestor  known 
by  name,  Theophilus  Whallev,  was  an  aunt  of  that 
very  notable  personage,  the  Great  Protector ; while 
Edward  Whallev,  a brother  of  Theophilus  Whalley, 
was  one  of  the  judges  who  condemned  Charles  I. 


RHODE  ISLAND  867 


to  suffer  the  penalty  of  death.  After  the  death  of 
Cromwell,  and  at  the  succession  of  Charles  II.  to 
the  throne,  Theophilus  and  others  who  had  taken 
part  in  the  execution  of  Charles  I.  fled  for  their 
lives.  Theophilus  came  to  America  and  hid  him- 
self in  the  Narragansett  woods.  Later  he  became 
possessed  of  the  farm  on  Hopkins  hill,  where  he 
died  about  1722,  aged  one  hundred  and  three  years, 
and  was  buried  with  military  honors. 

Stephen  Hopkins,  whose  signature  is  conspicu- 
ous among  the  brave  and  patriotic  men  whose 
names  added  strength  to  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence was  a connection  of  the  family  of  Mr. 
Hopkins,  and  it  may  be  said  that  Stephen  Hopkins 
was  the  only  man  who  did  not  take  off  his  hat 
while  signing  that  immortal  document. 

Lyman  R.  Hopkins  is  a representative  in  the 
sixth  generation  from  Joseph  Hopkins,  who  is 
believed  to  have  been  the  son  of  William  and  Han- 
nah (Goffe)  Hopkins,  residents  of  Roxbury,  Mass., 
and  members  of  Rev.  John  Eliot’s  church  of  that 
place.  William  Hopkins  married  for  his  second 
wife  Martha  Whalley,  daughter  of  the  noted  Theo- 
philus Whallev,  and  after  a few  years  of  residence 
in  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  removed  about  1713  to  the 
locality  now  known  as  Hopkins  Hill,  in  West 
Greenwich,  R.  I.,  where  he  resided  until  his  death, > 
May  15,  1735.  The  line  of  descent  from  Joseph 
Hopkins  is  through  the  latter’s  son  Samuel  (who 
was  known  as  “Judge”  Samuel),  Samuel,  Rufus, 
and  David,  who  was  the  father  of  Lyman  R.  (Addi- 
tional ancestral  history  of  the  Hopkins  family  will 
be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work). 

The  early  education  of  Lyman  R.  Hopkins  was 
obtained  during  the  winter  months  at  the  public 
schools,  and  at  his  own  fireside,  for  he  worked  in 
his  father's  cotton  factory  during  the  summer  sea- 
son until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  at  the 
instance  of  his  brother-in-law  he  became  a clerk 
in  his  store,  receiving  for  his  services  the  munifi- 
cent salary  of  one  dollar  per  week.  When  twenty 
years  of  age  Mr.  Hopkins  started  out  in  business 
on  his  own  account.  He  erected  a small  cotton 
mill  at  Robin  Hollow,  R.  I.,  and  ran  his  little  factory 
for  five  or  six  years,  and  was  getting  along  nicely 
when,  to  his  utter  dismay  and  serious  loss,  the  New 
York  house  to  which  he  had  consigned  his  whole 
product  met  with  financial  disaster,  and  the  young 
and  enterprising  manufacturer  was  left  absolutely 
penniless.  But  “never  say  die”  was  one  of  Mr. 
Hopkins’s  characteristics.  He  persevered  in  his 
vocation,  and  in  the  meantime  had  won  to  so  great 
a degree  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  commu- 
nity in  which  he  dwelt  (West  Greenwich)  that  he 
was  elected  a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  General 
Assembly,  which  honor  was  followed  by  his  elec- 
tion as  State  senator,  in  which  position  he  served 
with  distinction  and  added  further  laurels  to  his 
name  and  fame.  It  was  at  this  period  that  the 
afterward  United  States  Senator  Henry  B.  An- 
thony was  first  elected  as  a representative  in  Con- 


gress, and  in  his  hotly  contested  canvass  Mr.  Hop- 
kins was  one  of  his  most  ardent  supporters. 

In  1858  Mr.  Hopkins  concluded  to  visit  New 
York  City  and  embark  in  the  activities  of  a mer- 
cantile and  manufacturing  career  in  that  great 
metropolis.  In  accordance  with  this  determination 
he  secured  part  of  a store  at  No.  46  Beekman  street, 
to  sell  goods  he  continued  to  manufacture  in  Rhode 
Island — cotton  twine  and  wicking — as  well  as  goods 
on  commission  for  others ; but  like  a burnt  child 
who  dreads  the  fire  he  resolved  to  do  a strictly  cash 
business.  He  prospered  accordingly,  soon  recuper- 
ated his  finances,  and  in  1865  was  enabled  to  pur- 
chase an  interest  in  the  Merrick  Thread  Com- 
pany, soon  after  becoming  its  president,  which 
position  he  held  for  twenty-five  years,  until  the 
company  was  merged  into  the  American  Thread 
Company,  when  he  became  president  of  that  con- 
cern. As  the  first  president  of  the  largest  industrial 
organization  in  its  line  in  the  United  States,  Mr. 
Hopkins  did  much  toward  getting  the  company 
into  the  working  order  which  had  so  much  to  do 
with  its  later  prosperity.  He  retired  from  the 
presidency  of  the  American  Thread  Company  in 
1902. 

It  is  almost  needless  to  add  that  Mr.  Hopkins 
did  not  reach  the  top  round  of  the  ladder  without 
many  hard  struggles.  He  had  courage  combined 
with  perseverance  and  energy,  a combination  which 
gives  force  and  impulse  to  effort  and  permits  of  no 
retreat.  Indefatigable  industry  and  great  decision 
of  character  have  always  been  dominant  forces  in 
his  make-up,  and  by  turning  his  first  gains  into 
second  advantages  he  advanced  by  degrees  into 
larger  transactions  and  thus  achieved  well  merited 
success.  He  is  a director  in  the  Norfolk  and  New 
Brunswick  Hosiery  Company,  of  New  Brunswick, 
New  Jersey. 

Mr.  Hopkins  resides  in  his  commodious  and 
beautiful  cottage  at  Lake  View,  Maine,  a place 
of  his  own  erection,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  he 
built  up  a town.  Cutting  two  miles  into  a dense 
forest  he  there  erected  a factory  where  birch  wood 
is  converted  into  spools  by  the  tens  of  thousands 
for  the  American  Thread  Company.  A great  lover 
of  outdoor  life,  he  spends  his  time  in  summer  in 
hunting  and  fishing,  recreations  which  he  heartily 
enjoys.  A long  tramp  through  the  forest  has  no 
terrors  for  him,  his  advanced  years  seeming  in  no 
way  to  have  lessened  his  powers  of  endurance.  A 
naturally  strong  and  robust  constitution,  preserved 
by  regular  habits,  gives  him  a vigor  and  vitality 
that  are  remarkable.  He  manifests  a keen  and 
substantial  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  village  he  founded.  A handsome  hall  for 
entertainments  and  popular  enjoyment  generally  is 
but  one  expression  of  his  public  spirit  and  interest. 

Mr.  Hopkins  was  first  married  at  the  age  of 
twenty  to  Miss  Eunice  Gardner,  who  bore  him  three 
children,  as  follows:  (1)  Charles  died  young.  (2) 
Mary  L.  married  Bryant  Drew,  and  died  leaving 


868 


RHODE  ISLAND 


one  daughter,  Elsie  G.,  who  married  Benjamin  T. 
Peck,  of  Edgewood,  R.  I.,  and  has  one  son,  Benja- 
min T.  Peck,  Jr.  (3)  George  L.  has  two  children, 
George  Stuart  (who  is  married  and  has  two  sons, 
David  and  Lyman  R.)  and  Gertrude  Lavinia. 

Mr.  Hopkins's  second  marriage  was  to  Rosalie 
Merceine  Gilmore,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York. 

DIMAN.  According  to  tradition  this  family 
is  of  French  Huguenot  origin,  and  the  name  was 
spelled  Diamond  or  Diament  until  1750.  It  was 
changed  by  some  of  the  Bristol  family  in  the  seventh 
generation  from  the  settler  to  Dimond,  and  is  also 
written  Diman  by  one  branch  of  the  family.  For 
quite  two  and  a half  centuries  the  branch  of  the 
Bristol  family  of  this  name  has  dwelt  in  New  Eng- 
land, and  for  two  centuries  and  more  in  the  town  of 
Bristol,  where  it  has  figured  prominently  in  the 
town’s  social  and  business  life  and  as  well  in  the 
public  affairs  of  the  State.  A number  of  the 
name  have  represented  the  town  in  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  State,  among  these  Hon.  Hope- 
still  P.  Dimond ; Hon.  Byron  Diman,  who  was  for 
many  years  in  the  Lower  House,  served  as  Senator, 
Lieutenant-Governor  and  Governor ; Hon.  Francis 
M.  Dimond,  who  also  served  as  both  Lieutenant- 
Governor  and  Governor,  and  as  well  was  United 
States  Consul  at  Port  au  Prince  and  at  Vera 
Cruz,  Mexico ; and  Hon.  Henry  Wight  Diman, 
who  also  served  as  United  States  consul,  at  Oporto, 
Portugal.  This  Bristol  stock  of  Dimans,  too,  has 
given  to  the  State  one  of  the  country’s  eminent 
scholars  and  educators,  the  learned  divine  and  late 
professor  of  history  and  political  economy  in  Brown 
University. 

It  is  the  purpose  of  this  article  to  refer  briefly 
to  the  lives  of  these  men  and  to  their  pedigree,  and 
as  well  to  their  posterity,  some  of  whom  are  yet 
in  the  old  Plymouth  town  of  Bristol  and  in  other 
portions  of  the  State.  The  arrangement  of  matter 
is  in  simple  Roman  characters,  used  to  indicate 
each  generation  treated  and  its  remoteness  from 
the  first  known  American  ancestor. 

(I)  Thomas  Diamont  moved  from  Farming- 
ton,  Conn.,  to  East  Hampton,  L.  I.,  in  1660.  In 
1645  lie  married  Mary  Sheaffe,  and  he  had  three 
sons  and  four  daughters,  the  sons  being  named 
James,  Thomas  and  John.  He  died  in  1682. 

(II)  James  Diamont,  son  of  Thomas,  born 
in  1646,  married  Hannah  James,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Thomas  James,  of  Charlestown,  Mass.,  in  1677. 
He  died  in  East  Hampton,  L.  I.,  Dec.  13,  1721. 
His  sons  were : Nathaniel,  who  married  Lois 
Hedges,  in  1721  ; Thomas,  born  in  East  Hampton, 
L.  I.,  about  1680;  and  John,  born  in  1690,  who 
died  in  1764. 

(III)  Thomas  Diman,  born  about  1680,  in 
East  Hampton,  L.  I.,  left  that  place  in  1712,  and 
became  a resident  of  Bristol,  R.  I.  In  1706  he 
married  Hannah  Finney,  who  died  in  1744,  and 
their  children  were  as  follows:  John;  Rebecca; 


Jonathan,  deacon  of  the  First  Church  of  Plymouth, 
Mass.,  who  died  Feb.  25,  1797;  Jeremiah,  of 
Bristol;  James  (Rev.),  born  Nov.  29,  1707,  who 
was  a minister  of  the  Second  Church,  Salem,  and 
died  Oct.  8,  1788;  Phebe,  born  in  1717,  who  died 
Sept.  14,  1789;  Lucretia,  born  in  1719,  who  mar- 
ried Richard  Smith,  and  died  Jan.  31,  1790;  Daniel, 
who  died  Dec.  16,  1797. 

(IV)  Jeremiah  Diman,  son  of  Thomas,  mar- 

ried May  13,  1733,  Sarah  Giddings,  and  they  had 
eight  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely : Nathaniel, 
born  Jan.  29,  1734;  James,  born  Oct.  9,  1735,  mar- 
ried Anna  La  Favor,  who  died  Jan.  4,  1791  ; Sarah, 
born  Feb.  11,  1738,  married  John  Lawless;  Jere- 
miah, born  July  13,  1740,  died  in  November,  1760, 
at  Albany,  while  serving  in  the  French  war;  Jona- 
than, born  Oct.  19,  1742,  married  Oct.  12,  1771, 
Dorothy  Fales ; Hannah,  born  Oct.  19,  1742,  mar- 
ried Oct.  29,  1761,  George  Oxx ; William,  born 
Dec.  10,  1744;  Joseph,  born  about  1748;  Thomas, 
born  in  1748,  married  (first)  Saloma  Foster,  and 
(second)  Elizabeth  Waldron;  Benjamin,  who  mar- 
ried Hope  Turner,  was  a major  in  the  Rhode  Is- 
land Revolutionary  forces,  and  died  Dec.  31,  1777. 
The  parents  were  admitted  to  the  Congregational 
Church  in  Bristol  May  13,  1741,  and  died,  Mrs. 
Diman  Oct.  13,  1790,  aged  eighty-one  years,  and 
Mr.  Diman  Nov.  10,  1798,  aged  eighty-eight 

years. 

(V)  Joseph  Diman,  born  about  1748,  married 
Nov.  26,  1767,  Margaret,  eldest  daughter  of  Capt. 
Mark  Anthony  De  Wolf,  of  Bristol,  who  was  a 
descendant  of  Balthasar  De  Wolf,  of  Hartford, 
1656  (the  first  known  ancestor  in  America  of  the 
Rhode  Island  De  Wolfs),  through  Edward  and 
Charles  De  Wolf  (2),  of  Guadeloupe,  one  of  the 
French  West  Indies.  They  had  children:  Royal, 
born  May  26,  1768;  Jeremiah,  born  March  26, 
1770;  Margaret,  born  Dec.  27,  1773,  who  married 
Capt.  Isaac  Liscomb,  and  has  a grandson  in  Provi- 
dence, Mr.  Isaac  Liscombe ; Joseph,  born  in  1780, 
who  died  in  July,  1784;  Joseph  (2),  born  in  1785, 
who  died  in  June,  1804;  and  Marian,  born  Oct. 
19,  1789,  who  died  in  1799.  Mrs.  Diman  died 
Jan.  7,  1811,  and  Mr.  Diman  passed  away  Oct. 
19,  1821. 

(VI)  Capt.  Royal  Diman,  son  of  Joseph,  born 

May  26,  1768,  married  Nov.  22,  1789,  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth (Martin)  Moore,  baptized  Sept.  3,  1758, 

whose  mother  was  a sister  of  Capt.  Simeon  Potter, 
a conspicuous  character  in  Bristol,  and  whose 
sister  Abigail  married  Mark  Anthony  De  Wolf 
and  became  the  mother  and  ancestress  of  the  con- 
spicuous De  Wolfs  of  that  town.  Capt.  Diman  was 
a cooper  by  trade,  later  kept  a grocery  store,  also 
followed  the  seas,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  extensively  engaged  in  navigation  and  com- 
merce. He  died  Aug.  17,  1820.  Mrs.  Diman 
passed  away  May  21,  1855,  surviving  him  almost 
thirty-five  years.  Their  children  were : Hopestill 
Potter,  born  , Nov.  16,  1790;  Margaret  De  Wolf, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


869 


in  1793;  Francis  Moore,  June  8,  1796';  Royal, 
April  4,  1798  (died  Sept.  22,  1819,  unmarried)  ; 
Henry  Wight,  Oct.  1,  1801 ; and  Fannie  Moore, 
Oct.  2,  1803  (married  Peleg  Jones,  of  Warren,  and 
had  a son,  Peleg  Jones). 

(VI)  Capt.  Jeremiah  Diman,  son  of  Joseph, 
born  March  26,  1770,  married  June  10,  1794,  Abi- 
gail Munro,  daughter  of  Edward  and  Sarah,  and 
had  children:  James,  born  March  15,  1795;  Harry, 
March  24,  1798:  Mary,  April  17,  1800  (married 
Aug.  6,  1822,  Capt.  John  Smith)  ; Abigail,  Sept. 
3,  1802  (married  Jan.  26,  1822,  Henry  Fales)  ; 
Margaret,  April  1,  1809  (married  in  1833  Allen 
Taylor  Bradford)  ; and  Sarah,  Sept.  15,  1811  (mar- 
ried Oct  17,  1830,  Capt.  Bliffin,  and  died  Dec.  17, 
1899,  leaving  no  issue). 

Capt.  Jeremiah  Diman  also  followed  the  sea. 
At  the  time  of  his  birth  and  those  of  the  other 
children  of  the  family  his  parents  lived  in  a house 
that  stood  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Hope  and 
Constitution  streets.  His  mother,  however,  at  the 
time  of  her  death,  was  living  in  a house  which  is 
still  standing  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Hope  and 
Court  streets.  The  fine  residence  known  as  the 
“Diman  Mansion,”  which  once  stood  upon  Thames 
street,  just  north  of  the  store  of  William  R.  Taylor, 
was  built  by  one  of  the  two  sons,  Capt.  Royal  Di- 
man or  Capt.  Jeremiah.  Of  the  “Diman  \\  harf,” 
which  extended  from  this  place,  little  now  re- 
mains. Capt.  Jeremiah  Diman  died  June  30,  1831. 
From  him  and  his  brother,  Capt.  Royal  Diman, 
have  descended  the  numerous  Bristol  families  of 
that  name,  and  the  blood  has  been  also  perpetuated 
through  their  sister,  Mrs.  Margaret  Liscomb. 

(VII)  Hon.  Hopestill  Potter  Dimond,  son  of 
Capt.  Royal,  born  Nov.  16,  1790,  married  April 
17,  1815,  Eliza  Nichols  Attwood,  born  April  15, 
1797.  Says  the  work  on  the  De  Wolf  Family  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Perry : “This  marriage  was  solemnized 
in  the  old  Dyer  homestead  (now  owned  by  Gov. 
A.  O.  Bourne,  of  Rhode  Island),  in  North  Canton, 
now  called  Elmwood,  by  Rev.  ‘Paddy  V ilson,’  the 
celebrated  pastor  of  the  ‘Round  Top  Church, 
Providence,’  who  pronounced  them  the  handsomest 
couple  he  had  united  during  the  forty  years  of  his 
ministry.” 

Mr.  Dimond  was  a representative  in  the  Lower 
House  of  the  State  Assembly  from  Bristol  in  1819. 
For  upward  of  thirty  years  he  filled  a responsible 
office  in  the  United  States  custom  house  at  Bristol, 
and  as  a public  officer  and  citizen  was  highly 
esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  died  Oct.  15, 
1857.  His  widow  passed  away  Feb.  14,  1888. 
Their  children  were : Montgomery  P.,  born  March 
14,  1816,  died  in  1863,  unmarried;  William  F., 
born  April  6,  1818,  died  Feb.  16,  1893,  unmarried; 
Mary  N.,  born  Oct.  31,  1820,  died  Oct.  1,  1822; 
Hopestill  P.,  born  Sept.  10,  1823,  died  June  10, 
1853,  unmarried ; Charles  Wesley,  born  May  6, 
1829,  died  April  21,  1880;  Francis  Moore,  born 
Dec.  1,  1833,  married  June  25,  1875,  Ann  Scott; 


John  Nichols,  born  Jan.  16,  1836,  died  Dec.  10, 
1880;  and  Elizabeth,  born  in  1839,  who  died  in 
1899,  married  George  F.  Foster,  and  had  a son, 
Frank,  of  New  York. 

(VIII)  Hopestill  Potter  Dimond,  son  of  Hon. 
Hopestill  Potter,  born  Sept.  10,  1823,  died  June 
10,  1853,  011  his  way  home  from  New  Orleans  as 
first  officer  for  Capt.  James  Lawless,  on  the  steam- 
ship “Charles  Morgan.”  He  was  a brave  fellow, 
and  during  a storm  in  1852  he  saved  the  lives  of 
the  passengers  and  crew  of  the  steamship  “Inde- 
pendence” on  Matagorda  bar.  In  the  effort  to 
reach  the  ill-fated  ship  his  boat  was  swamped  three 
times.  The  rescue  was  made  against  the  judg- 
ment of  his  superior  officers,  and  when  no  one 
else  would  make  the  attempt.  Francis  M.  Dimond, 
his  brother,  has  a solid  goblet  given  to  his  brother 
by  the  rescued  passengers  in  recognition  of  his 
heroism  and  as  a testimonial. 

(VIII)  Charles  Wesley  Dimond,  son  of  Hon. 
Hopestill  Potter  Dimond,  born  May  6,  1829,  mar- 
ried Mary  Catharine  Church,  daughter  of  Samuel 
W.  Church,  of  Pappoosesquaw.  Their  children 
were : Mary,  Samuel  C.,  Millie,  Hopestill,  Lizzie, 
Charles,  Frank  M.  and  Katharine. 

(IX)  Samuel  Church  Dimond,  son  of 
Charles  W.,  was  educated  in  the  Bristol  school, 
going  through  the  Grammar  department  and  spend- 
ing nearly  two  years  in  the  high  school.  Leaving 
school  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  went  to  work 
for  John  Lake,  for  whom  he  worked  until  July, 
1901,  when  he  became  the  manager  of  the  business, 
and  has  continued  as  such.  He  has  been  quite  suc- 
cessful in  business,  to  which  he  has  devoted  him- 
self, never  taking  any  active  part  in  public  mat- 
ters. He  attends  the  Baptist  Church.  He  is  an 
associate  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

(VIII)  Francis  Moore  Dimond,  born  Dec. 
1,  1833,  son  of  Hon.  Hopestill  Potter  Dimond,  spent 
his  boyhood  in  Bristol,  where  he  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools.  However,  he  did  not  pass 
through  the  high  school  of  his  native  town,  but 
when  quite  young  he  went  into  the  store  of  James 
Madison  Gooding,  in  Bristol,  for  one  year  as  a 
clerk.  Then  he  went  to  Providence,  apprenticing 
himself  to  Sacket,  Davis  & Potter,  to  learn  the 
jeweler’s  trade,  at  which  he  served  three  years. 
He  had  with  him  as  an  apprentice  in  the  same 
work  Lieut.-Gov.  William  T.  C.  Warclwell.  Dur- 
ing this  time  Mr.  Dimond  was  able  to  put  in  con- 
siderable extra  time  after  his  regular  work  was 
done,  and  from  that  work  was  enabled  to  save 
$1,000,  which  he  used  in  paying  off  the  mortgage 
on  his  father's  place.  In  1857,  when  only  about 
twenty-four  years  of  age,  he  was  appointed  United 
States  surveyor  under  President  Buchanan  for  the 
ports  of  Bristol  and  Warren,  holding  this  office 
for  four  years.  He  was  then  with  Col.  Samuel 
Norris  for  one  year.  In  1862  he  went  to  Chicago 
as  agent,  for  his  cousin,  Theodore  W.  Phinney, 
who  was  engaged  extensively  in  the  manufacture 


8jo 


RHODE  ISLAND 


of  lime,  and  there  remained  for  thirteen  years.  He 
was  in  Chicago  during  the  great  fire  of  October, 
1871,  and  spent  the  night  on  the  lake  front  in 
charge  of  the  trunks  of  many  ladies  who  had  left 
them  there.  After  that  he  came  to  Providence  and 
married,  and  becoming  interested  in  Providence  real 
estate  took  up  his  home  there.  He  has  since  been 
engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  mortgage  loan  busi- 
ness in  Providence,  and  has  been  very  successful 
in  that  line.  He  has  had  considerable  to  do  in  the 
settlement  of  estates.  Mr.  Dimond  attributes  bis 
success  in  business  to  industry  and  careful  man- 
agement of  everything  he  has  undertaken.  He  is 
in  every  sense  of  the  word  a self-made  man.  Prior 
to  the  war  and  up  to  the  assassination  of  President 
Lincoln  he  was  a Democrat,  but  he  has  since  been 
a Republican.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  inter- 
est in  public  affairs,  having  been  one  of  the  city 
councilors  of  Providence  in  1880,  a warden  in  Elm- 
wood for  fifteen  years,  and  in  1902,  without  his 
knowledge,  was  made  warden  for  the  Fourth  Ward 
of  the  City  of  Providence.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Congregational  Church. 

On  June  25,  1875,  Mr.  Dimond  married  Ann 
Scott,  who  died  in  1893.  No  children  came  to  this 
union. 

(VII)  Hon.  Francis  Moore  Dimond,  son  of 
Capt.  Royal,  born  June  8,  1796,  married,  in  1820, 
Mrs.  Maria  Eustis  (Parker)  Greene,  and  their 
children  were:  (1)  Cornelius  R.,  born  in  1821, 
married  Adela  Carler,  and  their  children  were: 
Frances,  Florence  (married  Charles  Wingate), 
Cornelius  and  Henry  P.  (2)  Isabella  E.,  born  in 
1827,  married  in  1850,  Samuel  Norris,  and  their 
children  were:  Maria  D.,  born  in  1852;  Isabella 
E.,  in  1858  (died  in  1863)  ; and  Samuel,  in  1862. 
(3)  Virginia,  baptized  in  1830,  died  in  1837.  (4) 

Rosa,  born  in  1832,  married  Nov.  19,  1856,  Theo- 
dore W.  Phinney,  and  died  in  Newport,  being 
burned  to  death.  Their  children  were : Rosa  D., 
born  July  30,  1857  (married  a Grosvenor)  ; Anita 
A.  M.,  Aug.  8,  i860;  and  Caroline  D.,  Oct.  25, 
1868  (died  March  23,  1876).  (5)  Francis  M., 

born  in  1834,  died  in  1837. 

Gov.  Dimond,  though  born  in  Bristol,  R.  I., 
went  to  Cuba  in  early  life  and  there  lived  for  some 
years.  Later  he  became  United  States  consul  at 
Port  au  Prince,  and  afterward  held  the  same  po- 
sition at  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico.  His  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  the  country  and  government,  and  as  well  of 
the  language,  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  be- 
tween Mexico  and  the  United  States,  made  him  of 
great  service  to  his  country.  It  is  stated  that 
“when  the  expedition  against  Vera  Cruz  was 
planned  he  was  summoned  to  Washington,  where 
his  accurate  memory  quickly  supplied  the  greatly 
needed  chart  of  the  Mexican  harbor.”  It  was  his 
intention  to  have  been  an  eye-witness  of  the  bom- 
bardment of  the  place,  but  on  leaving  Havana,  en- 
route,  the  vessel  in  which  he  embarked  was 
wrecked  and  he  did  not  reach  the  place  of  his 


destination  until  the  day  after  the  bombardment. 
For  his  valuable  services,  and  because  of  his  being 
so  beloved  and  respected  by  the  inhabitants,  he, 
having  reached  the  harbor  in  time,  was  assigned  the 
honor  of  entering  the  city  with  the  victorious 
American  army,  and  acted  as  the  official  interpreter. 
He  was  appointed  collector  of  the  captured  city, 
and  the  United  States  Government,  in  recognition 
for  his  services  and  great  kindness  to  Texas  pris- 
oners, awarded  him  a tract  of  land.  During  his 
earlier  life  for  a time  he  resided  in  New  Orleans. 
Returning  in  later  years  to  his  native  town,  he  was 
elected  lieutenant-governor  of  Rhode  Island  from 
1853  to  1854.  On  the  resignation  of  Gov.  Philip 
Allen  Mr.  Dimond  became  his  successor  for  the 
unexpired  part  of  his  term  of  service.  Gov.  Di- 
mond later  became  interested  in  the  building-  of  the 
Southern  Pacific  railroad  and  was  president  of  the 
company  which  had  started  the  enterprise.  He 
passed  his  declining  years  in  his  beautiful  home, 
one  of  the  former  houses  of  the  De  Wolf  family, 
and  which  is  still  the  home  of  one  of  Gov.  Di- 
mond’s  daughters,  the  wife  of  Col.  Samuel  Norris, 
and  her  children,  Samuel  Norris,  Jr.,  a successful 
member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Bar,  and  his  sister. 
Here  Gov.  Dimond  died  in  1858,  aged  sixty-three 
years. 

(VII)  Henry  Wight  Dimond,  son  of  Capt. 
Royal,  born  Oct.  1,  1801,  married  Sept.  23,  1823, 
Martha  Lindsay,  and  their  children  were;  (1) 
William  H.,  born  Dec.  26,  1824,  died  Dec.  12, 

1842.  (2)  Martha  M.,  born  Aug.  25,  1826,  mar- 
ried William  H.  Warren,  and  to  them  were  born 
children  as  follows:  William  H.,  U.  S.  N.,  born 
in  1845,  was  drowned  in  i860;  Mary  E.,  born  in 

1843,  died  ’n  1849;  Henry  D.,  U.  S.  N.,  born  in 
1850,  died  in  1881  ; and  Salmon  D.,  born  in  1868, 
died  in  1889,  unmarried.  (3)  Charles.  (4)  John 
is  captain  of  police  of  Bristol. 

(VII)  James  Diman,  son  of  Capt.  Jeremiah, 
born  March  15,  1795.  married  Jan.  2,  1816,  Martha 
Munro,  and  their  children  were:  Martha  J..  born 
Oct.  20,  1816,  married  Nov.  6,  1848,  John  Gardner, 
and  died  April  5,  1894;  Lydia,  born  in  October, 
1818,  died  Nov.  6,  1821 : Mary  A.,  born  March  3, 
1821,  died  March  20,  1822. 

James  Diman  was  educated  in  Bristol.  He  was 
captain  of  a New  York  packet,  and  for  forty  years 
kept  a store  on  Hope  street.  He  always  manifested 
great  interest  in  the  afifairs  of  his  town  and  State, 
and  filled  many  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility, 
including  that  of  member  of  the  town  council.  He 
was  a judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the 
county  of  Bristol  for  several  years,  and  was  gener- 
ally known  as  Judge  Diman.  He  was  presiding 
officer  of  the  Justice  Court  for  several  years,  until 
the  Court  was  abandoned.  He  was  a great  reader, 
and  was  especially  well  versed  in  history,  both 
ancient  and  modern.  He  died  June  8,  1877. 

(VII)  Capt.  Harry  Diman,  son  of  Capt.  Jere- 
miah, born  March  24,  1798,  married  March  27, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


871 


1817,  Elizabeth  Gray,  and  their  children  were: 
Henry,  born  Aug.  3,  1818,  died  Feb.  23,  1902; 
Capt.  Francis  LeBaron,  born  Sept.  7,  1819,  died  in 
1900;  Elizabeth,  born  June  26,  1822;  and  Marion, 
born  Jan.  8,  1824,  married  James  Pearce,  and  died 
Nov.  13,  1844. 

(VII)  Margaret  Diman,  daughter  of  Capt. 
Jeremiah,  born  April  1,  1809,  married  in  1833, 
Allen  T.  Bradford,  and  their  children  were:  Mary 
Abby,  born  July  7,  1835,  married  in  1853  A.  Win- 
sor  Gooding,  and  had  a son,  James  Gooding,  who 
was  born  March  27,  1857,  married  Oct.  8,  1885, 
Lillian  M.  Wall,  and  had  William  B.  and  Marguer- 
ite S,  Sarah  was  born  Aug.  25,  1837.  Allen  T., 
born  Aug.  5,  1840,  died  in  Matanzas,  Cuba,  Aug. 
14,  1857.  Margaret  D.,  born  May  13,  1843,  mar- 
ried, in  1871,  George  F.  Stanton,  and  had  a daugh- 
ter, Emma  B.,  born  Nov.  3,  1873 ; she  prepared  for 
Brown  University,  took  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Philosophy  in  1896,  and  the  Master  degree  in  1900, 
and  was  elected  a member  of  the  Brown  Phi  Beta 
Kappa  Chapter  in  1903,  and  is  now  Registrar  of 
the  Woman’s  College,  Brown  University. 

(V)  Nathaniel  Diman,  son  of  Jeremiah  and 
Sarah  (Giddings)  Diman,  of  Bristol,  born  Jan. 
29,  1734,  married  Oct.  18,  1756,  Anna  Gallup  (or 
Gallop),  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Gallup,  and 
granddaughter  of  Samuel  Gallup,  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Bristol,  and  his  wife  Elizabeth  South- 
worth,  daughter  of  Constant  Southworth,  treasurer 
of  the  Plymouth  Colony.  Nathaniel  Diman  died 
May  24,  1812,  and  Mrs.  Diman.  March  7,  1791. 
Among  their  children  were:  William,  born  Nov. 
1,  1759,  served  in  the  Revolutionary  army;  Mary, 
born  Sept.  18,  1764,  married  Nathaniel  Ingraham; 
Jeremiah,  born  Jan.  4,  1767;  Nancy,  born  in  1775, 
and  died  Sept.  13,  1821,  married  John  Richardson; 
and  John  who  went  to  sea  from  Bristol  and  was 
never  heard  from. 

(VI)  Deacon  Jeremiah  Diman,  son  of  Nathan- 
iel, born  Jan.  4,  1767,  was  a cooper  and  gauger, 
and  was  interested  in  shipping.  He  married  Nov. 
6,  1794,  Hannah  Luther,  daughter  of  Barnabv  L., 
of  Swansea.  Mr.  Diman  died  Aug.  10,  1847,  and 
Mrs.  Diman  June  7,  1840,  aged'  seventy  years. 
Their  children  were:  Byron,  born  Aug.  5,  1795, 
is  mentioned  below  ; George  Howe,  born  Aug.  19, 
1797,  died  from  an  accident  Dec.  2,  1815.  The 
father  was  deacon  of  the  First  Congregational 
Church. 

(VII)  Hon.  Byron  Diman,  born  Aug.  5,  1795, 
married  June  1,  1823,  Abigail  Alden  Wight,  who 
was  born  Oct.  21,  1802,  daughter  of  Rev.  Henry 
Wight,  D.  D.,  for  more  than  forty  years  pastor  of 
the  Congregational  Church  in  Bristol,  and  Clarissa 
(Leonard),  his  wife,  who  was  a daughter  of  Zep- 
haniah  Leonard,  of  Raynham,  Mass.  Mrs.  Abigail 
Alden  (Wight)  Diman  was  a descendant  in  the 
fifth  generation  of  John  Alden,  of  Plymouth,  Mass. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Diman  were  born  children  as 
follows:  (1)  George  Byron,  born  May  16,  1824, 


died  beb.  4,  1903.  (2)  Clara  Anna,  born  Aug.  6, 
1826,  died  Aug.  25,  1826.  (3)  Clara  Anna  (2), 

born  April  1,  1828,  was  married  June  30,  1847,  to 
A.  Sidney  DeWolf,  the  father  of  the  late  Mrs.  Na- 
thaniel G.  Herreshoff.  (4)  Jeremiah  Lewis,  born 
May  1,  1831,  is  mentioned  below.  (5)  Henry 
Wight,  born  April  2,  1835,  was  paymaster  in  the 
United  States  gunboat  “Kineo”  during  part 
of  the  Civil  war,  and  was  consul  to  Oporto  and 
Lisbon,  Portugal,  for  about  twenty-four  years,  dy- 
ing in  September,  1884,  at  Lisbon.  (6)  Abby  By- 
ron, born  May  7,  1838,  died  Aug.  10,  1838. 

Byron  Diman  married  for  his  second  wife  May 
2,  1855,  Elizabeth  Ann  Wood,  who  was  born  in 
Warren  Oct.  11,  1816,  daughter  of  Thomas  Baker 
and  Sarah  (Hawkins)  Wood.  Mrs.  Diman  died 
Oct.  13,  1881.  By  this  marriage  there  was  one 
daughter,  Elizabeth  Byron,  born  June  22,  1857,  who 
married  Jan.  8,  1890,  Harry  Hyde  Cabot,  son  of 
Joseph  Clarke  and  Catharine  (Wales)  Cabot,  born 
in  St.  Louis,  May  11,  1857. 

Byron  Diman  received  his  early  education  in 
excellent  private  schools,  principally  under  the 
tuition  of  the  late  Bishop  Griswold.  At  sixteen 
years  of  age  he  entered  the  office  of  the  late  Hon. 
James  DeWolf,  where  he  continued  until  that 
gentleman's  death  in  1837,  and  until  after  the  set- 
tlement of  his  estate.  For  years  he  was  extensively 
engaged  in  commercial  business,  both  in  the  whale 
fisheries  and  West  Indies  trade.  He  was  also 
largely  concerned  in  cotton  manufactures,  and  was 
an  extensive  owner  and  director  in  both  of  the 
cotton  manufacturing  concerns  of  Bristol.  He  was 
at  one  time  treasurer  and  subsequently  president  of 
the  Bristol  Steam  Mill.  He  was  a director  of  the 
Pokanoket  Mill,  and  for  many  years  president  of 
the  Bank  of  Bristol.  In  various  ways  he  was 
closely  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  Bris- 
tol. Mr.  Diman  was  an  enthusiastic  Whig  of  the 
Henry  Clay  school.  For  many  years  he  was  a 
member  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  was  a dele- 
gate to  the  Harrisburg  Convention  of  1840,  which 
nominated  Gen.  Harrison  for  the  Presidency.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Lower  House  from  Bristol 
for  the  years  1829,  1837  and  1838,  and  of  the  Sen- 
ate for  1850,  1851  and  1852.  During  the  Dorr 
troubles  in  1842  he  was  a member  of  the  Gover- 
nor’s council  and  was  one  of  a body  of  men  who 
shouldered  a gun  and  marched  to  Chepachet.  He 
was  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  State  for  the  years 
1843,  1844  and  1845,  and  governor  in  1846.  “No 
persuasion  could  induce  him  to  hold  the  office 
longer  than  a year,  and  he  was  deaf  to  all  solicita- 
tions to  accept  a higher  position,  even  that  of 
United  States  Senator.”  The  only  official  connec- 
tion that  he  retained  with  the  State  was  as  com- 
missioner of  the  indigent  blind,  deaf  and  dumb. 
Mr.  Diman  issued  the  call  for  the  first  meeting  held 
in  Bristol  for  the  organization  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  he  gave  to  the  policy  of  President  Lin- 
coln’ a cordial  and  unhesitating  support. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


S-2 

Gov.  Diman  always  took  an  interest  in  church 
affairs  and  was  remarkably  punctual  in  his  attend- 
ance on  public  worship.  He  was  for  several  years 
president  of  the  Catholic  Congregational  Society. 
He  was  a man  of  open  hospitality,  the  poor  who 
appealed  for  a share  of  his  bounty  never  being  sent 
away  empty  handed.  He  was  a genial,  kind- 
hearted  man,  a prudent  counsellor  and  a true 
friend.  He  retired  from  active  life  at  sixty  ana 
passed  his  remaining  years  in  the  quiet  of  his  fam- 
ily, library  and  native  town.  “Up  to  a late  period 
in  his  life  he  was  a diligent  reader,  and  few  men 
not  belonging  to  the  class  of  professed  students 
possessed  more  varied  and  accurate  information. 
He  was  well  versed  in  English  literature  and  gen- 
eral history,  and  especially  at  home  in  topographi- 
cal and  antiquarian  lore.”  He  died  Aug.  i,  1865. 

(VIII)  Prof.  Jeremiah  Lewis  Diman,  son  of 
Hon.  Byron,  born  May  1,  1831,  in  Bristol,  married 
May  15,  1861,  Emily  Gardner  Stimson,  who  was 
born  March  4,  1837,  daughter  of  John  J.  and  Abby 
M.  (Clarke)  Stimson,  of  Providence,  the  former  a 
son  of  Dr.  Jeremy  Stimson,  a physician  of  Hopkin- 
ton,  Mass.,  the  latter  a daughter  of  Rev.  Pitt  Clarke, 
of  Norton,  Mass.  To  this  marriage  came  one  son 
and  three  daughters:  Maria  Stimson,  born  Feb. 
12,  1862,  met  with  an  accidental  death,  dying  April 
29,  1881  ; John  Byron  (Rev.),  born  May  24,  1863, 
is  the  founder  and  head  master  of  St.  George’s 
school,  in  Newport,  R.  I. ; Louise  was  born  Dec.  23, 
1869;  and  Emily,  April  8,  1873.  Mrs.  J.  Lewis 
Diman  died  March  21,  1901. 

J.  Lewis  Diman  was  prepared  for  college  under 
the  direction  of  Rev.  James  N.  Sikes,  a Baptist 
minister  settled  over  the  church  at  Bristol,  entered 
Brown  University  at  sixteen,  and  was  graduated  in 
the  class  of  1851.  As  a boy  in  his  native  town  he 
prepared  a number  of  historic  articles  entitled 
“Annals  of  Bristol,”  which  were  published  in  the 
Phoenix  of  that  town.  During  the  later  years  of 
college  course,  it  was  evident  that  in  literary,  his- 
torical and  philosophical  studies,  his  tastes  and 
superior  abilities  would  in  after  life  assert  them- 
selves. At  the  time  of  his  graduation  there  was 
assigned  to  him  “The  Classical  Oration.”  His 
theme  was  “The  Living  Principle  of  Literature.” 

While  in  college  Mr.  Diman  united  with  the 
Congregational  Church  in  Bristol.  He  chose  the 
Christian  ministry  as  his  life  work,  and  he  went  to 
reside  as  a pupil  in  the  family  of  Rev.  Dr.  Thatcher 
Thayer,  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  under  whom  he  pur- 
sued a course  of  philosophy,  theology  and  classics. 
For  two  years,  beginning  in  the  fall  of  1852,  he  was 
a student  in  Andover  (Mass.)  Theological  Semi- 
nary. Deciding  to  further  his  studies  in  the  Ger- 
man universities  he  went  abroad  in  the  summer  of 
1854,  traveled  on  the  Continent  and  studied  theo- 
logy, philosophy  and  history  under  the  great 
teachers  of  Halle,  Heidelberg  and  Berlin,  and  for 
a short  time  during  one  of  his  vacations  was  a 
student  of  art  at  Munich.  Returning  to  America 


in  the  spring  of  1856,  he  again  took  up  his  studies 
at  Andover  and  was  graduated  that  summer.  In 
that  same  year  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  First 
Congregational  Church  at  Fall  River,  Mass.,  where 
he  remained  until  i860.  He  declined  in  1858  an 
invitation  to  become  the  colleague  of  the  cele- 
brated Dr.  Horace  Bushnell  over  a Congregational 
Church  at  Hartford,  Conn.  In  i860  he  accepted  a 
call  to  the  Harvard  Congregational  Church  at 
Brookline,  Mass.  In  1864  he  returned  to  Provi- 
dence to  fill  the  chair  of  History  and  Political  Econ- 
omy, in  Brown  University,  and  this  position  he  held 
until  his  death,  receiving  from  his  Alma  Mater  the 
degree  of  D.  D.  in  1870.  In  this  new  and  import- 
ant position  he  soon  distinguished  himself  by  de- 
votion to  his  work  and  by  his  rare  scholarship  and 
attainments,  being,  in  the  words  of  his  eulogist, 
“the  embodiment  of  what  the  occupant  of  the  chair 
of  history  in  our  leading  colleges  should  be.”  Pos- 
sessing an  enlarged  and  comprehensive  conception 
of  the  philosophy  of  history  and  of  the  relation  of 
divine  to  human  affairs,  and  being  withal  “apt  to 
teach,”  he  magnified  his  office  until  his  department 
became  without  question  the  best  and  most  effec- 
tive of  any  chair  of  history  in  all  the  institutions 
in  the  land. 

Prof.  Diman’s  work  was  not  confined  to  the 
class  room.  For  many  years  he  was  a contributor 
to  the  Providence  Journal,  the  New  York  Nation, 
the  North  American  Review,  the  monthly  Religious 
Magazine  and  other  periodicals.  He  was  elected 
a corresponding  member  of  the  Massachusetts  His- 
torical Society  in  1873.  Among  his  published  ser- 
mons, addresses,  etc.,  may  be  mentioned  a sermon 
delivered  Oct.  16,  1867,  in  the  chapel  of  Brown 
University,  at  the  request  of  the  Faculty,  in  com- 
memoration of  Rev.  Robinson  Potter  Dunn,  D.  D., 
for  many  years  Professor  of  Rhetoric  in  the  Uni- 
versity; “The  Method  of  Academic  Culture,”  an 
address  delivered  before  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  So- 
ciety of  Amherst  College,  July  6,  1869,  and  after- 
ward published  in  The  New  Englander ; “Histori- 
cal Basis  of  Belief,”  one  of  the  Boston  lectures  de- 
livered in  1870:  “The  Alienation  of  the  Educated 
Class  from  Politics,”  an  oration  before  the  Phi  Beta 
Kappa  Society  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  delivered  June 
29,  1876,  and  afterward  published  by  Sidney  S. 
Rider;  an  address  delivered  at  Portsmouth,  R.  I., 
July  10,  1877,  at  the  Centennial  Celebration  of  the 
capture  of  Gen.  Prescott  by  Lieut.-Col.  Barton, 
which  was  afterward  published,  with  notes,  form- 
ing No.  1 of  Rider's  Rhode  Island  Historical 
tracts  ; an  address  delivered  Oct.  16,  1877,  at  the 
request  of  the  municipal  authorities  of  Providence, 
upon  the  occasion  of  the  dedication  of  the  monu- 
ment in  commemoration  of  the  life  and  services 
of  the  venerated  founder  of  the  State,  in  Roger 
Williams  Park ; an  address  at  the  dedication  of  the 
Rogers  Free  Library,  at  Bristol,  delivered  Jan. 
12,  1878.  He  delivered  before  a great  gathering 
the  historical  address  at  the  two  hundredth  anni- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


873 


versarv  of  his  native  town,  in  1880,  which  address 
has  since  been  published  with  the  proceedings.  He 
was  frequently  called  upon  to  supply  pulpits  in 
both  his  own  and  the  Unitarian  denominations. 
For  some  years  before  his  death  he  was  an  attend- 
ant at  St.  Stephen's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
Providence,  though  he  never  left,  the  Congrega- 
tional denomination.  In  1879  he  delivered  a course 
of  lectures  before  Johns  Hopkins  University  upon 
the  subject  of  the  Thirty  Years  War,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year’s  course  before  the  Lowell  Institute 
of  Boston  on  “The  Theistic  Argument  as  Affected 
by  Recent  Theories.”  The  latter  lectures  were  edited 
after  his  death  by  Prof.  George  P.  Fisher,  of  Yale, 
and  were  published  in  1881.  In  1882  appeared  his 
“Orations  and  Essays  with  Selected  Parish  Ser- 
mons,” with  the  commemoration  address  by  Prof. 
Tames  O.  Murray,  of  Princeton,  and  in  1887  his 
“Memoirs,  Compiled  from  his  Letters,  Journals 
and  the  Recollections  of  his  Friends,”  bv  Caroline 
Hazard,  now  president  of  Wellesley  College,  in- 
cluding a complete  list  of  his  publications. 

Prof.  Diman  died  after  less  than  a week’s  sick- 
ness, Feb.  3,  1881.  A memorial  service  in  honor  of 
him,  under  the  auspices  of  the  University,  was 
held  in  the  First  Baptist  Meeting-house  on  May  17, 
1881,  when  an  impressive  commemorative  dis- 
course was  delivered  by  his  intimate  friend  and 
associate  in  college,  Rev.  James  O.  Murray,  D.  D., 
Professor  in  the  College  of  New  Jersey  at 
Princeton. 

BUCKLIN.  The  first  record  of  the  Bucklin 
family  in  Rehoboth  is  that  of  the  marriage  of  (I) 
Joseph  Bucklin  (Buklin)  and  Deborah  Allen,  Nov. 
5,  1659.  Their  children  were:  Deborah,  born 
Sept.  16,  1660  ; Joseph,  Feb.  16,  1663;  Barak,  Aug. 

1,  1666;  John,  May  ro,  1668;  James,  July  3,  1669; 
Isaac,  Jan.  31,  1672;  Nehemiah,  Sept.  16,  1675; 
Nehemiah  (2),  March  31,  1678;  and  Lydia,  Sept. 
5,  1680. 

(II)  James  Bucklin,  son  of  Joseph,  born  July  3, 
1669,  married  Mary,  and  their  children  were: 
James,  born  April  26,  1709;  Naoma,  Nov.  3,  1710; 
Timothy,  Dec.  7,  1712;  Mary,  April  12,  1715; 
and  Nehemiah,  July  22,  1719. 

(III)  James  Bucklin  (2),  son  of  James,  born 
April  26,  1709,  married  Marcy,  and  their  children 
were:  James,  born  Nov.  30,  1743;  Nehemiah, 
Nov.  11,. 1745;  John  (Cumberland),  Oct.  25,  1747; 
Benjamin,  Jan.  20,  1749;  Anne,  Sept.  26,  1751; 
Susannah,  Aug.  18,  1754:  Ruth,  July  26,  1756; 
Mary,  April  12,  1758;  Sarah,  Aug.  9,  1760;  Henry, 
Aug.  5,  1762  ; Amelia,  Sept.  5,  1766;  and  Asa,  July 

2,  1764. 

(IV)  John  Bucklin,  son  of  James  (2),  born 
Oct.  25,  1747,  married  Amey  Arnold,  of  Smith- 
field,  R.  I.,  and  their  children  were:  Mary,  born 
March  14,  1771,  married  S.  Bentley;  James,  born 
May  8,  1773:  Amey,  born  March  19,  1775.  married 
W.  Jenkes;  Joseph,  born  March  10,  1777,  married 


Mary  Slater;  Sarah,  born  June  16,  1779;  Nancy, 
born  Oct.  31,  1781;  Ruth;  Charlotte;  Minerva  and 
John. 

(V)  James  Bucklin,  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  son  of 
John,  born  May  8,  1773,  married  Jan.  7,  1796, 
Lorania  Pearce,  of  that  town.  He  died  Dec.  6,  1802. 

(VI)  James  C.  Bucklin,  son  of  James  and  Lora- 
nia (Pearce)  Bucklin,  born  July  26,  1801,  in  Paw- 
tucket, was  taken  to  Providence  by  bis  widowed 
mother,  and  there  he  received  a good  education. 
At  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  was  apprenticed 
to  Mr.  John  H.  Greene,  an  architect  and  builder  of 
that  city.  With  a natural  taste  for  this  kind  of 
work,  and  fond  of  study,  he  purchased  with  the 
first  money  he  earned  after  completing  his  appren- 
ticeship, a book  on  architecture  and  he  soon  ad- 
vanced in  the  profession.  He  eventually  gave  his 
attention  almost  entirely  to  this  branch  of  contract- 
ing and  building,  though  the  latter  business  en- 
gaged his  attention  in  his  early  years.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-one  years  he  commenced  that  business 
in  partnership  with  Mr.  William  Tallman,  the  style 
of  the  firm  being  Tallman  & Bucklin,  a firm  that 
was  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  prominent  and 
successful  among  the  builders  and  dealers  in  lum- 
ber in  Providence.  For  perhaps  the  last  twenty- 
five  years  of  his  active  business  life,  Mr.  Bucklin 
gave  his  attention  to  architecture,  and  designed 
many  of  the  finest  buildings  of  his  day  in  Provi- 
dence, among  them  the  Arcade,  the  Westminster 
Congregational  Church  edifice,  the  Butler  Hospital 
for  the  Insane,. the  Hoppin  homestead,  Music  Hall, 
Howard  Block  and  the  Reynolds  Building.  He 
was  the  architect  of  some  300  mill  structures  and 
many  fine  residences  as  well  as  business  buildings 
in  various  parts  of  the  country.  His  varied  experi- 
ence as  an  architect  and  builder  gave  him  a high 
and  extended  reputation  in  that  line,  so  that  he  was 
looked  upon  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  his  profession 
in  New  England. 

Mr.  Bucklin  was  a man  of  simple  and  modest 
tastes,  led  a quiet  and  unostentatious  life,  and  en- 
joyed in  full  the  confidence,  esteem  and  respect  of 
the  community  in  which  he  lived.  He  took  a deep 
interest  in  the  people  of  his  town  and  city,  and  he 
was  one  of  the  -heartiest  supporters  of  any  measure 
that  his  good  judgment  showed  him  was  for  their 
welfare.  His  word  carried  influence  and  inspired 
confidence.  He  was  a great  reader  of  good  books, 
and  was  fond  of  his  home  and  family.  He  was  one 
of  the  original  members  of  the  Squantum  Club. 
I11  his  early  life  he  took  considerable  interest  and 
was  very  active  in  military  affairs,  and  served  a 
period  as  first  lieutenant  in  the  First  Light  In- 
fantry of  Rhode  Island. 

On  March  16,  1829,  Mr.  Bucklin  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Lucy  Dailey,  daughter  of  Captain 
Daniel  Dailey,  of  Providence,  and  the  following  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  union : Helen  Dailey,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Caleb  Seagrave,  and  makes 
her  residence  in  Providence ; Loraine  Pearce,  also 


8/4 


RHODE  ISLAND 


of  Providence;  James  Albert  and  Daniel  Dailey, 
both  deceased;  and  William  Tallman.  Mr.  Busklin 
died  in  September,  1890;  his  wife  passed  away 
in  November,  1888. 

DR.  CLASSEN  MOWRY,  one  of  the  success- 
ful physicians  of  Providence,  belongs  to  a family 
resident  in  Rhode  Island  for  two  and  a half  cen- 
turies. 

(I)  Roger  Mowry  married  Mary  Johnson,  and 
came  to  Providence  in  1649. 

(II)  Nathaniel  Mowry,  son  of  Roger,  born  in 
1644,  died  March  24,  1717.  He  married  Johannah 
Inman. 

(III)  Capt.  Joseph,  son  of  Nathaniel,  married 
Alice  Whipple. 

(IV)  Capt.  Daniel  Mowry,  son  of  Captain 
Joseph,  was  born  Sept.  6,  1697,  and  was  an  in- 
fluential man  of  his  time.  Two  of  his  sons,  Judge 
Daniel  and  Colonel  Elisha,  took  a prominent  part 
in  town  and  State  affairs  during  the  long  period 
comprised  in  the  Drench  and  Indian  wars,  the 
Revolutionary  war  and  the  intervening  years. 
Lawyer  Joseph,  his  eldest  son,  was  a very  promi- 
nent man.  Captain  Daniel  Mowry  lived  to  an  old 
age,  dying  May  27,  1787,  and  his  wife,  Mary, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Steere,  died  Jan.  2,  1776,  in 
her  seventy-fifth  year.  Their  children  were : 
Joseph,  born  Nov.  10,  1723 ; Thomas,  May  27, 
1726;  Daniel,  Aug.  17,  1729;  Elisha,  March  28, 
1735;  Mary,  Sept.  7,  1737;  and  Alice,  Dec.  27, 
i/39- 

(V)  Joseph  Mowry,  born  Nov.  10,  1723,  son  of 
Captain  Daniel,  was  a lawyer  and  captain  of  the 
Third  Company  or  Train  Band  of  the  town  of 
Smithfield.  He  died  in  1764.  He  married  Feb.  12, 
1743,  Ann  Whipple,  and  their  children  were:  Job, 
born  Jan.  24,  1744;  Thomas,  born  March  15,  1746, 
married  Rhoda  Aldrich;  Richard,  born  Feb.  11, 
1748,  married  (first)  Phebe  Smith,  (second)  Hul- 
dah  Harris,  and  (third)  Isabel  Chase;  Andrew, 
born  April  4,  1751  ; Ruth,  born  Aug.  13,  1753,  mar- 
ried Jeremiah  Hawkins;  Anne,  born  Dec.  14,  1755; 
Phebe,  born  Nov.  14,  1758;  and  Augusta,  born 
Aug.  9,  1761. 

(VI)  Job  Mowry,  son  of  Joseph,  was  born  Jan. 
24,  1744,  in  Smithfield,  and  was  a prominent  man 
of  his  native  town  for  many  years.  He  held  the 
offices  of  constable,  tax  collector  and  town  ser- 
geant, and  in  addition  to  his  farming  business 
carried  on  saw  milling.  He  died  Jan.  11,  1803. 
Job  Mowry  married  Mrs.  Hannah  (Appleton) 
Smith,  widow  of  Nathaniel  Smith.  Their  children 
were:  Nathaniel,  born  June  23,  1772;  Dorcas, 
born  Oct.  3,  1774,  married  Lewis  Place,  of  Gloces- 
ter ; Ephraim,  born  Dec.  23,  1777,  married  Achsah 
Harris,  and  removed  to  Chenango  county,  N.  Y. ; 
and  Anne,  born  Dec.  1,  1784,  married  Job  Mowry. 

(VII)  Nathaniel  Mowry,  son  of  Job,  was  born 
June  23,  1772,  in  Smithfield.  He  successfully  fol- 
lowed farming,  and  conducted  a sawmill.  A useful 


and  public  spirited  citizen,  he  became  prominent  in 
the  affairs  of  the  town,  holding  a number  of  local 
offices.  He  died  July  17,  1841,  and  was  buried  in 
a private  yard  on  his  farm,  the  same  farm  now 
being  occupied  by  his  grandson,  Lilley  B.  Mowry. 
Nathaniel  Mowry  was  married  to  Asha  Aldrich, 
born  Sept.  30,  1770,  daughter  of  Daniel  Aldrich, 
of  Smithfield;  she  died  May  8,  1848.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  (1)  Waity  Ann,  born  Feb.  15,  1796, 
in  early  life  was  a school  teacher.  (2)  Daniel  A. 
was  born  Aug.  31,  1797.  (3)  Samuel,  born  Sept. 

27,  1799,  attended  the  academies  at  Amherst,  Mass., 
and  Dudley,  medical  lectures  at  Boston  in  1825  and 
1826,  and  was  admitted  a member  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Medical  Society  in  1838.  For  thirty  years 
he  was  engaged  in  practice  with  marked  success  at 
Chepachet,  after  which  he  removed  to  Providence, 
where  he  continued  in  practice  until  his  death,  Aug. 
5,  1879.  He  married,  July  31,  1839,  Roby  Bellows, 
and  they  had  one  daughter,  Asha  Annie  Elizabeth, 
born  July  31,  1840,  who  married  Franklin  P. 
Branch,  and  had  three  children,  Roby  B.,  Waity 
Angell  and  Annie.  (4)  Burrill  R.,  born  April  25, 
1802,  was  a millwright  and  farmer,  and  died  March 
20,  .1884.  His  wife,  Phebe  T.  Chace,  died  April  6, 
1896.  Their  children  were : Lilley  B.,  born  April 
7,  1840,  a school  teacher  in  early  life,  and  later  a 
millwright,  following  the  latter  trade  quite  actively 
until  1895,  married  Ellen  E.  Esten,  and  has 
one  son,  Erswell,  born  Aug.  12,  1863  (he  enlisted 
early  in  1865  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  in  Company  F, 
2d  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  was  assigned  to  the 
Quartermaster's  department  as  an  assistant,  and  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service  in  the  fall  of  1865)  ; and 
Samuel  R.,  born  Aug.  18,  1848,  who  received  his 
literary  education  at  the  Swedenborgian  Academy 
at  Waltham,  Mass.,  Friends  school,  Providence, 
and  graduated  from  Lapham  Institute  at  North 
Scituate,  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  John  C.  Bud- 
long,  of  Graniteville,  and  Dr.  Isaac  Sawin,  of  Olney- 
ville,  afterward  graduating  at  Hahnemann  Medi- 
cal College,  Philadelphia,  in  1873,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  practice  with  Dr.  Budlong  at  Granite- 
ville, when  he  died,  unmarried,  Sept.  18,  1876.  (5) 
John  B.,  born  March  18,  1804,  left  home  when  a 
young  man  and  went  to  sea,  becoming  captain  of  a 
New  Orleans  packet,  at  which  city  he  died.  (6) 
Manton  W.,  born  March  11,  1806,  was  a machinist, 
and  died  unmarried.  (7)  Nelson  H.,  born  May  20, 
1808,  was  a farmer  and  mason,  and  for  some  years 
he  followed  the  sea,  going  to  California,  where  he 
remained  a year  or  more  in  the  mining  district, 
but  most  of  his  life  was  passed  in  a mercantile  busi- 
ness in  Providence,  where  he  died  April  8,  1868. 
He  married  Lydia  Ann  Dyer,  and  they  had  one  son, 
Nelson,  who  early  emigrated  to  California,  and  be- 
came a noted  horseback  rider,  touring  the  country 
giving  exhibitions,  and  died  at  New  Orleans  in 
1878.  (8)  Jonathan,  born  Dec.  14,  1811,  died  un- 

married, Oct.  27,  1856. 

(VIII)  Daniel  A.  Mowry,  son  of  Nathaniel, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


875 


was  born  Aug.  31,  1797,  in  Smithfield,  and  was 
reared  to  farm  work.  When  about  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  was  injured  by  an  accident  on 
general  muster  day,  which  lamed  him  for  life,  and 
he  therefore  could  not  perform  manual  labor.  He 
was  gate-keeper  for  several  years  upon  the  Douglas 
turnpike,  and  the  Woonsocket  and  Scituate  road. 
He  removed  to  Providence,  April  1,  1832,  and 
bought  out  the  Lyman  Arnold  store  on  Canal  street, 
and  there  kept  groceries,  grain  and  flour.  About 
i^45  he  removed  his  store  further  up  the  street, 
and  continued  the  grocery  business  either  alone  or 
with  his  sons  until  a few  years  previous  to  his 
death,  which  occurred  July  20,  1877.  In  all,  he 
carried  on  the  business  in  Providence  for  more 
than  thirty  years,  and  was  a good  business  man, 
active,  intelligent  and  enterprising.  He  was  gener- 
ous, benevolent,  kind  to  the  poor  and  unfortunate ; 
large  hearted,  sympathetic,  a good  husband  and 
father,  and  a useful  citizen. 

• On  Oct.  15,  1818,  Daniel  A.  Mowry  married 
(first)  Mary  J.  Harris,  daughter  of  Jonathan,  of 
Smithfield,  born  Dec.  8,  1796,  died  Sept.  8,  1830, 
leaving  two  children:  Darwin  R.,  born  Jan.  13, 
1820,  is  mentioned  at  length  elsewhere ; and  Daniel 
A.,  born  Nov.  15,  1828.  Mr.  Mowry,  for  his  sec- 
ond wife  was  married,  Feb.  24,  1833,  to  Abigail 
Harris,  born  June  13,  1803,  sister  of  his  first  wife; 
she  died  in  Providence,  Nov.  7,  1878,'  the  mother 
of  two  children,  Emor  H.  and  Nathaniel  S.  (1) 
Emor  H.,  born  Oct.  20,  1833,  is  a farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, residing  on  the  old  homestead  farm  near  the 
Smithfield  station,  in  the  town  of  Smithfield,  and  he 
is  one  of  the  esteemed  citizens  of  the  town  and  has 
been  active  in  public  matters,  holding  at  this  time 
the  office  of  assessor,  and  serving  as  overseer  of 
the  poor.  He  married,  Jan.  23,  1862,  Amanda  M. 
Slocum,  of  Smithfield,  born  June  14,  1841.  Six 
children  were  born  to  them:  Daniel  A.,  born  Feb. 
19,  1863,  died  March  4,  1865  ; Emily  Isabel,  born 
July  27,  1865,  died  July  19,  1877 ; Abby  H.,  born 
March  19,  1867 ; Emor  H.,  born  Sept.  18,  1870, 
died  July  5,  1877;  Amanda  M.,  born  March  15, 
1872;  and  Annie  Louise,  born  May  10,  1875,  died 
July  11,  1877.  (2)  Nathaniel  S.,  born  April  18, 

1839,  was  married  (first)  Dec.  16,  i860,  to  Mary  E. 
Irons,  to  whom  two  children  were  born  : Job  Shaw, 
born  in  January,  1864,  died  June  26,  1866;  and 
Chelsey  Beach,  born  Jan.  4,  1869,  resides  in  Bos- 
ton. Mr.  Mowry’s  second  wife,  whom  he  married 
June  12,  1878,  was  Isabelle  Standish.  He  died  in 
Providence,  Oct.  7,  1885. 

(IX)  Daniel  A.  Mowry  (2),  son  of  Daniel 
A.,  was  born  Nov.  15,  1828,  in  Smithfield,  and  was 
a small  boy  when  his  parents  removed  to  Prov- 
idence. His  education  was  acquired  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  city,  after  leaving  which  he  was 
connected  with  his  father  in  the  store  until  1849, 
when  he  went  to  California,  sailing  from  New 
York  around  Cape  Horn,  enroute  to  San  Francisco. 
For  some  time  he  was  engaged  in  prospecting,  but 


later  with  a Mr.  Classen,  who  was  from  New  York 
City,  he  began  the  making  of  soda,  carbonized 
water  and  soft  drinks,  under  the  name  of  the 
Pacific  Soda  Works,  being  pioneers  in  that  line. 
Their  establishment  was  situated  on  the  corner  of 
Second  and  Jessie  streets,  San  Francisco,  the  site 
now  being  occupied  by  large  buildings.  They  did 
a large  and  profitable  business  in  their  line,  some  of 
the  product  supplying  the  Pacific  Mail  Company. 
Mr.  Mowry  disposed  of  his  business  holdings  there 
in  1857,  and  returned  to  Providence,  engaging  in 
the  same  business  at  Pine  and  Richmond 
streets,  and  after  a number  of  years  successfully 
spent  in  this  line,  disposed  of  his  interests,  and 
with  H.  S.  Knight  engaged  in  dealing  in  diamonds 
and  other  precious  stones,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Mowry  & Knight.  They  also  manufactured  solid 
gold  rings,  stick-pins,  etc.  Their  establishment 
was  located  at  the  corner  of  Westminster  and 
Mathewson  streets,  where  the  Gladding  store  is 
now  located.  After  about  three  years,  Mr.  Mowry 
bought  his  partner’s  interest  and  continued  the 
business  alone  until  the  early  seventies,  when  he 
disposed  of  it.  From  that  time  until  his  death  Mr. 
Mowry  was  engaged  as  a money  broker,  and  de- 
voted his  time  to  the  management  of  his  own  pri- 
vate business  matters.  He  died  Aug.  11,  1901,  and 
was  buried  at  Swan  Point.  Mr.  Mowry  was  a 
Republican  in  political  matters,  but  took  very  little 
interest  therein.  He  was  a man  of  quiet  tastes  and 
manners,  was  a shrewd  business  man,  of  the 
strictest  integrity,  and  was  honest  and  upright  in 
all  of  his  dealings. 

Mr.  Mowry  was  married  in  Providence,  Dec. 
28,  1859,  to  Isabella  Maria  Fletcher,  born  March 
18,  1839,  in  Providence,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Mary  Elizabeth  (Cushing)  Fletcher,  and  the  chil- 
dren born  to  this  union  were : Myra  Buffum,  born 
Sept.  16,  i860;  Mary  Fletcher,  born  Jan.  7,  1864, 
died  May  18,  1902;  and  Classen,  born  March  19, 
1868. 

(X)  Dr.  Classen  Mowry  was  born  March  19, 
1868,  and  his  early  education  was  acquired  in  the 
public  schools,  and  Bryant  and  Stratton’s  Business 
College,  Providence.  For  some  years  thereafter  he 
was  manager  of  some  of  his  father  s business  inter- 
ests, acquiring  a sound,  practical  business  educa- 
tion. He  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr. 
Thmes  Morton,  on  Benefit  street,  and  entered  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  at  Boston, 
graduating  therefrom,  with  the  degree  of  M.  D., 
Tune  17/1896.  Previous  to  his  graduation,  Dr. 
Mowry  took  the  trying  and  difficult  examination 
for  non-graduates,  by  the  Board  of  Registration  in 
Medicine  in  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts, 
and  passed  this  severe  test,  receiving  a certificate 
from  that  board  which  he  later,  after  his  graduation, 
exchanged  for  a graduate  s certificate.  He  began 
practice  with  Dr.  I.  D.  Carl,  a well  known  physi- 
cian of  Boston,  remaining  there  until  October.  1896, 
at  which  time  he  received  a certificate  from  the 


8/6 


RHODE  ISLAND 


State  Board  of  Health  of  Rhode  Island,  and  began 
practice  at  Providence,  his  office  being  located  at 
the  corner  of  Aborn  and  Fountain  streets.  Since 
July,  1899,  the  Doctor  has  been  located  at  No.  24 
Greene  street. 

For  some  years  the  Doctor  was  physician  for 
the  Fourth,  Eighth  and  Ninth  wards  for  the  Provi- 
dence Dispensary.  He  is  a member  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Medical  Society,  the  Providence  Medical 
Society,  the  American  Medical  Association,  and 
he  is  also  a member  of  the  Phi  Sigma  fraternity  at 
Boston.  The  Doctor  is  unmarried.  He  is  a skilled 
physician,  and  engages  in  a general  practice.  He 
has  won  the  confidence  of  a large  and  increasing 
patronage. 

CHARLES  H.  CHILD,  whose  high  personal 
character  and  business  prominence  make  him  a 
representative  citizen  of  Providence,  comes  of  old 
and  honorable  New  England  ancestry. 

(I)  Jeremiah  Child,  our  first  knowledge  of 
whom  is  gathered  from  the  town  records  of  Swan- 
sea, Mass.,  was  born  in  1645,  but  the  names  of  his 
parents  have  not  been  secured.  He  was  a man  of 
considerable  prominence,  became  a freeman  in 
1680,  a selectman  in  1682,  and  was  possessed  of  real 
estate  drawn  by  lot  in  1686.  By  his  first  wife,  Mar- 
tha, his  children  were:  John,  born  in  1671-72,  in 
Swansea,  who  married  Margery  Howard  about 
1692:  Jeremiah,  Jr.,  born  Sept.  2/1683,  ’n  Swansea; 
and  Margaret. 

(II)  John  Child,  eldest  child  of  Jeremiah  and 
Martha  Child,  born  as  noted,  married  Margery 
Howard,  who  was  born  in  1673  and  died  Sept.  6, 
1726.  He  died  Jan.  16,  1739,  leaving  an  estate, 
bequeathed  to  him  by  his  father,  to  his  descendants, 
the  same  being  held  by  them  to  the  present  time. 
His  children  were : Sarah,  born  April  3,  1693 ; 
Margaret,  born  Jan.  6,  1696;  Susanna,  born  Jan. 
26,  1699,  who  married  John  Luther;  John,  born 
in  1702,  who  married  Abigail  Eddy;  Patience,  born 
in  1704;  Martha,  born  Sept.  7,  1706;  James,  born 
Sept.  5,  1708,  who  married  June  3,  1729,  Sarah 
Haile;  Mary,  born  Aug.  10,  1710,  who  married 
March  26,  1730,  David  Wood;  Oliver,  born  April  2, 
1714;  Cromwell,  born  Jan.  14,  1716;  and  Bertha, 
born  June  15,  1718. 

(III)  James  Child,  son  of  John  and  Margery 
Child,  born  Sept.  5,  1708,  married  June  3,  1729, 
Sarah  Haile,  who  was  born  in  1713,  daughter  of 
Bernard  and  Abigail  Haile.  They  began  houses 
keeping  at  Warren,  R.  I..  Feb.  10,  1730.  James 
Child  died  Feb.  10,  1738.  His  widow  married 
(second)  John  Throop,  Jr.,  of  Bristol,  R.  I.,  and 
had  two  children  by  him.  The  children  of  James 
Child  were:  Sylvester,  born  March  16,  1730,  at 
1 P.  M. , married  (first)  Abigail  Miller,  who  died 
Oct.  31,  1757,  (second)  Dec.  28,  1758,  Joanna 
Barnaby,  who  died  May  18,  1773,  and  (third)  Jan. 
13.  1775,  Priscilla  Bradford;  Lydia,  born  July  12, 
1731,  married  Elisha  Burr,  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  who 


died  March  7,  1790,  and  he  cued  Nov.  7,  1815; 
Hezekiah,  born  Aug.  3,  1732;  J.  John,  born  one 
hour  before  sunrise  on  Saturday  morning,  Jan.  20, 
1734,  married,  Nov.  23,  1758,  Rosabella  Cole; 
Patience,  born  June  21,  1737  (married)  ; James, 
Jr.,  born  Sept.  3,  1738,  on  Sabbath  morning,  sun 
one  hour  high,  married  Hannah  Kelly. 

(IV)  Hezekiah  Child,  third  child  of  James 
and  Sarah  Child,  was  born  Aug.  3,  1732,  at  Warren, 
R.  I.,  and  died  Dec.  4,  1798.  He  married  Jan.  13, 
1756,  Patience  Barton,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Lillie  Barton,  and  died  Feb.  14,  1846.  Their  chil- 
dren, born  in  Warren,  R.  I.,  were:  Benjamin, 
born  Sept.  13,  1757,  died  unmarried  in  1807;  Haile, 
born  Jan.  23,  1759,  married  Jan.  13,  1780,  Amy 
Kinnicut ; William,  born  March  29,  1761,  married 
Betsey  Ormsbee,  and  was  lost  at  sea  in  1798;  Lillie 
Turner,  born  Jan.  30,  1763,  married  Seth  Beck; 
Patience,  born  June  23,  1765,  married  Jonathan 
Hicks;  Nancy,  born  Oct.  3,  1767,  married  Levi 
Clark;  Mary,  born  Oct.  2,  1769,  married  Edward 
Eddy;  Sarah  Throop,  born  Nov.  5,  1771,  married 
Josiah  Roe;  Lydia,  born  March  29,  1774,  married 
Benjamin  Barton;  Rebecca,  born  Nov.  14,  1776, 
married  James  Barnes;  Ruth,  born  Feb.  16,  1778, 
married  Levi  Clark;  James,  born  Aug.  16,  1780, 
died  March  14,  1787;  and  Abigail,  born  Aug.  23, 
1783,  married  (first)  Sherebiah  Talbot  and  (sec- 
ond) Lawton  Spencer. 

(V)  William  Child,  third  child  of  Hezekiah  and 
Patience  Child,  was  born  March  29,  1761,  in  War- 
ren, R.  I.,  and  in  1783  married  Betsey  Ormsbee. 
Their  children  were  all  born  at  Warren,  as  follows: 
Joseph  and  Benjamin,  twins,  Jan.  1,  1785;  Samuel 
Smith,  1787;  William  Henry,  June  11,  1789;  Bet- 
sey, Oct.  4,  1791;  Nancy,  April  18,  1794 ; AVilliam 
Barton  and  Ezra  Ormsbee,  May  5,  1796;  Emanuel, 
June  26,  1798;  and  Sally,  May  7,  1799. 

(VI)  William  H.  Child,  born  June  11,  1789, 
married  Betsey  Bowen,  and  their  children  of  War- 
ren town  record  were:  Joseph  Bowen,  born  March 
16,  1812;  Henry  W.,  born  Sept.  13,  1814:  Jonathan 
Bowen,  born  Aug.  18,  1817;  Moses  Tyler;  Cyril 
Martin;  Edward  Tyler;  Harriet;  and  Charles. 

(VII)  Joseph  Bowen  Child,  born  March  16, 
1812,  son  of  William  Henry  and  Betsey  Child,  mar- 
ried July  16,  1840,  Elizabeth  Carr  Drown  [See 
Drown  family].  They  had  children:  Charles 
Henry,  born  July  24,  1841  ; Joseph  Bowen,  born 
July  17,  1843;  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  July  15,  1851, 
who  married  Charles  West  Hazard;  Nellie  Maria, 
born  Nov.  11,  1853,  who  married  Eugene  A. 
Vaughn. 

(VIII)  Charles  H.  Child  was  born  July  24, 
1841,  in  Warren,  R.  I.,  where  he  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools,  which  he  left  at  the  age  of  fifteen 
years  to  engage  as  a clerk  for  Thomas  G.  Turner 
and  his  son,  Daniel  L.,  remaining  with  that  house 
for  ten  years.  Then  he  removed  to  Providence  and 
was  engaged  as  traveling  salesman  for  Salsbury, 
Anthony  & Co.,  remaining  five  years  in  that  line, 


t 


Beers  & Bo 


RHODE  ISLAND 


877 


going  from  there  to  Sargent  Bros.  & Co.  of  Bos- 
ton, tor  six  years.  He  retained  his  home  in  Provi- 
dence. Starting  at  a salary  of  $50  for  the  first 
year,  with  Mr.  Burner,  .he  closed  with  a salary  of 
$2,500  with  Sargent  Bros.  & Co. 

After  leaving  Sargent  Bros.  & Co.,  at  the  death 
of  Mr.  Butler,  of  Butler,  Brown  & Co.,  general  mill 
furnishers,  Mr.  Child  became  a member  of  the  firm 
of  Brown  Bros.  & Co.,  on  Jan.  I,  1878,  remaining 
as  treasurer  of  the  company  for  almost  twenty-two 
years.  In  October,  1899,  he  left  that  firm  and 
associated  himself  with  the  Standard  Mill  Supply 
Company,  having  connected  with  him,  at  that  time, 
twelve  persons  formerly  with  the  firm  of  Brown 
Bros.  & Co.,  these  individuals  having  founded  the 
firm  three  years  before  Mr.  Child  came  into  it,  as 
stated. 

The  Standard  Mill  Supply  Company  is  now  the 
largest  house  of  the  kind  in  New  England  and  is 
also  connected  with  the  Charlotte  Supply  Company, 
of  Charlotte,  N.  C.,  in  that  connection  doing  the 
largest  business  of  any  concern  in  its  line  in  the 
United  States.  Mr.  Child  is  also  connected  with 
other  important  and  successful  business  enterprises, 
being  a director  of  the  Warren  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany, of  Warren,  in  which  position  he  has  served 
since  1895;  of  the  Textile  Mill  Supply  Company, 
and  of  the  Charlotte  Mill  Supply  Company,  of 
Charlotte,  N.  C.,  in  all  of  his  connections  bearing  the 
reputation  of  an  able  man  of  business  and  one  of 
unquestioned  integrity.  The  fact  that  he  has  risen 
by  his  own  efforts  makes  his  position  all  the  more 
notable. 

In  political  affiliation  Mr.  Child  has  always  been 
a stanch  Republican,  having  voted  that  ticket  since 
the  age  of  twenty-one.  On  many  occasions  he  has 
served  as  a delegate  to  county  and  State  conven- 
tions and  was  alternate  to  the  St.  Louis  convention 
in  1896  and  a delegate  at  large  from  Rhode  Island 
to  the  Philadelphia  convention  of  1900.  In  1904 
he  was  a delegate  to  the  Chicago  convention.  He 
has  frequently  been  urged  to  accept  office,  but  has 
steadily  refused,  not  desiring  to  mingle  in  politics 
as  an  officeholder.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the 
Young  Men’s  Republican  Club,  and  a director  of 
the  Home  Market  Club  of  Boston,  being  on  the 
reception  committee  of  the  latter,  and  has  been 
often  privileged  to  introduce  to  the  city  such  public 
men  as  Postmaster-General  Smith,  of  the  late 
President  McKinley’s  cabinet,  and  in  1902  had  the 
satisfaction  of  introducing  President  Roosevelt  to 
Providence.  He  is  gifted  socially  and  is  a highly 
appreciated  member  of  Hope  Club,  of  the  Squan- 
tum  Club  of  Providence,  and  of  the  New  England 
Cotton  Manufacturers  Association,  and  esteemed 
in  all. 

In  spite  of  absorbing  business  interests,  and 
political  and  social  claims,  Mr.  Child  has  found 
inclination  and  time  to  attend  to  his  religious  duties 
and  to  set  an  example  of  Christian  good  fellowship 
and  upright  living.  In  March,  1858,  he  united  with 


the  Warren  Baptist  Church,  and  in  1869,  by  letter, 
joined  the  Central  Baptist  Church  of  Providence. 
Bor  twenty-one  years  he  was  chairman  of  the 
Weekly  Offering  committee;  has  been  a member  of 
the  standing  committee  of  the  church  for  a number 
of  years ; and  for  twenty-five  years  has  been 
chairman  of  the  church  committee  on  Ways 
and  Means — the  committee  which  has  charge 
of  the  raising  of  funds,  making  up  defici- 
encies, etc.  At  various  times  he  has  served  the 
Sunday-school  as  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  as 
assistant  superintendent.  He  is  treasurer  of  the 
Relief  Bund  for  the  Warren,  Providence  and  Narra- 
gansett  Association  for  the  relief  of  indigent  min- 
isters or  their  widows,  and  has  held  that  office  for 
twenty  years.  From  the  variety  of  his  duties  and 
their  great  responsibilities  it  may  well  be  judged 
that  his  heart  is  in  the  work,  and  that  the  foundation 
of  his  religion  is  both  broad  and  deep.  He  is  a 
regular  attendant  upon  church  services. 

Mr.  Child  married,  on  Dec.  27,  1864,  Miss  EI- 
dora  B' ranees  Salisbury,  daughter  of  Martin  Lu- 
ther and  Susan  Armstrong  (Cottrell)  Salisbury, 
and  two  children  were  born  to  them:  (1)  Gertrude 
Salisbury,  born  March  9,  1868,  married  in  June, 
1889,  Cornelius  Barrows.  (2)  Clara  Drown,  born 
in  November,  1874,  married  in  November,  1899, 
Walter  S.  Hackney,  and  has  had  two  children,  Dor- 
othy, born  Oct.  17,  1900,  and  Helen,  born  Aug.  7, 
1903. 

(VIII)  Joseph  Bowen  Child  was  born  in  War- 
ren, R.  I.,  July  17,  1843.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  place,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen 
years  entered  the  dry  goods  store  of  ex-Gov. 
Thomas  G.  Turner,  of  Warren,  as  clerk,  where 
his  brother,  Charles  H.,  was  also  a clerk.  In  1867 
he  went  to  Providence  and  entered  the  employ  of 
Jacob  Martin,  then  one  of  the  leading  dry  goods 
merchants  of  Providence,  with  whom  fie  remained 
until  1873.  In  that  year  he  became  a clerk  in  the 
dry  goods  store  of  Benjamin  H.  Gladding,  when 
his  business  was  located  in  the  Brownell  building. 
He  remained  with  Mr.  Gladding  until  his  death, 
when  he  formed  a partnership  with  Mr.  William 
Armour  and  Charles  E.  Hill  and  purchased  the 
Gladding  business.  He  continued  as  a partner  until 
1897,  when  he  sold  out  his  interest  to  Mr.  Armour, 
remaining  with  the  firm,  however,  until  1901,  when 
he  went  with  the  Shepard  Company.  He  was  with 
them  for  nearly  three  years,  retiring  Jan.  2,  1904, 
since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  a broker- 
age fire  insurance  business.  He  is  a member  of 
the  East  Providence  Business  Men’s  Association. 
Mr.  Child  is,  and  has  always  been,  a stanch  Re- 
publican in  politics,  casting  his  first  vote  for 
Abraham  Lincoln.  He  is  a member  of  the  Warren 
Baptist  Church,  and  has  been  treasurer  of  the 
Benevolent  Baptist  Association  since  1888. 

Mr.  Child  married  Sarah  Reck  Howe,  daughter 
of  John  R.  and  $arah  T.  Howe,  the  former  of 
Philadelphia,  and  the  latter  of  Warren,  R.  I.,  a 


8/8 


RHODE  ISLAND 


daughter  of  Jabez  Brown.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Child 
have  no  children. 

PAYNE.  The  Payne  family  of  Pawtucket, 
R.  I.,  has  been  a leading  one  for  a number  of  years 
in  the  city,  where  members  thereof  have  been 
prominently  identified  with  the  manufacturing, 
political  and  social  circles. 

William  Payne  was  born  March  12,  1797,  in 
Warwickshire,  England.  In  his  native  country  he 
learned  the  trade  of  color  mixer  for  calico  print- 
ing, and  equipped  with  a thorough  knowledge,  of 
that  occupation,  came  early  in  life  to  America, 
settling  in  Pawtucket,  where  he  followed  his  trade 
until  his  death  at  his  home  on  High  street,  Cen- 
tral Falls,  Dec.  21,  1851.  He  was  a rugged,  ro- 
bust man,  and  stood  six  feet,  one  inch,  in  his 
stocking  feet.  Mr.  Payne  married  Hannah  Cooper, 
born  in  England,  Oct.  11,  1797,  who  died  in  Paw- 
tucket, March  28,  1873,  in  her  seventy-sixth  year. 
They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children: 
Charles ; John,  who  was  an  engraver  for  calico 
printers;  William,  who  married  Martha  Flower; 
Hannah,  who  married  James  Hunt;  Mary  Ann, 
who  died  unmarried ; Martha,  who  died  unmarried ; 
and  a daughter  (twin  to  Martha),  who  died  in 
infancy. 

Charles  Payne,  eldest  child  of  William  and 
Hannah  (Cooper)  Payne,  was  born  in  Nuneaton, 
Warwickshire,  England,  Dec.  29,  1819,  and  when 
a mere  child  was  brought  to  America  by  his  par- 
ents. After  acquiring  a meager  education  he  was 
bound  out  to  Samuel  Lord  to  serve  an  apprentice- 
ship as  engraver  for  calico  printers,  and  when  this 
term  was  completed,  he  was  for  several  years 
eng-aeed  in  business  on  his  own  account  as  an  en- 
graver.  In  company  with  the  late  Jude  Taylor 
he  established,  in  1849,  the  firm  of  Payne  & Tay- 
lor, engravers  for  calico  printers.  The  firm  car- 
ried on  this  business  for  manv  years,  until  the 
coming  into  use  of  the  pentograph  engraving  ma- 
chines, when  the  engraving  was  done  on  the  prem- 
ises of  each  print  works.  Payne  & Taylor,  how- 
ever, branched  out  in  their  own  factory  on  East 
avenue,  in  the  manufacture  of  hair  cloth  in  about 
1863,  and  they  continued  to  carry  on  this  indus- 
try until  1893,  Charles  B.  and  James  R.  Payne 
having  taken  their  father’s  interest  in  the  busi- 
ness. In  1893  the  business  of  Payne  & Taylor 
was  consolidated  with  the  Pawtucket  Hair  Cloth 
Company,  under  the  name  of  the  American  Hair 
Cloth  Company,  which  is  still  in  existence  in  Paw- 
tucket, extensively  engaged  in  manufacturing.  Be- 
fore going  into  the  manufacture  of  hair-cloth, 
Messrs.  Pavne  & Taylor  were  engaged  in  manu- 
facturing cotton  'yarns,  which  they  largely  sold 
to  Littlefield  Bros.  Mr.  Payne  was  a thoroughly 
capable  business  man,  of  a very  industrious  nature. 
His  early  death  removed  him  from  a field  of  ac- 
tivity in  which  there  was  a very  promising  future 


for  him.  He  was  a member  of  Good  Samari- 
tan Lodge,  No.  8,  I.  O.  O.  F. ; Union  Lodge 
No.  10,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; and  Holy  Sepulchre  Com- 
mandery,  No.  8,  K.  T.  He  was  for  a number  of 
years  a member  of  the  school  committee,  and 
took  a great  interest  in  the  schools  and  their  ad- 
vancement. In  politics  he  was  a Republican,  and 
he  served  very  efficiently  in  the  town  council. 

On  Sept.  25,  1842,  Mr.  Payne  was  married  to 
Keziah  Bindley,  who  was  born  in  England,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Bindley.  The  Payne  and  Bindley 
families  lived  in  the  same  neighborhood  in  Eng- 
land, and  as  children  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Payne  were 
playmates.  Mr.  Payne  passed  away  in  Pawtucket, 
Oct.  27,  1869,  and  is  survived  by  his  widow,  who 
still  resides  in  Pawtucket.  The  family  home  on 
the  northwest  corner  of  Brown  and  Garden  streets, 
Pawtucket,  was  erected  by  Mr.  Payne  in  1855,  at 
a time  when  that  was  a wooded  section,  and  is  still 
occupied  by  the  family.  Ten  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Payne.  (1)  George  W.  (2) 
Charles  Bindley,  born  March  26,  1845,  was  m the 
hair-cloth  business  with  Payne  & Taylor,  and 
later  with  the  American  Hair  Cloth  Company,  of 
which  he  is  still  a director,  but  he  is  now  retired 
from  active  business.  He  married  (first)  Feb.  18, 
1869,  Charlotte  J.  Robinson,  of  Pawtucket,  where 
she  died  March  26,  1903,  leaving  a son,  George 
Milton,  born  May  n,  1870,  who  married  Emily 
D.  Bennett,  of  Barrington,  R.  I.  Charles  B.  Payne 
married  (second)  Aug.  18,  1905,  Celesta  Hatha- 
way, of  Providence.  (3)  James  Robinson,  born  in 
1847,  H Pawtucket,  was  with  the  firm  of  Payne  & 
Taylor  and  later  with  the  American  Hair  Cloth 
Company;  he  died  Nov.  24,  1904,  unmarried.  (4) 
Amey  Taylor,  born  in  1849,  married  Henry  A. 
Smith  (deceased),  who  was  one  of  the  leading 
building  contractors  of  Pawtucket  (mentioned  in 
full  elsewhere)  ; she  resides  in  Providence.  (5) 
William  Elijah,  born  in  185 — , was  formerly  in 
business  in  Pawtucket,  where  he  now  lives  retired. 
(6)  Byron  C.  (7)  Annie  Naomi,  born  Dec.  9, 
1854,  married  Feb.  7,  1877,  Frank  Mitchell  Hodge, 
of  North  Adams,  Mass.,  son  of  William  Dean  and 
Eliza  Ann  (Drew)  Hodge;  he  died  March  6,  1893, 
in  North  Adams,  Mass.  At  the  time  of  his  death 
he  had  a photographic  studio  in  Troy,  N.  Y.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hodge  had  children,  Della  Aletha,  at 
home ; and  twin  daughters  who  died  in  infancy. 

(8)  Ella  Maria,  born  in  1857,  married  George  B. 
Olney,  of  Providence,  a member  of  the  firm  of 
Olney  & Payne  Bros.,  coal  dealers  of  Pawtucket. 

(9)  j.  Milton.  (10)  Keziah,  born  in  1863,  died  in 
infancy. 

George  Witheridge  Payne,  eldest  son  of  the 
late  Charles  Payne,  was  born  June  30,  1843,  in 
Pawtucket,  and  attended  the  public  schools  of  the 
city  until  thirteen  years  of  age.  He  then  entered 
the  employ  of  Payne  & Taylor,  in  their  engrav- 
ing establishment,  where  he  remained  about  two 


RHODE  ISLAND 


879 


years,  next  becoming  employed  in  the  jewelry  shop 
of  Benjamin  Hood,  where  he  was  at  work  at  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  war.  In  the  spring  of  1861 
he  began  a three  years’  apprenticeship  at  the  car- 
penter’s trade  with  Andrew  R.  Slade,  continuing 
at  the  same  until  1865,  when,  in  company  with 
Sanford  E.  Holmes,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Holmes  & Payne,  he  began  the  manufacture  of 
cotton  machinery,  located  where  the  Littlefield 
Manufacturing  Company  is  now  situated,  then 
owned  by  Payne  & Taylor.  The  firm  continued 
for  one  year,  when  Mr.  Holmes  sold  out,  and  the 
firm  became  Payne  & Mathewson,  under  which 
name  it  was  conducted  for  fourteen  years  until 
the  death  of  Mr.  Payne’s  partner,  Thomas  A. 
Mathewson.  The  style  then  became  George  W. 
Payne  & Co.,  George  M.  Fanning  purchasing  the 
interests  of  Mr.  Mathewson. 

The  shop  in  1865  was  located  on  the  bank  of 
the  Blackstone  river,  on  the  West  side,  between 
the  upper  and  lower  dams,  where  the  Littlefield 
Manufacturing  Company  now  stands,  and  was  a 
room  45x90  feet.  After  two  years  a larger  shop 
was  secured  in  a building  which  stood  on  a por- 
tion of  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  electric 
power  station,  and  here  this  thriving  business  was 
carried  on  for  fourteen  years.  For  two  years 
thereafter  rooms  in  the  Payne  & Taylor  factory  on 
East  avenue  were  occupied,  and  in  February,  1883, 
the  firm  removed  to  its  present  spacious  quarters, 
No.  106  Broad  street.  The  shops  now  occupy 
a floor  space  of  150x50  feet,  and  an  ell  50x30 
feet,  about  fifty  men  being  employed.  Cotton  and 
woolen  machinery  are  manufactured,  and  their 
specialties  are  spoolers,  hosiery  winders  and  quil- 
lers.  In  1903  the  business  was  incorporated  as  the 
George  W.  Payne  Company,  and  since  that  time 
Mr.  Payne  has  lived  retired.  He  is  a director  of 
the  George  W.  Payne  Company,  the  Coleman  Nail 
Company,  and  of  the  Broad  Street  Power  Com- 
pany, all  of  Pawtucket,  of  which  latter  he  is  also 
serving  as  treasurer.  He  is  a member  of  Good 
Samaritan  Lodge  No.  8,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  which  he 
joined  Sept.  24,  1869.  In  politics  he  is  a Republi- 
can, but  in  town  matters  is  neutral. 

On  Sept.  14,  1865,  Mr.  Payne  was  married  to 
Julia  McQuestin,  who  died  March  14,  1876,  in 
Pawtucket,  daughter  of  Joseph  McQuestin.  To 
this  union  there  were  born  children  as  follows : 
Lillian  K.  died  at  the  age  of  six  years ; Charles, 
born  Aug.  22,  1868,  a mining  expert  residing  in 
Portland,  Ore.,  married  Josephine  Tennant,  of 
Providence;  Carrie,  born  in  April,  1870,  married 
Harry  Bliss,  of  Pawtucket,  who  died,  leaving  these 
children : Marian,  Raymond  (who  died  young) 
and  Joseph;  and  James  Manton,  born  in  1872, 
died  in  infancy.  George  W.  Payne  was  married 
(second)  Nov.  22,  1877,  to  Sarah  Frank  Balkcom, 
of  Central  Falls,  daughter  of  John  Balkcom,  and  to 
this  union  there  were  born : Jude  Taylor,  born 


Oct.  21,  1878,  is  associated  with  the  Coleman  Nail 
Company,  is  married,  and  has  one  son,  Leroy 
Payne;  Clinton  Fanning,  born  Sept.  7,  1882;  and 
Miss  Alice,  born  Nov.  8,  1888. 

Clinton  Fanning  Payne,  son  of  George  W., 
was  born  in  Pawtucket  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  and  the  private  school 
of  Prof.  Charles  Cole  of  Pawtucket.  Leaving 
school  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  Mr.  Payne 
learned  the  machinist’s  trade  under  his  father  in 
the  plant  of  George  W.  Payne  & Company,  con- 
tinuing with  this  firm  until  1903,  when,  on  its 
establishment  as  the  George  W.  Payne  Company, 
he  was  elected  secretary.  In  January,  1906,  Mr. 
Payne  was  also  elected  treasurer  and  general  man- 
ager of  this  thriving  industry,  which  gives  em- 
ployment to  nearly  fifty  skilled  mechanics.  Much 
credit  is  due  to  Mr.  Payne  in  his  management  of 
this  business.  He  married  Nov.  17,  1906,  Evange- 
line Newman  Roe,  daughter  of  Charles  W.  Roe, 
of  Pawtucket. 

Byron  Cooper  Payne,  son  of  Charles  and 
Keziah  (Bindley)  Payne,  was  born  April  20,  1853, 
in  Pawtucket,  and  in  the  public  schools  of  his  na- 
tive city  received  his  educational  training.  Leav- 
ing school  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  became 
apprenticed  to  Bliss  & Carpenter,  of  Pawtucket,  to 
learn  the  carpenter’s  trade,  and  after  serving  his 
term  of  three  years  continued  in  their  employ  as 
a journeyman  carpenter  for  two  years.  Mr.  Payne 
then  engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account,  start- 
ing a meat  market  at  the  corner  of  Brown  and 
Garden  streets,  where  he  continued  for  about  two 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  took  into  part- 
nership his  brother,  William  E.  Payne,  the  firm 
name  becoming  Payne  Bros.  This  firm  continued 
in  business  for  about  eight  years,  during  which 
time  the  brothers  met  with  marked  success.  Byron 
C.  then  sold  his  interests  to  his  brother,  and  March 
1,  1884,  with  his  brother-in-law,  George  B.  Olney, 
and  his  brother  J.  Milton  Payne,  engaged  in  the 
coal  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Olney  & 
Payne  Bros.,  which  has  since  grown  to  large  pro- 
portions. The  firm  are  now  the  largest  dealers 
of  coal  in  the  city  of  Pawtucket,  their  business  re- 
quiring fifty  teams  and  over  100  horses.  They 
handle  from  125,000  to  150,000  tons  of  coal  an- 
nually. In  1903  this  company  was  incorporated, 
Byron  C.  being  elected  treasurer  of  the  corpora- 
tion. 

During  the  days  of  the  volunteer  fire  depart- 
ment, Mr.  Payne  was  an  active  member  of  the 
Fairmount  Company,  No.  3,  and  is  now  connected 
with  the  Veteran  Firemen’s  Association.  He  is  a 
director  in  the  Coleman  Nail  Company,  of  Paw- 
tucket, a director  of  the  Carbon  Coal  & Coke  Com- 
pany, of  Huntingdon,  Pa. ; and  a director  of  the 
Broad  Top  City  Supply  Company,  of  the  same 
city.  He  is  a stanch  supporter  of  the  principles  of 
the  Republican  party,  but  has  never  cared  for  pub- 


88o 


RHODE  ISLAND 


lie  office.  Mr.  Payne  attends  St.  Paul’s  Episcopal 
Church  of  Pawtucket,  to  which  he  gives  his  liberal 
support. 

On  June  21,  1880,  Mr.  Payne  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Carrie  F.  Foss,  daughter  of 
Francis  Foss,  who  was  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business  in  Pawtucket  for  a number  of  years. 

John  Milton  Payne,  born  Sept.  22,  1859,  in 
Pawtucket,  son  of  Charles  and  Keziah  (Bindley) 
Payne,  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  Church 
Hill  grammar  school  of  Pawtucket,  and  at  Mowry 
& Goff's  English  and  Classical  school,  classical  de- 
partment, Providence,  class  of  1878,  and  later  at- 
tended Brown  University,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1882,  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  After 
graduation  he  became  a clerk  in  the  office  of  the 
American  Hair  Cloth  Company,  of  Pawtucket, 
where  he  remained  until  1884.  On  March  1st  of 
that  year,  in  company  with  his  brother,  Byron  C., 
and  brother-in-law  George  B.  Olney,  he  organized 
the  firm  of  Olney  & Payne  Bros.,  which  has  be- 
come one  of  the  largest  firms  dealing  in  coal,  brick, 
lime,  cement  and  mason’s  supplies  in  Pawtucket. 
This  firm  has  large  coal  pockets  and  docks  on  the 
wharf  of  the  Conant  Thread  Co.,  on  the  west  side 
of  the  Blackstone  river.  In  1903  the  company  was 
incorporated  with  a capital  stock  of  $100,000,  and 
since  that  time  Mr.  Payne  has  served  as  a director 
of  the  corporation.  He  is  a stanch  Republican,  and 
as  such  was  elected  to  the  Rhode  Island  State  Sen- 
ate in  1905,  from  Pawtucket,  and  is  a member  of 
the  Finance  committee  and  the  committee  on  Print- 
ing. He  is  connected  in  an  official  way  with  many 
of  the  manufacturing  and  financial  institutions  of 
Pawtucket  and  vicinity. ' He  was  for  several  years 
director  of  the  Pacific  National  Bank  of  Pawtucket 
and  upon  its  being  merged  with  the  Industrial 
Trust  Gompany,  of  Providence,  he  became  a director 
of  the  latter  institution.  He  is  a member  of  the 
board  of  managers  of  the  company’s  Pawtucket 
branch,  and  is  vice-chairman  of  the  board.  He  is 
a member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Paw- 
tucket Institution  for  Savings,  and  a director  of 
the  Pawtucket  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company. 
He  is  a director  of  the  Narragansett  Machine 
Company,  the  American  Yarn  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany, the  Broad  Street  Power  Company,  director 
and  treasurer  of  the  William  H.  Haskell  Company, 
and  director,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Amer- 
ican Hair  Cloth  Company,  all  of  Pawtucket.  In 
business  and  financial  circles,  Mr.  Payne  not  only 
wields  a strong  influence  in  his  city,  but  is  regarded 
as  highly  capable  and  straightforward. 

Senator  Payne  is  a member  of  the  Pawtucket 
Business  Men’s  Association,  of  which  he  served  as 
vice-president  for  several  years,  and  was  elected 
president  of  the  association,  but  declined  to  serve. 
He  is  also  a member  of  the  To  Kalon  Club  of 
Pawtucket.  He  is  a trustee  of  the  Pawtucket  Free 
Library.  Mr.  Payne  attends  St.  Paul’s  Episcopal 
Church  of  Pawtucket.  For  years  he  has  been 


active  in  secret  societies.  He  joined  Good  Samari- 
tan Lodge  No.  8,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  in  October,  1883, 
and  was  grand  master  of  Rhode  Island  in  1893,  and 
is  now  past  grand  of  the  State  Lodge.  He  is  a 
member  of  Union  Lodge  No.  10,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; 
Pawtucket  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  No.  4;  Pawtucket 
Council  No.  2,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  Holy 
Sepulchre  Commandery  No.  8,  Knights  Templar, 
of  Pawtucket ; Providence  Consistory,  thirty-sec- 
ond degree,  and  Palestine  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Providence. 
While  at  college  Mr.  Payne  took  an  active  part 
in  athletic  sports  and  was  a member  of  the  ’varsity 
base-ball  club  in  1882.  He  also  holds  membership 
in  fraternal  societies  of  Brown  University. 

On  June  24,  1883,  Senator  Payne  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Eva  L.  Spink,  daughter  of 
Rev.  George  R.  Spink,  of  Providence,  and  to  this 
union  there  has  been  born  one  son,  Howard  H., 
born  in  1886,  who  is  attending  Brown  University 
as  a student  in  the  class  of  1909.  Mr.  Payne  finds 
great  pleasure  in  travel,  and  has  made  frequent  trips 
abroad,  visiting  many  foreign  points  and  places  of 
interest.  He  is  possessed  of  a large  circle  of  warm 
friends,  attracted  to  him  by  his  many  sterling 
qualities  of  character. 

EDWIN  W.  HOPKINS,  a retired  manufac- 
turer of  Providence,  residing  at  No.  529  Broadway, 
is  a descendant  of  one  of  the  prominent  and  early 
settled  families  of  Kent  county,  and  one  that  has 
by  its  enterprise  and  integrity  contributed  in  no 
small  degree  to  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  that 
section  of  the  State. 

(I) Ujoseph  Hopkins,  the  ancestor  of  this  branch 
of  the  family,  is  believed  to  have  been  the  son  of 
William  and  Hannah  (Goffe)  Hopkins,  residents 
of  Roxbury,  Mass.,  and  members  of  Rev.  John 
Eliot's  Church  at  that  place.  William  Hopkins 
married  for  his  second  wife  Martha,  daughter  of 
the  noted  Theophilus  Whalley,  of  Narragansett,  and 
after  a few  years  residence  at  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  re- 
moved about  the  year  1713  to  the  locality  now 
known  as  Hopkins  Hill,  in  the  easterly  part  of  the 
town  of  West  Greenwich.  There  he  resided  until 
his- death,  which  occurred  May  15,  1735. 

(II)  Samuel  Hopkins,  second  son  of  Joseph, 
was  born  in  Kingstown,  Jan.  6,  1703-04,  and  died 
in  West  Greenwich  April  14,  1790.  He  resided  at 
the  homestead  on  Hopkins  Hill  and  was  familiarly 
known  as  “Judge  Sam.”  Aside  from  his  farming 
interests  he  was  actively  engaged  in  public  matters, 
being  at  various  times,  from  1743  to  1767,  elected 
a member  of  the  General  Assembly  from  West 
Greenwich,  and  was  for  a number  of  years  a justice 
of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Kent  county. 
Samuel  Hopkins  married  April  23,  1729-30,  Honor 
Brown,  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Honor  Brown 
of  North  Kingstown,  and  granddaughter  of  Beriah 
and  Abigail  (Phenix)  Brown  and  Alexander  and 
Elizabeth  (Wightman)  Huling,  families  of  wealth 


RHODE  ISLAND 


and  influence.  Beriah  Brown  was  a prominent 
man  in  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  the  Wightmans, 
according  to  tradition,  were  the  descendants  of  Ed- 
ward Wightman,  who  was  the  last  to  suffer  death 
by  martyrdom  in  England,  in  1611. 

(III)  Samuel  Hopkins,  son  of  Judge  Samuel, 
was  born  Oct.  15,  1734.  He  represented  the  town 
of  West  Greenwich  as  deputy  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly, and  was  appointed  to  fill  various  other  town 
offices. 

(IV)  Rufus  Hopkins,  son  of  Samuel  Jr.,  was 
born  in  1773.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  manu- 
facturers of  cotton  goods  in  this  section  of  the 
State,  operating  for  many  years  a mill  in  the  town  of 
Exeter.  He  lived  to  an  old  age,  and  died  in  the 
town  of  Coventry,  where  he  had  resided  for  a num- 
ber of  years.  He  married  Amey  Shippee,  and  they 
had  nine  children,  who  were  somewhat  remarkable 
for  their  vigorous  constitutions  and  long  life,  the 
youngest  having  nearly  reached  the  age  of  sixty 
years  before  the  eldest  died.  They  were : Phebe, 
Layton,  Halsey,  David,  Elizabeth,  Mercy,  Samuel, 
Cynthia  and  Polly. 

(V)  '"David  Hopkins,  son  of  Rufus,  was  born  in 
Exeter,  Feb.  10,  1797,  and  his  early  life  was  spent 
on  his  father’s  farm.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  years 
he  entered  a .cotton  factory  which  his  father  had 
just  purchased  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  town 
of  Exeter,  but  in  1818  removed  to  Nooseneck  Hill, 
in  West  Greenwich,  and  commenced  business  on 
his  own  account  as  a manufacturer  of  cotton  yarn, 
remaining  here  as  long  as  he  prosecuted  cotton 
manufacturing.  He  was  almost  in  every  respect  a 
self-educated  and  self-made  man.  His  application 
to  business  and  his  economy  and  integrity  gave  him 
a good  reputation.  Until  1840  he  shunned  political 
life,  but  was  called  out  during  the  Harrison  presi- 
dential campaign.  His  support  was  first  given  to 
the  Whigs,  but  later  to  the  Republicans.  West 
Greenwich  had  been  for  a long  period  a very 
Gibraltar  of  Democracy,  but  Mr.  Hopkins  and  a 
few  friends  began  a spirited  battle,  and  after  a few 
years  completely  routed  the  Democratic  forces.  He 
repeatedly  filled  town  offices  and  represented  the 
town  in  the  State  senate,  and  whatever  his  capacity 
he  was  always  the  same  diligent,  careful,  honest, 
faithful  man  that  he  was  in  his  home  or  his  factory. 
In  his  business  he  steadily  prospered,  and  he  became 
successful  in  the  accumulation  of  property,  and  in 
gaining  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  men.  Rhode 
Island  had  no  better  type  of  self-reliant,  laborious, 
steadfast,  consistent  citizen.  He  made  no  boasts  or 
professions  which  he  did  not  fill.  Having  acquired 
a competence,  during  his  last  years  he  withdrew 
from  active  life,  and  removed  to  Cranston  to  enjoy 
the  rest  that  he  had  earned  and  the  quiet  he  needed. 
He  died  on  New  Fenper  street  in  that  town,  March 
17,  1881,  and  was  buried  in  the  family  cemetery  in 
Nooseneck  Valley,  in  which  vicinity  most  of  his 
life  had  been  spent.  In  accordance  with  his  wishes, 

56 


881 

expressed  in  his  later  years,  he  was  buried  in  Noose- 
neck cemetery,  but  his 1 remains  were  afterward 
interred  in  the  cemetery  at  Coventry.  He  had 
planned  the  details  of  his  own  funeral,  and  every- 
thing was  done  as  he  desired. 

On  Aug.  11,  1818,  Mr.  Hopkins  married  Sarah, 
daughter  of  Joshua  and  Laurana  (Allen)  Franklin, 
and  she  survived  her  husband  some  years,  dying 
in  Cranston,  and  being  buried  beside  him.  Their 
children  were:  Julia  A.,  who  married  Robert  K. 
Sunderland,  and  died  in  West  Greenwich;  Caro- 
line W.,  widow  of  William  S.  Harris,  residing  in 
California;  Lyman  Rhodes,  born  April  2,  1824 
(sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere)  ; Marcy  M., 
who  married  Charles  Tripp,  and  died  in  Providence  ; 
Edwin  W. ; and  Mary  M.,  wife  of  Hon.  Ezra  K. 
Parker,  of  Providence.  

(VI)  Edwin  W.  Hopkins,  son  of  David,  was 
born  in  West  Greenwich,  May  7,  1831.  He  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the 
town,  and  this  was  supplemented  by  a course  of 
study  at  the  East  Greenwich  Academy  and  the 
Worcester  Academy.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years  he  formed  a partnership  with  his  father,' 
who  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton 
warps  at  the  village  of  Nooseneck,  R.  I.,  in 
which  business  he  continued  • until  1865,  when 
the  manufacturing  property  was  sold  to  Jona- 
than L.  Spencer  & Co..  In  1866,  with  his  father, 
Mr.  Hopkins  commenced  the  manufacture  of 
cotton  warps  and  twine  in  a new  mill  at  Noose- 
neck village,  later  making  sash  cord  the  chief 
product  of  the  mill.  He  continued  to  operate 
until  1898,  when  he  retired  from  active  business 
and  leased  the  building  to  other  parties. 

In  political  faith  Mr.  Hopkins  is  a Republi- 
can, and  in  i860  was  elected  Senator  from  the 
town  of  West  Greenwich,  being  re-elected  each 
succeeding  year  until  1866,  when  he  removed 
to  Providence  and  was  succeeded  in  office  by 
his  father,  David  Hopkins.  Pn  Feb.  23,  1852, 
Mr.  Hopkins  was  married  toPelia  Edith  Wood- 
mansee,  daughter  of  Samuel,  Jr.,  and  Alice  Ma- 
hala  (Franklin)  Woodmansee.  Mrs.  Hppkins 
was  born  June  9,  1834,  in  Groton,  Conn.,  and 
was  about  one  year  old  when  brought  to  West 
Greenwich  by  her  parents.  Two  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hopkins:  (1)  Byron  Sum- 
ner, born  Dec.  5,  1852,  married  Kate  Chadwick, 
a native  of  Wisconsin,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren: Celia  Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  1,  1883,  who  grad- 
uated from  the  Manual  Training  School  at  Prov- 
idence and  Dr.  Sargent’s  School  of  Physical  Cul- 
ture at  Boston,  and  is  now  a teacher  of  physical 
culture;  and  Edward  Byron,  born  March  8,  1887. 
(2)  Julia  Annabel,  born  July  5,  1857,  married 
Fred  A.  Sutton,  and  resides  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ; 
they  had  one  child,  Edith,  born  in  August,  1881, 
who  died  in  September,  • 1882. 

Edwin  W.  Hopkins  is  a charter  member,  of 


882 


RHODE  ISLAND 


the  Pomham  Club,  and  for  many  years  was  a 
member  of  the  West  Side  Club.  He  was  made 
a Master  Mason  in  Manchester  Lodge,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  at  Anthony,  and  is  a member  of  Calvary 
Commandery,  Knights  Templar.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Providence  Board  of  Trade.  For 
several  years,  until  it  was  amalgamated  with  the 
American  Thread  Company,  he  was  a director 
of  the  Merrick  Thread  Company.  He  has  a wide 
acquaintance  throughout  the  State,  and  he  en- 
joys the  respect  and  esteem  of  a wide  circle  of 
friends. 

PARSONS  (Providence  Family).  For  the 
last  fifty  years  there  have  resided  and  figured 
prominently  in  the  professional,  social  and  busi- 
ness life  of  Providence  several  generations  of  one 
branch  of  the  New  England  Parsons  family— some 
of  the  posterity  of  the  late  Hon.  Anson  \ irgil  Par- 
sons, jurist  of  Philadelphia,  who,  however,  was  a 
Pennsylvanian  only  by  adoption,  being  a native  of 
the  Bay  State;  whose  son,  the  late  Hon.  James 
Hepburn  Parsons,  a graduate  of  Brown  Univer- 
sity, became  a lawyer  of  prominence  in  his  adopted 
city  of  Providence,  where  he  was  either  appointed 
or  elected  to  several  public  trusts  of  honor  and 
responsibility ; and  where  now  for  years  the  lat- 
ter's son,  George  Richmond  Parsons,  has  figured 
prominently  in  the  industrial  life  of  the  city  and  vi- 
cinity, being  connected  with  the  Crompton  Company 
and  the  Richmond  Manufacturing  Co.,  the  former 
concern  manufacturing  print  cloths,  corduroys  and 
cotton  velvets,  and  the  latter  manufacturing  cotton 
goods  for  print  cloths. 

The  Parsons  family  of  England  have  resided  for 
a long  period  in  the  several  counties  of  Devon, 
Buckingham,  Nottingham,  Oxford,  etc.  The  first 
of  the  name  in  New  England  was  Joseph  Parsons, 
of  Springfield,  1636,  where  he  appears  as  a witness 
to  the  deed  from"  the  Indians  of  the  lands  of  that 
place  and  vicinity  to  William  Pynchon  and  others 
on  the  15th  of  July.  There  appear,  however,  soon 
after,  at  'the  same  place,  Hugh  and  Benjamin  Par- 
sons. . The  family  tradition  relates  that  Joseph  and 
Benjamin  were  brothers,  that  they  were  born  in 
Great  Torrington  near  Exeter,  Devonshire,  England, 
and,  with  other  children,  accompanied  their  father 
to  New  England,  about  the  year  1630.  It  is  proba- 
ble that  they  came  over  with  Mr.  Pynchon.  Jo- 
seph Parsons  probably  remained  at  Springfield  un- 
til 1655,  in  which  year  he  removed  to  Northamp- 
ton. On  the  incorporation  of  the  town  he  was 
elected  townsman  or  selectman.  He  was  a princi- 
pal founder  of  Northampton,  was  extensively  en- 
gaged in  the  fur  trade,  and  acquired  a large  estate. 
He  married  Nov.  26,  1646,  Mary,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Bliss,  of  Hartford.  They  resided  in 
Northampton  till  1679,  in  which  year  they  returned 
to  Springfield,  where  they  both  died. 

■ From  this  Joseph  Parsons  the  lineage  of  George 
Richmond  Parsons  of  the  Crompton  Company  is 


through  Samuel  Parsons,  born  in  1652,  who  set- 
tled in  1706  at  Durham,  Conn;  Ithamar  Parsons, 
born  in  1707,  who  died  in  1786;  David  Parsons, 
who  about  1760  removed  to  Granville,  Mass.,  and 
Joel  Parsons,  the  father  of  Hon.  Judge  Anson  V. 
Parsons,  alluded  to  in  the  foregoing. 

Brief  sketches  of  the  lives  of  Hon.  Judge  Par- 
sons, Hon.  James  H.  Parsons  and  the  present 
George  R.  Parsons,  grandfather,  father  and  son, 
follow. 

Anson  Virgil  Parsons,  son  of  Joel,  was  born 
in  1799,  ’n  Granville,  Mass.  He  studied  law  in 
Litchfield,  Conn.,  under  James  Gould,  was  admit- 
ted to  the  Bar  in  1826,  and  settled  in  Harrisburg, 
Pa.,  where  he  practiced  until  his  appointment  in 
1840  as  president  judge  of  the  court  of  Common 
Pleas  of  the  Dauphin  judicial  district.  In  1842  he 
became  secretary  of  the  Commonwealth.  He  re- 
turned to  the  Bench  as  judge  of  the  court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas  of  Philadelphia  in  1843.  During  this 
service  the  firemen’s  riots  occurred,  and  as  Judge 
Parsons,  by  his  rigorous  dealing  with  the  cases  be- 
fore him,  incurred  the  enmity  of  the  lawless  ele- 
ifient,  his  life  was  frequently  threatened.  He  re- 
sumed practice  in  1851,  when  the  judiciary  became 
elective.  Judge  Parsons,  with  Judge  Edward 
King,  published  “Select  Cases  in  Equity”  (2  vols., 
Philadelphia,  1851-53). 

Judge  Parsons  married  Mary  Hepburn,  and 
there  were  born  to  them  eleven  children,  of  whom 
the  following  lived  to  years  of  maturity:  James 
FI.;  Henry  Cooley ; Emma  Hepburn,  wife  of  How- 
ard Richmond,  of  Providence;  and  F.  W.  Judge 
Parsons  died  Sept.  23,  1882,  in  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania. 

James  Hepburn  Parsons,  son  of  Judge  Anson 
V.  and  Mary  (Hepburn)  Parsons,  was  born  May 
30,  1832,  in  Jersey  Shore,  Pa.,  and  died  June  16, 
1876,  in  Providence,  R.  I.  He  pursued  his  studies 
preparatory  for  college  at  the  Philadelphia  high 
school,  under  the  tuition  of  Prof.  John  S.  Hart,  at 
that  time  the  principal  of  the  school.  He  then  en- 
tered Brown  University,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated with  the  class  of  1854.  After  graduating 
lie  studied  law  in  Philadelphia  under  the  direction 
of  his  father,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar.  Re- 
turning to  Providence,  R.  I.,  where  he  had  decided 
to  settle,  he  spent  six  months  in  the  office  of  the  late 
Hon.  Thomas  A.  Jenckes,  and  then  commenced 
practice  in  Rhode  Island.  He  resided  in  Provi- 
dence to  the  end  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Parsons  possessed  unusual  aptitude  for  the 
profession  upon  which  he  had  entered,  and  de- 
voted himself  more  especially  to  equity  practice. 
He  was  employed  in  causes  of  great  importance 
and  was  distinguished  for  the  thoroughness  with 
which  his  briefs  were  prepared.  Early  in  his  ca- 
reer he  served  for  a time  as  a member  of  the  City 
Magistrates,  was  a member  of  the  General  As- 
sembly from  May,  1862,  to  May,  1863,  and  was 
appointed  by  President  Johnson,  in  1866,  District 


RHODE  ISLAND 


883 


Attorney  of  the  United  States,  an  office  which  he 
filled  with  credit  for  the  few  months  in  which  he 
held  it.  Fraternally  he  was  a member  of  St.  John’s 
Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  and  of  the  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar. 

On  Oct.  25,  1859,  Mr-  Parsons  was  married  to 
Ellen  Richmond,  born  May  14,  1832,  at  Providence, 
R.  I.,  daughter  of  the  late  George  M.  and  Anna 
(Eddy)  Richmond,  he  a prominent  business  man, 
engaged  in  manufacturing  at  Providence,  and  she  a 
daughter  of  Hon.  Samuel  Eddy,  jurist  and  states- 
man, at  one  time  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
court  of  Rhode  Island  and  for  years  a member  of 
the  United  States  Congress. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parsons  were  born  two  chil- 
dren, namely : George  Richmond,  born  April  10, 
1861 ; and  Mary  Hepburn,  born  April  18,  1862. 

Mrs.  Ellen  (Richmond)  Parsons  is  a direct  de- 
scendant of  a number  of  the  early  and  prominent 
families  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island.  On 
her  father’s  side  she  is  in  the  eighth  generation 
from  John  Richmond,  who  left  England  about 
1635  for  New  England,  coming  from  Ashton 
Keynes,  Wiltshire.  He  was  one  of  the  purchasers 
of  Taunton,  Mass.,  in  1637,  from  whom  her  lineage 
is  through  Capt.  Edward  and  his  wife  Abigail 
(Davis)  Richmond,  of  that  part  of  Dartmouth, 
Mass.,  now  Little  Compton,  R.  I. ; Col.  Sylvester 
and  his  wife  Elizabeth  (Rogers)  Richmond,  of 
what  is  now  Little  Compton,  R.  I.,  she  the  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Pabodie)  Rogers,  grand- 
daughter of  John  Rogers,  of  Duxbury,  Mass.,  and 
great-granddaughter  of  Thomas  Rogers,  of  the 
“Mayflower”;  Col.  Sylvester  Richmond  (2)  and 
his  wife  Elizabeth  (Talbut),  of  Little  Compton 
and  Dighton,  Mass.,  he  for  many  years  high  sheriff 
of  Bristol  county,  Mass.,  a representative  in  the 
State  Assembly,  etc. ; Lieut. -Col.  Sylvester  Rich- 
mond and  his  wife  Abigail  (Nightingale),  of  Digh- 
ton, Mass.,  he  a patriot  soldier  and  officer  of  the 
Revolution,  moderator  of  town  meetings,  selectman, 
etc.;  Samuel  Richmond  and  his  wife  Amey  (Mar- 
tin) Richmond,  of  Providence,  R.  I. ; and  George 
M.  Richmond  and  his  wife  Anna  (Eddy)  Rich- 
mond of  Providence. 

G.  Richmond  Parsons,  of  the  Crompton  Com- 
pany, was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  April  10,  1861. 
He  was  educated  in  the  Providence  schools,  and  at 
Phillips-Exeter  Academy,  graduating  in  1882.  He 
entered  Harvard  with  the  class  of  1886,  but  left  in 
the  Junior  year  on  account  of  illness  in  the  family. 
He  began  his  business  life  with  the  Richmond 
Manufacturing  Company,  of  which  he  is  now  pres- 
ident, and  later  became  associated  witlvthe  Cromp- 
ton Company,  to  the  success  of  which  he  has  de- 
voted his  entire  attention  ever  since. 

Mr.  Parsons  married  Oct.  23,  1889,  Laura 
Turner  Brayton,  daughter  of  Lodowick  Brayton, 
the  first  president  of  the  Union  Railway  Company, 
of  Providence,  and  to  them  came  one  daughter, 
Laura  Turner  Parsons. 


Though  a business  man  Mr.  Parsons  has  given 
much  of  his  time  to  public  affairs.  He  is  a Republi- 
can, and  has  faithfully  served  the  city  as  a member 
of  the  council  since  1898,  during  which  time  he 
has  served  on  a number  of  the  important  commit- 
tees, among  others  the  committees  on  Finance  and 
City  Property.  He  has  ever  manifested  independ- 
ence and  public  spirit,  especially  in  regard  to  the 
East  Side  Approach.  In  this  matter  from  the  first 
he  contended  practically  alone  and  in  the  face  of 
strong  opposition,  that  the  solution  of  the  problem 
was  a tunnel  to  be  used  by  electric  cars  only  and  to 
be  built  without  expense  to  the  city;  that  for  the 
city  to  construct  a viaduct  or  easy  grade  street  to 
be  used  by  all  classes  of  traffic  was  an  unnecessary 
and  unwarranted  extravagance.  He  has  further- 
more contended  that  if  the  city  loans  its  credit  to 
build  such  a tunnel  it  must  have  the  title.  Public 
opinion  has  since  endorsed  the  views  fought  for  by 
Mr.  Parsons.  He  is  a member  of  the  Agawam 
Hunt  Club. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  BOWERS 
BOURN,  for  more  than  half  a century  one  of  the 
best  known  men  in -the  business  life  of  Providence, 
was  a descendant  in  the  seventh  generation  of  one 
of  the  earliest  settlers  in  New  England,  his  line 
of  descent  from  Jared  Bourn,  the  pioneer  pro- 
genitor of  the  family,  being  as  follows  : 

(I)  Jared  Bourn,  it  is  thought  probably,  came 
from  England  in  the  fleet  with  Gov.  Winthrop,  in 
1630.  He  was  admitted  to  the  church  in  Boston 
April  22,  1634,  and  made  a freeman  May  6,  1635. 
He  had  some  grants  of  land  made  to  him,  and 
also  bought  land  there.  He  was  later  at  Roxbury, 
and  still  later  removed  to  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  where 
he  was  a representative  (1654-55)  in  the  Colonial 
Legislature.  His  wife,  whose  Christian  name  was 
Mary,  died  the  30th  of  3d  month,  1644,  and  he 
had  a second  wife,  Frances.  He  finally  removed  to 
Swansea,  Mass.,  where  he  is  credited  with  having 
built  a block  house  at  Mattapoiset,  now  Gardiner’s 
Neck,  which  was  the  refuge  of  the  inhabitants  at 
the  beginning  of  King  Philip’s  war,  and  they  were 
rescued  from  there  by  troops  principally  from 
Bridgewater.  Tradition  says  this  was  a stone 
block  house,  and  the  only  one  in  that  section,  and 
it  was  said  to  have  been  located  on  what  was 
known  a number  of  years  ago  as  the  Sandy  Sher- 
man place. 

(II)  Jared  Bourn  (2),  baptized  March  7, 
1651,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Francis  and 
Mary  Brayton,  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  and  to  them 
came  the  following  children : Mary  Chase,  Eliza- 
beth, Francis,  Patience,  Martha  and  William. 

(III)  Francis  Bourn  married  Feb.  23,  1715- 
16,  Charity,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Thurber)  Wheaton,  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.  Mr. 
Bourn  died  in  1758.  The  children  of  this  couple, 
all  born  in  Swansea,  Mass.,  were : Jared,  born 
April  3,  1718;  Sarah,  June  26,  1721;  Stephen, 


884 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Oct.  25,  1724;  Rachel,  Nov.  20,  1725;  Francis,  in 
1730;  Nathaniel;  and  Content. 

(IV)  Francis  Bourn  (2),  born  in  I73°> 
Swansea,  Mass.,  married  Nov.  2,  1755,  in  Salem, 
Mass.,  Elizabeth  Sterns,  of  Salem,  born  May  20, 
1726,  daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca  (Gillingham) 
Sterns,  of  Salem,  Mass.  They  died,  Mr.  Bourn 
in  1792,  in  Swansea,  Mass.,  and  Mrs.  Bourn,  Jan. 
29,  1803.  Their  children  were:  Eunice,  born  in 
3:757 ; Joshua;  Hannah,  born  Dec.  24.  1761,  in 
Swansea,  Mass.;  Deborah,  born  Feb.  26,  1763,  in 
Swansea,  Mass.;  Francis,  born  in  1766,  in  Swan- 
sea, Mass. ; and  Sarah. 

(V)  Francis  Bourn  (3)  born  in  1766,  in 
Swansea,  Mass.,  married  Mary  Bowers,  daughter 
of  Philip  and  Mary  Bowers,  of  Somerset,  Mass., 
and  they  were  residents  of  Somerset,  where  Mr. 
Bourn  died  Sept.  15,  1815,  and  Mrs.  Bourn  June 
29,  1830.  Their  children,  all  born  in  Somerset, 
were:  Francis,  born  Dec.  8,  1802;  Mary  Ann, 
Sept.  21,  1804;  Eliza  Jane,  Nov.  17,  1807;  Philip 
Bowers,  Feb.  17,  1809;  Benjamin  Mason,  March 
5,  1811 ; William  Bowers,  June  21,  1813;  and  Han- 
nah Bowers,  July  18,  1821. 

(VI)  Francis  Bourn  (4),  born  Dec.  8,  1802,  in 
Somerset,  Mass.,  married  Nancy  Bartlett,  of  Cum- 
berland, R.  I.  She  died  Nov.  11,  1828,  and  he 
married  (second)  in  December,  1832,  Almira, 
daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Ruth  Gifford,  of  Bristol, 
R.  1.  The  second  Mrs.  Bourn  died  Feb.  10,  1834. 
His  children  were:  George  Washington  Bowers, 
born  May  21,  1825 ; Mary  Ann,  May  10,  1827 
(both  to  the  first  marriage)  ; and  Almira,  born 
Sept.  21,  1833,  and  died  March  10,  1837.  The 
father  of  these  married  (third)  March  8,  1836, 
Peace,  daughter  of  Dr.  John  and  Hope  Turner, 
of  Fall  River,  Mass.,  *md  they  resided  in  Bristol, 
Rhode  Island. 

(VII)  George  Washington  Bowers  Bourn, 
born  May  21,  1825,  married  March  24,  1858,  Caro- 
line Maria  Barrows,  daughter  of  Milton  and  Mary 
A.  (Guild)  Barrows,  of  Attleboro,  Massachusetts. 

Mr.  Bourn,  though  born  in  Providence,  R.  I., 
passed  much  of  his  early  life  in  Bristol,  this  State. 
For  many  years  he  was  associated  in  business  with 
his  uncle,  the  late  Benjamin  Mason  Bourn,  who 
was  engaged  in  the  provision  business  in  Provi- 
dence, at  the  corner  of  Ship  and  Richmond  streets, 
where  George  W.  B.  Bourn  amassed ' quite  a for- 
tune. For  a number  of  years  before  his  death 
he  was  not  actively  engaged  in  business,  having 
retired  in  1875.  He  was  a man  of  kindly  disposi- 
tion, genial  and  ever  ready  to  assist  in  every  good 
work.  He  was  a lover  of  out-door  life,  and  was 
an  enthusiastic  fisherman,  and  to  gratify  this  taste, 
passed  seventeen  summers  in  Maine,  and  twenty 
at  Falmouth,  Mass.  He  was  a communicant  of 
All  Saints  Memorial  Church  in  Providence,  to 
which  Mrs.  Bourn  also  belongs,  and  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Churchman’s  Club  of  Rhode  Is- 
land. 


Mr.  Bourn  died  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  Oct.  8, 
1899,  and  was  buried  at  Swan  Point. 

SIMEON  DAVIS  (deceased),  for  many  years 
one  of  Newport's  highly  honored  citizens  and  suc- 
cessful business  men,  was  born  in  Newport,  April 
28,  1830,  son  of  Nathaniel  Davis,  a native  of  New 
York  State. 

Nathaniel  Davis,  father  of  Simeon,  was  a sea 
captain,  and  for  many  years  was  master  of  vessels 
running  between  Providence  and  Newport.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Church, 
and  was  rather  religiously  inclined.  He  married 
Hannah  Howard,  who  died  in  February,  1878,  aged 
eighty-two  years.  His  death  occurred  Feb.  29, 
1872,  when  he  was  seventy-eight  years  of  age.  To 
Nathaniel  and  Hannah  Davis  were  born:  George, 
who  died  in  Newport,  where  he  was  superintendent 
of  the  carriages  at  the  ‘‘Ocean  House”  for  over 
thirty  years;  Rebecca,  who  married  (first)  Charles 
Tilley,  and  (second)  Benajah  Barker,  of  Lebanon, 
Conn. ; Charles,  who  died  in  Providence ; William, 
H.,  who  operated  a livery  business  in  Newport,  and 
died  there;  Nathaniel,  Jr.,  who  died  in  Newport; 
Mary,  who  married  (first)  Robert  Pingley,  and 
(second)  Judson  Gager,  of  Lebanon,  Conn.; 
Simeon;  and  James,  who  was  a baker  by  occupa- 
tion, and  died  in  Newport. 

Simeon  Davis  was  born  in  Newport,  R.  I., 
April  28,  1830,  and  received  his  educational  train- 
ing in  his  native  city.  After  leaving  the  public 
schools  he  received  a friendly  tuition  under  the  late 
Gen.  John  Newton,  who  was  at  that  time  making 
a marine  map  of  Narragansett  Bay,  and  who  in 
after  years  opened  up  Hell  Gate  in  New  York 
harbor.  Mr.  Davis  then  went  to  learn  the  baker's 
trade  with  Nathaniel  Greene,  and  later  went  into 
business  with  Isaac  Boss,  with  whom  he  was 
associated  for  about  three  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  became  foreman  for  the  late 
Robert  M.  Franklin,  in  the  bakery  business. 
He  finally  opened  a place  of  his  own  on 
Broadway,  later  removing  to  Thames  street, 
and  at  the  latter  location  continued  in  busirfess  for 
over  forty  years.  He  retired  from  active  business 
in  1899,  a very  successful,  self-made  man.  Mr. 
Davis  was  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
holding  membership  in  Redwood  Lodge,  No.  11, 
and  in  Davis  Company,  Uniform  Rank,  No.  8,  K. 
of  P.  (this  rank  being  named  for  him),  and  he  was 
very  active  in  these  bodies,  being  past  chancellor 
commander  of  the  former,  and  was  the  first  captain 
of  the  latter;  and  he  was  also  a member  of  the 
State  and  Gfand  Lodges.  He  attended  the  Central 
Baptist  Church,  of  which  Mrs.  Davis  was  a member, 
and  to  which  they  were  liberal  in  their  support.  In 
politics  Mr.  Davis  was  a stanch  Republican,  but 
was  never  an  office  seeker. 

Simeon  Davis  was  married,  Oct.  30,  1851,  to 
Mary  Jane  Easton,  daughter  of  John  and  Frances 
Ann  (Franklin)  Easton,  and  she  died  Dec.  28, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


885 


1896,  in  Newport,  aged  sixty-four  years,  the  mother 
ot  the  following  named  children:  (1)  Augustus 
Boss,  born  Aug.  26,  1852,  in  Newport,  was  with 
his  father  in  the  bakery  business  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  Jan.  20,  1899;  he  left  a widow, 
formerly  Fannie  S.  Shaw,  of  Newport.  They  had 
children:  Minnie  Frances  (who  died  aged  six 
years),  Fannie  T.  (who  married  Howland  Bur- 
dick, of  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  and  has  two  children, 
Evelyn  Augusta  and  Helen  Shaw  Burdick),  Maude 
(who  died  in  infancy).,  Simeon  (who  died  aged  six 
months),  and  Augustus  Boss,  Jr.  (who  is  now  living 
in  Kingstown,  R.  I.).  Like  his  father,  Augustus 
B.  Davis  was  also  active  in  various  societies,  and 
was  captain  of  Davis  Company,  No.  8,  Uniform 
Rank,  K.  of  P.,  which  was  named  for  his  father, 
and  was  serving  in  that  capacity  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  Knights 
of  Pythias  in  the  State,  and  also  held  membership 
in  Coronet  Council,  No.  63,  Royal  Arcanum.  (2) 
Florence  Mathewson,  born  Dec.  10,  1855,  married 
Feb.  28,  1878,  George  W.  Barlow,  son  of  Fred- 
erick N.  Barlow,  of  Newport,  and  their  children, 
. Simeon  Davis  and  Augustus  LeRoy,  twins,  both 
died  when  six  months  of  age.  (3)  Fannie  Til- 
linghast,  born  Sept.  27,  1859,  died  June  16,  1873. 
(4)  Miss  Jennie,  born  Sept.  26,  1861,  is  at  home. 

Mrs.  Frances  A.  (Franklin)  Easton,  mother  of 
Mrs.  Simeon  Davis,  was  an  original  member  of 
the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  holding 
membership  in  William  Ellery  Chapter,  of  Newport, 
of  which  her  granddaughters  are  also  active  mem- 
bers. 

Simeon  Davis  possessed  a genial,  social  manner, 
and  as  a result  had  a host  of  stanch  friends.  In  his 
death,  which  occurred  April  11,  1901,  the  city  of 
Newport  lost  one  of  its  substantial  and  highly 
honored  citizens,  and  his  family  a devoted  husband 
and  an  affectionate  father. 

HUMPHREY  (Tiverton  family).  For  an 
hundred  and  more  years  there  has  resided  in  the 
town  of  Tiverton  a branch  of  the  old  Weymouth- 
Rehoboth  or  Swansea  Humphrey  family,  a family 
long  conspicuous  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Bar- 
rington, this  Commonwealth.  Here  the  name  ap- 
pears frequently  of  record  in  high  public  office  and 
useful  citizenship.  The  name  in  Barrington,  and  as 
well  in  Rehoboth  and  Swansea,  was  frequent  on  the 
list  of  patriots  during  the  Revolution.  Maj.  William 
Humphrey,  of  Rehoboth,  afterward  a member  of 
the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  was  a prominent 
character  in  the  war;  Major  Josiah  Humphrey  took 
an  active  and  prominent  part  in  the  legislature  of 
that  period ; while  the  latter’s  son  and  a number  of 
others  served  in  the  war.  Here  in  the  town  of 
Tiverton  the  name  has  been  one  of  substantial,  use- 
ful and  influential  citizenship,  since  the  coming 
hither  from  the  Rehoboth-Swansea  region,  after  the 
Revolution,  of  one  William  Humphrey,  some  of 


whose  direct  descendants  are  at  this  time  worthily 
wearing  the  family  name,  among  them  Peleg  Dur- 
fee  Humphrey,  former  member  and  president  of 
the  Tiverton  town  council ; David  D.  Humphrey, 
son  of  the  late  Joseph  D.  Humphrey ; and  at 
Providence,  George  Humphrey,  a veteran  and  of- 
ficer of  the  Civil  war  who  saw  long  and  active 
service  and  who  wears  the  scars  of  the  enemy’s 
shot  upon  his  person,  and  who  is  now  a retired  suc- 
cessful merchant  of  Providence. 

As  to  the  antecedents  of  Major  William 
Humphrey  there  is  some  doubt.  There  is  a family 
tradition,  coming  through  his  granddaughter,  Mrs. 
Lucy  Monroe,  of  Seekonk,  Mass.,  who  wrote  about 
the  year  1886  to  the  effect  that  all  she  knew  was 
that  her  grandfather,  William  Humphrey,  was  an 
orphan,  that  he  fell  to  the  care  of  her  great-grand- 
father Monroe ; that  the  latter  bound  the  boy  out 
to  a man  in  Swansea,  Mass.,  and  after  a time,  as  it 
seemed  hd  had  not  received  proper  treatment  at  the 
hands  of  the  one  to  whom  lie  had  been  entrusted, 
he  was  taken  into  the  family  of  Mr.  Monroe  and 
reared  as  one  of  his  own  children.  From  these  cir- 
cumstances and  others  in  evidence  that  he  belonged 
to  the  Humphrey  stock  indicated  in  the  foregoing, 
one  being  a deed  in  the  possession  of  one  of  the 
Tiverton  Humphreys  which  conveys  land  to  Wil- 
liam from  Josiah  Humphrey — one  half  of  the  lat- 
ter’s farm  in  Rehoboth,  Mass. — it  is  assumed  that 
he  was  a son  of  John  and  Mary  (Penny)  Humph- 
rey, of  Weymouth,  Mass.,  and  a direct  descendant 
of  Jonas  Humphrey,  of  Dorchester,  from,  whom 
his  lineage  is  through  Jonas  (2),  Jonas  (3),  Jonas 
(4),  and  John  Humphrey.  These  generations  in 
the  order  given  and  in  detail  follow : 

(I)  Jonas  Humphrey,  a native  of  Wendover, 
County  of  Bucks,  England,  a glove  maker  by  trade, 
came  to  New  England  with  his  family  in  1637,  and 
settled  in  Dorchester,  where  he  seems  to  have 
been  a man  of  standing  and  respectability,  and 
united  with  the  church  there  in  1639.  The  Chris- 
tian name  of  his  first  wife  was  Frances.  He  mar- 
ried later  Jane  Clapp,  widow  of  George  Weeks. 
Mr.  Humphrey  died  March  19,  1662,  in  Dorchester. 
His  children,  all  born  to  Frances,  were : James 
and  "fonas,  both  born  in  England;  Elizabeth;  Sus- 
anna, and  Sarah. 

(II)  Jonas  Humphrey  (2),  born  about  1620,  in 
Wendover,  England,  removed  with  his  father  in 
1637  to  Dorchester,  New  England,  and  for  a time 
resided  there  but  later  settled  in  Weymouth,  Mass., 
perhaps  not  permanently,  about  1653-  He  resided 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  and  the  old 
homestead  was  kept  in  the  family  name  for  upwards 
of  two  centuries.  Mr.  Humphrey  was  a man  of 
capacitv  and  influence,  one  of  the  leaders  of  the 
town.  He  was  for  many  years  a selectman,  and  a 
part  of  the  time  chairman  of  the  board.  He  was 
a deacon  in  the  church.  The  Christian  name  of  his 
wife  was  Martha.  Mr.  Humphrey  died  Feb.  n, 


886 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1698-99,  aged  seventy-nine  years.  His  children 
were:  Samuel,  Nathaniel,  Jonas,  John,  Sarah  and 
James. 

(III)  Jonas  Humphrey  (3),  son  of  Jonas  (2), 
born  Feb.  24,  1655.  in  Weymouth,  Mass.,  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Elizabeth  Phillips, 
of  Weymouth,  and  they  resided  in  that  town.  He 
served  in  the  Indian  campaign  in  1675,  against 
King  Philip,  being  a member  of  Capt.  Johnson’s 
company.  He  was  industrious  and  provident,  and 
left  quite  a good  estate.  He  died  Oct.  30,  1689. 
His  children  were:  Jonas,  James  and  Mary. 

(IV)  Jonas  Humphrey  (4),  son  of  Jonas  (3), 
was  born  Sept.  3,  1684,  in  Weymouth,  Mass.  His 
first  wife,  Martha,  died  in  1712.  He  married 
(second)  in  1716,  Mary  Neal,  of  Braintree,  Mass. 
Mr.  Humphrey  lived  and  died  in  Weymouth,  the 
latter  event  occurring  in  1761  ; his  widow  passed 
away  about  five  years  later.  One  son,  John,  was 
born  to  the  first  wife,  and  the  following  named  chil- 
dren to  the  second : Mary,  Martha,  Samuel,  Hannah, 
Samuel  (2)  and  James. 

(V)  John  Humphrey,  son  of  Jonas  (4),  born 
Feb.  17,  1710,  in  Weymouth,  Mass.,  married  (pub- 
lished Oct.  15,  1738)  Mary  Penny.  They  lived  in 
Weymouth,  not  in  affluent  circumstances,  and  there 
he  died.  But  little  is  known  of  him.  His  children 
were:  Hannah,  Betty,  John,  William  (born  March 
22,  1747),  James,  Eunice,  Jonas  (served  in  Arnold’s 
expedition  to  Quiebec ; afterward  re-enlisted  and 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  White  Plains,  N.  Y.,  in 
the  Revolution),  Mary  and  Hannah,  Martha  and 
Silence. 

(VI)  William  Humphrey,  son  of  John,  born 
March  22,  1747,  in  Weymouth,  Mass.,  was  reared, 
says  tradition,  in  the  family  of  one  Monroe  of 
Seekonk,  Mass.  He  married  in  that  town  Dec.  4, 
1783,  Lydia,  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Hannah 
(Allen)  Monroe.  He  removed  to  Tiverton,  R.  I., 
about  1787,  and  bought  the  north  end  of  Nana- 
quakett.  At  least  a portion  of  this  land  is  still 
owned  and  occupied  by  some  of  the  descendants  of 
Mr.  Humphrey.  He  made  Tiverton  his  home  for 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a soldier  in  the 
Revolution,  a member  of  the  First  Regiment,  be- 
coming captain  and  later  major.  He  went  with 
Arnold  on  the  Quebec  expedition,  holding  a cap- 
taincy, and  was  a prisoner  of  war  for  five  months, 
during  which  time  he  kept  a journal.  It  is  a family 
tradition  that  he  was  a member  of  the  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati.  He  was  for  several  years  a senator, 
and  was  a deacon  in  the  Baptist  Church.  His  death 
occurred  in  July,  1832.  His  widow  died  Sept.  26, 
1843.  Their  children  of  Tiverton  town  record 
were:  William,  born  Nov.  26,  1784;  Nathan,  Feb. 
16,  1787;  Squire,  Sept.  20,  1788:  Harriet,  Oct.  10, 
1790;  Sarah,  Dec.  25,  1792:  Lydia,  Oct.  10,  1794; 
Cyrus,  Nov.  21,  1796;  Hannah,  Dec.  11,  1798; 
Thomas  Jefferson,  July  7,  1801  ; and  George  Wash- 
ington, April  15,  1804. 

(VII)  George  Washington  Humphrey,  son  of 


Major  William,  born  April  15,  1804,  in  Tiverton, 
R.  I.,  married  Jan.  2,  1831,  Mary,  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Ruth  Durfee,  who  died  Feb.  8,  1844, 
and  he  married  (second)  Nov.'  10,  1844,  Caroline 
M.,  daughter  of  Wanton  and  Elizabeth  Manchester. 
Mr.  Humphrey  lived  in  Tiverton,  R.  I.,’  was  a suc- 
cessful farmer,  held  various  town  offices  and  rep- 
resented his  district  several  terms  in  the  State  Leg- 
islature. He  was  a man  of  good  judgment,  never 
wavering  in  the  time  of  duty,  and  his  advice  was  al- 
ways respected.  He  died  at  Tiverton,  Rhode  Is- 
land, July  21,  1882.  Caroline  (Manchester) 

Humphrey  died  Nov.  2,  1878.  Mr.- Humphrey’s 
children  were:  Ruth,  born  Oct.  9,  1831,  who  mar- 
ried Amos  Crapon ; William  H.,  born  Oct.  10, 
1832 : Caroline,  born  May  22,  1835,  who  died  June 
1,  1864;  Joseph  D.,  born  Sept.  26,  1837,  who  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Holt,  and  died  in  1905  ; George,  born 
Dec.  29,  1839;  Horatio  N.,  born  Nov.  6,  1841,  and 
died  Jan.  29,  1863;  Peleg  Durfee,  born  Dec.  30, 
1843  (a^  to  the  first  marriage)  ; Mary,  born  March 
7,  1846,  and  died  in  March,  1878,  wife  of  Capt. 
Nathaniel  B.  Church  ; and  William,  born  Sept.  5, 
1851,  and  died  Aug.  22,  1896. 

(VIII)  Peleg  Durfee  Humphrey, son  of  George  ' 
Washington,  was  born  on  the  Humphrey  homestead 
Dec.  30,  1843,  an(l  attended  the  Brown  district 
schools  of  his  native  town  and  Lapham  Institute, 
North  Scituate,  R.  I.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
home  farm,  and  made  farming  his  occupation  for 
a number  of  years  on  what  was  once  a part  of  the 
Major  William  Humphrey  homestead.  In  1891  he 
began  the  coal  and  lumber  business  in  Tiverton, 
forming  a partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  Hon. 
Nathaniel  B.  Church,  buying  out  the  business 
owned  by  S.  Gilman  Bowen.  The  business  for 
three  years  was  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of 
Humphrey  & Church.  Capt.  Church  sold  out  his 
interest  in  1894  to  his  brother,  Hon.  George  L. 
Church,  and  the  business  was  conducted  under  the 
same  name  until  1897,  when  Mr.  Humphrey  bought 
out  the  interest  of  Capt.  George  L.  Church,  and 
since  that  time  has  conducted  the  business  alone 
with  marked  success,  becoming  one  of  the  largest 
coal  and  lumber  dealers  between  Newport  aqd  Fall 
River.  He  also  handles  all  kinds  of  building  ma- 
terial, and  conducts  a hardware  store.  He  is  a 
thorough  business  man,  and  gives  his  affairs  his 
careful  attention,  being  thoroughly  familiar  with  all 
the  details.  He  is  now  assisted  by  his  two  sons, 
both  young  men  of  good  ability  and  steady  habits. 

Mr.  Humphrey’s  father  built  a comfortable 
home  on  the  old  homestead  farm  at  Nanaquakett 
where  Mr.  Peleg  Durfee  Humphrey  was  born  and 
where  he  now  lives,  and  in  this  place  he  takes  much 
pride  and  comfort.  He  is  a man  of  progressive 
ideas  and  while  the  demands  of  his  business  are 
great,  he  nevertheless  finds  time  to  be  conversant 
with  public  affairs.  He  is  a Democrat  of  the 
old  school,  and  for  several  years  has  been  a mem- 
ber of  the  Tiverton  town  council,  and  for  three 


RHODE  ISLAND 


887 


years  was  president  of  the  body;  for  several  years 
a member  of  the  school  committee ; and  for  a short 
time  a member  of  the  police  commission  bv  ap- 
pointment of  Governor  Garvin,  to  succeed  Capt. 
N.  B.  Church,  the  appointment  later  being  con- 
firmed by  the  Senate.  He  and  his  family  attend 
the  Congregational  Church  at  Tiverton  Four  Cor- 
ners. He  has  been  active  in  church  work  for 
many  years,  has  served  as  deacon  for  a number 
of  years,  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school  for  over 
a quarter  of  a century,  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day school  for  over  fifteen  years,  and  also  as  presi- 
dent of  the  church  corporation. 

In  1868  Mr.  Humphrey  married  Elizabeth  G. 
Estes,  daughter  of  the  late  Capt.  Clark  Estes,  and 
they  had  two  children : Josie,  who  married  Rev. 
Joseph  Williams,  a minister  of  the  Methodist 
Church  at  Swansea,  Mass. ; and  George,  at  home. 
Mrs.  Humphrey  died  Dec.  16,  1872,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-four  years,  nine  months  and  twenty-five 
days.  Mr.  Humphrey  married  (second),  in  1875, 
at  Johnstpn,  R.  I.,  Ida  A.  Winsor,  daughter  of  the 
late  Ira  Winsor.  To  this  marriage  came  children 
as  follows:  Ira  Winsor,  who  married  Myrtha  M. 
Gear,  and  is  in  business  with  hi§  father;  Irving 
Durfee,  who  married  Eunice  Hazel  Lawton 
Hambly,  and  is  also  with  his  father ; and  Anna  F., 
at  home. 

GEORGE  GARDNER  HALL,  one  of  the  best 
known  hotel  men  of  New  England,  and  for  over 
a quarter  of  a century  proprietor  of  the  “Adams 
House,’’  Boston,  is  a native  of  Rhode  Island,  born 
at  Bristol  Nov.  16,  1843.  He  is  a descendant  of  one 
of  the  oldest  families  of  the  State,  and  of  whom  ad- 
ditional mention  will  be  found  elsewhere. 

Gardner  Hall,  his  father,  was  born  at  the  old 
Hall  homestead,  Oct.  10,  1815,  and  he  was 
the  son  of  Judge  David  and  Hannah  (Dennis) 
Hall.  He  attended  school  in  his  home  sec- 
tion, and  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits, 
which  lies  followed  during  a long  and  useful  life. 
After  his  marriage  Mr.  Hall  farmed  for  a short  time 
in  Bristol  on  rented  land,  and  then  removed  to 
Fall  River,  which  was  then  a part  of  Tiverton,  R. 
I.,  continuing  there  for  seven  years,  on  the  Ben- 
jamin Barker  farm.  He  then  removed  to  Little 
Compton,  later  carrying  on  operations  in  Bristol 
county,  where  he  continued  until  he  removed  to 
Acushnet,  at  which  place  he  bought  a home  and 
lived  for  a time.  Subsequently  he  removed  to  New 
Bedford.  Mass.,  where  he  lived  retired  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  Dec.  29,  1886,  when  lie  was 
aged  seventy-one  years,  two  months.  He  was 
buried  in  the  Friends  cemetery,  where  had  been 
interred  many  of  his  relatives.  In  politics  Mr.  Hall 
was  a Republican ; but  he  never  sought  office. 
Honest  and  upright  in  his  dealings  with  his  fellow- 
men,  he  had  the  esteem  of  the  entire  community, 
and  was  considered  an  upright,  Christian  gentle- 


man. Mr.  Hall  was  married  in  Portsmouth,  R.  I., 
Jan.  7,  1841,  to  Catherine  Sowle  Hall,  who  was 
born  in  Portsmouth,  daughter  of  Judge  Parker 
Hall,  and  to  this  union  were  born  two  children, 
George  Gardner  and  Anthony  Dennis.  The  mother 
of  these  children  died  at  her  home  in  New  Bedford, 
and  was  buried  in  the  Friends  cemetery  at  Ports- 
mouth beside  her  husband. 

George  Gardner  Hall  attended  the  public 
schools  at  Tiverton  and  the  district  schools  of  Bris- 
tol county,  Mass.  During  his  earlier  years  he 
worked  at  home  on  the  farm  with  his  father,  but 
on  reaching  manhood  went  to  Fall  River  to  learn 
the  trade  of  blacksmith.  This  occupation  not  prov- 
ing congenial,  however,  after  a short  time  he  re- 
turned home,  and  about  the  close  of  the  Civil  war 
started  out  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  go- 
ing to  Boston.  His  first '-object  being  to  gain  a 
commercial  education,  he  took  a course  in  a school 
in  that  city,  and  subsequently  secured  a position 
as  bookkeeper  in  a livery  stable,  remaining  there 
for  a year  and  a half.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he 
became  clerk  at  the  “Parker  House,”  a position  he 
filled  acceptably  for  ten  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time,  having  saved  a little  money,  he  formed  a part- 
nership in  1876  with  Mr.  J.  R.  Whipple  and  leased 
the  “Young’s  Hotel.”  This  venture  proving  such 
a success,  the  partners  in  1883  leased  the  “Adams 
House,”  and  they  conducted  both  hotels  until  1886, 
when  the  partnership  was  dissolved,  Mr.  Hall  tak- 
ing the  “Adams  House,”  while  Mr.  Whipple  re- 
tained the  “Young’s  Hotel.”  For  the  past  twenty 
years  Mr.  Hall  has  continued  to  conduct  this  well- 
known  hostelry  successfully,  and  during  this  period 
has  made  many  improvements,  including  the  ex- 
tension of  the  hotel  to  Mason  street,  the  building 
of  two  large  dining-rooms  and  other  necessary  im- 
provements, entailing  a cost  of  practically  half  a 
million  dollars.  Mr.  Hall  has  made  the  “Adams 
House”  one  of  the  leading  hotels  in  New  England, 
being  able  to  accommodate  over  six  hundred  guests. 
He  is  a thorough  hotel  man,  and  leaves  nothing 
undone  that  will  add  to  the  comfort  of  his  patrons. 
In  the  management  of  the  “Adams  House”  he  is 
assisted  by  his  two  sons  and  his  brother,  who  like 
himself  are  all  capable  men. 

Mr.  Hall  has  a kind  and  genial  manner,  and  a 
quiet  disposition.  His  hobby  may  be  said  to  be 
his  love  for  good  horses.  In  politics  he  is  liberal, 
and  he  is  a member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  to 
which  his  wife  also  belonged.  Mr.  Hall  was  mar- 
ried in  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  to  Miss  Belle  Martha 
Robinson,  a native  of  New  Bedford,  daughter  of 
James  Robinson,  and  a descendant  of  an  old  and 
honored  Massachusetts  family.  Three  children 
were  born  to  this  union:  George  Robinson  and 
Frank  Gardner,  who  are  assisting  their  father  in 
conducting  the  hotel,  and  Catherine,  who  died  in 
infancy.  Mrs.  Hall  died  Aug.  10,  1907. 

Mr.  Hall’s  country  place  is  in  Portsmouth,  R. 


888 


RHODE  ISLAND 


I.,  where  he  owns  one  of  the  most  picturesque  lo- 
cations along-  Narragansett  Bay,  in  a locality  replete 
with  landmarks  of  historic  interest. 

Anthony  Dennis  Hall,  brother  of  George 
Gardner  Hall,  was  born  at  Tiverton,  R.  I.  (now 
Fall  River,  Mass.),  Jan.  13,  1845.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools  of  Rhode  Island  and 
at  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  and  continued  on  the  home 
farm,  working  with  his  father,  until  seventeen 
years  of  age,  when  he  accepted  a position  as  clerk 
in  a grocery  -store  in  New  Bedford.  After  fifteen 
years  spent  there  Mr.  Hall  located  in  Boston,  and 
on  April  15,  1882,  accepted  a position  as  clerk  in 
the  “Young’s  Hotel,”  then  conducted  by  bis 
brother  and  Mr.  Whipple.  Since  the  “Adams 
House”  was  leased  by  the  partners,  Mr.  Hall  has 
taken  a prominent  part  in  its  management,  and  like 
his  brother  he  is  well  known,  and  very  popular  be- 
cause of  his  genial  manner.  In  politics  Mr.  Hall 
is  a Republican,  and  stancb  in  his  support  of  the 
principles  of  his  party.  While  a resident  of  New 
Bedford  he  took  an  active  part  in  public  affairs, 
serving  as  a member  of  the  city  council.  He  is 
fraternally  connected  with  Star  of  the  East  Lodge, 
A.  F.  & A.  M.,  and  Sutton  Commandery,  K.  T., 
both  of  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  and  is  very  popular 
in  Masonic  circles* 

Mr.  Anthony  Dennis  Hall  was  married  in  New 
Bedford  to  Mary  E.  Soule,  who  was  born  in  New 
Bedford,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  D. 
Soule,  and  a descendant  of  one  of  New  England’s 
prominent  families.  Mrs.  Hall  is  a member  of  the 
South  Church,  Boston,  and  a prominent  member 
of  the  D.  A.  R.  Two  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall:  (1)  William  T.  Hall  gradu- 
ated from  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technol- 
ogy and  subsequently  took  a course  at  Goettingen, 
Germany,  after  which  he  became  an  instructor  at 
the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  where 
he  is  at  present  engaged.  He  married  Miss  Agnes 
D.  Allen,  and  to  them  three  children  have  been 
born,  Catherine  Soule,  Mary  E.  and  Margaret  D. 
(2)  George  Anthony,  a student  at  Yale  Divinity 
School,  married  Faith  Pomeroy,  daughter  of  Dr. 
H.  Sterling  Pomeroy,  of  Boston. 

SCOTT.  For  nearly  half  a century  the  name 
of  Scott  has  been  a prominent  one  in  connection 
with  the  grocery  trade  of  Newport,  where  for  a 
number  of  years  Captain  Henry  D.  Scott  con- 
ducted a successful  business,  and,  on  his  retire- 
ment from  active  business  life,  he  was  succeeded 
by  his  son,  William  C.  Scott,  who  has  since  con- 
ducted the  business  with  equal  success. 

Consider  Scott,  father  of  Captain  Henry  D., 
and  grandfather  of  William  C.  Scott,  was  for  a 
number  of  years  prior  to  his  death  engaged  in 
the  hotel  business  in  Cbarlemont,  Mass.  He  was 
also  a man  of  public  affairs,  holding  various  pub- 
lic offices.  For  a number  of  years  he  was  justice 
of  the  peace  and  also  held  the  rank  of  ensign 


in  the  .State  militia,  taking  an  active  part  in  mil- 
itary affairs.  He  married  (first)  Amanda  Keith, 
by  whom  he  had  nine  children.  After  the  death 
of  his  first  wife,  he  married  (second)  her  sister, 
Louise  Keith,  and  to  them  were  born  t\?-o  chil- 
dren : Henry  D.  and  Louise,  who  married  a Mr. 
Bradford.  Consider  Scott  died  in  1831,  in  Sa- 
lina,  N.  Y.,  aged  fifty-three  years,  and  his  widow 
passed  away  in  1858. 

Captain  Henry  Dwight  Scott  was  born  Jan. 
24,  1825,  in  Cbarlemont,  Mass.  His  father  died 
when  he  was  six  years  old,  and  until  the  age  of 
seventeen  years  he  lived  with  Rothens  Read, 
in  Easton,  Mass.,  and  received  his  schooling 
there,  attending  school  during  the  winter 
months,  while  in  the  summer  time  he  worked  on 
the  farm.  When  seventeen  years  old  Mr.  Scott 
went  to  learn  the  trade  Of  carpenter  with  Mar- 
shall Wilbor,  at  Fair  Haven,  Mass.,  and  with 
him  he  served  four  years.  He  continued  at  his 
trade  in  Fair  Haven  until  1849,  when  he  joined 
a company  and  sailed  around  Cape  Horn  for 
California,  on  the  ship  “Florida,”  arriving  in 
California  Jan.  1,  1850.  He  remained  there  in 
the  mines  for  a time,  and  later  worked  at  the 
carpenter’s  trade  at  Stockton,  Cal.  On  account 
of  ill  health  he  finally  sailed  from  San  Francisco 
on  the  ship  “Hibernian,”  for  Liverpool,  England, 
around  Cape  Horn,  as  carpenter,  at  $13  per 
month,  after  having  worked  in  Stockton  for  from 
ten  dollars  to  fourteen  dollars  per  day.  From 
Liverpool,  England,  he  sailed  for  America,  and 
returned  to  Fair  Haven,  Mass.,  where  he  again 
took  up  his  trade,  continuing  in  this  occupation 
until  i860.  He  then  removed  to  New  Bedford, 
and  worked  but  a short  time  when  war  was  de- 
clared against  the  South.  Captain  Scott  enlisted 
in  September,  1861,  as  a private  in  the  5th  Mas- 
sachusetts Battery,  commanded  by  Max  Effen- 
baugh,  and  went  into  camp  at  Readville,  Mass. 
The  Battery  left  Readville,  Dec.  25,  1861,  their 
destination  being  near  Washington,  where  Mr. 
Scott  was  made*  sergeant.  He  was  then  pro- 
moted to  second  lieutenant,  and  in  1862  to  first 
lieutenant.  He  served  in  nearly  all  of  the  en- 
gagements which  took  place  under  General  G. 
K.  Warren,  and  March  11,  1864.  Lieutenant 

Scott  was  promoted  to  Captain  of  the  16th  Mas- 
sachusetts Battery.  He  later  saw  considerable 
service  under  General  Gambol.  Captain  Scott 
was  engaged  chiefly  in  the  defences  at  Washing- 
ton. and  was  mustered  out  after  the  close  of  the 
war,  in  1865,  At  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  Cap- 
tain Scott  was  shot  in  front  of  the  left  ear,  the 
bullet  coming  out  just  below  bis  right  eye.  At 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  he  had  the  fore 
finger  of  his  left  hand  badly  lacerated,  being 
struck  by  a piece  of  shell. 

After  the  war  Captain  Scott  located  in  New- 
port, where  his  wife  had  removed  during  his  ab- 
sence, and  there  he  bought  out  the  grocery  store 


RHODE  ISLAND 


889 


of  Captain  Oliver  Potter,  his  wife’s  uncle.  This 
was  in  December,  1865,  and  he  continued  this 
store  at  Nos.  3 13-3 1 5 Thames  street  until  1891, 
when  he  sold  out  the  business  to  his  son.  After 
that  time  Captain  Scott  lived  retired  fuom  bus- 
iness. Captain  Scott  was  a member  of  General 
G.  K.  Warren  Post,  No.  21,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Newport, 
of  which  he  was  past  post  commander.  He  was 
formerly  a member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum.  In 
politics  he  was  a Republican,  and  served  in  the 
Newport  common  council,  and  was  also  a rep- 
resentative to  the  State  Assembly  from  New- 
port. His  religious  connection  was  with  the 
Central  Baptist  Church  of  Newport. 

Captain  Scott  was  married  (first)  in  1846,  to 
Lydia  Ann  Chapman,  of  Rhode  Island,  and  she 
died  Dec.  7,  1865,  being  accidentally  burned  to 
death,  her  clothes  catching  fire  from  a stove.  She 
bore  him  these  children : ( 1 ) Henry  W.,  a railroad 
conductor  on  the  New  York,  New  Haven  & Hart- 
ford Railroad,  between  Newport  and  Boston,  mar- 
ried (1st)  Lenora  Morris,  of  Ind.,  who  died  in  Fall 
Riyer,  Mass.,  without  issue;  he  married  (2nd)  Car- 
rie A.  Macomber.  (2)  Mary  Louise  married 
Frederick  A.  Clarke,  of  Newport,  now  deceased, 
and  she  has  children,  William  H.  L.  and  Susan 
B.  Clarke.  (3)  Alice  Roslyn,  married  Joseph  B. 
Tompkins,  of  Newport,  a grocer  of  New  York 
City,  and  they  have  three . children,  Joseph  B., 
Jr.,  Frank  E.,  M.  D.,  and  Alfred  T.  (4)  William 
Chapman,  is  mentioned  below.  (5)  Rebecca 
Chapman,  married  Elmer  E.  Nickerson,  of  New- 
port, a broker,  and  they  have  these  children : 
Ellsworth  C.  and  Alice  L.  (6)  Amanda  Bacon, 
died  in  infancy.  (7)  Jennie  Boardman,  married 
William  Boyce,  of  Providence,  but  they  have  no 
children.  (8)  Horace,  passed  away  in  infancy. 
Captain  Henry  D.  Scott  married  for  his  second 
wife,  in  1867,  Grace  Patterson,  of  Carlyle,  Eng- 
land, and  she  died  Dec.  28,  1870,  leaving  one 
son,  Charles  Philip,  a musical  director,  now  liv- 
ing in  Boston,  who  married  Maud  Ladd,  and  has 
no  children.  Captain  Henry  D.  Scott’s  third 
wife  was  Sarah  Taylor,  of  Newport,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Taylor,  who  survives  him,  he  having 
passed  away  at  his  home  in  Newport,  March  26, 
1907. 

William  Chapman  Scott,  son  of  Henry  D. 
Scott,  was  born  Aug.  10,  1856,  in  Fair  Haven, 
Mass.,  and  when  a little  over  six  years  of*age 
accompanied  his  mother  to  Newport,  whither 
she  removed  while  her  husband  was  in  the  army. 
Young  Scott  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Newport,  attending  there  until 
about  fifteen  years  of  age.  After  leaving  school 
he  became  a clerk  in  the  drug  store  of  the  late 
William  H.  Cotton,  and  there  he  remained  for 
two  years,  when  he  entered  his  father’s  grocery 
store  as  a clerk,  continuing  in  the  latter's  em- 
ploy until  1891.  The  father  then  retired;  from 
active  business,  and  Air.  William  C.  Scott  pur- 


chased the  business,  and  he  has  since  continued 
to  conduct  it  at  the  same  stand,  with  much  suc- 
cess, carrying  a complete  and  well-selected  stock 
of  provisions,  meats  and  groceries. 

Socially  Mr.  Scott  is  a member  of  Coronet 
Council  No.  63,  Royal  Arcanum,  of  Newport. 
He  attends  the  United  Congregational  Church, 
to  which  he  gives  his  liberal  support.  In  politi- 
cal views  he  is  a Republican,  but  has  never 
sought  public  office.  For  several  years  Mr. 
Scott  has  been  a member  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  the  Newport  Co-Operative  Association 
for  Saving  and  Building. 

On  Feb.  23,  1882,  Mr.  Scott  married  Laura 
E.  Tew,  daughter  of  Thomas  Tew,  of  Newport, 
and  to  them  have  been  born  three  children : 
Harry  Tew,  a clerk  in  the  employ  of  his  father; 
and  Laura  Tew  and  Ida  Tew  Scott,  both  at 
home. 

COOKE  (Providence  families).  Through 
some  six  generations  the  Providence  branch  of  the 
Cookes  of  which  we  write — descendants  of  John 
Cooke  of  Saybrook  and  Middletown.  Conn.,  respec- 
tively— have  been  most ' closely  as  well  as  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  business  growth  and  de- 
velopment of  Providence  and  vicinity,  especially  in 
mercantile  and  commercial  lines  and  as  well  in 
some  generations  a number  of  the  name  have  been 
as  conspicuous  in  public  life.  The  review  of  the 
lives  of  Daniel,  Governor  Nicholas,  Jesse,  Joseph 
Sheldon,  Rev.  James'  Welch,  Hon.  Joseph  Jesse, 
and,  of  a still  later  generation,  the  late  Henry  Wil- 
liams Cooke  (son  of  Hon.  Joseph  Jesse),  is  to  pre- 
sent a somewhat  remarkable  succession  of  men  of 
achievement  in  one  lineage. 

Something  of  the  lives  of  these  men,  of  their 
family  history  and  genealogy  follows,  the  arrange- 
ment being  chronological  from  the  emigrant  ances- 
tor. 

(I)  John  Cooke  is  of  record  at  Saybrook,  Conn., 
in  1690,  on  Oct.  8th  of  which  year  he  bought  land 
and  built  a house  upon  it,  etc.  This  he  subse- 
quently sold.  He  was  twice  married,  his  second 
wife  being  Hannah,  born  Feb.  it,  1669-70,  daugh- 
ter of  Capt.  Daniel  Harris  (of  Middletown,  Conn.) 
and  his  wife,  Mary  (Weld),  both  of  whom  were 
born  in  England.  John  Cooke,  presumably  the 
American  ancestor,  died  at  Middletown,  Conn., 
Jan.  16,  1705. 

(II)  Daniel  Cooke,  son  of  John  and  Hannah 
(Harris)  Cooke,  was  born  Sept.  19,  1691,  at  Say- 
brook, Conn.  Becoming  a resident  of  Providence,  R. 
I.,  he  married  Feb.  4,  I7T3»  Mary,  born  March  29, 
1696,  daughter  of  the  third  Nicholas  Power  bv 
his  first  wife,  Mary  Haile,  of  Swansea,  Ma§s. 
Daniel  Cooke  and  Mary  (Power)  Cooke  died  Feb. 
7,  1738,  and  Dec.  11,  1741.  respectively. 

(III)  Nicholas  Cooke,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Mary  (Power)  Cooke,  born  Feb.  3,  1717-  in  Prov- 
idence* R.  I.,  married  Sept.  23,  1740,  Hannah,  born 


890 


RHODE  ISLAND 


March  13,  1722,  daughter  of  Hezekiah  Sabin,  and 
the  union  was  blessed  with  twelve  children.  Mr. 
Sabin  was  the  first  settler  of  that  portion  of  north- 
east Connecticut  where  his  ‘‘Red  Tavern”  was  the 
favorite  hostelry  of  travelers  for  a long  period  of 
years ; he  was  of  Huguenot  extraction. 

The  early  life  of  Mr.  Cooke  was  passed  as  a 
seafaring  man,  and  in  this  line  as  a shipmaster, 
.and  later  as  a merchant  and  manufacturer,  he  was 
successful.  He  acquired  a handsome  property,  be- 
coming an  extensive  land  holder,  not  only  in  Rhode 
Island,  but  also  in  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut. 
He  was  essentially  a man  of  affairs. 

Mr.  Cooke  was  twice  chosen  to  the  office  of 
deputy  governor,  and  though  in  somewhat  ad- 
vanced life  and  of  retired  habits  he  seemed  to  be 
the  very  man  wanted  by  those  high  in  the  councils 
of  Rhode  Island,  at  a critical  period  in  its  history, 
as  their  chief  executive  officer,  at  the  time  of  the 
displacement  of  Governor  Joseph  Wanton  by  the 
vote  of  the  General  Assembly  in  the  autumn  of 
1775.  He  was  then  made  governor  and  served  un- 
til May,  1778,  declining  a re-election.  At  the  time 
of  his  selection  he  was  waited  upon  by  Stephen 
Hopkins,  Congressman-elect,  and  Joshua  Babcock, 

' the  oldest  member  of  the  House,  who  made  plain 
the  urgency  of  the  case  and  that  duty  required  him 
to  report  favorably.  Nothing  but  the  critical  state 
of  the  country  at  the  time  led  him  to  accept  the 
honor.  The  event  fully  justified  the  wisdom  of  the 
choice  of  Governor  Cooke.  He  was  a sincere  pa- 
triot and  discharged  the  high  duties  of  the  office 
with  great  ability.  Said  the  venerable  John  How- 
land that  “Rhode  Island  history,  if  faithfully  writ- 
ten, will  hand  his  [Gov.  Cooke's]  name  down  to 
posterity  in  connection  with  the  most  eminent  pub- 
lic characters  of  which  our  country  can  boast.” 
Said  another  writer,  “None  surpassed  him  in  deter- 
mined opposition  to  the  arbitrary  measures  which 
occasioned  the  American  Revolution ; and  immedi- 
ately upon  the  outbreak  of  hostilities  he  was  loudly 
called  to  the  helm  of  the  Rhode  Island  govern- 
ment.” 

Mr.  Cooke  was  appointed  a trustee  of  Brown 
University  in  1766,  and  continued  in  office  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  Nov.  14,  1782.  His  widow 
passed  away  March  21,  1792.  Gov.  Cooke  was  a 
member  of  the  Congregational  Church. 

(IV)  Jesse  Cooke,  son  of  Gov.  Nicholas  and 
Hannah  (Sabin)  Cooke,  born  Dec.  19,  1757,  in 
Providence,  married  (first)  Aug.  25,  1783,  Ro- 
sanna Sheldon,  daughter  of  Capt.  Christopher 
Sheldon,  a prominent  citizen  of  Providence,  who 
was  descended  from  John  Sheldon,  the  emigrant 
ancestor,  through  Nicholas  and  Joseph  Sheldon. 
Mrs.  Cooke  died  Nov.  20,  1789,  and  he  married 
(second)  Hannah,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Eliza- 
beth (Sheldon)  Warner,  who  as  his  widow  became 
the  wife  of  George  Hudson.  Jesse  Cooke  died 
Sept.  13,  1794.  By  his  first  marriage  he  was  the 
father  of  Joseph,  and  by  his  second,  of  Rosanna 


Sheldon,  born  Aug.  30,  1792,  and  died  Dec.  20, 

1808 

(V)  Joseph  Sheldon  Cooke,  son  of  Jesse  and 
Rosanna  (Sheldon),  born  Oct.  27,  1784,  married 
Sept.  21,^1807,  Mary  Welch,  and  the  children,  nine 
in  number,  were  born  in  Providence. 

On  attaining  manhood,  Joseph  Cooke  procured 
the  insertion  of  “Sheldon”  in  his  name  by  act  of 
the  legislature.  Soon  after  his  marriage,  in  Oc- 
tober, 1807,  he  entered  upon  business  life  as  a dry 
goods  dealer  in  his  native  city.  In  November  of 
the  same  year  he  was  joined  by  the  late  Charles 
Potter,  who  had  recently  relinquished  the  same 
line  of  business.  After  the  dissolution  of  the  firm 
of  Cooke  & Potter,  in  January,  1809,  Mr.  Cooke 
remained  in  the  same  trade  until  the  spring  of  the 
next  year,  when  he  became  the  business  agent, 
as  well  as  one  of  the  original  proprietors,  of  the 
Lyman  Cotton  Manufacturing  Company,  a pioneer 
in  an  industrial  interest  which  has  now  attained 
such  extensive  proportions.  During  the  long  term 
of  eighteen  years,  he  retained  his  position  in  its 
affairs,  retiring  from  it  in  1828.  He  soon  after 
joined  Job  Angell  in  the  transaction  of  a wholesale 
dry  goods  business,  at  first  in  Providence,  then  in 
New  York  also,  and  finally  in  the  latter  city  only. 
Notwithstanding  changes  of  firm  occurred  in  what 
became  one  of  the  best  known  establishments  of 
the  kind  in  the  country,  he  retained  his  interest 
in  it  until  his  death,  Oct.  10,  1841.  During  his 
manhood  and  middle  age  Mr.  Cooke  was  part 
owner  of  several  vessels.  He  lent  a helping  hand 
to  more  than  one  enterprise  into  which  public  con- 
siderations largely  entered — as  the  Providence  and 
Taunton  Turnpike  and  the  Blackstone  Canal,  tak- 
ing stock  in  the  latter  for  himself  and  each  of  his 
children.  He  was  also  a considerable  stockholder 
in  the  Tffackstone  Canal  Bank.  In  1821  he  was 
made  a director  of  the  Providence  Mutual  Fire  In- 
surance Company,  and  in  1831  was  chosen  one  of 
the  three  trustees,  both  of  which  official  connections 
ended  only  with  his  life.  When  a city  government 
superseded  the  old  town  regime  of  Providence, 
in  June,  1832,  Jie  was  the  first  member  elected  to 
the  common  council  from  the  Third  Ward,  contin- 
uing to  serve  in  that  capacity  during  the  term  of 
1832-33.  His  probity  and  sound  judgment,  joined 
to  an  urbanity  and  kindness  of  heart  almost  excep- 
tional, from  time  to  time  occasioned  his  selection 
for  other  positions  of  honor  and  trust,  most  of 
which  his  native  preference  for  retirement  led’  him 
to  decline. 

The  children  of  Joseph  S.  and  Mary  (Welch) 
Cooke,  all  born  in  Providence,  were : James 

Welch,  born  March  5,  1810;  Rosanna  Elizabeth, 
born  Oct.  3,  1811,  died  Dec.  8,  1815;  Joseph  Jesse, 
born  June  1,  1813;  Christopher  Sheldon,  born  July 
28,  1815,  died  Oct.  1,  1816;  George  William,  horn 
Dec.  6,  1816,  died  Jarn.  27,  1817;  Albert  Russell, 

born  Aug.  15,  1819,  married  Phoebe  ; 

George  Lewis,  born  Sept.  16,  1821  ; Mary  Eliza- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


891 


beth,  born  June  27,  1823,  married  Henry  B.  Wil- 
liams, and  lived  in  California;  and  Nicholas  Fran- 
cis, born  Aug.  25,  1829. 

(VI)  Joseph  Jesse  Cooke,  son  of  Joseph  Shel- 
don and  Mary  (Welch)  Cooke,  born  June  1,  1813, 
in  Providence,  R.  I.,  married  (first)  at  Lonsdale, 
R.  I.,  Feb.  18,  1834,  Adelaide  Martha  Baker,  of 
Providence,  daughter  of  John  and  Avis  (Tilling- 
hast)  Baker,  formerly  of  Newport.  She  died  Feb. 
9,  1865,  at  Elmwood,  and  he  married  (second) 
Sept.  12,  1865,  Maria  Adelaide  Salisbury,  daughter 
of  John  and  Abby  Wilson  (Foster)  Salisbury. 

After  a somewhat  limited  school  education 
young  Cooke  was  prepared  for  business  in  Provi- 
dence, whence  he  went  as  a clerk  to  the  business 
house  of  his  father  in  New  York.  He  became  and 
remained  for  a time  an  interested  party  in  the  es- 
tablishment. Then,  after  a short  business  connec- 
tion with  another  house,  he  purchased  in  1842  an 
estate  then  in  the  town  of  Cranston  but  now  in  the 
city  of  Providence.  Upon  this  he  settled.  Later  on 
when  the  tide  of  emigration  set  in  toward  the  Pa- 
cific coast  he  with  his  brother  George  Cooke  and 
Robert  S.  Baker  established  the  business  house 
of  Cooke,  Baker  & Co.,  which  later  became  that 
of  Cooke  Brothers  & Co.  Through  the  early  fifties 
these  men,  at  least  in  part,  had  extensive  business 
establishments  at  San  Francisco  and  at  New  York, 
conducted  under  the  name  of  Joseph  J.  Cooke  & 
Co.,  and  of  these,  Mr.  Cooke  was  from  1852  to  1854 
the  resident  partner  at  New  York. 

Mr.  Cooke  was  prominently  identified  with  one 
of  the  great  public  improvements  of  Providence — 
the  Providence  Water  Works.  At  the  inception  of 
this  extensive  improvement  in  1869,  he  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  three  commissioners  to  carry  out 
the  work,  and  on  the  death  of  the  first  president 
of  the  company,  Mr.  Moses  B.  Lockwood,  Mr. 
Cooke  became  his  successor  and  most  satisfactorily 
directed  its  affairs  until  the  practical  completion 
of  the  work  in  1876. 

Mr.  Cooke  owned  an  estate  in  Newport  and  for 
a time  especially  through  the  summer  months  was 
a resident  of  that  city,  passing,  however,  the  rest 
of  the  year  at  his  Elmwood  estate  in  Providence. 
This  latter  or  a great  portion  of  it,  in  1872,  he 
sold  for  'Upwards  of  a million  dollars,  but  in  1878 
he  again  became  its  owner,  transactions  in  that  day 
of  considerable  magnitude. 

Mr.  Cooke  became  somewhat  actively  interested 
in  politics  with  the  formation  of  the  Republican 
party  and  with  it  affiliated  thereafter.  He  was 
president  of  the  Rhode  Island  Republican  State 
Convention  of  1857,  and  chairman  of  the  Republi- 
can State  Central  Committee  for  that  same  year. 
In  1855  and  1856  lie  was  president  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Society  for  the  Encouragement  of  Domestic 
Industry.  Mr.  Cooke  accumulated  one  of  the 
largest  and  finest  libraries  at  the  time  in  this  coun- 
try, comprising  something  like  23,000  volumes,  in 
every  department  of  literature.  He  gave  portions 


of  his  library  to  the  Redwood  Library  of  Newport, 
the  Public  Library  and  the  Historical  Society  of 
Providence.  He  was  the  one  who  had  the  fore- 
sight to  see  the  need  of  trees,  and  he  laid  out  the 
streets  and  then  set  out  the  trees  which  now  afford 
such  beautiful  and  pleasing  shade. 

The  children  born  to  the  first  marriage  of  Mr. 
Cooke  were:  Joseph  Sheldon,  born  March  12, 
1838,  died  Aug.  1,  1839;  Adelaide  Baker,  born 
Sept.  8,  1840,  married  May  22,  1862,  Scott  Allen 
Smith;  Ellen  Goddard,  born  Dec.  24,  1847,  died 
Aug.  16,  1849;  Alice  Elizabeth,  born  March  18, 
1853  ; and  Edith,  born  March  8,  1854,  died  Sept. 
6,  1854.  The  children  born  to  the  second  marriage 
were:  Arthur  Elmwood,  born  June  9,  1866,  died 
the  same  day  ; and  Henry  Williams,  born  June  26, 
1867.  The  death  of  Mr.  Cooke  occurred  July  8, 
1881. 

(VII)  Henry  Williams  Cooke,  son  of  Joseph 
J.  and  Maria  A.  Cooke,  was  born  June  26,  1867, 
in  Elmwood,  Providence,  R. I.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  Mowry  & Goff  English  and  Classical 
School,  and  at  Brown  University,  graduating  from 
the  latter  institution  in  1891.  After  this  event  for 
approximately  a year  he  was  in  the  office  of  Spen- 
cer Trask  & Co.,  stock  brokers  of  Providence.  In 
1892  he  opened  a small  real  estate  office  at  No.  1 
Custom  House  street  in  the  same  city,  and  contin- 
ued business  there  until  1894,  when  be  became  as- 
sociated with  Francis  M.  Smith,  their  firm  name 
beinig  as  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Cooke’s  death,  Henry 
W.  Cooke  & Co.  The  place  of  business  was  first 
located  at  No.  3 Custom  House  street,  later  in  the 
Banigan  building,  and  when  the  Hospital  Trust 
Company  building  was  opened  the  firm  secured 
commodious  quarters  in  that  place,  where  the  bus- 
iness has  since  been  carried  on. 

For  a brief  period  Mr.  Cooke  was  active  in 
public  life,  being  a member  of  the  common  council 
from  the  First  ward  from  1896  to  1898.  His  bal- 
lot was  cast  in  support  of  the  Republican  party. 
He  was  a member  of  Brown  Chapter  of  the  Psi 
Upsilon  Greek  Letter  fraternity,  and  a member  of 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the  Hope,  Elmwood 
and  West  Side  Clubs. 

Mr.  Cooke  died  at  his  home  on  Elmwood  Ave- 
nue, Providence,  May  20,  1904.  On  the  day  fol- 
lowing this  event  the  Daily  Journal  said  in  part : 
“In  the  untimely  death  of  Henry  W.  Cooke,  who 
passed  away  at  his  late  residence,  572  Elmwood 
avenue,  late  yesterday  afternoon,  the  city  has  lost 
a valuable  and  enterprising  citizen  and  the  local 
real  estate  field  one  of  its  ablest  leaders.  * * * * 
Although  a young  man  Mr.  Cooke’s  genial  disposi- 
tion and  familiarity  with  real  estate  property  made 
him  a very  popular  and  able  man.  He  was  ex- 
ceedingly conversant  with  local  realty  conditions, 
and  his  integrity  and  judgment  were  so  recognized 
that  upon  many  occasions  he  had  acted  as  an  ap- 
praiser, while  he  had  been  a trustee  in  a number  of 
estates.  He  had  built  about  him  a very  large  busi- 


892 


RHODE  ISLAND 


ness  and  was  considered  by  his  associates  as  an 
honor  to  the  field  in  which  his  life  duties  were  per- 
formed.” 

On  Nov.  6,  1894,  Mr.  Cooke  was  married  to 
Alice  H.  Robinson,  daughter  of  the. late  Edward 
H.  Robinson,  who  was  at  one  time  a well  known 
dealer  in  oil  at  Providence.  Besides  his  widow, 
Mr.  Cooke  was  survived  by  two  daughters,  Mar- 
garet Howard  and  Adelaide  Welch.  Mr.  Cooke 
was  a member  of  the  Church  of  the  Epiphany  of 
Elmwood,  and  for  many  years  a vestryman  therein, 
but  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a member  of  the 
parish  of  Grace  Church. 

Descended  from  an  honorable  ancestry,  inher- 
iting the  cardinal  principles  of  honesty,  industry 
and  probity,  Henry  \\  illiams  Cooke  fulfilled  in 
public,  civil  and  private  life  the  highest  ideal  of 
American  citizenship. 

MASON  (Providence  and  Pawtucket  fami- 
lies). Through  two  and  a half  centuries  the 
name  of  Mason  has  been  identified  with  that 
region  of  country  originally  Rehoboth  and  its 
vicinity,  and  for  perhaps  an  hundred  years  with 
the  city  of  Providence,  where,  and  at  Pawtucket, 
through  the  last  seventy-five  years,  that  branch 
of  the  old  Rehoboth-Swansea  stock  of  the  sev- 
eral generations  in  the  line  of  Pardon  Mason 
have  been  men  of  achievement,  making  for  them- 
selves in  the  business  world,  especially,  reputa- 
tions of  the  first  quality  and  contributing  largely 
to  the  material  growth  and  advancement  of  their 
communities.  Contemporary  with  Pardon  Ma- 
son, and  though  not  in  line  with  him,  but  of  the 
same  stock,  here  in  Providence,  figured  Amasa 
Mason,  merchant  and  manufacturer,  whose  rep- 
utation as  a sagacious  business  man  was  sec- 
ond, perhaps,  to  none  of  his  day  in  Providence ; 
then  another  of  the  same  stock  here  of  that  day 
was  Hon.  James  Brown  Mason,  a graduate  of 
Brown  University,  legislator,  Speaker  of  the 
Rhode  Island  House  of  Representatives,  member 
of  the  United  States  Congress  and  closely  iden- 
tified with  one  of  the  famous  merchants,  the 
four  Brown  brothers. 

In  the  line  of  Pardon  Mason  were  his  sev- 
eral sons  John  Hale,  Pardon,  Coomer  E.,  Wil- 
liam B.,  Robert  Durfee  and  Earl  Potter  Mason, 
the  latter  of  whom,  perhaps,  linked  his  name 
with  more  of  the  great  enterprises  of  Providence 
of  his  day  than  any  of  his  business  contempora- 
ries. Then,  in  the  succeeding  generation,  one 
who  was  long  active  and  prominent  in  business 
circles  and  worthily  perpetuated  the  name  and 
family  reputation,  was  the  late  Robert  D.  Ma- 
son, one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Pawtucket, 
president  of  the  extensive  dyeing  and  bleaching 
establishment  hearing  his  name  at  Pawtucket, 
the  latter  now  being  conducted  by  his  son  Fred- 
eric R.  Mason,  one  of  the  well-known  and  es- 
teemed citizens  of  Pawtucket. 


The  family  history  and  genealogy  following 
is  in  regular  order  from  the  American  ancestor. 

(I)  Sampson  Mason  is  first  of  record  in  this 
country  at  Dorchester,  Mass.,  in  1649.  In  a 
History  of  the  Baptists  in  America,  it  is  stated,' 
presumably  founded  on  family  tradition,  that 
he  had  been  a soldier  in  Cromwell’s  army,  and 
upon  the  turn  of  times  came  to  America  and 
settled  in  Rehoboth.  He  married  Mary  Butter- 
worth,  thought  to  have  been  a daughter  of  John 
Butterworth,  of  Weymouth,  Mass.,  and  about 
this  time,  1650-51,  bought  land  in  Rehoboth,  and 
also  sold  land  there  in  1655-56.  As  early  as  1657 
he  and  his  wife  and  three  children  were  in  Reho- 
both, and  in  that  town  is  a record  of  ten  others 
of  their  children,  all  likely  born  there.  Mr. 
Mason  was  engaged  in  extensive  land  speculation. 
He  was  a land  holder  in  Rehoboth  North  Purchase, 
which  later  became  Attleboro ; and  he  was  one 
of  the  proprietors  of  Swansea,  in  which  town 
his  descendants  for  many  years  were  prominent 
— an  original  proprietor  on  the  town’s  incorpora- 
tion in  1668.  It  was  about  this  time  probably 
that  he  united  with  the  First  Baptist  Church,  hut 
he  probably  never  moved  to  Swansea.  He  died 
in  1676,  and  at  that  time  was  the  owner  of  several 
hundred  acres  of  land.  His  widow  died  in  1714. 
Their  children  were:  Noah,  born  in  1651-52; 
Sampson,  born  about  1654  (both  in  Dorchester)  ; 
Samuel,  born  Feb.  12,  1656-57;  Sarah,  born  Feb. 
15,  1657- 58 ; Mary,  born  Feb.  7,  1659-60;  James, 
born  Oct.  30,  1661  ; Joseph,  born  March  6,  1662- 
63;  Bethiah,  born  Oct.  15,  1665;  Isaac,  born  July 
15,  1667;  Pelatiah,  born  April  1,  1669;  Benjamin, 
born  Oct.  20,  1670;  and  Thankful,  born  Oct.  27, 
1672  (all  in  Rehoboth). 

(II)  Isaac  Mason,  son  of  Sampson,  born 

July  15,  1667,  in  Rehoboth,  married  and  for 

some  years  resided  in  Rehoboth.  He  removed  to 
Swansea  about  1706.  He  was  chosen  a deacon 
of  the  Second  Church  of  Swansea  soon  after 
its  organization  in  1693,  and  continued  in 
that  office  until  bis  death,  which  occurred  in 
January,  1741-42.  His  wife  Hannah  was  living 
when  his  will  was  made  in  1741.  Their  children 
were:  Hannah,  born  Jan.  9,  1694;  Mary,  born 
Jan.  26,  1695;  Isaac,  born  Dec.  26,  1698;  Samp- 
son, born  Feb.  24,  1700;  Hezekiah,  born  June  6, 
1704;  Nathan,  born  May  10,  1705  ; Oliver,  born 
Aug.  20,  1706;  Hannah,  born  in  March  1710; 
Benjamin,  born  April  10,  1 7 1 1 ; and  Mary,  born 
July  21,  1713,  the  four  younger  born  in  Swansea. 

(III)  Nathan  Mason,  son  of  Isaac,  born  May 
10,  1705,  in  Rehoboth,  married  Aug.  26,  1731,  Lillis 
Hale,  born  Oct.  21,  1714,  in  Swansea,  daughter 
of  John  and  Hannah  (Tillinghast)  Hale,  and 
they  resided  in  Swansea  during  the  greater  part 
of  their  lives,  until  about  1750.  Mr.  Mason  died 
in  May,  1758.  His  widow  remarried,  and  died  in 
December,  1797.  His  children  were:  Sampson, 
born  Sept.  27,  1732;  Barnard,  born  March  15, 


7(/<jz 


RHODE  ISLAND 


893 


i735;  Jesse,  born  March  21,  1737;  Lillis,  born 
May  8,  1739;  Nathan,  born  Feb.  21,  1741;  Free- 
love,  born  April  25,  1743;  Innocent,  born  Aug. 
20,  1745;  Mary,  born  June  30,  1748;  Aaron,  born 
June  29,  1749;  Rosanna  Sibbel ; Levi,  born  Oct. 
15,  1752;  and  Pardon,  born  Aug.  14,  1758,  the 
ten  elder  in  Swansea,  and  all  the  sons  and  some 
of  the  daughters  later  settled  in  or  near  Lanes- 
boro,  Massachusetts. 

(IV)  Pardon  Mason,  son  of  Nathan,  born 
Aug.  14,  1758,  married  (first)  April  24,  1785, 
Anna  Hale,  born  Aug.  24,  1762,  in  Swansea, 
daughter  of  John  and  Bethiah  (Bosworth)  Hale. 
Mr.  Mason  settled  first  in  Lanesboro,  Mass., 
probably  about  1775,  but  later  removed  to  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.  His  wife  Anna  died  Oct.  6,  1823, 
and  he  married  (second)  Sept.  24,  1837,  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Potter,  daughter  of  John  Stafford', 
and  they  died,  he  May  18,  1845,  and  she  June  9, 
1856,  aged  seventy-six  years.  His  children,  all 
born  to  the  first  marriage  and  in  Providence, 
were:  Mary,  born  Jan.  22,  1787;  Edward,  born 
/\pril  19,  1788;  John  Hale,  born  Nov.  26,  1789; 
Pardon,  born  Jan.  10,  1792;  Coomer  E.,  born 
Aug.  6,  1794;  William  B.,  born  June  5,  1797; 
Anna  Hale,  born  April  15,  1800;  Robert  Durfee, 
born  March  7,  1802  ; Earl  Potter,  born  March  10, 
1804;  and  John  Hale  (2),  born  May  26,  1809. 

Pardon  Mason  served  in  the  army  in  the 
Revolution,  and,  it  is  said,  was  one  of  the  six 
brothers  whose  names  appear  so  frequently  on 
the  rolls  of  that  war,  four  of  whom  were  partici- 
pants of  the  battle  of  Bennington.  From  the 
Archives  of  the  commonwealth  of  Massachu- 
setts, it  is  learned  that  Pardon  Mason,  of  Provi- 
dence, was  a private  in  Capt.  Daniel  Brown’s 
Company,  Massachusetts  Continental  Line,  Aug. 
14,  1777,  marched  on  the  alarm  from  Lanesboro 
to  Melcomseynck ; served  six  days;  Sept.  5,  1777, 
in  the  same  company  marched  on  the  alarm  from 
Lanesboro  to  Pawletj  served  twenty-seven  days; 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Bennington,  Aug.  16, 
1777. 

(V)  Robert  Durfee  Mason,  son  of  Pardon, 
born  March  7,  1802,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  was  en- 
gaged as  a merchant  tailor  at  Pawtucket,  and 
there  died  July  26,  1832.  He  married  Nov.  18, 
1828,  Mehetabel  Tyler  Merry,  born  in  Paw- 
tucket', Mass,  (now  Rhode  Island),  Nov.  26, 
1810,  daughter  of  Barney  and  Phila  B.  (Tyler) 
Merry.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  mar- 
riage, namely:  (1)  Pardon,  born  March  4,  1830, 
became  a captain  in  the  Civil  war,  and  died  in 
Providence.  He  married  May  29,  1853,  Esther 
H.  Baker,  who  survives  him,  and  resides  in  New 
York.  They  had  three  children : George  A., 
who  died  in  his  twelfth  year;  Robert  E.,  who 
resides  in  Brooklyn ; and  Helen  E.,  now  Mrs. 
Tames  W.  Bruce,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  (2)  Robert 
Durfee  was  born  March  10.  1832. 

(VI)  Robert  Durfee  Mason  (2),  son  of  Rob- 


ert Durfee,  born  March  10,  1832,  in  Pawtucket, 
then  in  Massachusetts,  but  now  in  Rhode  Island, 
married  (first)  in  1852,  Mary  Bicknell  Nicholas, 
born  Dec.  31,  1834,  and  died  Aug.  20,  1890.  Mr. 
Mason  married  (second)  Oct.  28,  1893,  Mary 
Adeline  Havens.  Two  children  were  born  to  the 
first  marriage,  namely:  Frederic  Robert  and 
Ella  Frances. 

Air.  Alason  was  but  a babe  of  five  months 
when  his  father  died,  and  the  widowed  mother 
with  her  two  sons  returned  to  the  home  of  her 
father,  where  for  many  years  Robert  D.  and  his 
brother  were  under  the  care  of  their  grandfather. 
The  latter,  Capt.  Barney  Alerry,  a native  of  Scit- 
uate,  R.  I.,  had  followed  the  sea  for  years,  but 
later  became  established  in  the  dyeing  and 
bleaching  business  at  Pawtucket.  Young  Rob- 
ert in  boyhood  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Pawtucket,  and  at  sixteen  entered  the  establish- 
ment of  his  grandfather,  which  soon  passed  into 
the  hands  of  his  son,  Samuel  Merry,  and  in  it 
and  under  the  latter’s  instruction,  began  a busi- 
ness career  which  has  been  a most  honorable 
and,  as  well,  a successful  one.  It  may  be  here 
stated  that  Capt.  Barney  Alerry  was  the  first  in 
Pawtucket,  and  one  of  the  earliest  in  the  country, 
to  establish  a dyeing  and  bleaching  works.  He 
began  the  business  in  1805,  and  continued  it 
very  successfully  until  his  death,  in  1847.  The 
business  then  passed  into  the  hands  of  his  son, 
Samuel  Merry,  who  conducted  it  until  1870,  the 
last  four  years  of  which  period  he  had  associated 
with,  as  a partner,  his  nephew,  Robert  D.  Alason. 
At  this  time,  in  1866,  the  firm  name  became 
Samuel  Alerry  & Co.  Samuel  Alerry  retiring  in 
1870  left  Mr.  Alason  to  carry  on  the  business, 
and  the  firm  name  was  then  changed  to  Robert 
D.  Alason  & Co.  In  1889  Frederic  R.  Mason,  son 
of  Robert  D.,  was  taken  into  the  firm,  and  it  so 
continued  until  in  1892,  when  the  business  was 
incorporated  as  the  Robert  D.  Alason  Company, 
with  a capital  stock  of  $100,000,  at  which  time 
father  and  son  became  president  and  treasurer, 
respectively,  of  the  corporation.  • 

Robert  D.  Alason,  growing  up  from  boyhood 
into  an  experience  of  the  inherited  family  in- 
dustry, as  the  years  passed  became  possessed  of 
all  the  details  and  a thorough  practical  knowledge 
of  the  business,  and  through  this  knowledge  and 
his  careful  management  of  its  affairs  it  steadily 
grew  in  magnitude  and  favor  with  the  trade  until 
it  is  one  of  the  most  substantial  concerns  of  Paw- 
tucket, its  proprietors  becoming  men  of  means 
and  influence. 

From  the  start  the  dyeing  and  bleaching 
works  were  located  in  the  rear  of  the  Alerry 
homestead  on  the  present  East  avenue,  Paw- 
tucket, the  plant  from  time  to  time  being  en- 
larged. In  1892  the  present  modern  plant  on 
Esten  avenue,  rear  of  No.  1077  Alain  street,  was 
occupied.  These  works  give  employment  to  about 


894 


RHODE  ISLAND 


150  hands,  and  the  business  amounts  to  about 
$200,000  annually.  When  Mr.  Mason  started 
in  the  business  about  1,500  pounds  of  yarn  were 
treated  daily.  When  he  died  the  amount  treated 
daily  was  20,000  pounds,  and  at  this  time  (1908) 
about  30,000  pounds  are  treated  daily. 

Robert  D.  Mason  was  one  of  the  highly  re- 
spected and  esteemed  citizens  of  Pawtucket.  His 
political  affiliations  were  with  the  Republican 
party,  though  he  was  in  no  sense  a politician. 
For  about  fifteen  years  he  was  a member  of  the 
Pawtucket  W ater  Board ; and  he  was  one  of  the 
original  members  of  the  Pawtucket  Business 
Men’s  Association.  He  was  a lifelong  attendant  of 
St.  Paul’s  Episcopal  Church.  His  death  occurred 
suddenly  from  heart  disease  at  his  home  on  Paw- 
tucket avenue,  Pawtucket,  Jan.  22,  1898.  “The 
news  of  his  sudden  death,’’  said  the  Pawtucket 
Gazette  and  Chronicle  of  Jan.  28th,  “was  not 
generally  known  until  the  next  day,  and  an  un- 
usual degree  of  sadness  prevailed  throughout  the 
community  where  he  had  lived  all  his  life,  and 
where  he  was  so  well  known  and  so  highly  es- 
teemed. His  was  one  of  the  most  familiar  figures  of 
Pawtucket’s  daily  life,  and  that  he  will  be  sadly 
missed  from  the  midst  of  his  fellow  citizens  is 
not  a mere  truism.  He  was  of  a liberal  mind 
and  a generous  open  heart.  He  lived  well,  and 
he  was  never  happier  than  when  entertaining  his 
friends  whom  he  delighted  in  making  to  feel, 
with  himself,  that  life  was  well  worth  living. 
His  memory  will  ever  remain  precious  to  the 
family  and  his  hosts  of  friends  and  acquain- 
tances. 

“The  funeral  of  Mr.  Mason  took  place  at  his 
late  residence  on  the  afternoon  of  Jan.  25th.  It 
was  a large  and  notable  gathering.  It  was  a 
striking  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  dead,  and 
attested  far  greater  than  words  can  express  the 
loyalty  and  love  of  his  friends,  and  the  esteem 
in  which  he  was  held.  Many  of  the  prominent 
people  of  Pawtucket  and  from  out-of-town  were 
present — men  who  had  been  associated  with 
him  in  business,  in  political  life,  in  social  and 
fraternal  organizations,  all  of  whom  recalled 
the  many  sterling  qualities  of  the  dead  and  the 
characteristics  which  had  endeared  him  to  all 
with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  There  were 
present  members  of  the  Business  Men’s  Asso- 
ciation, the  American  Legion  of  Honor,  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  members 
and  attendants  of  St.  Paul’s  Church,  his  em- 
ployes, and  men  in  all  ranks  of  life. 

“How  we  shall  all  miss  this  genial,  generous, 
whole-souled  gentleman ! How  many  of  the 
old  guord  of  Pawtucket’s  citizenship  have  passed* 
to  the  other  side  within  the  past  decade ! Their 
places  are  taken  by  new  comers,  and  the  world 
rolls  on  as  of  yore,  but  to  the  minds  of  those  of 
us  who  remain,  and  who  are  ‘native  here  and  to 
the  manner  born,’  none  can  precisely  fill  the 


places  as  did  our  departed  co-workers,  and 
among  them  all,  as  a good  citizen,  an  honorable 
man  of  business,  a steadfast  friend  and  an  ex- 
emplar of  the  social  elements  of  life,  none  will  be 
more  warmly  and  pleasantly  recalled  than  Rob- 
ert Durfee  Mason.’’ 

(VII)  Frederic  R.  Mason,  son  of  Robert  Dur- 
fee (2),  born  March  11,  1859,  in  Pawtucket,  R. 
I.,  married  June  6,  1894,  Annie  E.  Boon,  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  E.  Boon,  of  Providence.  They 
have  one  son,  Robert  Boon,  born  May  12,  1902. 

Mr.  Mason  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  town,  and  the  private  school  of  Rev.  C.  M. 
Wheeler,  of  Providence,  and  completed  his  edu- 
cation at  Brown  University,  taking  a two  years’ 
course  in  chemistry.  In  1880  he  became  assist- 
ant to  his  father  in  the  management  of  his  manu- 
facturing establishment,  and  in  1889  was  admit- 
ted into  partnership,  the  firm  then  becoming  R. 
D.  Mason  & Co.  When  the  business  was  incor- 
porated under  the  name  of  the  Robert  D.  Mason 
Company  he  was  elected  its  treasurer,  and  after 
the  death  of  his  father,  he  succeeded  him  as 
president,  now  holding  the  offices  of  president 
and  treasurer,  and  having,  in  fact,  the  entire  man- 
agement of  the  business  which  enjoys  a steady 
growth. 

In  politics  Mr.  Mason  is  a Republican.  He  is 
a member  of  St.  Paul’s  Episcopal  Church,  and  a 
member  of  the  vestry.  He  was  for  several  years 
secretary  of  the  T.  K.  Club.  He  is  a member  of 
the  board  of  managers  of  the  Pawtucket  branch 
of  the  Industrial  Trust  Company  of  Provi- 
dence, and  he  is  a member  of  the  Pawtucket 
Business  Men’s  Association. 

GREEN  (Providence  family).  The  old  Massa- 
chusetts Green  family  from  the  earliest  Colonial 
times  allied  itself  with  the  first  families  of  that  and 
adjoining  Commonwealths  and  produced  many 
strong  and  forceful  characters.  From  a marriage 
between  members  of  that  family  and  the  Arnold 
family  of  Rhode  Island  was  born  the  late  Arnold 
Green,  lawyer  and  scholar,  who  was  widely  known 
as  a man  of  broad  culture,  a student  of  both  an- 
cient and  modern  languages,  and  an  authority  in 
many  branches  of  learning.  Mr.  Green  himself  was 
a graduate  of  Brown  University  as  are  also  his 
four  sons,  and,  as  he  was,  so  continues  one  of  his 
sons,  a trustee  of  that  institution.  It  is  with  this 
family  this  article  is  to  treat. 

Born  Feb.  27,  1838,  in  the  City  of  New  York, 
Arnold  Green  was  the  son  of  the  late  Timothy  Rug- 
gles  and  Cornelia  Elizabeth  (Arnold)  Green,  and 
descended  in  various  lines  from  the  first  and 
among  the  oldest  families  of  Massachusetts  and 
Rhode  Island.  Among  his  ancestors  may  be  men- 
tioned John  Carver,  the  “Mayflower”  emigrant  and 
first  Governor  of  Massachusetts  Colony  (also  sev- 
eral other  “Mayflower”  emigrants),  Thomas  Dud- 
ley, Governor  of  Massachusetts  ( 1634  and  later), 


RHODE  ISLAND 


895 


Walter  Clarke,  Governor  of  Rhode  Island  Colony 
(1676  and  later),  William  Greene,  Governor  of 
Rhode  Island  (1743  and  later),  Samuel  Gorton, 
founder  of  Warwick,  and  General  Timothy  Rug- 
gles,  leader  of  the  American  Royalists,  Chief  Jus- 
tice of  Massachusetts  and  President  of  the  Stamp 
Act  Congress.  Through  the  two  direct  lines,  Green 
and  Arnold,  his  first  American  ancestors,  were 
Thomas  Green,  of  Malden,  Mass.,  who  came  to 
America  from  Leicestershire,  England,  about  1636; 
and  Thomas  Arnold,  of  Cheselbourne,  Dorsetshire, 
England,  who  came  to  America  in  1635  in  the  ship 
“Plain  Joan,”  and  soon  settled  at  Watertown. 
Thomas  Arnold  was  the  son  of  Richard  Arnold, 
whose  descent,  it  is  claimed,  was  through  Richard 
Arnold,  of  Somersetshire,  England,  from  the  an- 
cient and  illustrious  Arnold  family,  which,  accord- 
ing to  a pedigree  recorded  in  the  College  of  Arms, 
was  one  of  great  antiquity,  having  its  origin 
among  the  ancient  Princes  of  Wales,  tracing  from 
Ynir,  King  of  Gwentland,  who  flourished  after  the 
middle  of  the  twelfth  century. 

From  Thomas  Green,  the  American  settler,  Ar- 
nold Green’s  lineage  is  through  Thomas  Green 
(2),  Samuel,  Thomas  (3),  John,  Timothy  and 
Timothy  Ruggles  Green  ; and  from  Thomas  Arnold, 
the  American  settler,  his  lineage  is  through  Rich- 
ard, Thomas  (2),  Jonathan,  Welcome  and  Samuel 
Greene  Arnold. 

Mr.  Green,  too,  sprang  from  a race  of  lawyers ; 
his  paternal  great-grandfather,  his  grandfather 
and  his  father  all  were  of  the  legal  profession,  as, 
too,  is  one  of  his  sons.  Timothy  Ruggles  Green, 
his  father,  was  born  March  16,  1806,  and  married 
Oct.  20,  1835,  Cornelia  Elizabeth  Arnold,  born  Oct. 
7,  1814,  a woman  esteemed  for  her  intellectual  en- 
dowments. She  descended  through  her  mother, 
Frances  (Rogers)  Arnold,  from  Lieut.  John  Rogers 
of  the  Revolution,  and  through  her  grandmother, 
Patience  (Greene)  Arnold,  from  Surgeon  John 
Greene,  who  came  from  Salisbury,  county  Wilts, 
England,  in  1635,  to  Boston,  thence  to  Salem  and 
later  to  Providence,  where  he  was  prominently 
identified  with  its  public  affairs. 

Timothy  Ruggles  Green  practiced  his  profes- 
sion in  New  York  City,  and  although  he  died  on 
his  thirty-fourth  birthday,  he  had  attained  high 
standing  in  his  profession  and  in  useful  citizenship. 
He  was  a member  of  the  American  Tract  Society, 
a trustee  of  Brown  University,  and  was  actively 
interested  in  benevolent  causes.  His  death  oc- 
curred March  16,  1840,  at  “White  Hall,’  the  plan- 
tation of  his  wife’s  uncle,  Richard  J.  Arnold,  in  the 
State  of  Georgia.  After  his  death  his  widow  re- 
turned with  her  family  to  her  girlhood  home  in 
Providence,  and  occupied  the  old  family  mansion 
on  John  street,  which  was  ever  afterward  her  home 
and  that  of  her  distinguished  son,  Arnold.  She 
died  Dec.  27,  1897. 

The  children  of  Timothy  Ruggles  and  Cornelia 
Elizabeth  (Arnold)  Green  were  Arnold  and  Fran- 


ces Mary  Green,  the  latter  of  whom  was  born  May 
20,  1840,  and  married  Rev.  Heman  Lincoln  Way- 
land,  of  Philadelphia,  a son  of  Francis  Wayland,  a 
former  President  of  Brown  University. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  as  interesting  to  the  fam- 
ily that  it  was  a near  relative  of  Timothy  Ruggles 
Green — a cousin — the  late  Hon.  Andrew  Haswell 
Green,  of  Worcester  and  New  York,  a prominent 
lawyer  of  New  York,  who  is  called  the  ‘‘Father  of 
Greater  New  York.”  In  1868  he  conceived  the 
plan  for  the  amalgamation  of  the  cities  and  towns 
which  in  1897  were  constituted  the  Greater  New 
York,  and  for  this  he  in  1899  was  presented  by  the 
city  with'  a gold  medal. 

Arnold  Green,  son  of  Timothy  Ruggles,  grew 
up  in  Providence.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
in  that  city,  and  was  graduated  from  Brown  Uni- 
versity in  the  Class  of  1858,  with  John  Hay,  the 
former  Secretary  of  State,  and  Col.  R.  H.  I.  God- 
dard, of  Providence.  He  studied  abroad  in  Ger- 
many and  Greece,  and  was  later  a law  student  at 
Harvard  University.  He  held  the  degree  of  LL. 
D.,  and  was  authority  in  many  branches  of  learn- 
ing. Greek  was  his  especial  hobby,  and  be  was 
a student  of  both  ancient  and  modern  tongues. 
He  was  the  author  of  “Greek  and  What  Next?” 
an  address,  “Solomos’  Hymn  to  Liberty,”  a poem 
read  before  the  Alumni  of  Brown  University,  at 
the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Providence,  June  17, 
1884.  In  college  he  was  a member  of  the  Psi 
Upsilon  fraternity.  Botany  and  conchology  were 
studies  of  special  interest  to  him,  and  he  was  quite 
widely  known  as  a naturalist. 

In  1 86 1 Mr.  Green  went  out  with  the  1st 
Regiment  Rhode  Island  Volunteers,  and  served 
three  months.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Veteran  Association  of 
the  regiment,  and  was  its  president  for  two  years. 
After  the  war  he  settled  down  to  the  practice  of  law 
in  Providence,  which  was  afterward  his  chief  oc- 
cupation. For  many  years  he  was  counsel  for  the 
old  Boston  & Providence  Railroad,  and  he  became 
a recognized  authority  on  difficult  points  of  law. 

Mr.  Green’s  literary  tastes  were  manifested  in 
a number  of  addresses  that  won  a measure  of  fame. 
He  delivered  the  address  at  the  opening  of  the  new 
Public  Library  in  Providence,  and  spoke  on  other 
occasions  of  similar  importance.  He  was  president 
of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Public  Library,  and 
•was  a trustee  of  Brown  University,  and  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Hospital. 

Mr.  Green  in  many  respects  was  a wonderful 
man.  “He  was  not  to  be  ranked  as  a specialist,” 
said  one  of  the  court  officials,  “in  any  particular 
branch  of  legal  lore,  because  he  was  so  sound  in 
every  branch.  And  not  alone  as  a lawyer  was  he 
pre-eminent  among  his  fellows ; he  was  skilled  as 
a botanist,  made  the  study  of  the  higher  mathemat- 
ics a pastime,  possessed  a deep  and  broad  knowl- 
edge of  rare  languages,  and  was  so  proficient  in 
modern  Greek  that  he  subscribed  for  a daily  Greek 


8g6 


RHODE  ISLAND 


newspaper,  which  he  read  for  years  with  much  in- 
terest. He  also  had  a profound  knowledge  of  Ro- 
man law.” 

For  many  years  Mr.  Green  was  the  official  re- 
porter of  the  opinions  handed  down  by  the  Supreme 
Court.  An  eminent  jurist  and  close  friend  of  Ar- 
nold Green  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Green’s  death  re- 
lated several  characteristics  incident  in  his  career, 
and  spoke  of  his  attainments  and  qualities  at  some 
length.  “It  was  said  that  when  he  was  graduated 
from  Brown  University  the  authorities  had  great 
difficulty  in  deciding  between  Arnold  Green  and 
one  of  his  classmates  as  to  which  was  entitled  to 
become  valedictorian  of  his  class.  F inally  the 
deeper  generosity  of  his  nature  arose  to  the  surface, 
and  he  somewhat  gruffly  ended  the  controversy  by 
saying,  ‘Give  it  to  the  other  fellow,  he  expects  to 
teach  and  it  will  help  him  at  the  start  to  get  a good 
position.’  And  so  Mr.  Green  became  salutatorian.” 
This  same  authority  continued,  “If  it  were  possible 
for  a man  to  become  over-educated,  perhaps  he 
was.  He  was  pre-eminent  among  his  associates  in 
the  versatility  and  profundity  of  his  knowledge. 
Possibly  it  was  owing  to  this  fact  that  he  some- 
times seemed  to  lose  their  sympathy.  He  had  no 
patience  with  littleness  or  ignorance.  He  was  like 
a chestnut  burr — one  first  felt  the  superficial  harsh- 
ness without  seeing  the  meat  inside.  He  never 
pursued  popularity  or  position,  but  rode  rough- 
shod over  obstacles  that  presumed  to  interfere  with 
his  desire  to  gather  knowledge.  He  used  the  Eng- 
lish language  with  directness  and  without  gloss. 
He  wrote  but  little,  although  no  one  who  knew 
him  doubted  his  qualifications  and  ability  to  treat 
almost  any  subject  he  might  choose  with  the  pen 
of  a master.  His  fame,  though  great,  will  be 
legendary  as  he  left  little  in  the  shape  of  preserved 
writings  for  men  to  look  upon." 

On  Jan.  14,  1865,  Mr.  Green  was  married  to 
Cornelia  Burges,  born  March  21,  1837,  daugh- 
ter of  Judge  Walter  S.  Burges,  of  the  Rhode  Is- 
land Supreme  Court,  and  Eleanor  Burrill,  the 
daughter  of  H'on.  James  Burrill,  Chief  Justice  and 
United  States  Senator  of  Rhode  Island,  after  whom 
the  town  of  Burrillville,  R.  I.,  was  named.  Mrs. 
Green  died  Jan.  8,  1901.  Seven  children  were  born 
to  this  marriage,  namely:  (1)  Arnold  Burrill 
Green,  born  Aug.  21.  1866,  died  Feb.  18,  1872.  (2) 

Theodore  Francis  Green,  born  Oct.  2,  1867,  was- 
graduated  from  Brown  University  in  1887,  with 
the  degree  of  A.  B.,  later  receiving  the  degree  of 
A.  M.  He  studied  law  at  Harvard  Law  School  and 
at  the  Universities  of  Bonn  and  Berlin,  Germany, 
1890-94,  and  was  Instructor  of  Roman  law  in 
Brown  University,  1894-98.  He  became  associated 
in  the  practice  of  law  with  his  father  in  1894,  suc- 
ceeded him  at  his  death  and  is  now  a member  of 
the  law  firm  of  Green,  Hinckley  and  Allen.  He  is 
a trustee  of  Brown  University,  of  Butler  Hospital, 
of  the  Providence  Public  Library,  and  of  the 
Rhode  Island  School  of  Design.  He  is  also  trustee 


or  member  of  the  corporation  of  other  institutions. 
(3)  Eleanor  Burges  Green,  born  March  3,  1870, 
was  graduated  from  Wellesley  College  in  1892, 
with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  (4) 'Cornelia  Elizabeth 
Green,  born  Eeb.  24,  1872,  died  June  16,  1901.  She 
was  graduated  from  Wellesley  College  with  the 
degree  of  A.  B.,  in  1892.  She  was  a portrait 
painter  of  marked  ability.  (5)  Ronald  Conrad 
Green,  born  March  20,  1874,  was  graduated  from 
Brown  University  in  1896  as  A.  B.,  and  is  in  busi- 
ness in  Indianapolis.  (6)  Erik  Hastings  Green, 
born  Jan.  16,  1876,  was  graduated  from  Brown 
University  in  1898  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  In 
1900  he  was  appointed  graduate  scholar  in  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Institute  of  Technology,  and  in  1901 
“Fellow”  in  that  same  institution.  He  then  fur- 
thered his  studies  abroad  at  the  University  of 
Heidelberg,  Germany,  where  he  was  given  the  de- 
gree of  Ph.  D.,  magna  cum  laude,  in  1903.  He  has 
written  a number  of  scientific  treatises,  some  of 
which  have  been  published  bv  the  United  States 
Government.  He  is  now  president  of  Las  Islitas 
Irrigation  Company,  at  Laredo,  Texas.  (7) 
Herlwyn  Ruggles  Green,  born  Feb.  22,  1877,  was 
graduated  from  Brown  University  in  1897,  with 
the  degree  of  A.  B.  During  the  war  with  Spain 
young  Green  served  with  the  1st  Rhode  Island 
Volunteer  Infantry  as  hospital  steward.  He  then 
studied  medicine  in  the  Medical  School  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  graduated 
with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  in  1903.  After  spending 
two  years  as  an  interne  at  the  Rhode  Island  Hos- 
pital, he  settled  in  Providence,  where  he  is  now 
practicing. 

M r.  Arnold  Green  passed  away  at  his  residence, 
the  old  Arnold  homestead  in  Providence,  Feb.  17, 
1903. 

PETER  BINGHAM  MacMANUS,  one  of 
the  leading  business  men  of  Pawtucket,  R.  I., 
late  president  and  treasurer  of  the  Home  Bleach 
and  Dye  Works,  Incorporated,  was  a native  of 
Glasgow,  Scotland,  born  March  24,  1837,  son  of 
Daniel  MacManus. 

Daniel  MacManus  was  born  in  Glasgow,  and 
spent  his  entire  life  there,  engaged  in  carpenter- 
ing. He  died  in  his  native  city,  aged  sixty-three 
years,  leaving  a widow,  who  had  been  Margaret 
Bingham,  of  Olden,  England,  and  five  children, 
as  follows:  Daniel,  a boot  and  shoe  maker,  who 
died  in  Glasgow ; Margaret,  Katherine  and  Ellen, 
who  died  in  Scotland ; and  Peter  B. 

Peter  Bingham  MacManus  attended  the 
schools  of  his  native  c^ty  until  he  was  eight 
years  of  age.  and  then  entered  the  bleaching  and 
dyeing  establishment  of  John  Gettis  & Son,  Glas- 
gow, to  learn  the  business,  receiving  three  pence 
a day — thirty-six  cents  a week — salary,  with 
which  he  clothed  himself  and  purchased  food. 
Mr.  MacManus  continued  with  this  firm  for 
about  eleven  years,  being  advanced  on  various 


Ct^VUA 


RHODE  ISLAND 


897 


occasions,  and  attended  night  school  during  this 
period  when  he  could  manage  to  do  so.  After 
becoming  a proficient  workman  he  was  employed 
in  Paisley,  Scotland,  for  the  J.  & P.  Coats  Com- 
pany, Limited,  and  various  others,  in  the  dyeing 
of  silk  and  cotton  goods,  for  six  or  seven  years, 
and  then  returned  to  Glasgow,  becoming  over- 
seer for  the  Anderson  Manufacturing  Company. 
Mr.  MacManus  then  went  to  Perth,  being  em- 
ployed by  Garvey  & Davis  for  two  years,  and  at 
• this  place  had  charge  of  the  works.  He- then  was 
employed  by  John  Thompson,  at  Belfast,  Ire- 
land. Returning  to  Scotland,  Mr.  MacManus 
remained  there  a short  time,  and  then  sailed  for 
America  on  the  old  ship  “St.  Patrick,”  which  had 
been  built  about  eighteen  years  before.  He 
landed  at  Quebec,  whence,  in  1870,  he  came  to 
the  United  States.  He  worked  one  year  for  the 
Lewiston  Manufacturing  Company,  at  Lewiston, 
Maine,  and  then  spent  three  months  in  the 
Everett  Mills,  Lawrence,  Mass.,  after  which  he 
removed  to  Walpole,  Mass.,  being  overseer  of 
Smith,  Grey  & Co.’s  mills  for  ten  years.  In  1881 
Mr.  MacManus  located  at  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  on 
his  arrival  here  becoming  manager  of  the  Union 
Wadding  Company’s  bleachery,  a position  which 
he  continued  to  hold  for  three  years.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  he  took  over  the  business,  leas- 
ing the  plant,  which  he  conducted  under  the 
name  of  the  Home  Bleach  & Dye  Works.  On 
April  is,  1905,  he  purchased  the  business,  which 
he  ever  after  continued  with  great  success,  his 
product  finding  a ready  market  all  over  the  coun- 
try. In  1889  Mr.  MacManus  leased  the  Valley 
Falls  Dyeing  and  Bleaching  Works,  but  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1892,  the  buildings  of  this  plant  were  de- 
stroyed by  fire,  his  loss  being  about  $20,000.  One 
year  later  his  Pawtucket  plant  burned,  and  this 
also  occasioned  a considerable  loss.  At  this  time 
he  leased  a portion  of  the  Cranston  Print  Works, 
in  -Cranston,  and  at  a heavy  expense  converted 
the  property  for  his  own  use,  but  after  one  year 
he  returned  to  Pawtucket,  and  at  once  rebuilt 
his  plant  there,  transferring  the  Valley  Falls 
business  to  this  place.  The  plant  is  now  one  of  the 
largest  and  best-equipped  in  New  England.  Un- 
der Mr.  MacManus’  able  and  capable  management 
the  business  steadily  and  rapidly  grew  from  a 
small  beginning,  when  only  a few  hands  were  nec- 
essary, to  its  present  proportions,  125  persons  now 
being  employed.  The  capacity  is  25,000  pounds 
per  day.  In  1904  the  business  was  incorporated 
with  a capital  stock  of  $100,000,  as  the  Home 
Bleach  & Dye  Works,  and  Mr.  MacManus  was 
elected  president  and  treasurer,  which  offices  he 
held  until  his  death. 

About  two  years  before  his  demise,  Mr.  Mac- 
Manus was  taken  ill,  and  from  that  time  devoted 
little  or  no  time  to  the  conduct  of  his  business. 
He  passed  away  on  the  morning  of  Feb.  29,  1908, 
at  his  home,  No.  870  North  Main  street,  Paw- 
57 


tucket,  after  serious  illness  of  several  weeks.  In 
his  long  connection  with  the  dyeing  and  bleaching 
business  Mr.  MacManus  was  widely  known 
throughout  the  State. 

Mr.  MacManus  was  connected  with  the  Ma- 
sonic organization,  holding  membership  in  Union 
Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  Pawtucket  Chapter,  No. 
4,  R.  A.  M.,  Pawtucket  Council,  No.  2,  R.  & S. 
M.,  Holy  Sepulchre  Commandery,  No.  8,  Iv.  T., 
and  Palestine  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  of 
Providence.  He  was  an  honorary  member  of 
Tower  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Pawtucket,  was  connected 
with  the  Veteran  Fireman’s  Association,  the 
Business  Men’s  Association  of  Pawtucket,  and 
for  several  years  was  a member  of  the  Chess 
Club  of  Pawtucket.  He  was  independent  on  pub- 
lic questions,  and  never  sought  office,  the  only 
public  office  he  ever  held  being  as  member  of  the 
grade  crossing  commission,  to  which  he  was  ap- 
pointed when  the  commission  was  organized.  He 
was  a man  of  wide  sympathies  and  many  charities, 
but  his  gifts  of  such  nature  were  made  very 
quietly. 

In  August,  1859,  Mr.  MacManus  was  married 
to  Mary  Hunter,  of  Glasgow,  Scotland,  daughter 
of  John  Hunter.  She  died  April  22,  1902,  in  Paw- 
tucket. To  this  union  were  born:  (1)  Hugh, 
met  his  death  at  Lewiston,  Maine,  where  he  was 
drowned  at  the  age  of  ten  years.  (2)  Peter  B., 
Jr.,  born  Dec.  31,  1871,  in  Lewiston,  Maine,  is 
a graduate  of  Bryant  & Stratton’s  Business  Col- 
lege, of  Providence,  and  now  assistant  treasurer 
of  the  Home  Bleach  & Dye  Works.  He  married 
Carrie  Powers,  of  Pawtucket,  by  whom  he  has 
one  son,  Donald  Hunter.  They  reside  at  No. 
870  North  Main  street,  where  Peter  B.  Mac- 
Manus, Jr.,  built  the  excellent  home  they  oc- 
cupy, and  where  he  has  made  his  residence  for  a 
number  of  years.  (3)  Mary,  born  July  1,  1873, 
in  Walpole,  Mass.,  married  William  F.  Roberts, 
of  Pawtucket,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Franklin  and  Mary  Hunter.  (4)  John,  born 
May  29,  1876,  in  Walpole,  Mass.,  married  Ade- 
laide Davis,  and  has  two  children,  Mary  Eliza- 
beth and  Louise  Bingham.  John  MacManus  is 
superintendent  of  the  Utica  Willowvale  Bleach- 
ing Company,  of  Chadwicks,  N.  Y.,  having 
learned  the  business  at  the  Lonsdale  mill,  where 
he  spent  three  years.  He  received  his  prepara- 
tory education  at  the  Pawtucket  schools,  grad- 
uating from  the  Pawtuqket  high  school,  and 
then  entered  Brown  University,  of  which  he 
is  also  a graduate. 

ELISHA  CLARKE  PECKHAM,  one  of  the 
oldest  residents  of  that  name  in  the  town  of  Mid- 
dletown, where  he  was  born  Nov.  23,  1823,  is  a 
descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  Newport 
county. 

(I)  John  Peckham,  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  America,  came  from  England,  and  was  at  New- 


898 


RHODE  ISLAND 


port  in  1638.  He  was  twice  married  and  was  the 
father  of  twelve  children.  His  son, 

(II)  William  Peckham,  born  in  1647,  married 
Susannah  or  Elizabeth  Clarke,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Clarke,  and  lived  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  where  he  was 
deputy  to  the  General  Assembly  in  1696-98.  He 
was  ordained  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church 
of  Newport,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  the 
first  Baptist  minister  ordained  on  this  Continent. 
His  second  wife  was  Phebe  Weeden,  daughter  of 
William  Weeden,  and  she  died  in  Middletown,  in 
1745.  His  children,  born  to  the  first  marriage, 
were:  William,  Samuel,  Mary,  Phebe  and  Deb- 
orah. 

(III)  William  Peckham  (2),  son  of  William, 

was  born  Aug.  30,  1675,  and  engaged  in  farming 
all  of  his  life  in  Middletown,  dying  Jan.  18,  1764, 
in  his  eighty-ninth  year.  He  was  admitted  a free- 
man of  Newport,  R.  I.,  in  1704,  and  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Newport  in  1751. 
He  was  deputy  to  the  General  Court  that  met  in 
May,  1707.  He  was  married  Jan.  10,  1703,  to  Mary 
Tew,  born  Oct.  12,  1680,  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Dorcas  Tew,  and  she  died  May  3,  1753,  in  her 
seventy-third  year.  She  was  the  mother  of  five 
children:  Mary,  born  Sept.  7,  1704;  William; 

Dorcas,  born  July  3,  1709;  Henry,  born  Feb.  26, 
1711,  and  Elisha,  born  May  8,  1716. 

(IV7)  William  Peckham  (3),  son  of  William 
(2),  was  born  Sept.  3,  1706,  and  on  June  22,  1736, 
married  Phebe,  born  Nov.  14,  1717,  daughter  of 
James  and  Mary  (Cook)  Barker.  They  resided  in 
Middletown,  R.  I.  Mr.  Peckham  died  April  12, 
1784.  his  wife  Nov.  10,  1757.  Their  children 
were:  William,  born  Feb.  3,  1737,  who  died  June 
10,  1813;  Elisha,  born  in  1738;  Peleg,  born  in 
1739;  Mary,  born  in  1741,  and  Phebe,  born  in 
1743,  who  married  Nov.  8,  1767,  Elisha  Barker. 

(V)  Peleg  Peckham,  son  of  William  (3),  was 
born  in  1739,  and  married  Oct.  25,  1772,  Elizabeth 
Smith.  Their  children  of  Middletown  town  record 
were:  Edward  Smith,  born  Aug.  1,  1773;  Henry, 
Dec.  27,  1780;  Mary,  April  4,  1783;  Peleg,  Oct.  13, 
1785;  Elizabeth,  Sept.  10,  1788;  Elisha,  May  5, 
1790,  and  Phebe,  June  21,  1792.  Peleg  Peckham 
was  quite  active  during  the  Revolution,  giving 
signals  to  the  American  army  at  Little  Compton 
from  Middletown.  He  suffered  much  loss  on  the 
occupation  of  Middletown  by  the  British,  his  exact 
loss  being  estimated  at  306  pounds,  one  shilling. 

(VI)  Elisha  Peckham,  son  of  Peleg,  was  born 
at  Middletown,  May  5,  1790,  and  there  grew  to 
manhood.  He  received  a good  country  school  edu- 
cation. and  taught  school  for  seventeen  years  in  the 
schools  of  Middletown  and  North  Providence,  and 
after  giving  up  teaching  made  farming  his  life 
work.  During  the  war  of  1812  he  was  quite  active 
in  aiding  the  Americans.  Later  he  removed  to 
North  Providence,  and  was  keeper  of  the  toll-gate 
on  the  Douglas  and  Centreville  turnpikes,  where 
he  also  conducted  the  half-way  house.  When  the 


construction  of  the  Erie  canal  was  undertaken  Mr. 
Peckham  removed  his  family  to  Providence  and 
himself  accepted  a position  on  the  construction  of 
the  canal,  where  he  spent  some  time,  returning 
home  when  his  health  failed.  He  died  with  his 
family  in  Providence,  Oct.  16,  1839,  aged  forty- 
nine  years,  in  the  faith  of  the  Christian  Church, 
of  which  he  was  an  organizer.  He  was  buried 
in  the  Middletown  cemetery.  In  politics  he  was  a 
strong  Whig.  Mr.  Peckham  married  in  Newport, 
R.  I.,  Elizabeth  Dunham  Sylvester,  born  Aug.  29, 
1796,  daughter  of  John  Sylvester,  and  she  died 
March  3,  1881,  in  her  eighty-fifth  year,  and  was 
buried  beside  her  husband.  Ten  children  were  born 
to  them:  John,  born  March  18,  1816,  died  March  19, 
1816;  Phebe  Catherine,  born  April  16,  1817,  died 
Nov.  24,  1837;  Eliza  Almy,  born  Jan.  3,  1819,  died 
March  28,  1822;  John  Sylvester,  born  June  14, 
1820,  resides  in  Providence;  Eliza  Almy  (2),  born 
May  20,  1822,  is  residing  in  New  York;  Elisha 
Clarke,  born  Nov.  23,  1823,  is  mentioned  below; 
Joseph  Andrew,  born  Aug.  7,  1825,  is  a harness- 
maker  of  Providence;  Julia  Maria,  born  Sept.  12, 
1827,  married  James  Crosby,  of  New  York,  where 
she  died ; Harvey  Siblings,  born  Jan.  7,  1829,  died 
Feb.  24,  1834;  and  William  Coe,  born  Aug.  16, 
1831,  died  March  2,  1883,  in  Newport. 

(VII)  Elisha  Clarke  Peckham  attended  the 
district  schools  of  Middletown  at  North  Provi- 
dence. At  the  age  of  thirteen  years  he  started  out 
to  work,  first  as  a clerk  with  Page  & Co.,  in  the 
“Arcade,”  Providence.  There  he  spent  a few 
months,  but  preferring  out  of  door  life  he  returned 
to  the  home  of  his  childhood,  where  he  hired  out 
as  a farmer  boy,  working  in  that  capacity  for  some 
time,  until  he  settled  down  to  farming  for  himself. 

Mr.  Peckham  was  married* May  23,  1848,  at 
the  homestead'  of  Gideon  Peckham,  by  Dr.  J.  O. 
Choles,  Baptist  minister,  to  Ardelia  Peckham,  born 
May  3,  1830,  daughter  of  the  late  Gideon  Peck- 
ham. After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peck- 
ham settled  down  to  farming  on  the  homestead  of 
Gideon  Peckham,  where  our  subject  continued  for 
two  years.  In  1851,  hearing  of  the  gold  discovery 
in  California,  he,  with  others,  embarked  for  the  gold 
fields,  under  the  leadership  of  Captain  Harrington, 
of  Westerly,  R.  I.  Others  of  the  party  were  Robert 
Allen,  Daniel  Allen,  David  Brown  and  William 
Brown,  of  Middletown  and  Portsmouth.  They 
made  their  way  by  land  and  water  as  far  as  St. 
Joseph,  Mo.,  where  they  got  ox-teams  and  crossed 
the  Rockies,  the  journey  taking  five  months  and 
seven  days,  at  the  end  of  which  time  Mr.  Peckham 
arrived  at  Bear  Valley,  Cal.  Here  he  set  out  to 
prospect  for  gold  along  the  Bear  river,  and  met 
with  fair  success,  remaining  two  years  and  four 
months.  Having  secured  some  good  claims,  he 
returned  home,  sailing  to  Panama,  and  from  there 
to  New  York  by  steamer.  After  returning  home 
he  purchased  a farm  in  Westport,  Bristol  Co., 
Mass.,  consisting  of  ninety  acres,  upon  which  he 


RHODE  ISLAND 


899 


spent  fourteen  years  in  general  farming.  In  1865 
he  made  a second  trip  to  California  to  look  after 
his  claims,  but  was  not  successful  in  locating  them. 
Returning  home,  he  remained  on  his  farm  in  West- 
port  until  1868,  when  he  came  to  Middletown,  lo- 
cating on  the  farm  which  he  now  owns,  and  which 
was  a part  of  the  Gideon  Peckham  homestead, 
and  here  he  has  been  farming  and  raising  poultry 
ever  since.  His  operations  in  poultry  raising  have 
been  very  extensive,  as  he  supplies  the  leading 
hotels  and  families  in  Newport.  At  the  “Ocean 
House”  he  sold  in  three  weeks  over  $2,100  worth 
of  poultry.  He  is  also  a well-known  sportsman, 
and  has  for  years  supplied  birds  and  game  for 
hotels,  shooting  from  Maine  to  Illinois.  He  is 
still  very  active,  and  takes  great  pleasure  in  relating 
experiences  in  California  in  its  rough  days.  In 
political  sentiment  Mr.  Peckham  is  a Republican, 
and  has  been  a justice  of  the  peace  for  many 
years.  He  is  a broad-minded,  liberal  man,  well 
read.  His  wife,  who  has  been  bis  devoted  help- 
mate for  sixty  years,  is  still  quite  active,  and  is 
much  devoted  to  her  husband,  home  and  chil- 
dren. Like  her  husband  she  is  broad-minded  in  her 
religious  views.  They  celebrated  their  Golden 
Wedding  May  23,  1898,  at  their  home,  surrounded 
by  their  children,  grandchildren  and  great-grand- 
children. 

Children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peckham 
as  follows:  Sarah,  born  May  11,  1849,  died  Jan. 
5,  1856.  Clara,  born  July  2,  1850,  married  Robert 
Jason  Grinell,  a mason  of  Middletown,  where  he 
died.  Phebe  Catherine,  born  Dec.  12,  1851,  mar- 
ried William  Harvey  Taber,  a mason  of  West- 
port,  Mass.,  now  deceased.  Eliza  Maria,  born 
June  8,  1854,  is  a nurse  and  resides  at  home.  Ar- 
delia  Ermina,  born  Feb.  7,  1856,  married  Charles 
L.  Farnum,  a mason  of  Fall  River,  Mass.  Elisha 
Angel,  born  Dec.  25,  1857,  a mason  of  Middletown, 
married  Lilia  Pierce.  Lewis  Eugene,  born  Nov. 
7,  1859,  a^mason  of  Jamestown,  R.  I.  Joseph 
Andrew,  born  Dec.  14,  1861,  a market  gardener 
of  Middletown,  married  Ella  Remembrance  Far- 
num, of  Peru,  Vt.  Cynthia  Louise,  born  June  1, 
1864,  married  George  E.  Perry,  of  Long  Island. 
Annie  Laurie,  born  Oct.  16,  1867,  married  Benja- 
min W.  H.  Peckham,  a carpenter  of  Middletown. 
Elizabeth  Amelia,  born  March  25,  1871,  educated 
at  the  Middletown  public  schools  and  the  Provi- 
dence Normal  School,  is  now  a school  teacher. 
Reuben  Wallace,  born  Sept.  12,  1873,  a farmer  of 
Middletown,  is  also  an  artist,  having  studied  in 
this  country  and  in  Paris ; he  married  Adelaide 
Greenman.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peckham  have  had 
twelve  children,  twenty-eight  grandchildren  and 
thirteen  great-grandchildren. 

WILLIAM  H.  GOLDSMITH,  a well-known 
business  man  and  inventor,  who  has  resided  in 
Central  Falls  since  1893,  was  born  in  Stockport, 
N.  Y.,  Nov.  16,  1845,  son  °f  Ovid  Goldsmith. 


Ovid  Goldsmith  was  born  about  1806  in  Co- 
pake,  N.  \ . His  mature  years  were  spent  in  sev- 
eral New  York  towns,  where  he  followed  the  trade 
of  carpenter  and  wheelwright.  He  died  in  Valatie, 
-N . Y.,  in  1865,  leaving  behind  him  the  memory  of 
a quiet  and  unostentatious  but  useful  life.  By  his 
wife  Catherine,  daughter  of  Hiram  Oakley,  he  had 
eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living. 

\\  illiam  Id.  Goldsmith  attended  school  in  Stuy- 
vesant  Falls,  N.  \ .,  until  he  was  sixteen  vears  old, 
after  which  he  went  into  the  cotton-mill  owned  by 
A.  A.  \ an  Allen  and  worked  there  for  a year.  The 
following  year  he  spent  helping  his  father  on  the 
home  farm  and  then,  Dec.  7,  1862.  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany E,  16th  N.  Y.  Heavy  Artillery.  He  served 
until  the  close  of  the  Civil  war,  was  in  a number  of 
skirmishes,  and  did  garrison  duty  on  the  James 
river,  but  for  quite  a long  time  during  his  period 
of  service  he  was  in  the  hospital.  On  Aug.  7,  1865, 
he  received  his  honorable  discharge. 

On  resuming  work  Mr.  Goldsmith  took  a place 
in  the  cotton-mill  owned  by  the  Chicopee  Manufac- 
turing Company,  of  Chicopee  Falls,  Mass.,  where 
he  was  promoted  three  'years  later  to  the  position 
of  overseer  in  the  carding  department.  Afterward 
he  had  a similar  position  in  mills  located  in  Web- 
ster, Mass.,  and  in  the  America  Linen  Mills,  at 
Fall  River,  Mass.  Then  he  spent  two  years  trav- 
eling for  Riley  & Gray,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  selling 
cotton  machines,  next  worked  some  time  in  mills 
at  Berkeley,  R.  I.,  owned  by  the  Berkeley  Companv, 
and  then,  in  1893,  settled  in  Central  Falls. 

Mr.  Goldsmith  had  always  been  of  an  inventive 
turn  and  his  long  experience  in  mills  suggested  to 
him  various  devices  that  would  mean  "great  im- 
provement in  machinery.  After  locating  in  Central 
Falls  he  became  a stockholder  in  the  Atherton  Ma- 
chine Company,  of  that  city,  and  commenced  the 
manufacture  of  his  now  celebrated  Goldsmith 
Thread  Extractor,  which  is  used  all  over  the  world. 
His  relations  with  the  Atherton  Machine  Company 
continued  until  1896,  when  he  became  superintend- 
ent for  the  Greene  & Daniels  Company,  of  Central 
Falls,  with  whom  he  remained  two  years,  being 
succeeded  by  Alfred  Clarke.  In  1895  he  organized 
a company  for  the  manufacture  of  his  drawing  roll, 
which  was  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the 
Pawtucket  Metallic  Drawing  Roll  Company.  Mr. 
Goldsmith  was  made  president  of  the  company, 
and  still  holds  the  office,  combined  with  that  of 
treasurer,  as  the  company  still  has  some  corporate 
interests,  although  it  has  ceased  business  opera- 
tions. He  has  also  made  a number  of  minor  in- 
ventions. In  1905  Mr.  Goldsmith  established 
himself  in  the  real  estate  and  insurance  business, 
although  his  own  private  interests  command  a con- 
siderable part  of  his  time. 

Of  late  years  Mr.  Goldsmith  has  been  quite 
active  in  politics,  supporting  the  Republican  party. 
Since  1904  he  has  been  a councilman  for  Central 
Falls,  and  has  worked  hard  for  municipal  owner- 


900 


RHODE  ISLAND 


ship  of  the  electric  plant.  An  enthusiastic  Mason, 
he  is  a member  of  Belcher  Lodge,  Chicopee  Falls ; 
the  council  at  Fall  River ; the  chapter  at  Chicopee 
Falls,  Mass. ; Godfrey  De  Bouillon  Commandery, 
K.  T.,  of  Fall  River;  and  Palestine  Temple,  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Providence.  He  is  also  a member  of 
Richard  Borden  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  hall  River, 
Mass.  In  his  younger  days  Mr.  Goldsmith  was  a 
member  of  tbe  fire  department  in  Holyoke  and 
Chicopee  Falls,  and  he  has  never  lost  his  interest 
in  that  field,  being  now  a member  of  the  Veterans’ 
Association  of  Central  Falls,  Rhode  Island. 

On  June  13,  1869,  Mr.  Goldsmith  married  Miss 
Lillias  M.  Marchesault,  of  Holyoke,  Mass.,  a lady 
of  French  extraction.  They  have  had  children  as 
follows:  Lillie  M.,  who  married  L.  G.  Thackeray, 
of  Fall  River;  Mabelle  B.,  who  married  James 
Rankin,  of  Pawtucket;  William  H.,  Jr.,  who  mar- 
ried Miss  Alice  Gabbitt,  of  Fall  River ; George  H., 
who  married  Miss  Gertrude  Rankin,  of  Pawtucket; 
and  Phoebe,  who  married  J.  L.  Lapalm,  of  Water- 
bury,  Connecticut. 

WEAVER  (Newport  family).  The  Weavers 
of  Newport  and  vicinity  have  been  a continuous 
family  there  for  over  two  and  a half  centuries. 
In  the  earlier  generations  were  men  active  and  in- 
fluential in  the  public  affairs  of  the  Colony,  one 
of  the  sons  of  the  settler  serving  repeatedly  in 
the  Colonial  Assembly.  Later  generations  as 
well  have  taken  a conspicuous  part  in  the  busi- 
ness, social  and  public  life  of  their  town  and 
region  of  country,  among  whom  in  the  past  cen- 
tury have  been  the  late  Hon.  Benjamin  Weaver 
of  Newport,  and  in  turn  his  sons,  Hon.  Joseph 
Briggs  and  Hon.  John  Goddard  Weaver,  of 
whom  all  were  men  of  high  standing  in  their 
community,  prominent  and  influential  citizens, 
often  called  to  positions  of  honor  and  trust  by 
their  fellow-citizens ; and  some  of  their  children 
yet  remain  in  the  old  home  city,  representatives 
of  the  citizenship  thereof  to-day. 

(I)  Clement  Weaver  is  found  in  the  list  of 
freemen  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  1655.  He  was  jury- 
man in  1671  and  deputy  in  1678.  He  married 
Mary  Freeborn,  born  in  1627,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Marv  Freeborn.  His  death  occurred  in 
1683.  His  children  were:  Elizabeth,  Clement, 
William,  John  and  Thomas.  Mr.  Weaver,  it  is 
believed,  lived  some  three  miles  from  Newport, 
in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Middletown,  Rhode 
Island. 

(II)  Thomas  Weaver,  son  of  Clement,  mar- 
ried Mary  and  resided  in  Newport  and  Middle- 
town,  R.  I.  He  was  deputy  in  1696,  1710,  1715, 
1721,  1722  and  1723.  His  death  occurred  in  1753, 
his  will  being  proved  June  18th,  of  that  year.  His 
children  were:  Thomas,  Clement,  Mary,  Ben- 
jamin, Elizabeth,  Comfort  and  John. 

(III)  Benjamin  Weaver,  son  of  Thomas,  mar- 
ried Hannah  Coggeshall,  and  was  a resident  of 


Newport  and  Middletown,  R.  I.  His  father  gave 
him  byr  will  “certain  land  in  Middletown,  and 
buildings  where  he  liveth.”  Benjamin  Weaver 
died  in  1754,  and  his  widow  Hannah  in  1763. 
Their  children  were:  Benjamin,  born  Jan.  18, 
1717;  Thomas,  born  May  1,  1718;  Hannah,  born 
March  18,  1720;  Avis,  born  May  26,  1725;  Mary, 
born  Oct.  10,  1726;  and  Rebecca,  born  July  7, 
1734- 

(IV)  Thomas  Weaver  (2),  son  of  Benjamin, 
born  May  1,  1718,  married  Ruth  Ann  Bailey,  and 
their  children  of  Middletown  town  record  were:  Jo- 
seph, born  Nov.  29,  1746;  Jacob,  born  Nov.  22, 
1748  (died  Aug.  31,  1754)  ; Hannah,  born  July  26, 
1750;  Benjamin,  born  Feb.  3,  1754;  and  Perry, 
born  May  5,  1755.  The  father  of  these  died  in 
1802. 

(V)  Perry  Weaver,  son  of  Thomas  (2),  mar- 
ried Catherine  Goddard,  born  April  20,  1757. 
They  settled  in  Newport  as  early  as  1780.  They 
died,  Mr.  Weaver  June  27,  1827,  and  Mrs. 
Weaver  March  24,  1816. 

(VI)  Benjamin  Weaver  (2),  son  of  Perry, 
born  March  4,  1781,  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  married 
Hannah  Spooner  Briggs,  born  in  January,  1783, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Briggs.  Their  children  were: 
Joseph  Briggs,  born  Nov.  7,  1810;  John  Goddard, 
born  Nov.  25,  1812;  Mary  Briggs,  who  died  un- 
married at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years;  George 
Briggs,  born  in  1820;  Catherine  Goddard,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  and  Marion, 
who  died  in  infancy. 

Benjamin  Weaver  was  one  of  the  prominent 
and  influential  men  of  Newport.  He  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Newport  Artillery  Company  and  filled 
positions  of  honor  and  trust.  He  was  a member 
of  the  Rhode  Island  Assembly  in  1819,  again  in 
1837-1843,  and  again  in  1845-46,  being  in  the 
years  last  mentioned  a member  of  the  Senate. 
He  also  held  various  other  offices.  He  was  a dele- 
gate to  the  Constitutional  Conversion  of  1834, 
and  a Presidential  elector  in  1844.  His  death 
occurred  May  11,  1863.  His  wife  passed  away 
Oct.  9,  1847. 

(VII)  Joseph  Briggs  Weaver,  son  of  Ben- 
jamin and  Hannah  Spooner  (Briggs)  Weaver, 
born  Nov.  7,  1810,  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  died  at  his 
home  in  Newport,  Jan.  20,  1873.  His  wife,  Abby 
Dyer  Marsh  Weaver,  was  born  July  27,  1811, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Marsh,  of  Newport.  They 
were  married  June  9,  1833.  Mr.  Weaver  was  a 
prominent  and  influential  citizen  of  Newport, 
where  for  a number  of  years  he  was  proprietor 
of  the  “Atlantic  House.”  He  was  often  elected 
to  positions  of  trust  and  honor,  serving  as 
a member  of  the  city  council,  and  also  repre- 
sented Newport  in  the  State  Assembly.  His. 
widow  died  in  Providence,  May  6,  1878.  Their 
children  were  as  follows:  Benjamin,  a resident 
of  Orange,  N.  J.,  an  expert  draftsman ; Clement, 
living  in  Philadelphia,  Pa. ; Annie  Lawton,  Mrs.. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


901 


Philip  S.  Chase,  whose  husband  is  city  auditor 
of  Providence;  Catherine  Goddard,  wife  of  Jo- 
seph T.  Bailey,  who  is  a member  of  the  firm  of 
Bailey,  Banks  & Biddle,  Philadelphia  jewelers; 
Charles  S.,  who  died  in  1865,  aged  twenty-five 
years,  and  two  children  who  died  in  infancy. 

(VII)  John  Goddard  Weaver,  son  of  Benja- 
min and  Hannah  Spooner  (Briggs)  Weaver, 
born  Nov.  25,  1812,  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  married 
in  1832,  Susan  Bliven,  daughter  of  Ray  and 
Susan  (James)  Bliven,  of  Newport,  and  the 
union  was  blessed  with  seven  children.  Mr. 
Weaver  in  boyhood  attended  the  common 
schools  of  the  town,  later  attending  the  Friends’ 
School,  at  Providence,  receiving  therein  instruc- 
tion in  the  common  English  branches.  His 
father  and  grandfather  before  him  having  been 
hatters  it  was  but  natural  for  him  to  drift  into  the 
same  channel,  and  so  he  became  a hatter  by 
trade  and  for  a brief  time  that  was  his  occupa- 
tion. However,  on  reaching  his  majority  the 
state  of  his  health  was  such  that  a less  seden- 
tary life  seemed  desirable  if  not  imperative  for 
the  enjoyment  of  health,  so  that  he  abandoned 
work  in  that  line  and  sought  a position  which 
would  give  him  more  outdoor  employment.  The 
result  was  that  he  engaged  in  the  livery  business, 
and  as  time  passed  he  became  well  established 
and  widely  and  favorably  known,  not  only  in 
this  but  in  lines  of  business  akin  to  it.  For  a 
dozen  01  more  years  he  was  one  of  the  proprie- 
tors of  the  Providence  Stage  and  Mail  Line,  and 
in  1843,  associated  with  Abram  Potter,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  hotel  business,  becoming  landlord 
of  the  “Bellevue  House,”  on  Catherine  street,  at 
Newport.  After  a season’s  experience  in  the 
“Bellevue,”  he  in  company  with  others  built  in 
1844  the  original  “Ocean  House,”  which  on  Aug. 
3,  1845,  was  destroyed  by  fire.  They  immedi- 
ately rebuilt,  completing  in  1846  the  spacious  and 
attractive  structure  which  for  so  many  years 
contributed  to  the  comfort  and  pleasure  of  the 
many  summer  visitors  to  Newport  for  their 
outing  season.  This  old  “Ocean  House,”  commodi- 
ous and  well  arranged  and  adapted  for  the  comfort 
of  its  many  summer  patrons,  located  on  Bellevue 
avenue,  imposing  in  its  early  days  and  command- 
ing a magnificent  view  of  the  ocean  and  many 
of  the  palatial  residences  that  adorn  Bellevue 
avenue,  which  is  unsurpassed  in  its  beauty,  to- 
gether with  its  old-time  courteous  and  genial 
host  formed  a picture  indelibly  stamped  upon  the 
memory  of  the  thousands  who  came  and  went 
from  it  through  the  more  than  fifty  years  of  its 
existence.  Two  of  the  sons  of  Mr.  Weaver  were 
for  many  years  associated  with  him  in  the  con- 
duct of  this  historic  Newport  hostelry,  and  suc- 
ceeded him  in  its  management.  This  spacious 
hostelry  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  Sept.  9,  1898. 

During  the  long  residence  of  the  senior  John 
G.  Weaver  in  Newport,  in  his  younger  and  more 


active  life  he  was  for  fifteen  and  more  years, 
from  the  incorporation  of  Newport  as  a city,  a 
member  of  the  board  of  aldermen  and  the  com- 
mon council.  His  early  political  affiliations  were 
with  the  Whig  party,  and,  zealous  in  its  political 
faith,  upon  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party 
he  espoused  its  cause  with  as  much  zest,  and 
continued  in  the  belief  of  its  principles.  In  1863 
and  1864  he  was  a representative  from  Newport 
in  the  State  Assembly,  serving  with  rare  good 
judgment  and  efficiency  in  the  lower  house.  In 
his  younger  days  he  was  a member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F. 

Mr.  Weaver  was  a Unitarian  in  his  religious 
belief.  He  was  the  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  Charming  Memorial  Church  at 
Newport  for  a number  of  years.  He  died  in 
Newport  Aug.  10,  1892,  his  estimable  wife  pre- 
ceding him  Nov.  19,  1889. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  G.  Weaver  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  (1)  Benja- 
min, who  was  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
hotel  business,  was  a fine  horseman,  and  during 
the  Civil  war  was  a member  of  the  1st  Rhode 
Island  Cavalry.  He  was  unmarried  and  died  in 
New  York  Nov.  26,  1863.  (2)  Joseph  Briggs, 

who  was  a member  of  the  firm  of  Kerner  & 
Weaver,  proprietors  of  the  “Everett  House,” 
New  York,  died  in  that  city  unmarried  April  9, 
1882.  (3)  Marian  Jones  died  at  the  age  of  six- 

teen years.  (4)  Susan  died  in  infancy.  (5)  John 
G.,  Tr.,  was  first  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
management  of  the  “Ocean  House,”  Newport, 
and  later  proprietor  of  the  “Everett  House,” 
New  York  City,  where  he  died  Feb.  7,  1894.  In 
1865  he  married  Wealthy  More  Townsend, 
daughter  of  Edmund  J.  Townsend,  of  Newport. 
Their  son,  Benjamin,  married  Eleanor  Whipple, 
of  Newport,  and  to  them  has  been  born  one  daugh- 
ter, Eleanor  Weaver.  (6)  Susan  James,  unmar- 
ried, resides  in  Newport.  (7)  Hannah  Briggs 
died  unmarried  in  1894. 

In  the  death  of  Mr.  John  G.  Weaver,  which 
occurred  in  1892,  the  city  of  Newport  lost  one  of 
its  best  known  and  most  highly  respected  citi- 
zens. Although  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age 
he  remained  active  to  the  last,  and  was  always 
found  a liberal  supporter  of  all  good  objects  for 
the  betterment  of  his  native  city.  Possessed  of 
an  affable,  courteous  manner,  and  a generous 
and  kindly  disposition,  he  gained  and  easily  held 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  entire  community 
in  which  his  long  and  useful  life  had  been  spent. 

ALFRED  SMITH,  deceased.  To  no  one  citi- 
zen does  the  city  of  Newport  owe  a deeper  debt 
of  gratitude  than  to  the  late  Alfred  Smith,  who 
passed  away  there  Oct.  26,  1886,  and  to  whose 
single  energies  is  almost  wholly  due  the  develop- 
ment of  the  spot  into  its  present  place  among  the 
famous  residential  cities  of  the  world.  Mr.  Smith, 


902 


RHODE  ISLAND 


who  was  among  the  best-known  men  of  the  State 
and  the  wealthiest  resident  of  Newport,  was  himself 
a native  of  the  city,  born  Dec.  6,  1809,  the  only  son 
of  Benjamin  Whitehead  and  Hannah  Howard 
(Peckham)  Smith. 

On  the  paternal  side  Mr.  Smith  was  a lineal 
descendant  of  Edward  Smith,  who  accompanied 
John  Clarke  in  procuring  the  charter  of  Rhode  Is- 
land from  King  Charles  II.  Edward  Smith  and 
his  wife,  with  Obadiah  Holmes,  were  indicted  in 
October.  1650,  for  holding  meetings  from  house 
to  house,  and  for  refusing  to  attend  upon  the  regu- 
lar place  of  worship  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.  Mr. 
Smith  through  his  mother  descended  from  Rev. 
W illiam  Peckham,  who  was  one  of  the  early  pas- 
tors of  the  first  church  of  Newport. 

Alfred  Smith  in  boyhood  received  such  an  edu- 
cation as  \tfas  ordinarily  imparted  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  town.  At  an  early  age  he 
began  to  learn  tailoring  with  Messrs.  Isaac  Gould 
& Son,  in  Newport,  later  was  employed  as  a cutter 
by  a house  in  Providence,  and  afterward  entered 
the  tailoring  establishment  of  Wheeler  & Co.,  then 
located  on  Broadway,  New  York,  and  regarded 
in  those  days  as  the  most  fashionable  in  the  coun- 
try. In  the  employ  of  this  company  Mr.  Smith 
exhibited  such  skill  and  energy  in  his  calling  that 
during  part  of  the  time  mentioned  he  received  a 
salary  of  six  thousand  dollars  a year,  which,  in 
that  day,  was  an  enormous  amount.  While  Mr. 
Smith  was  in  New  York  he  made  trips  home  and 
was  in  the  habit  of  making  purchases  for  the  peo- 
ple of  Newport,  for  which  he  always  received  a 
commission.  On  one  of  these  trips  a wealthy  New 
York  customer  entrusted  to  him  the  purchase  of 
some  property  for  him  in  Newport.  This  was 
his  initial  step  in  the  real  estate  brokerage  busi- 
ness in  Newport,  and,  with  the  shrewd  foresight 
that  was  always  one  of  his  chief  characteristics, 
Mr.  Smith  gave  up  his  situation  in  New  York, 
and  coming  to  Newport  about  1840  entered  upon 
the  new  departure. 

At  this  time  Mr.  Smith’s  wants  were  limited, 
and  as  he  had  acquired  by  hard  work  and  strict 
economy  a considerable  property  he  at  first  merely 
contemplated  doing  a moderate  commission  busi- 
ness, and  leading  a life  of  comparative  leisure,  en- 
joying a garden  with  flowers  and  plants,  of  which 
he  was  exceedingly  fond.  His  business  gradually 
increased,  from  the  care  of  places  and  from  the 
oversight  of  planting  grounds,  to  the  purchase  and 
sale  of  real  estate  on  commission  and  for  specula- 
tion, until  he  became  eventually  one  of  the  most 
successful  real  estate  brokers  in  the  United  States. 
In  his  transactions  he  was  remarkably  successful. 
His  wants  were  not  much  increased  by  his  success 
in  business  and  he  acquired  property  with  rapidity, 
judiciously  caring  for  his  earnings  and  collecting 
what  was  his  due. 

At  length  hotel  life  in  Newport  began  to  wane 
in  popularity  and  real  estate  and  cottages  were 


in  demand.  Newport  people  built  fine  residences 
which  they  occupied  with  their  families  winters 
and  rented  in  the  summer  at  good  prices.  The  busi- 
ness was  done  mostly  through  Mr.  Smith.  He 
foresaw  a fortune  for  himself  and  pointed  out  for 
others  fortunes  then  latent  in  old  fields  and  pas- 
tures. Hundreds  of  acres  of  pasture  and  tillage 
land  were  cut  into  house  lots,  he  planted  thousands 
of  trees,  and  inaugurated  and  successfully  carried 
forward  improvements  which  greatly  enhanced  the 
beauty  of  the  city.  Many  of  his  townsmen  enjoyed 
wealth  which  came  because  of  the  increased  value 
of  their  lands.  He  laid  out  all  the  fashionable 
driveways  of  Newport,  his  greatest  work  in  this 
direction  being  the  famous  driveway  of  over  eleven 
miles,  including  Bellevue  and  Ocean  avenues.  It 
was  chiefly  due  to  his  skill  that  it  was  undertaken 
and  completed  by  the  city.  To  get  Ocean  avenue 
open  to  the  public  Mr.  Smith  himself  assumed  the 
entire  expense  of  constructing  the  substantial  stone 
bridge  which  crosses  the  creek  beyond  Bailey’s 
beach.  The  late  Thomas  Winans,  of  Baltimore, 
an  extensive  traveler  and  railroad  builder  in 
Russia,  pronounced  this  the  finest  shore  driveway 
in  the  world.  It  affords  to  visitors  a panoramic 
view  of  unsurpassed  beauty,  and  is  indeed  one  of 
the  greatest  attractions  of  the  far-famed  city  of 
health  and  pleasure.  The  value  of  real  estate  con- 
tinued to  grow  and  house  lots  were  sold  at  what 
a few  years  before  would  have  been  fabulous 
prices.  During  five  years  of  the  time  Mr.  Smith 
was  engaged  his  sales  amounted  to  a million  dol- 
lars annually  and  in  one  year  they  were  one  million, 
eight  hundred  thousand,  the  aggregate  amount  of 
his  sales,  from  1850  until  1884,  being  near  twenty- 
one  million  dollars,  a record  probably  never 
equalled  up  to  that  time. 

Mr.  Smith  was  an  excellent  business  man,  and 
evinced  the  same  care  in  executing  a five  dollar 
commission  as  he  did  in  one  involving  five  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  He  was  not  only  exact,  but  he 
was  prompt.  He  used  to  sav  that  he  intended 
“to  settle  his  estate  daily.”  If  he  owed  anyone, 
he  paid  what  he  owed  at  once ; and  if  anyone  owed 
him,  he  expected  payment  as  promptly.  He  was  a 
man  of  exhaustless  energy,  industry  and  persever- 
ance, strong  in  his  friendships,  decided  in  his  convic- 
tions, and  positive  in  his  dislikes.  He  was  ever  elert 
to  protect  his  past  patrons  by  excluding  undesirable 
intending  purchasers  and  therefore  his  patrons 
had  no  fear  of  an  undesirable  neighbor.  When 
he  refused  a would-be  customer  on  this  account 
no  amount  of  money  offered  for  his  property  could 
induce  him  to  change  his  mind  or  methods,  and 
it  was  perhaps  partly  due  to  this  confidence  in 
him  that  few  transactions  of  real  estate  for  the 
building  of  summer  residences  were  made  except 
through  Mr.  Smith.  It  may  well  be  doubted  if 
any  other  man  did  as  much  to  promote  the  growth 
and  business  prosperity  of  Newport,  and  he  could 
wrell  feel  proud  of  the  honor  of  being  foremost 


RHODE  ISLAND 


903 


in  making  his  native  city  the  most  noted  and  ex- 
clusive residential  city  of  the  world. 

In  February,  1843,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to 
Miss  Ann  Maria  Talbot,  daughter  of  Capt.  Allen 
Talbot,  of  Dighton,  Mass.,  a lady  who  possessed 
every  virtue  belonging  to  her  sex.  To  this  union 
came  four  children:  (1)  Howard  S.  was  a resi- 
dent of  Newport,  and  there  died.  (2)  Ellen  mar- 
ried A.  Prescott  Baker,  of  Boston.  (3)  Harriet 
Fisher  married  Seth  H.  Brownell,  of  Providence. 
(4)  Mary  Luther  married  Thomas  A.  Lawton  and 
died  in  Newport.  Mrs.  Ann  Maria  (Talbot) 
Smith  died  at  Newport,  Feb.  28,  1884.  She  was  a 
very  superior  woman,  and  of  her  noble  life  and 
character  we  present  an  article  which  appeared  in 
the  Newport  Mercury  of  March  1,  1884,  over  the 
signature  of  C.  W.  W.,  under  the  heading,  "In 
Memoriam” : “The  mournful  tolling  of  the  Chan- 
ning  Memorial  Chimes,  late  Thursday  evening,  was 
the  first  intimation  to  our  community  that  one  of 
. its  most  widely  known  and  deeply  beloved  mem- 
bers, the  donor  of  the  church  of  these  very  chimes, 
had  ended  her  gentle,  beneficent  life.  Mrs.  Ann 
M.  Smith,  wife  of  Alfred  Smith,  was  the  daughter 
of  Allen  Talbot,  of  Dighton,  where  she  was  born 
on  the  15th  day  of  April,  1820,  and  was  thus  at 
the  time  of  her  death  something  less  than  sixty- 
four  years  old.  The  family  removed  to  Providence, 
where  she  was  married,  and  since  that  event  has 
made  her  home  in  Newport. 

"Mrs.  Smith  was  a woman  of  refinement  and 
character,  whose  life  was  spent  in  doing  good. 
Probably  no  single  person  in  our  city  was  so 
constantly  occupied  with  deeds  of  friendliness  and 
charity.  Her  slight  figure  and  pure,  sweet  face 
were  a familiar  and  dear  sight  to  our  people  as 
she  went  about  the  city  at  all  hours  and  in  all 
weathers  on  missions  of  reconciliation  and  good- 
will. She  had  a genius  for  sympathy.  Her  love 
for  her  fellow-beings  was  as  opulent  and  inex- 
haustible as  the  heat  of  the  sun.  In  time  of 
trouble  she  was  an  angel  of  comfort ; she  relieved 
the  distressed,  and  had  a word  of  tenderness  for 
the  outcast  and  the  bad.  Now  that  she  is  gone, 
hundreds  in  our  midst  will  feel  that  they  have 
lost  their  most  sympathizing  friend  and  helper. 
The  humblest  of  women,  she  shrank  from  publicity 
or  even  private  recognition  of  her  bounty.  Nobody 
ever  had  a greater  power  of  self-efifacement.  Her 
last  act  on  earth  was  to  aid  in  relieving  the  dis- 
tress of  the  sufferers  by  flood  at  the  West.  A 
loyal  helpmate,  a mother  blessed  in  her  children’s 
love,  she  never  failed  in  her  home  duty,  and  yet 
found — because  she  sought — abundant  opportuni- 
ties for  a larger  helpfulness  to  her  kind. 

“In  her  death  the  Channing  Memorial  Church 
suffers  the  most  severe  loss,  next  to  the  late  re- 
moval of  its  revered  pastor,  the  Rev.  Charles  T. 
Brooks,  which  it  has  met  within  its  history.  She 
was  the  soul  of  its  charities,  the  center  of  its  hos- 
pitalities. A constant  church  goer,  to  behold  her 


saintly  face  at  the  service  was  to  many  of  her 
fellow-worshipers  in  itself  a sermon  and  a prayer. 
Her  Christianity  was  after  the  pattern  of  the 
Mount.  In  thought  and  word  and  deed  a humble 
disciple  of  the  great  teacher,  like  him  she  went 
about  doing  good,  like  him  bore  the  crosses  which 
life  brought  her  with  meek  resignation,  and  died 
leaving  an  example  that  we  should  follow  in  her 
steps. 

“At  her  funeral  service,  which  takes  place  to- 
morrow (Sunday)  afternoon  at  3 o’clock,  from 
the  Channing  Memorial  Church,  many  of  her 
friends  will  doubtless  be  present  in  person,  and 
all  in  spirit,  to  unite  in  tributes  of  affection  and  the 
utterances  of  undying  hope.” 

The  funeral  was  one  of  the  most  impressive 
and  largely  attended  ever  solemnized  in  Newport. 
The  church  was  crowded,  and  people  of  everv  de- 
nomination, class  and  position  gathered  there  to  pay 
their  last  respects  to  one  who  in  life  had  been  the 
friend  of  all. 

SETH  H.  BROWNELL  (deceased),  the 
founder  of  the  wholesale  grocery  house  of  Brownell, 
Field  & Co.,  was  one  of  the  best-known  of  the 
younger  business  men  of  Providence.  He  was 
able,  genial  and  popular,  thoroughly  trained  in 
business  principles,  and  endowed  with  an  energy 
which,  unfortunately,  proved  too  great  a strain 
upon  his  somewhat  delicate  constitution.  Born  in 
Providence  in  the  year  1849,  Mr.  Brownell  was  the 
son  of  Stephen  and  Henrietta  (Hunt)  Brownell. 
He  received  the  bulk  of  his  education  at  the  Uni- 
versity Grammar  School,  supplemented  by  a partial 
course  at  Brown  University. 

Soon  after  leaving  school  Mr.  Brownell  entered 
a woolen-mill  at  Olneyville,  near  Providence,  for 
the  purpose  of  learning  the  business  in  all  its  de- 
partments. Later,  after  he  had  studied  the  details 
of  manufacturing,  he  engaged  as  a dealer  in  the 
raw  material,  meeting  with  encouraging  success. 
But  becoming  convinced  that  the  wholesale  grocery 
trade  had  a greater  future  for  him,  in  1880  he  be- 
came a member  of  the  firm  of  Bugbee  & Brownell, 
and  the  business  continued  under  that  name  until 
the  retirement  of  Mr.  Bugbee,  in  1888.  There- 
after until  Jan.  1,  1890,  the  house  was  known  as 
S.  H.  Brownell  & Co.,  and  upon  the  date  mentioned 
Frank  O.  Field  was  admitted  to  the  partnership, 
under  the  style  of  Brownell,  Field  & Co.,  wholesale 
grocers,  which  is  the  present  name  of  the  firm. 

Mr.  Brownell’s  close  and  constant  application 
to  his  business  interests,  which  rapidly  developed 
under  his  able  superintendence,  so  undermined  his 
health  that  in  1892  he  took  a trip  to  California 
with  the  hope  of  regaining  strength.  Seemingly 
much  improved,  in  May  he  started  for  home,  but 
on  the  22d,  while  on  his  return,  and  having  reached 
Raton,  N.  Mex.,  he  was  taken  suddenly  with  a fatal 
illness.  The  remains  were  brought  to  Providence 
and  interred  in  the  North  burying-ground,  his  death, 


904 


RHODE  ISLAND 


under  the  circumstances,  being  a severe  shock  and 
a poignant  grief  to  his  relatives  and  wide  circle  of 
friends. 

Mr.  Brownell  was  married  at  Newport,  R.  I., 
to  Miss  Harriet  Fisher  Smith,  daughter  of  Alfred 
and  Ann  Maria  (Talbot)  Smith,  and  they  had  six 
children,  as  follows:  Hope  (who  died  in  infancy), 
Alice,  Mary,  Esther  (who  died  an  infant),  Alfred 
and  Warren. 

Mrs.  Brownell,  who  is  a woman  of  unusual 
business  talents,  retains  the  interest  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  Brownell,  Field  & Co.  She  possesses 
a decidedly  artistic  temperament  and  is  especially 
interested  in  antiques.  Among  her  other  studies 
and  collections  she  has  entered  a peculiar  field, 
but  one  in  which  she  probably  is  supreme.  She 
has  now  a collection  of  nearly  two  thousand  old 
teapots,  many  of  them  of  great  rarity  and  value, 
constituting  the  largest  array  in  America,  if  not  in 
the  world. 

^GEORGE  WASHINGTON  WILLIAMS, 
treasurer  of  the  W.  E.  Barrett  Company,  manufac- 
turers of  agricultural  implements,  is  a representa- 
tive of  the  numerous  Williams  family,  all  descended 
from  Roger  Williams. 

(I)  Roger  Williams,  founder  of  Rhode  Island, 
was  born  in  1599,  and  died  in  1683  in  Rhode  Is- 
land. Little  is  known  of  his  family  or  of  his  early 
life.  His  parents  were  James^and  Alice  (Pember- 
ton) Williams,  the  former  being  a merchant  tailor 
in  London,  England,  where  lie  died  in  1621. 
Roger  was  employed  in  some  capacity,  it  seems,  by 
the  great  lawyer.  Sir  Edward  Coke,  who  placed 
him  at  the  Charterhouse  School  in  1621,  and  after- 
ward at  Pembroke  College,  Cambridge,  where  he 
took  a degree.  He  was  admitted  to  orders  in  the 
Church  of  England,  but  soon  becoming  the  friend 
and  companion  of  John  Cotton  and  Thomas  Hooker 
adopted  the  most  advanced  views  of  the  Puritans. 
He  embarked  at  Bristol,  Dec.  1,  1630,  in  the  ship 
“Lion,”  and  on  Feb.  5,  1631,  arrived  at  Boston. 
He  had  then  been  recently  married,  but  of  his 
wife’s  early  history  but  little  is  known.  Her  Chris- 
tian name  was  MaryF'  Mr.  Williams  was  distin- 
guished as  an  eloquent  preacher  and  ripe  scholar, 
and  soon  after  his  arrival  in  Massachusetts  he  was 
invited  to  the  church  at  Salem,  as  assistant  to  the 
pastor,  Mr.  Skelton.  He  was  settled  April  12, 
1631,  as  assistant  or  teacher  in  the  Salem  church. 
He  had  been  a disturbing  element,  and  found  his 
position  at  Salem  so  uncomfortable  that  before  the 
end  of  the  summer  he  sought  skelter  under  more 
tolerant  jurisdiction  in  the  Plymouth  Colony.  Here 
he  was  settled  in  August,  1631,  as  assistant  to  the 
paster,  Ralph  Smith.  About  this  time  he  was  first 
suspected  of  the  “heresy  of  Anabaptism.”  He  re- 
turned to  Salem  in  1633,  followed  by  several  mem- 
bers of  the  congregation  who  had  become  devot- 
edly attached  to  him.  In  1634  he  was  settled  as 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Salem.  Here  he  soon  got 


into  trouble  by  denying  the  validity  of  the  charter 
granted  in  1629  by  Charles  I to  the  Company  of 
Massachusetts  Bay.  He  maintained  that  the  land 
belonged  to  the  Indians,  and  not  the  King  of  Eng- 
land, who  therefore  had  no  right  to  give  it  away. 
The  settlers  of  Massachusetts  condemned  Mr.  Wil- 
liams and  his  views.  This  purely  political  question 
was  complicated  with  disputes  arising  from  Mr. 
Williams’s  advanced  views  on  toleration.  He  main- 
tained tnat  “no  human  power  had  the  right  to  in- 
termeddle in  matters  of  conscience ; and  that 
neither  church  nor  state,  neither  bishop  nor  king, 
may  prescribe  the  smallest  iota  of  religious  faith.” 
For  this  he  maintained  “man  is  responsible  to  God 
alone.”  He  denounced  the  law  requiring  every 
man  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  church. 
The  ministers  with  his  friends,  Cotton  and  Hooker, 
at  their  head  sent  a committee  to  Salem  to  cen- 
sure him;  but  he  denied  the  spiritual  jurisdiction, 
and  declared  his  determination  ‘‘to  remove  the  yoke 
of  soul-oppression.”  In  July,  1635,  he  was  sum- 
moned before  the  General  Court  to  answer  to 
charges  of  heresy.  In  October  he  was  ordered  to 
quit  the  Colony.  It  was  about  this  time  that  it 
was  reported  many  of  the  followers  of  Mr.  Wil- 
liams meditated  withdrawing  from  Massachusetts 
and  founding  a colony  on  Narragansett  Bay,  in 
which  the  principle  of  religious  toleration  should 
be  strictly  upheld.  Mr.  Williams  was  granted  a 
tract  of  land  on  the  Seekonk  river  by  Massasoit, 
chief  of  the  Pokanoket  Indians,  who  dwelt  be- 
tween the  Charles  river  and  Mt.  Hope  Bay.  There 
in  the  spring  he  was  joined  by  friends  from  Salem, 
and  they  began  to  build ; but  in  order  to  avoid  any 
complications  with  the  Plymouth  Colony  they 
moved  to  the  site  of  Providence,  where  they  made 
their  first  settlement  in  June,  1636.  This  territory 
was  granted  to  Mr.  Williams  by  the  Narragansett 
chiefs  Canonicus  and  Miantonomoh.  His  influ- 
ence over  these  Indians  was  great,  and  it  soon  en- 
abled him  to  perform  for  the  infant  colonies  a 
service  that  no  other  man  in  New  England  could 
have  undertaken  with  any  hope  of  success. 

In  1643  Mr.  Williams  went  to  England  and  ob- 
tained the  charter  for  the  Rhode  Island  and  Provi- 
dence settlements,  dated  March  14,  1644.  Through 
his  executors  a treaty  was  made  with  the  Narra- 
gansetts  Aug.  4,  1645,  which  saved  New  England 
from  the  horrors  of  an  Indian  war.  Mr.  Williams 
again  went  to  England  in  1651  on  business  per- 
taining to  the  government  of  the  Island  of  Rhode 
Island  and  Conanicut.  He  returned  to  Providence 
in  1654,  and  took  part  in  the  re-organization  of 
the  Colonial  government  in  that  year.  He  was 
chosen,  Sept.  12*  1654,  president  of  the  Colony, 
and  held  that  office  until  May,  1658.  During  this 
time  he  secured  the  toleration  of  the  Quakers,  who 
were  beginning  to  come  to  New  England,  and  on 
this  occasion  he  was  again  brought  into  conflict 
with  the  government  of  Massachusetts. 

On  July  8,  1663,  a new  charter  was  granted 


RHODE  ISLAND 


905 


to  Rhode  Island  under  which  Benedict  Arnold  was 
first  governor  and  Roger  Williams  one  of  the  as- 
sistants. In  1663  Mr.  Williams  was  appointed 
commissioner  for  settling  the  eastern  boundary, 
which  had  long  been  the  subject  of  dispute  with 
both  Plymouth  and  Massachusetts.  For  the  next 
fourteen  years  he  was  for  most  of  the  time  either 
a representative  or  an  assistant.  In  1672  Mr.  Wil- 
liams was  engaged  in  his  famous  controversy  with 
the  Quakers,  of  whose  doctrines  and  manners  he 
strongly  disapproved,  though  he  steadfastly  re- 
fused to  persecute  them.  He  was  the  author  of  a 
number  of  works.  In  King  Philip’s  war  he  ac- 
cepted a commission  as  captain  of  militia,  though 
his  advanced  age  prevented  him  from  taking  the 
field.  The  home  of  Mr.  Williams  was  in  Provi- 
dence, and  he  was  there  buried.  He  was  “a  man 
of  wonderful  strength  and  activity.  In  private  life 
he  was  as  gentle  and  kind  as  he  was  undaunted 
and  pugnacious  in  controversy.  His  opinions  and 
conduct  in  regard  to  toleration  entitled  him  to  a 
place  among  the  foremost  men  of  the  world  in  the 
seventeenth  century.”  The  children  born  to  Roger 
and  Mary  Williams  were:  Mary,  Freeborn,  Provi- 
dence, Mercy,  Daniel  and  Joseph, 
vj  (II)  Daniel  Williams,1' born  in  February,  1642, 
married  Dec.  7,  1676,  Rebeccefi  widow  of  Nicholas 
Power,  and  daughter  of  Zachariah  and  Joan  (Ar- 
nold) Rhodes.  Mr.  Williams  lived  in  Providence. 
He  was  juryman  in  1675,  1679,  1685  and  1709.  He 
was  surveyor  of  highways  in  1680,  and  hay  war- 
den in  1695  and  1698.  He  died  May  14,  1712. 
His  widow  passed  away  in  1727.  Their  children 
were : Maryf  Peleg,  Roger,-  Daniel/"  Patience, 

Providence^  and  Joseph.^ 

v (III)  Joseph  Williams  married  Feb.  19,  1716, 
Sarah,  born  Jan.  26,  1696,  daughter  of  Valentine 
and  Sarah  (Bartlett)  Whitman.  Mr.  Williams 
lived  in  Providence  and  Scituate.  It  is  stated  on 
the  records  of  the  latter  town  that  he  “was  killed 
by  the  Spaniards  near  the  Bay  of  Campeachy.” 
The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  were : 
''Benoni,  born  Nov.  15,  1716;  and ' Goliah,  born 
Sept.  17,  1724.  ^ 

^ (IV)  Benoni  Williams,  born  Nov.  15,  1716, 
married  in  1739,  ^Abigail  Smith,  and  they  resided 
in  Scituate,  Mass.  Mr.  Williams  died  July  II, 
1782.  Their  children  were:  ‘"Joseph,  born  Dec.  5, 
1739 ; v Benjamin,  Feb.  1,  1741;  John,  Dec.  27, 
i742;vSarah,  March  24,  1744;  Benoni,  Nov.  16, 
1745  l ‘Jeremiah,  Oct.  19,  1747;  William,  July  27, 
1749 ; ^Oliver,  Aug.  5,  1751;  and  Squire,  May  20, 
17$3-  . 

J (V)  William  Williams,  born  July  27,  1749, 
died  Sept.  27,  1825.  He  married  Dorcas  Shipper, 
who  died  July  18,  1817.  He  was  a farmer  in  Fos- 
ter, R.  I.  His  children  were : Otis,  Stephen, 
Elijah,  Thomas  and  Larned. 

^ (VI)  Larned  Williams,  born  Feb.  14,  1810, 
in  Foster,  R.  I.,  married  Sarah  Ann  Cranston, 


born  Nov.  22,  1809,  died  April  7,  1872,  daughter  of 
Caleb  Cranston,  who  died  Sept.  5,  1829,  aged  fifty- 
seven  years.  Caleb  Cranston  was  a son  of  Caleb, 
who  died  in  1790,  aged  seventy  years;  who  was  a 
son  of  John  Cranston,  who  died  Oct.  15,  1745, 
aged  eighty-one  years ; who  was  a son  of  Gover- 
nor Samuel,  who  died  April  26,  1727,  aged  sixty- 
eight  years;  who  was  a son  of  Governor  John, 
who  died  March  12,  1680,  aged  fifty-five ; who  was 
a son  of  James,  chaplain  to  King  Charles  I;  who 
was  a son  of  John,  Esquire  of  Bool,  England ; who 
was  the  son  of  James;  who  was  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam, Lord  of  Cranston  of  Scotland,  who  was  titled 
by  James  VI,  of  Scotland,  Nov.  19,  1609. 

i^Larned  Williams  spent  his  early  life  on  the 
farm  in  Foster.  For  thirty  years,  between  the 
ages  of  twenty  and  fifty,  he  was  overseer  of  the 
weave  shop  in  the  Sprague  mills  and  the  W atqr- 
man  mills.  But  he  always  liked  farming  and  at 
various  times  bought  farms  and  engaged  in  that 
business.  His  children  were : Emily  C.,  born 
June  12,  1830,  at  Natick,  R.  I.,  married  Valours 
P.  Westcott,  had  two  sons,  Frank  W.  and  Henry 
C.,  and  died  June  1,  1862;  Abby  Ann,  born  May  29, 
1832,  at  Pawtuxet,  married  Albert  G.  Henlv,  and 
died  Jan.  26,  1905;  Alfred  A.,  born  Nov.  7,  1834, 
at  Providence,  is  a farmer  in  Johnston,  R.  I.; 
George  W.  was  born  at  North  Providence  May 
16,  1836;  Francisco  C.,  born  Jan.  9,  1839,  at  North 
Providence,  resides  in  Pawtuxet,  and  has  a son, 
Frank;  Sarah  Amanda,  born  May  28,  1843,  died 
Dec.  19,  1877;  William  L.,  born  May  16,  1845, 
died  Aug.  n,  1845. 

Dj-VII)  George  Washington  Williams,  son  of 
Larned,  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools, 
Belding’s  Classical  Institute  on  Fruit  Hill,  and 
Scholfield’s  Business  College  in  Providence.  In 
1854  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  seed  and  agri- 
cultural implement  firm  of  Burdick  & Bariett, 
which  was  established  in  1844.  In  1862  Mr.  .Wil- 
liams bought  Mr.  Burdick’s  interest  in  the  business, 
and  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  W.  E.  Barrett 
& Co.  For  a time  Amos  Fuller  and  George  F. 
Fuller,  manufacturers  of  plows,  were  members  of 
the  firm.  In  1878  Wilbur  A.  Fisk  became  a mem- 
ber of  the  firm.  In  1891  Wr.  E.  Barrett  died,  and 
subsequently  the  business  was  incorporated  under 
the  name  of  “The  W.  E.  Barrett  Company,”  with 
Wilbur  A.  Fisk,  president;  George  W.  Williams, 
treasurer;  and  George  F.  Williams,  secretary. 

During  the  days  of  the  old  State  Fair  Mr.  Wil- 
liams was  treasurer  of  the  Association.  He  is  a 
member  of  What  Cheer  Lodge;  Calvary  Com- 
mandery ; Palestine  Temple  of  the  Mystic  Sin  me, 
and  of  the  Scottish  Rite  bodies  to  the  thirty-second 
degree.  He  is  vice-president  of  the  Warwick 
Club,  a member  of  the  board  of  governors  of  the 
W,r est  Side  Club,  vice  president  of  the  Rhode  Is- 
land Business  Men’s  Association,,  and  treasurer  of 
the  Prudence  Land  Company.  He  owns  some  four 


906 


RHODE  ISLAND 


hundred  acres  of  land  on  Prudence  Island,  where 
for  more  than  twenty-five  years  he  has  resided 
during  the  summer  season, 

Mr.  Williams  has  been  twice  married.  On 
April  1 6,  1857,  he  married  Amy  Ellen  Westcott, 
born  June  30,  1836,  at  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  and 
she  died  Oct.  26,  1876.  Of  the  children  born  to 
this  marriage  (1)1  Eugene  Burdick,  born  Jan.  8, 
i860,  died  April  5,  i860.  (2y^George  Francis, 
born  Feb.  16,  1861,  married  June  20,  1883,  Verena 
Byron  Nickerson,  and  has  children : Amey  West- 
cott, born  Oct.  6,  1884;  Roy  Baker,  born  March 
25,  1886;  Gladys,  born  May  12,  1887;  Leila  Mat- 
thews, born  Oct.  13,  1890;  Curtis  Fay,  born  Aug. 
25,  1892;  Verena,  born  Jan.  24,  1901;  and  Ches- 
ter Walcott,  born  June  12,  1902.  (3)ALeila  An- 
thony, born  Feb.  9,  1865,  died  May  3,  1872.  (4) 

Leon  Johnson,  born  Sept.  24,  1874,  married  Grace 
Miner. 

On  Jan.  30,  1878,  Mr.  Williams  married  (sec- 
ond) Elizabeth  Darling,  who  was  born  Dec.  20, 
1852,  and  who  died  Dec.  16,  1895.  The  children 
of  this  union  were:  Edward  Brown,  born  Nov. 
27,  1878:  Clinton  Nickerson,  born  March  3,  1880; 
and  Ralph  Emerson,  born  Feb.  17,  1882,  who  mar- 
ried Annie  White,  of  Providence. 

HAMMETT.  For  something  like  two  hun- 
dred years  the  name  of  Hammett  has  been  identified 
with  the  affairs  of  Newport,  and  for  much  of  the 
time  through  the  life  of  the  financial  institutions 
of  that  city  it  has  been  more  or  less  prominently 
connected  with  the  city’s  financial  affairs.  The 
name  does  not  appear  to  have  been  by  any  means  a 
common  one  or  the  family  numerous  in  early  New 
England  history.  Savage  gives  some  little  in- 
formation of  one  Thomas  Hammett,  Hamot  or 
Hammatt,  of  Scarborough,  who  owned  allegiance 
to  Massachusetts  in  1658,  and  was  made  a free- 
man in  that  year,  but  renewed  his  subjection  to 
the  King  in  1663.  He  married  the  widow  of  John 
Burrage.  In  the  town  records  of  Newport  is  re- 
corded the  marriage  of  John  Hammett  and  Sarah 
Carr,  daughter  of  Gov.  Caleb  Carr,  as  having  taken 
place  Jan.  10,  1705,  the  ceremony  being  performed 
by  Gov.  Samuel  Cranston.  The  children  of  this 
couple,  as  of  record  in  the  town  records  of  New- 
port, were:  John,  born  Oct.  10,  1705;  Mary;  and 
Thomas,  born  April  11,  1712.  There  may  have 
been  other  children  as  the  town  records  are  often 
incomplete.  John  Hammett  was  admitted  a free- 
man of  the  Colony  of  Rhode  Island  at  the  May 
session  of  the  General  Assembly,  1708.  He  was 
chosen  clerk  of  the  Assembly  June  28,  1711  (likely 
of  the  House,  as  he  is  later  referred  to  in  that 
connection),  to  serve  until  the  next  election  of  gen- 
eral officers.  He  was  succeeded  in  this  position 
by  Nicholas  Carr,  in  May,  1714.  On  June  30, 
1712,  he  was  chosen  attorney-general. 

Family  tradition  has  it  that  the  ancestor  of  the 
Hammett  family  came  from  Liverpool,  England, 


and  settled  at  Martha's  Vineyard,  Mass.,  whence 
two  brothers  came  to  Newport,  R.  I.,  the  younger 
returning  to  Martha’s  Vineyard,  and  the  elder  set- 
tling at  Newport.  From  the  latter  have  descended 
the  Hammetts  of  Newport  and  vicinity. 

Edward  Hammett,  great-great-grandfather  of 
Fred  M.  Hammett,  of  the  Newport  Daily  News, 
and  Lincoln  Hammett,  plumber,  gas-fitter,  electri- 
cian of  Newport,  was  born  in  Newport,  April  15, 

1704,  and  there  his  death  occurred  May  9,  1775. 
He  married  Sarah  Waldron,  who  was  born  in 

1705,  and  who  died  in  1777.  Their  children  were: 
Susannah,  born  in  1730,  died  in  1794;  Rebecca, 
who  died  in  1776,  was  the  wife  of  a Air.  Hart; 
Edward,  born  in  1742,  died  in  1754;  Lydia  mar- 
ried Billings  Coggeshall ; Nathan,  born  in  1748, 
died  in  1816;  and  Benjamin,  born  in  1750,  died  in 
1814. 

Benjamin  Hammett,  son  of  Edward,  born  in 
Newport  in  1750,  was  twice  married.  His  first 
wife,  Elizabeth  Viall,  was  born  in  1755,  and  died 
in  1803.  He  married  (second)  Leah  Fairbanks, 
and  he  died  in  1814.  His  children,  all  born  to  the 
first  marriage,  were:  Nathan  B.,  born  in  1778, 
married  Mary  Billings,  and  died  in  1858 ; Mary, 
born  in  1782,  married  Rev.  John  Ferguson;  Robert 
M.,  born  in  1784,  married  Nancy  Risbrough,  and 
died  in  1857;  Benjamin  M.,  born  in  1786,  died  in 
1819;  John  Viall,  born  in  1788,  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Lois  Davenport ; Charles  E.  was  born 
in  1790;  Eliza  Rebecca,  born  in  1793,  married 
John  Stevens;  and  Caroline  L.,  born  in  1795,  died 
unmarried. 

Charles  E.  Hammett,  son  of  Benjamin,  was 
born  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  July  7,  1790,  and  his  death 
occurred  in  the  same  city  in  1878.  He  was  a sea 
captain  in  early  life,  engaged  in  the  coastwise  trade. 
Later  he  was  in  the  grocery  business  on  Spring 
street,  and  for  a number  of  years  met  with  marked 
success  in  that  line.  He  was  a quiet,  unassuming 
man,  and  although  he  was  always  active  in  work 
for  his  preferred  political  party — the  Republican — 
he  had  no  ambition  to  hold  public  office.  He  at- 
tended the  Congregational  Church,  and  his  only 
fraternal  connection  was  with  the  Newport  Marine 
Society.  He  married  Betsey  Wood  Davenport,  who 
bore  him  seven  children,  as  follows:  Benjamin 
Mason,  born  in  1821,  died  in  1830;  Eliza  Rebecca 
died  in  1904,  unmarried;  Charles  E.,  born  June  29, 
1823,  for  over  fifty  years  engaged  in  the  book 
and  stationery  business  in  Newport,  married 
(first)  Elizabeth  Shaw  Reynolds,  and  (second) 
Parthenia  Griggs  Jones,  and  died  Oct.  31,  1902; 
James  Hart  is  mentioned  below ; Hannah  Daven- 
port, unmarried,  died  in  1866;  Sarah  D.,  born  in 
1829,  died  in  1863;  and  Benjamin  Mason  (2),  who 
died  in  1903,  married  Mary  Tisdale. 

James  Hart  Hammett,  son  of  Charles  E.,  was 
born  in  Newport,  Feb.  12,  1825,  and  he  died  there 
Dec.  30,  1900.  After  obtaining  a fair  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city,  he  became 


RHODE  ISLAND 


907 


a clerk  in  the  dry  goods  store  of  Edward  Sherman, 
in  whose  employ  he  remained  several  years.  He 
afterward  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  on  his 
own  account,  his  place  of  business  being  located 
on  the  west  side  of  Thames  street,  later  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  street,  where  he  continued  suc- 
cessfully for  a period  of  nearly  fifty  years.  He 
then  retired  with  a goodly  competence,  selling  out 
to  the  firm  now  known  as  the  Newport  Dry  Goods 
Company.  Through  his  long  active  busy  life  in  that 
one  community  he  was  prominent  not  only  among 
the  business  men,  but  in  general  citizenship  and  in 
social  life.  His  influence  was  for  good  in  every 
walk  of  life.  In  any  measure  he  espoused  or  affair 
with  which  he  was  identified  he  generally  led.  He 
was  kindly  and  generously  disposed  and  took  pleas- 
ure in  directing  and  aiding  young  men  in  getting 
a start  in  life’s  journey.  The  influence  of  his  life 
was  an  inspiration  to  more  than  one  young  busi- 
ness man  of  Newport  whose  early  manhood  was 
passed  within  its  rays.  Although  never  a candi- 
date for  office  Mr.  Hammett  was  ever  alert  and 
deeply  interested  in  all  matters  and  measures  af- 
fecting the  welfare  of  the  community  in  which  he 
lived.  He  was  a stalwart  supporter  of  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party,  and  served  efficiently  as 
commissioner  of  the  Newport  Asylum  for  some 
years.  For  some  time  prior  to  his  death  he  was 
a trustee  of  the  Savings  Bank  of  Newport.  He 
attended  the  United  Congregational  Church.  On 
Oct.  31,  1849,  Mr.  Hammett  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Elizabeth  Rogers  Tilley,  who  was  born 
Feb.  26,  1828,  daughter  of  Deacon  George  and 
Mary  (Lawton)  Tilley,  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.  In 
1899  they  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of 
their  marriage,  but  both  have  since  passed  away, 
Mrs.  Hammett  dying  in  October,  1900.  Six  chil- 
dren were  born  of  their  marriage,  as  follows : 
Sarah  Tilley  and  Louisa  Davenport,  both  unmar- 
ried and  residing  in  Newport;  Fred  Mason,  men- 
tioned below ; Elizabeth,  who  died  aged  three 
years;  Lincoln,  mentioned  below;  and  Bessie  Wood, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty. 

Fred  Mason  Hammett,  son  of  the  late  James 
Hart,  was  born  Oct.  1,  1858,  in  Newport,  and  lie 
received  his  early  educational  training  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  and  the  Rogers  high  school  of  his  native 
city,  graduating  from  the  latter  in  1876.  He  then 
entered  Brown  University,  and  was  graduated 
therefrom  in  1880  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  But 
a short  time  after  he  left  the  University  he  be- 
came associated  with  the  Newport  Daily  Neivs, 
and  with  that  paper  he  has  since  been  identified  in 
various  capacities,  now  being,  as  he  has  been  for 
several  years  past,  a member  of  the  editorial  staff. 
His  long  experience  with  newspaper  work  has 
made  him  familiar  with  every  detail  of  modern 
journalism.  He  is  an  energetic  and  capable  news- 
gatherer,  and  is  a forceful,  logical  and  fluent 
writer. 


In  his  political  faith  Mr.  Hammett  is  a stanch 
Republican,  and  as  such  has  served  his  native  city 
as  a member  of  the  common  council  and  of  the 
board  of  aldermen,  serving  in  each  for  a number 
of  years,  and  also  serving  each  as  president. 
W hile  president  of  the  aldermanic  board  he  was 
acting  mayor  for  six  weeks.  He  then  became 
a candidate  for  mayor  of  the  city,  but  was  de- 
feated by  Patrick  J.  Boyle,  the  first  time  the  latter 
was  elected  mayor  of  the  city.  In  1906,  at  the 
first  election  held  under  the  new  charter  granted 
the  city  of  Newport,  Mr.  Hammett  was  elected 
a member  of  the  representative  council  from  the 
Third  ward  for  the  three-year  term.  Mr.  Hammett 
is  a member  of  Coronet  Council,  No.  63,  Royal 
Arcanum,  which  organization  he  has  served  as 
orator,  vice  regent  and  regent,  the  last  named  in 
1907 ; and  of  Newport  Camp,  No.  7677,  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  He  is  a member  of  the 
United  Congregational  Church,  and  was  treasurer 
of  the  society  for  a number  of  .years. 

On  Feb.  21,  1896,  Mr.  Hammett  was  married 
to  Miss  Emily  Sherman  Crandall,  daughter  of 
William  H.  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Sherman)  Cran- 
dall. To  this  union  have  come  six  children, 
namely : Elizabeth  Ellery,  Mary  Sherman,  Emily 
Frances,  Catherine  Tilley,  Ruth  Davenport  and 
Fred  Mason,  Jr.  Mr.  Hammett  is  thoroughly  pro- 
gressive and  up-to-date,  and  as  a public-spirited 
citizen  is  ever  interested  in  every  enterprise  tend- 
ing toward  the  well  being  of  his  city  and  State. 

Lincoln  Hammett,  son  of  James  Hart,  was 
born  in  Newport,  April  18,  1865.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  and  the  Rogers 
high  school  of  his  native  city, . leaving  the  latter 
when  about  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  then  be- 
came a clerk  for  William  A.  Steelman,  superin- 
tendent of  the  Newport  Gas  Light  Company,  with 
whom  he  remained  for  three  years.  He  next  be- 
came interested  in  electrical  work  in  the  employ 
of  Henry  W.  Cozzens,  with  whom  he  remained 
for  nine  years,  gaining  a practical  insight  into  the 
workings  of  electrical  appliances.  In  1889  he  be- 
came superintendent  of  the  Warren  (R.  I.)  gas 
works,  remaining  in  that  capacity  about  two  years. 
In  1895  he  established  himself  in  business,  opening 
a plumbing  and  electrical  establishment  in  New- 
port, in  company  with  J.  Fred  Wagner,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Lincoln  Hammett  & Co.  This  part- 
nership continued  until  1900  when  Mr.  Hammett 
purchased  his  partner’s  interest,  and  he  has  since 
conducted  the  business  alone.  This  includes 
plumbing,  gas  fitting,  steam  and  electrical  work  in 
all  tbeir  various  branches. 

In  his  politics  Mr.  Hammett  is  a Republican, 
but  is  independent  of  party  affiliations  in  local 
issues.  He  was  connected  with  the  Newport  l ire 
Department  for  one  year  while  engaged  in  install- 
ing the  original  still  alarm  system. 

On  Feb.  9,  1899,  Mr.  Hammett  was  married  to 


908 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Miss  Lillie  Beaverstalk  Westall,  of  Newport, 
daughter  of  Simeon  E.  and  Annie  E.  (Langley) 
Westall.  One  daughter  has  blessed  this  union, 
Bessie  Westall. 

ARNOLD.  The  ancestry  of  Miss  Emily  L. 
Arnold,  of  Cranston,  is  as  follows : 

(I)  Stephen  Arnold,  born  in  Leamington,  Eng- 
land, in  1613,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Edward 
Smith,  of  Providence. 

(II)  Elisha  Arnold,  son  of  Stephen,  born  in 
1662,  died  in  1712.  He  married  Susannah  Car- 
penter in  1682. 

(III)  Elisha  Arnold  (2),  son  of  Elisha,  born  in 
1694,  died  in  1759. 

(IV)  Simeon  Arnold,  son  of  Elisha  (2),  born 
in  1730,  married  Harriet  Carpenter. 

(V)  Cyrus  Arnold,  son  of  Simeon,  married  Abi- 
gail Warner,  and  had  children:  Cyrus,  Edmund, 
John,  Sion,  Abigail,  Sophia  and  Waity. 

(VI)  Sion  Arnold,  son  of  Cyrus,  born  in  War- 
wick, R.  I.,  in  1817,  married  Oct.  4,  1837,  Caroline 
Foster,  daughter  of  Calvin  Foster,  of  Barre,  Mass. 
He  was  a carpenter  by  occupation,  and  lived  on  the 
Cyrus  Arnold  homestead  in  Warwick,  R.  I.,  dying 
in  1842.  His  children  were:  Malfred  A.,  born 
Aug.  29,  1838,  living  in  Phenix,  R.  I. ; and  Emily 
Louise,  born  Nov.  8,  1840.  After  the  death  of  her 
husband  Mrs.  Arnold  married  (second)  Henry  Hol- 
land, by  whom  she  had  these  children : Elizabeth 
C.,  born  June  28,  1845,  deceased;  Francis  H., 
born  Aug.  9,  1847;  Addie  F.,  born  Oct.  9,  1850; 
and  Calvin,  born  May  4,  1856,  deceased. 

STEERE.  (I)  John  Steere,  born  in  England 
in  1634,  came  to  America  some  time  between  1658 
and  1660.  The  name  of  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  America  is  mentioned  in  the  town  record  under 
date  of  May  9,  1660,  when  he  was  granted  land 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Mohassuck  river.  He  took 
an  active  part  in  the  public  affairs  of  the  town  of 
Providence,  and  died  Aug.  27,  1724.  He  married 
Hannah,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  William  Wicken- 
den,  and  their  children  were : John,  Sarah,  Dinah, 
Thomas,  Jane,  Ruth,  William,  Ann  and  Samuel. 

(II)  Samuel  Steere,  son  of  John,  was  born 
about  the  year  1673,  and  married  Hannah,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Everdon)  Field.  To 
this  union  were  born  the  following  children ; 
LTania,  a son,  Anthony,  Jonah,  Jeremiah,  John 
and  Samuel. 

(III)  Jonah  Steere,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born 
in  Glocester,  R.  I.,  in  January,  1720,  and  married 
Dec.  10,  1741,  Lydia,  daughter  of  John  and  Lydia 
(Harding)  Whipple.  She  was  born  in  1725  and 
died  in  1779,  her  husband  surviving  until  April 
14,  1798.  Their  children  were:  Hannah,  bora 
April  25,  1743;  Samuel,  born  Jan.  13,  1745;  Si- 
meon, born  jeb.  26,  1747;  Job,  born  March  21, 
1749;  Lydia,  born  Feb.  14,  1751;  Anne,  born  Jan. 
21,  1 753  i Drusilla,  born  Oct.  10,  1754;  Asa,  born 


Sept.  28,  1757;  Abigail,  born  Oct.  27,  1759;  Nicho- 
las, born  Jan.  27,  1763,  and  Nehemiah,  born  April 

27,  17^>5- 

(IV)  Deacon  Asa  Steere,  son  of  Jonah,  born 
Sept.  28,  1757,  married  Mary  Irons,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Hannah  (Waterman)  Irons.  She 
was  born  Oct.  25,  1762.  Asa  Steere  was  a deacon 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  lived  about  three  miles 
from  Harmony,  within  the  town  of  Glocester.  He 
died  Jan.  21,  1835.  His  children  were:  Riley,  born 
Jan.  17,  1783;  Abigail,  born  April  15,  1785;  Lu- 
cinda, born  Dec.  22,  1786;  Jonah,  born  Dec.  14, 
1788;  Lydia,  born  March  25,  1790;  Hannah,  born 
July  20,  1792;  Samuel,  born  Jan.  29,  1795;  Whip- 
ple, born  Oct.  16,  1796;  and  Job,  Nov.  16,  1799. 

(V)  Jonah  Steere,  son  of  Deacon  Asa,  born 
in  Glocester  Dec.  14,  1788,  married  May  15,  1825, 
Alice,  daughter  of  Nebediah  Smith.  She  was  born 
Aug.  18,  1788,  and  died  March  5,  1863,  aged  sev- 
enty-four years,  he  surviving  until  Sept.  25,  1871, 
when  he  passed  away  aged  eighty-two  years.  He 
came  to  Providence  about  1824,  in  which  year  he 
was  residing  with  Col.  James  Burr,  with  whom  he 
learned  the  trade  of  saddlery  and  harness-making. 
Mr.  Steere  was  engaged  in  this  trade  and  in  busi- 
ness for  himself  throughout  a long  and  most  use- 
ful life,  and  was  also  largely  interested  as  a stock- 
holder in  the  American  Screw  Company.  He  was 
known  as  a man  of  sterling  integrity  and  strong 
mind,  became  connected  with  the  Beneficent  Con- 
gregational Church  shortly  after  coming  to  Provi- 
dence, during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  James  Wilson, 
and  was  a consistent  member  thereof  until  his 
death.  His  children  were:  A daughter  who  died 
in  infancy,  and  Henry  Jonah,  born  April  11,  1830. 

(VI)  Henry  Jonah  Steere,  son  of  Jonah, 
died  at  his  residence.  No.  101  Benefit  street,  Oct. 

28,  1898.  His  death  was  caused  by  one  of  those 
incurable  maladies  which  afflict  human-kind, 
but  his  end  was  as  brave  and  courageous  as  his 
life  had  been  helpful  and  beneficent.  Mr.  Steere 
received  an  excellent  training  as  a boy,  first  in  his 
home,  and  then  in  the  various  grades  of  the  public 
schools  of  Providence,  and  after  graduating  with 
much  credit  from  the  high  school  became  engaged 
as  a clerk  in  the  Merchants’  Bank.  His  experi- 
ence in  this  field  was  considerable,  as  during  his 
younger  days  his  capability  and  fidelity  secured  him 
position  and  advancement  in  the  Traders’,  the  Gro- 
cers’ and  Producers’  Banks,  and  later  on  in  life 
he  held  the  position  of  director  in  the  Northern, 
Globe  National,  Fifth  National  and  City  Savings 
Banks,  as  well  as  the  Providence  Washington  In- 
surance Company,  and  the  Economic  Insurance 
Company.  His  early  banking  career  was  termi- 
nated by  his  entrance  into  the  firm  of  Olney  & 
Metcalf  (Stephen  T.  Olney  and  Jesse  Metcalf),  the 
firm  which  was  then,  as  it  is  now,  so  well  known 
as  the  Wanskuck  Company.  The  business  was 
then  confined,  however,  to  a sample  trade  in  wool. 
This  was  gradually  enlarged  to  include  the  manu- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


909 


facture  of  woolen  goods,  and  several  mills  were 
operated  by  the  company  until  1862,  when  they 
established,  in  the  Tenth  ward  of  the  city  of  Provi- 
dence, what  is  known  now  as  the  Wanskuck  Mills. 
In  1869  Mr.  Steere  was  appointed  treasurer  of  the 
company,  and  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Olney  the  af- 
fairs of  the  firm  passed  almost  entirely  into  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Metcalf  and  Mr.  Steere. 

Being  naturally  of  a quiet  disposition,  and  hav- 
ing plenty  to  attend  to  within  the  limits  of  his 
business,  Mr.  Steere  never  showed  any  inclination 
to  accept  offices  of  a political  nature.  Notwith- 
standing this,  he  leaves  a praiseworthy  record  be- 
hind him  of  interest  in  public  matters,  especially 
those  of  a monetary  and  benevolent  character. 
There  are  many  charities  and  institutions  in  the 
city  of  Providence  which  felt  the  mark  of  his  death. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Franklin  Society,  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Historical  Society,  and  a trustee  of 
the  Rhode  Island  Hospital.  The  1st  Light  In- 
fantry claimed  in  him  a kindred  spirit,  for  during 
the  Civil  war  he  performed  his  share  of  duty  as 
lieutenant  at  Portsmouth  Grove,  near  the  Lowell 
General  Hospital.  He  accompanied  the  corps  in 
i860  when,  on  the  occasion  of  the  dedication  of 
Commodore  Perry’s  monument,  they  visited  Cleve- 
land, Ohio. 

Among  the  many  monuments  which  Mr.  Steere 
left  behind  him,  perhaps  the  most  prominent 
is  the  Beneficent  Congregational  Chapel,  which 
beautiful  edifice  he  constructed  as  a memorial  to 
his  father,  at  a cost  of  more  than  $30,000.  The 
treasuries  of  this  and  many  other  churches  not  in 
very  affluent  circumstances,  as  well  as  several 
charitable  institutions,  miss  the  gifts  of  his  gener- 
ous hand.  Mr.  Steere  was  a large  property  holder, 
receiving  a nucleus  for  his  wealth  in  real  estate 
which  his  parents  had  secured  by  hard  toil  and 
prudent  living.  His  home  on  Benefit  street  was  one 
of  the  city’s  most  beautiful  buildings,  and  con- 
tained a wealth  of  rare  paintings,  statuary  and 
books. 

The  Providence  Journal,  speaking  editorially, 
said  of  Mr.  Steere  at  the  time  of  his  death : “Mr. 
Henry  Steere  has  left  his  name  associated  with 
many  philanthropic  gifts,  in  which  the  generosity 
was  equaled  by  the  practical  judgment  which  will 
prolong  their  usefulness,  while  the  record  of  his 
private  benefactions  was  almost  as  large  as  that  of 
his  public  donations.” 

CLAPP.  Many  of  the  name  of  Clap  or  Clapp 
came  early  to  the  American  colonies,  a number  set- 
tling at  Dorchester  and  vicinity.  It  is  not  within  the 
province  of  this  article  to  follow  the  history  of  the 
Claps  of  New  England,  it  being  the  intention  to 
refer  only  in  brief  to  one  branch  of  the  family — 
that  of  the  lineage  and  some  of  the  posterity  of 
the  late  Hon.  Bela  P.  Clapp,  long  prominent  in 
the  town  of  Westhampton,  Mass.,  several  of  whose 
sons  settled  in  Rhode  Island,  where  they  arose  to 


positions  of  prominence  and  wealth  through  dis- 
coveries in  chemistry,  success  in  industrial  enter- 
prises, and  in  lines  of  science  through  their  adapta- 
tion to  the  uses  of  man,  and  as  well  made  for 
themselves  a name  and  fame  in  the  world  at  large. 
Reference  is  made  to  Bela  Parsons  Clapp,  Esq., 
long  at  the  head  of  the  corporation  bearing  his 
name  at  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  with  branches  in  various 
American  and  European  cities. 

(I)  Capt.  Roger  Clap,  born  at  Salcombe  Regis, 
England,  April  6,  1609,  joined  in  the  Church 
Colony  organized  at  Plymouth,  England,  in  March, 
1629.  He  came  to  America  in  the  ship  “Mary  and 
John,”  arriving  at  Nantasket  May  30,  1630.*  Mr. 
Clap  settled  at  Dorchester,  where  he  was  a pro- 
prietor, town  officer,  etc. ; was  made  a freeman 
May  14,  1634;  was  captain  of  militia;  deputy;  was 
authorized  to  solemnize  marriages,  etc.  Mr.  Clap 
was  for  twenty-one  years  captain  of  the  Castle, 
beginning  in  1665.  He  removed  to  Boston  in 
1686. 

On  Nov.  6,  1633,  Capt.  Clap  was  married  to 
Johanna,  daughter  of  Mr.  Thomas  Ford,  a fellow 
passenger  in  the  “Mary  and  John.”  She  was  born 
June  8,  1617,  in  Dorchester,  England,  and  died  in 
January,  1695.  Capt.  Clap  passed  away  Feb.  2, 
1690-91,  and  was  buried  in  the  old  burying  place 
in  Boston  now  called  the  Kings  Chapel  Burying 
Ground.  Their  children  were : Samuel,  born  Aug. 
11,  1634;  William,  born  iir  1636;  Elizabeth,  born 
April  22,  1638;  Experience,  born  in  1640,  died  the 
same  year;  Waitstill,  born  Aug.  22,  1641,  died  in 
1643  5 Preserved,  born  Sept.  23,  1643  J Experience, 
baptized  Dec.  21,  1645;  Hopestill,  born  Nov.  6, 
1647;  Wait,  born  March  17,  1649;  Thanks,  born 
July  1,  1651;  Desire,  born  Oct.  17,  1652;  Thomas, 
born  in  April,  1655,  died  in  1670;  Unite,  born  Oct. 
16,  1656,  died  March  20,  1664;  and  Supply,  born 
Aug.  30,  1660,  died  March  5,  1685. 

From  this  Capt.  Roger  and  Johanna  (Ford) 
Clap,  the  lineage  of  Bela  P.  Clapp,  of  Pawtucket, 
R.  I.,  is  through  Preserved,  Samuel,  Ebenezer, 
Sylvanus  and  Bela  P.  Clapp,  the  latter  of  whom 
married  Cynthia  Carr,  and  with  this  branch  of  the 
family,  the  name  since  the  time  of  Sylvanus  has 
been  spelled  with  an  additional  “p,”  as  Clapp. 

(II)  Preserved  Clap,  son  of  Roger  and  Johanna, 
born  Nov.  (or  Sept.)  23,  1643,  married  June  4,  1668, 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Newbury,  of  Wind- 
sor, Conn.,  who  went  from  Dorchester  to  that  place. 
During  the  first  twenty  years  or  more  of  his  life 
Mr.  Clap  lived  in  Dorchester,  Mass.,  then  removed 
to  Northampton,  then  a far  distant  settlement  in 
the  western  limits  of  the  Colony,  and  comprising 
with  Springfield,  the  whole  inhabited  portion  of 
western  Massachusetts.  Here  he  soon  became  one 
of  the  leading  men  in  civil  and  ecclesiastical  affairs, 
and  his  usefulness  continued  during  a long  and 
active  life.  “He  was,”  says  Blake,  “a  good  instru- 
ment and  a great  blessing  to  the  town  of  North- 
ampton, where  he  lived.”  He  was  a captain  of 


9io 


RHODE  ISLAND 


the  town,  and  their  representative  in  the  General 
Court,  and  ruling  elder  in  the  Church.  He  died 
at  Northampton,  Sept.  20,  1720.  His  wife  died  in 
1716.  Their  children  were:  Sarah,  born  in  1669; 
Wait,  in  1670;  Mary,  in  1672 ; Preserved,  April 
29,  1675;  Samuel,  in  1677;  Hannah,  May  5,  1681; 
Roger,  May  24,  1684;  and  Thomas,  June  16,  1688. 

(III)  Samuel  Clap,  son  of  Preserved,  born 

in  1677,  married  (first)  in  1697,  Sarah  Barrett. 
She  died  Aug.  7,  1703,  and  he  married  (second) 
Sept.  15,  1704,  Thankful  King.  She  died  Sept. 
18,  1705,  and  he  married  (third)  March  17,  1708, 
Mary  Sheldon,  born  in  1687,  in  Northampton, 
Mass.,  daughter  of  John  and  Hannah  Sheldon. 
Mary  was  carried  into  captivity  by  the  Indians  to 
Canada  from  Deerfield  in  1704,  and  at  the  time 
was  engaged  to  be  married  to  Jonathan  Strong. 
He  later,  supposing  her  to  be  dead,  married  some 
one  else,  and  on  her  return  she  was  married  to 
Samuel  Clap.  She  outlived  her  husband,  and  when 
between  seventy  and  eighty  years  of  age  was  mar- 
ried to  her  former  intended  husband,  Mr.  Strong. 
Samuel  Clap’s  children  were : Mary,  born  March 
13,  1699  (only  child  of  the  first  marriage)  ; Sarah, 
Sept.  9,  1705  (only  child  of  second  marriage)  ; 
Samuel,  Oct.  30,  1711;  Mary,  Sept.  21,  1713; 

Seth,  July  14,  1716;  Thomas,  Nov.  13,  1724;  and 
Ebenezer,  Oct.  13,  1726. 

(IV)  Ebenezer  Clap,  son  of  Samuel,  born  Oct. 
13,  1726,  married  Catherine  Catlin,  who  died  April 
21,  1798.  They  lived  in  Northampton,  Mass.  Mr. 
Clap  was  a soldier  in  Capt.  Phineas  Stevens’s  com- 
pany in  1746,  and  was  in  the  fight  with  the  French 
and  Indians  at  “No.  4,”  now  Charlestown,  N.  H.  He 
was  also  in  Capt.  William  Lyman’s  company,  and 
was  out  in  the  service  in  the  month  of  November, 
1747.  He  died  Sept.  22,  1797.  The  children  of 
Ebenezer  and  Catherine  Clap  were : Ebenezer, 
Esther,  Oliver,  Dorothy  (born  March  15,  1757), 
Elihu  (born  June  21,  1761),  Thomas,  Sylvanus 
(born  in  1764),  Cephas  (born  Feb.  17,  1766), 
William  (born  Jan.  14,  1767)  and  John. 

(V)  Sylvanus  Clapp,  son  of  Ebenezer  and 
Catherine  (Catlin)  Clap,  of  Northampton,  Mass., 
born  in  1764,  married  Jan.  2,  1792,  Charity  Pierce, 
and  settled  in  Westhampton,  Mass.  Mr.  Clapp  was 
a very  popular  man,  and  though  a Democrat  him- 
self. was  often  chosen  by  a union  of  both  parties 
to  the  State  Legislature.  He  was  of  a remarkably 
pleasant  and  genial  disposition,  possessed  of  fine 
conversational  powers,  and  had  the  faculty  of  in- 
dulging in  story  telling  to  universal  acceptance. 
He  died  April  14,  1847.  The  children  born  to 
Sylvanus  and  Charity  Clapp  were : Bela  P.,  born 
Nov.  6,  1792  ; and  Ralph,  born  Aug.  11,  1795. 

(VI)  Bela  P.  Clapp,  son  of  Sylvanus  and 
Charity  (Pierce)  Clapp,  born  Nov.  6,  1792,  mar- 
ried March  2,  1815,  Cynthia  Carr,  of  Stonington, 
Conn.  Mr.  Clapp  acquired  his  education  in  the 
Westfield  Academy.  He  was  later  for  a few  years 
a merchant  in  Westhampton,  but  gave  up  this 


occupation  for  that  of  farming.  He  was  for  sev- 
eral years  one  of  the  selectmen  of  his  town,  and 
for  five  or  six  successive  years  he  represented  it 
in  the  State  Assembly,  one  of  which  years  his  vote 
was  an  unanimous  one.  In  1834  he  removed  to 
Chesterfield,  and  there  again  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business.  He  was  elected  a member  of  the 
Assembly  from  Chesterfield.  After  a few  years 
residence  there,  he  purchased  a farm  in  the  town 
of  Williamsburg,  again  turning  his  attention  to 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  chosen  a member  of 
the  Legislature  from  this  town,  but  declined  to 
serve.  He  was  often  chosen  to  settle  estates  and 
perform  the  many  duties  of  justice  of  the  peace. 
He  occupied  various  other  positions  of  honor,  trust 
and  responsibility  in  the  different  towns  in  which 
he  lived.  His  death  occurred  Sept.  4,  1856,  in 
Williamsburg,  Mass.  The  children  born  to  Bela 
P.  and  Cynthia  (Carr)  Clapp  were:  Sylvanus, 
born  Nov.  22,  1815;  Mary  P.,  born  Jan.  15,  1817; 
Francis,  born  Sept.  15,  1818;  Franklin,  born  Oct. 
17,  1820;  Laura  Ann,  born  Oct.  15,  1821;  Willard 
S.,  born  July  18,  1824;  Lyman,  born  July  18, 
1827;  and  Bela  Parsons,  born  May  24,  1830. 

(VII)  Bela  Parsons  Clapp  (2),  son  of  Bela 
P.  and  Cynthia  (Carr)  Clapp,  was  born  May  24, 
1830,  in  the  town  of  Westhampton,  Mass.,  being 
their  eighth  child.  He  was  reared  in  his  native 
town,  acquiring  his  education  in  the  schools  of 
Chesterfield  and  Williamsburg,  Mass.  While  yet 
in  his  teens,  deciding  upon  learning  the  drug  busi- 
ness, be  went  to  Providence,  R.  I.,  where  for  about 
two  years  he  was  employed  in  the  drug  store  of 
Samuel  Green.  From  there  he  went  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  likewise  employed  for  a period 
of  two  years,  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  him- 
self for  that  calling.  He  located  in  the  drug  busi- 
ness in  1854  in  Pawtucket,  purchasing  there  a 
business  at  No.  181  Main  street,  in  partnership  with 
his  brother  Lyman,  which  they  conducted  some 
eight  or  nine  years.  In  time,  having  interested 
himself  in  a process  of  extracting  ammonia  from  the 
ammoniacal  waters  of  gas  works,  in  which  he  made 
many  experiments,  he  perfected  a method  which 
became  widely  known  under  the  name  of  the  Clapp 
process.  After  that  time  his  active  years  were 
given  to  the  business  resulting  from  his  investiga- 
tions and  discoveries. 

In  the  year  1889  the  business  of  Mr.  Clapp 
just  alluded  to  was  incorporated  under  the  name  of 
the  B.  P.  Clapp  Ammonia  Co.,  and  at  that  time 
Mr.  Clapp  was  chosen  general  manager  of  the 
business  of  the  corporation.  The  product  of  this 
concern  in  the  form  of  manufactured  ammonia 
has  a market  and  is  used  the  world  over.  The 
main  works  of  the  company  are  located  on  River 
street,  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  with  the  principal  office 
in  New  York  City;  there  are  branch  offices  and 
establishments  at  Cincinnati,  Louisville,  St.  Louis, 
Kansas  City,  Bayonne,  N.  J.,  Washington,  D.  C., 
and  London,  England.  It  goes  without  saying, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


that  in  this  great  business,  one  of  real  magnitude 
and  large  profit,  the  mind  that  conceived  the  bring- 
ing about  of  this  form  of  ammonia  and  directed 
the  development  of  the  business,  was  one  master- 
ful in  a large  sense,  and  Mr.  Clapp's  achievement 
great  along  the  line  of  science. 

Mr.  Clapp  in  his  political  affiliations  was  a Re- 
publican, but  further  than  performing  the  duties 
devolving  upon  a good  citizen  he  was  not  a poli- 
tician— not  one  caring  for  the  emolument  of  public 
office.  He  was  a Mason,  being  a member  of  Union 
Lodge,  No.  io,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Pawtucket  Chap- 
ter, No.  4,  R.  A.  M. ; Pawtucket  Council,  No.  4, 
R.  & S.  M. ; Holy  Sepulchre  Commandery,  No. 
8,  K.  T. ; and  the  Rhode  Island  Consistory,  32d 
degree. 

Mr.  Clapp  was  a devout  member  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church,  of  Pawtucket,  of  which  he  was 
deacon  for  several  years.  Mr.  Clapp  was  an  ex- 
tensive traveler,  having  been  abroad  a number  of 
times,  and  during  the  memorable  earthquake  in 
California  in  1906  "was  a sojourner  in  that  State. 
After  a lingering  illness,  he  died  Oct.  11,  1907, 
in  his  seventy-eighth  year. 

In  1856  Mr.  Clapp  was  married  to  Eliza  M. 
Hopkins,  of  Coventry,  R.  I.  She  died  in  i860, 
leaving  no  issue,  and  Mr.  Clapp,  in  1863,  was 
married  to  Sarah  A.  Hopkins,  sister  of  his  first 
wife,  also  of  the  town  of  Coventry,  R.  I.  The 
marriage  was  blessed  with  the  following  children : 

(1)  Bela  Carlyle,  who  was  night  editor  of  the 
New  York  Journal  of  Commerce  for  several  years, 
resides  in,  New  York.  (2)  Ralph  R.,  born  Nov. 
22,  1867,  now  in  charge  of  the  branch  office  of  the 
B.  P.  Clapp  Company,  in  London,  England,  mar- 
ried Alice  L.  Tillinghast,  daughter  of  the  late  Chief 
Justice  Pardon  E.  Tillinghast;  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Roger  T.  and  Kenneth  J.  (3)  Edith  L.,  born 
Jan.  17,  1871,  married  Lincoln  C.  Haywood,  of 
Pawtucket,  now  deceased ; they  had  one  daughter, 
Hortense  C.  (4)  Samuel  H.,  born  Sept.  18,  1876, 
is  a graduate  of  the  Yale  Scientific  School,  and  is 
now  a chemist  located  in  New  Haven,  Conn. ; he 
is  unmarried. 

Mr.  Clapp  descended  in  maternal  lines  from  one 
of  the  earliest  Rhode  Island  settlers,  Robert  Carr, 
of  Newport,  R.  I.,  who,  in  1635,  embarked  at 
London,  England,  in  the  ship  “Elizabeth  and  Ann,” 
with  his  younger  brother  Caleb  Carr  for  the  Ameri- 
can Colonies.  He  was  admitted  an  inhabitant  of 
Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  in  1639,  became  an  inhabitant 
of  Newport  and  admitted  a freeman  in  1641. 

WALTER  H.  SWEET,  a well-known  business 
man  of  Providence  and  son  of  the  late  William 
Sheldon  Sweet,  who,  for  many  years  was  identified 
with  the  produce  commission  business  of  the  same 
city,  is  descended  from  old  Rhode  Island  stock, 
notably  the  Sweet,  Mathewson,  Mowry  and  Shel- 
don families. 

In  direct  line  Mr.  Sweet  is  descended  from 


911 

John  Sweet.  John  and  James  Sweet,  brothers,  were 
sons  of  Isaac  and  Mary  Sweet,  and  were  of  Welsh 
birth.  1 here  was  also  a brother  Thomas  who 
died  leaving  no  descendants.  The  father  Isaac 
did  not  come  to  America,  but  the  widow 
with  three  sons  were  early  emigrants.  The 
Rhode  Island  Sweets  are  for  the  most  part  descend- 
ants of  the  son  John.  It  is  well  established  that 
he  was  a man  of  some  years  beyond  youth  when 
he  came  to  America,  and  quite  likely  that  he  was 
or  had  been  married,  for  his  son  James  is  recorded 
as  having  been  born  in  1622,  in  Wales.  John  is 
of  record  as  of  Salem,  Mass.,  as  early  as  1632  when 
his  land  there  was  referred  to.  He  had  a grant  of 
land  'in  Providence,  R.  I.,  in  1637,  in  which  year 
he  died,  and  his  widow  then  received  a grant.  Her 
Christian  name  was  Mary,  and  after  the  death  of 
Mr.  Sweet  she  married  a second  time  and  returned 
to  Massachusetts  (Salem)  where  she  died  in  1681. 
The  children  of  John  and  Mary  were:  (1)  John 
is  recorded  a resident  of  Warwick,  R.  I.,  as  early 
as  1648.  He  was  a freeman  there  in  1655,  and 
commissioner  in  1660.  While  a resident  of  War- 
wick he  seems  to  have  resided  a portion  of  the 
time  at  Newport,  where  his  will  was  made  in  1677. 
(2)  James,  is  mentioned  below.  (3)  Renewed 
married  John  Gerardy. 

(II)  James  Sweet,  son  of  John  and  Mary,  was 
born  in  1622,  and  likely  in  Wales.  He  married 
Mary  (baptized  May  19,  1633,  in  St.  Thomas 
Church,  Salisbury,  England),  daughter  of  John 
Green,  surgeon,  who  came  to  New  England  in  1635. 
Mr.  Sweet  was  made  a freeman  in  1655,  and  settled 
on  Ridge  Hill,  North  Kingstown.  He  was  commis- 
sioner in  1643,  1658  and  1659.  Their  children 
were:  Philip,  born  July  15,  1655;  James,  May  28, 
1657;  Mary,  Feb.  2,  1660;  Benoni,  March  28,  1663; 
Valentine,  Nov.  1,  1667;  Jeremiah,  Jan.  6,  1669; 
Renewed,  July  16,  1671  ; and  Sylvester,  March  1, 
i674- 

(III)  Philip  Sweet,  son  of  James,  born  July 

1 5,  1655,  married  Elizabeth,  and  had  children  as 
follows:  Elizabeth,  born  April  7,  1712  y,.  Philip, 
Nov.  22,  1713:  Pentecost,  Oct.  30,  1715:  Welthian, 
Jan.  4,  1717;  Benjamin,  Nov.  4,  1721;  John,  Nov. 
3,  1723;  Valentine,  Jan.  12,  1725;  James,  Aug.  20, 
1728:  and  Samuel,  Dec.  7,  1730. 

(IV)  John  Sweet,  son  of  Philip,  born  Nov.  3, 
1723,  removed  to  East  Greenwich,  R.  I.,  where  he 
married  and  reared  a family  of  children,  among 
whom  were  John,  Philip  and  Valentine. 

(V)  Valentine  Sweet,  son  of  John,  born  Feb. 
27,  1758,  married  Mary,  who  was  born  March 
2,  1764.  With  the  two  brothers  above  mentioned 
he  settled  in  Johnston.  His  children  were:  Thomas, 
born  Nov.  15,  1782,  went  to  Pascoag,  R.  I.,  where 
he  married  and  had  a family:  Anne,  born  Aug. 

16,  1785,  married  Stephen  Bellknap ; Pardon,  born 
Feb.  2,  1787,  never  married;  Olive,  born  June  21, 
1789,  never  married;  William,  born  Oct.  4,  1791; 
Valentine,  born  Feb.  9,  1800,  married  and  had  two 


912 


RHODE  ISLAND 


children,  Chester  and  Dexter,  who  became  residents 
of  California;  Mary,  born  April  3,  1805,  never  mar- 
ried. 

(VI)  William  Sweet,  son  of  Valentine,  born 
Oct.  4,  1791,  married  Sarah  Sheldon,  and  to  them 
were  born  three  children,  as  follows : Ephraim, 
wdio  is  now  (1907)  a resident  of  Johnston,  R.  I.; 
William  Sheldon ; and  Sarah  Sheldon,  who  became 
the  wife  of  George  Brown,  and  is  now  deceased. 
William  Sweet,  the  father,  was  a well-known 
farmer  of  Johnston,  where  he  passed  all  of  his  life. 
He  was  a man  of  much  probity  of  character,  and 
a credit  to  his  posterity. 

(VII)  William  Sheldon  Sweet,  son  of  William 
and  Sarah  (Sheldon),  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Johnston,  and  his  youth  was  passed  in  assisting 
his  father  with  the  work  on  the  farm  and  attending 
such  schools  as  the  community  afforded.  His  first 
business  venture  was  in  the  retail  milk  business 
(in  which  he  was  successful)  for  a short  time.  He 
then  entered  the  employ  of  John  N.  Francis  in  the 
old  city  market,  Providence,  and  continued  in  this 
capacity  until  about  1855,  when  he  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  produce  business  on  his  own  account. 
In  1856  he  formed  a partnership  with  George  W. 
Arnold,  a former  fellow  workman  with  the  Francis 
firm,  and  they  engaged  in  the  business  established 
by  Mr.  Sweet  under  the  firm  name  of  Sweet  & 
Arnold.  Their  limited  capital  and  resources  nec- 
essitated a small  beginning,  and  their  slow  but  cer- 
tain growth  was  due  to  the  ability,  care  and  indus- 
try of  the  firm  members.  In  1880  the  partnership 
was  terminated  by  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Arnold 
and  the  firm  then  became  W.  S.  Sweet  & Son,  \\  al- 
ter H.  Sweet  becoming  the  junior  member.  The 
business  continued  to  prosper  and  several  changes 
of  location  were  necessitated.  In  1904,  fourteen 
years  after  the  death  of  the  senior  member  of  the 
firm,  the  business  was  incorporated,  and  became 
William  S.  Sweet  & Son,  Incorporated,  and  under 
this  name  the  business  continues.  They  are  now 
one  of  the  largest,  if  not  the  largest,  wholesale 
dealers  in  domestic  fruits  and  produce  in  Rhode 
Island,  and  are  widely  and  favorably  known  in  bus- 
iness and  commercial  circles. 

William  Sheldon  Sweet  died  April  26,  1890,  at 
his  home  in  Providence  and  with  his  passing  there 
went  a man  and  citizen  of  many  sterling  cpialities. 
His  entire  life  was  inconspicuous  to  a very  great 
degree  since  he  aspired  to  no  political  or  social  dis- 
tinction. By  his  friends  and  business  associates  he 
was  much  esteemed,  and  bv  his  family,  to  whom  he 
was  devoted,  he  was  much  beloved.  As  a citizen 
he  was  of  the  honest,  law-abiding,  progressive  type, 
and  any  project  tending  toward  the  moral  or  ma- 
terial advancement  of  the  city  was  certain  of  his 
hearty  endorsement  and  assistance.  He  attended 
the  Church  of  the  Mediator,  and  was  liberal  in  his 
support  of  religious  causes.  Most  domestic  in  dis- 
position he  was  deeply  attached  to  his  family  and 


found  his  greatest  pleasure  in  his  home  associa- 
tions. His  most  marked  characteristic  was  his 
methodical  and  fixed  habits  and  mode  of  life,  his 
every  movement  displaying  care,  caution,  and 
thoughtful  consideration. 

Mr.  Sweet  married  Patience  O.  Mathewson, 
descended  from  an  old  Rhode  Island  family,  men- 
tioned elsewhere  in  this  publication.  To  them  were 
born : Charlotta  A.,  who  married  Cushing  F. 
Brown;  and  Walter  Herbert.  The  widow  resides 
at  the  family  home  on  Bridgham  street,  Providence. 

(VIII)  Walter  Herbert  Sweet,  only  son  of  Wil- 
liam Sheldon  Sweet,  was  born  in  Providence  Feb. 
1,  1856.  He  was  educated  in  public  and  private 
schools,  completed  his  education  with  a thorough 
commercial  course,  after  which  he  became  identi- 
fied with  his  father’s  business.  As  stated  above 
he  became  a partner  in  1880,  since  which  time  he 
has  devoted  his  energies  to  the  business.  Ever 
since  his  father’s  death  he  has  been  the  head  of  the 
firm  and  has  directed  its  course  with  ability  and  suc- 
cess. Mr.  Sweet  is  much  like  his  father  in  his 
love  of  home  and  retiring  disposition,  though  he 
possesses  many  warm  friends  and  is  well  known 
throughout  the  city  of  Providence,  as  well  as  in 
the  portions  of  country  wherein  he  has  traveled  on 
business  or  pleasure.  In  his  citizenship  he  has  well 
emulated  the  example  of  his  father,  and  he  has 
made  every  effort  to  do  his  full  duty. 

On  Oct.  26,  1881,  Mr.  Sweet  married  Eliza  F., 
daughter  of  David  and  Abby  (Mowry)  Leonard, 
of  Smithfield,  R.  I.  Their  children  are : Char- 
lotte Leonard ; William  Sheldon ; Grace  Mathew- 
son, and  Walter  H.,  Jr. 

SYLVESTER  SAYLES,  in  his  lifetime  one  of 
the  best  known  citizens  and  successful  business 
men  of  the  town  of  Burrillville,  and  a man  re- 
spected and  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him,  was  a 
descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  that  sec- 
tion of  the  State.  Mr.  Sayles  was  born  Sept.  10, 
1825,  in  the  house  that  was  his  home  all  his  life, 
the  eldest  of  the  children  born  to  Welcome  and 
Maria  (Sayles)  Sayles.  His  education  was  ac- 
quired in  the  district  schools  and  at  Smithville 
Seminary,  which  later  became  Lapham  Institute, 
at  North  Scituate.  He  was  reared  to  the  hard  work 
of  the  farm,  and  after  the  death  of  his  father  he 
bought  out  the  interests  of  the  other  heirs.  He 
also  bought  other  land,  and  as  a result  of  his  energy 
and  business  sagacity  he  accumulated  a good  sized 
property.  His  home  farm,  now  occupied  by  Mrs. 
Catharine  Butler,  was  the  old  Sayles  homestead, 
and  had  been  in  the  family  for  several  genera- 
tions. 

At  one  time  Mr.  Sayles  did  an  extensive  busi- 
ness in  lumbering,  getting  out  heavy  timbers  for 
bridge  and  ship  building,  but  a few  years  before 
his  death  he  retired  from  active  work,  and  passed 
his  time  in  looking  after  his  private  interests,  and 


912 


RHODE  ISLAND 


kill  > ■ t his  life. 

| 


pon  oi 
> the 
1 in 
ar 


William 
town  of 


nd  attending 

tied  \\  tii  }i 

His  first 

he  became 

ilk  business 

has  devote. 

rt  time.  He 

since  his  ia 

•ancis  in  the 

firm  and  ha.: 

cued  in  this 

cess.  ,\lr. 

faged  in  the 

love  of  hor 

£ 


is  own  account, 
with  George  \V. 
with  the  Francis 
• iness  established 


children,  Chester  and  Dexter,  who  became  resident^ 
of  California;  Mary,  born  April  3,  1805,  never  r~ 
ried. 

(VI)  William  Sweet,  son  of  Valer7 
Oct.  4,  1791,  married  Sarah  Sheldon 
were  born  three  children,  as  follov 
who  is  now  (1907)  a resident  of 
William  Sheldon ; and  Sarah  Sheld 
the  wife  of  Geonge  Brown,  and 
William  Sweet,  the  father,  •> 
farmer  of  Johnston,  where  he  p 
He  was  a man  of  much  prob; 
a credit  to  his  posterity. 

(VII)  William  Sheldon  S 
and  Sarah  (Sheldon),  was 
Johnston,  and  his  youth  w 
his  father  with  the  work  on 
such  schools  as  the  commui 
business  venture  was  in  t 
(in  which  he  was  successfi 
then  entered  the  employ  oJ 
old  city  market,  Providen 
capacity  until  about  1855 
wholesale  produce  busir 
In  1856  he  formed  a p? 

Arnold,  a former  fellow 
firm,  and  they  engaged 
by  Mr.  Sweet  under 
Arnold.  Their  limite 
essitated  a small  begi 
tain  growth  was  due 
try  of  the  firm  mem 
was  terminated  by 
and  the  firm  then  b< 
ter  H.  Sweet  becc 
business  continued 
of  location  were 
years  after  the  det  1 . die 

firm,  the  business  n n 

William  S.  Sweet  1 ■ ■ 

this  name  the  bus'  . 
one  of  the  largest 
dealers  in  domestic  d . 

Island,  and  are  widely  ini 

iness  and  commerc  c 
William  Shelc!  n > d 

his  home  in  Provi  1 
went  a man  and  cit  n 
His  entire  life  wa-  mce 
degree  since  he  a L<  ■ 

tinction.  By  his  1:  ■ : - . 

was  much  estee 
was  devoted,  h 
he  was  of  the  1 
and  any  proje 
terial  advancei 
hearty  endorse 
the  Church  of 
support  of  religi 

position  he  was  ; 


bp » most  marked  characteristic 
V.  and  fixed  habits  and  mode 
movement  displaying  care,  c. 
ugh: ful  consideration. 

Vr.  Sweet  married  Patience  O. 


" Qsocia- 


descended  from  . 

turned  elsewhere 

tsed. 

born,  Charlotta 

■ ■ 

life. 

at  tne  far : :!  v hoo 

and 

■ 

t\  \ name  of  S 

■u',  : & 

emul 

k.  ! and  resoure 

es  nec- 

madt 

'and  their  slow7  1. 

iiii  eer- 

ability,  care  an 

ikIus- 

daug 

In  1880  the  part 

nership 

of  S 

irement  of  Mr. 

Arnold 

loti. 

. S.  Sweet  & S..i 

\ Wal- 

i junior  member 

1 lie 

ier  and  several  c 

rhanges 

F alter  Herbert.  The  widow  reside* 
n Bridgham  street,  Provide..  c. 
••  Herbert  Sweet,  only  son  of 
: ' • : " >•>  eet.  was  born  in  Providence  Feb. 

- us  educated  in  public  arm  private 
, b ted  his  education  with  a thorough 
imercial  course,  after  which  he  became  identi- 
3 business.  As  stated  above 
in  1880,  since  which  time  he 
trgies  to  the  business.  Eve 
th  he  has  been  the  iiea  1 of  1 t> 


possesses  many  warm  friends  and  is  well  kn< 
fhrou  city  of  Providence,  as  well  as  in 

t'lc  P'  of  country  wherein  he  has  traveled  on 

'>U:  ' ' o.-.tsure.  In  his  citizenship  he  has  well 

e:”!  ’•  t ; example  of  his  father,  and  he  ha* 

fiort  n lo  his  full  duty. 

Mr.  Sweet  married  Eliza 
Davi  u 1 Abby  (Mowry)  L 
hfield,  R.  Their  children  are:  Char 
• ■ i V ill  run  Sheldon;  Grace  Mathew 
Walter  H..  Ir. 


1 V ESTEJ  ' v \ LES,  in  his  lifetifni 
st  known  citizens  and  successful  business 
town  - - ; airrillville,  and  a man  re- 
by  all  who  knew  him.  was  a 
r the  oldest  families  in.  that  sec* 
'i-  Sayles  was  born  Sept,  io 
5 ’n  the  house  that  was  his  home  all  his  life, 

! «t  of  the  children  born  to  Welcome  and 
oayles  ' >;  His  education  was  ;:c 

n the  district  schools  and  at  Sinithville 
atvr  became  Lapharn  -'Institute, * 
He  was  reared  to  the  hard  v < > 

■ tor  the  death  of  his  f 


and  esteen 
oit  of  one 


1 rta 


2'  . 1 890,  at 

re  re  inary.  wh 

issing  there 

• North  Scitu; 

".g  qualities. 

)t  the  farm,  a 

very  great 

bought  out  th 

social  dis- 

also  bought  otb 

ss  -dates  he 

and  busiiu  »s  - 

1 whom  he 

propertv.  His 

s a citizen 

Catharine  But! 

, - we  type, 

and  had  been 

... 

In  accumulated'  a g< 


or  ma- 
■f  his 
it  tended 
1 1 in  his 


tions. 

At 


me 


time  Mr.  Sayles  did  an  extensi  • -i 
ne.9S ' in  lumbering,  getting  out  heavy  timl 
bridge  an  I ship  building,  but  a few  vea:  - 1 ' - 
“ retired  from  active  work,  an  1 ; ■ d 
looking  after  his  private  inter  st- 


hi 

hi 


RHODE  ISLAND 


9 13 


in  placing  his  money  as  a money  broker.  His  death 
occurred  Jan.  24,  1901,  and  his  remains  were  in- 
terred in  the  Acotes  Hill  cemetery  at  Chepachet. 

In  his  political  faith  Mr.  Sayles  was  a stanch 
Democrat,  although  in  former  years  he  had  been 
a Republican.  He  always  took  a deep  interest  in 
politics,  and  was  well  posted  on  current  events.  In 
i860  and  1861  he  represented  the  town  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly.  For  two  or  three  years  he  was 
president  of  the  town  council,  a member  of  the 
town  school  committee,  and  he  also  served  as  col- 
lector of  taxes.  In  his  religious  belief  he  was  a 
Universalist,  and  he  was  always  a generous  con- 
tributor to  religious  causes.  He  was  a man  of  high 
business  principles  and  his  advice  was  frequently 
sought,  and  freely  given,  and  he  was  often  called 
upon  to  settle  estates.  For  many  years  and  un- 
til a short  while  previous  to  his  death,  he  was  a di- 
rector of  the  Pascoag  National  Bank.  Thoroughly 
honorable  and  reliable  in  all  his  dealings,  he  had 
the  merited  respect  of  all  men. 

Mr.  Sayles  never  married.  When  she  was 
seven  years  old  he  adopted  Lizzie  Butler,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Catharine  (Talbot)  Buitler,  and 
upon  her  bestowed  every  care  and  affection.  She 
attended  the  Burrillville  public  schools,  and  the 
Rhode  Island  Normal  School,  afterward  teaching 
at  Wallum  Pond,  Jackson  district,  and  Bridgeton, 
all  in  Burrillville.  She  married  Fred  E.  Fuller,  of 
Providence.  Her  musical  education  was  acquired 
from  Providence  instructors,  and  she  has  developed 
considerable  talent  as  an  artist  in  both  oil  and 
china  painting. 

BOWEN.  The  Bowen  family  of  Pawtucket, 
which  is  here  considered,  is  a branch  of  the  Reho- 
both  (Mass.)  family,  one  of  the  most  ancient  and 
honorable  of  that  region.  The  name  appears  as 
early  as  1643,  when  Richard  Bowen  is  mentioned 
as  one  of  the  early  settlers  there,  while  three  years 
later  the  vital  records  of  the  town  show  that  he 
was  married  to  Esther  Sutton.  An  Obediah  Bowen 
also  hppears  as  one  of  the  settlers,  later  residing 
in  Sawnsea,  of  which  he  was  elected  representa- 
tive. He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist 
communion.  According  to  the  Rehoboth  records, 
his  children,  all  born  there  between  1651  and  1674, 
were  Obediah,  Mary,  Sarah,  Samuel,  Joseph, 
Thomas,  Hannah,  Lydia,  Nancy  and  Isaac.  In 
Salem,  Mass.,  there  lived  in  1648  one  Thomas 
Bowen,  who  afterward  lived  in  New  London, 
Conn.,  from  1657  to  1660,  and  in  1663  located  at 
Rehoboth.  His  wife’s  name  was  Elizabeth  and  it} 
his  will  are  mentioned  two  sons,  Richard  and  Obe- 
diah. 

Of  the  branch  immediately  under  considera- 
tion^  the  great-grandfather  of  B.  Frank  Bowen, 
Jeremy  by  name,  was  born  in  Rehoboth  in  174 — . 
He  was  a farmer  with  a large  and  well-cultivated 
property  which  absorbed  his  whole  attention.  Mar- 
ried in  May,  1772,  to  Zerviah  Briggs,  of  Rehoboth, 
58 


they  had  children  born  as  follows : Jeremiah, 

April  3,  1773;  Zenas,  July  18,  1775  ; Zerviah,  Aug. 
18,  1777;  Rebekah,  March  13,  1781;  David,  Feb. 
6,  1784;  Jonathan  Nov.  29,  1786;  Polly,  Aug.  8, 
1789;  Obediah,  March  21,  1792;  Sally,  Dec.  26, 
1794;  and  Ruth,  April  26,  1798.  Jeremy  Bowen 
died  in  Rehoboth. 

Zenas  Bowen,  son  of  Jeremy,  was  born  in 
Dighton,  Mass.,  1 775 » and  died  in  Dorchester, 
Mass.,  Aug.  17,  1820.  A farmer  in  his  early  life, 
he  later  went  into  the  cotton-mills  in  Rehoboth  and 
then  in  Dorchester  as  a dyer.  He  was  possessed 
of  considerable  ability  in  various  mechanical  lines, 
particularly  as  a shoemaker,  and  he  made  and  re- 
paired all  the  shoes  for  his  family.  Zenas  Bowen 
married  Avis  Hale,  who  was  born  in  Swansea, 
Mass.,  Dec.  26,  1780,  a daughter  of  Job  and  Mary 
Hale.  She  died  in  Dorchester,  Nov.  12,  1850,  the 
mother  of  twelve  children,  viz. : Zenas,  born  Aug. 
6,  1798;  Isaac,  June  25,  1800;  John  H.,  Feb.  1, 
1802;  Nathan,  Jan.  20,  1804;  James  and  Nancy, 
twins,  June  29,  1806;  Mary,  July  27,  1809;  Matilda, 
Feb.  9,  1812;  Benjamin,  March  29,  1814;  Rebecca,  ’ 
Aug.  7,  1816;  Betsey  E.,  Dec.  19,  1818;  and  one 
who  died  in  infancy. 

Benjamin  Bowen,  son  of  Zenas,  was  born  in 
Rehoboth  in  1814,  and  was  only  three  years  old 
when  his  parents  moved  to  Dorchester.  Until  he 
was  eight  he  was  sent  to  school,  but  after  his 
father's  death  even  the  children  had  to  work  and 
Benjamin  was  employed  in  a cotton  factory  for  two 
years.  At  the  age  of  ten  he  was  taken  out  of  the 
mill  to  become  a ‘‘handy  boy”  to  a physician.  Dr. 
Thaxter  of  Dorchester,  who  had  promised  to  let 
him  attend  school,  the  boy’s  great  desire.  But  the 
doctor  did  not  keep  that  part  of  the  agreement,  and 
after  a few  months  the  arrangement  ended.  From 
that  time  till  he  was  sixteen  the  boy  worked  in  a 
paper-mill.  In  1830  he  went  to  Randolph,  Mass., 
and  learned  to  ‘‘bottom”  shoes,  remaining  there 
one  year  and  then  returning  to  Dorchester.  His 
desire  for  an  education  had  never  died,  and  while 
working  at  his  trade  nights  and  mornings  he  man- 
aged for  several  years  to  attend  school  with  con- 
siderable regularity.  He  finally  built  a shop  in 
Dorchester  and  kept  on  with  his  shoemaking  till 
he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age. 

Shoemaking,  however,  proved  a slow  way  to 
independence  and  in  1837  Mr.  Bowen  entered  lipon 
a two  years’  apprenticeship  to  the  cabinet-maker's 
trade,  at  the  end  of  which  he  established  himself 
in  his  new  line  of  work  in  Dorchester  and  contin- 
ued so  engaged  till  1868,  a part  of  the  time  having 
a shop  of  his  own.  In  March  of  that  year  he  moved 
to  Central  Falls,  R.’  I.,  bought  land,  and  built  a 
house  which  was  designed  to  serve  both  as  a resi- 
dence and  a shop  for  cabinet-making,  upholstering 
and  dealing  in  furniture.  He  met  with  satisfactory 
residts  financially,  but  nevertheless  in  1873  he  gave 
up  the  furniture  business  and  with  his  son  James 
E.  formed  the  grocery  firm  of  B.  Bowen  & Son, 


914 


RHODE  ISLAND 


with  a location  on*  Central  street.  After  five  or  six 
years  he  sold  out  to  his  son  and  resumed  his 
former  occupation,  with  his  shop  built  in  the  rear 
of  his  residence.  In  a couple  of  years  he  gave  up 
this  business  again  and  in  1881  went  to  work  in 
the  shop  of  the  Fales  & Jenks  Machine  Company. 
After  four  years  there  ivir.  Bowen  met  with  a se- 
vere fall  which  necessitated  his  giving  up  work  and 
from  which  he  never  fully  recovered.  However, 
he  enjoyed  life  and  retained  his  faculties  to  a re- 
markable degree,  though  he  lived  to  reach  his 
ninety-fourth  year.  He  died  April  3.  1907. 

Benjamin  Bowen  was  twice  married.  He  was 
first  wedded,  Nov.  8,  1838,  to  Miss  Lydia  Matilda 
Lewis,  of  Griswold,  Conn.,  who  was  born  Aug.  8, 
1819,  and  was  a daughter  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth 
(Lewis)  Lewis.  Mrs.  Bowen  died  while  in  Attle- 
boro, Mass.,  visiting  her  parents,  Aug.  7',  1856, 
aged  thirty-seven  years.  She  left  three  children, 
of  whom  Benjamin  Franklin  was  the  oldest,  and 
James  Edward  the  second.  A daughter,  Lydia 
Augusta,  was  born  in  Dorchester  April  8,  1852, 
and  on  Eeb.  10,  1886,  was  married  to  Joseph  B. 
Patterson,  of  New  York.  They  located  in  Central 
Falls.  Mr.  Patterson,  who  was  a member  of  the 
firm  of  Coombs  & Patterson,  jewelry  manufactur- 
ers, died  Jan.  13,  1898. 

On  Aug.  4,  1857,  Mr.  Bowen  married  for  his 
second  wife  Susanna,  daughter  of  Abner  and  Han- 
nah (Briggs)  Crocker,  of  Tiverton,  R.  I.,  later  of 
Attleboro,  Mass.  Mr.  Bowen  was  a member  of 
the  Congregational  Church,  of  Central  Falls  (to 
which  his  widow  also  belongs),  having  first  united 
with  that  denomination  in  March,  1852.  In  his  po- 
litical views  he  was  at  first  a Whig,  but  supported 
the  Republican  party  from  the  time  of  its  forma- 
tion. In  Dorchester  he  served  two  terms  as  school 
committeeman. 

Benjamin  Franklin  Bowen  was  born  in  Dor- 
chester April  26,  1840,  and  was  educated  there  in 
the  public  schools.  After  graduation  from  the 
high  school,  in  1856,  he  began  to  learn  his  father’s 
trade,  but  finished  his  apprenticeship  in  it  under 
Captain  Ayer.  He  worked  at  this  till  the  war  broke 
out  and  then  enlisted,  in  May,  1861,  in  Company 
K,  nth  M.  V.  I.,  the  only  Massachusetts  regiment 
that  was  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run  and  also 
finished  at  Appomattox  Court  House.  Mr.  Bowen 
was  under  Grant  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  in 
Joseph  Hooker’s  brigade,  and  during  the  engage- 
ment was  wounded.  In  all  he  took  part  in  seven- 
teen battles,  and  was  finally  discharged  Tune  24, 

1864. 

The  business  career  of  Mr.  Bowen  was  varied 
in  its  character.  When  he  went  home  from  the 
war  he  resumed  cabinet-making  till  1872,  the  year 
in  which  he  moved  to  Central  Falls.  There  he 
worked  one  year  in  the  wood  department  of  the 
Fales  & Jenks  Machine  Company,  after  which  he 
was  in  the  grocery  business  with  his  brother  three 
years.  The  following  three  years  he  was  again 


with  Fales  & Jenks,  and  then  until  1898  did  car- 
pentry work  for  various  contractors,  including  B. 
F.  Smith  & Co.  From  1898  till  1901  he  ran  a shop 
of  his  own  for  repairing,  etc.  After  that  time  he 
was  occupied  chiefly  with  duties  of  a public  na- 
ture. On  Feb.  1,  1900,  lie  had  been  appointed  tru- 
ant officer  (and  served  till  his  death),  while  the  fol- 
lowing year  he  was  made  secretary  of  the  school 
committee.  A strong  Republican  in  his  views,  he 
had  previously  served  for  twenty-one  years  as  cen- 
sus enumerator  of  Central  Falls,  or  Lincoln,  as 
it  was  formerly  called,  and  during  the  Prohibition 
movement  in  Rhode  Island  he  acted  three  years 
as  prosecuting  officer  of  the  town.  He  was  also 
prominent  in  the  G.  A.  R.  circles,  being  a member 
of  Ballou  Post,  No.  3,  of  Central  Falls,  for  twenty- 
four  years.  He  has  served  as  post  commander  and 
for  several  years  prior  to  his  death  was  department 
inspector  of  the  State.  As  a member  of  the  Vet- 
eran Fireman’s  Association  he  had  been  recording 
secretary  almost  from  its  organization,  and  for 
years  belonged  to  the  Sons  of  Temperance.  Mr. 
Bowen  was  a member  of  the  Broad  Street  Baptist 
Church,  in  which  his  wife  is  still  an  active  worker. 

On  Aug.  13,  1865,  Mr.  Bowen  was  married  to 
Miss  Louisa  M.  Trask,  a daughter  of  Frederick  A. 
and  Rhoda  (Nightingale)  Trask,  of  Quincy,  Mass. 
After  forty  years  together  their  union  was  ended 
by  the  death  of  Mr.  Bowen,  Aug.  3,  1906.  He  left 
three  children,  Emily  F.,  Fred  E.  and  Charles  A., 
all  at  home.  Mr.  Bowen  commanded  the  respect 
and  esteem  not  only  of  a large  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances,  but  also  of  those  above  him  in  his 
official  position,  who  all  regarded  him  as  a faithful 
and  efficient  servant  of  the  city. 

James  Edward  Bowen,  brother  of  B.  F.,  was 
over  a year  younger,  born  Nov.  5,  1841,  in  Dedham, 
Mass.  Before  he  was  ready  to  begin  study  the 
family  settled  in  Dorchester  and  there  he  attended 
school  till  he  was  about  fifteen  years  old.  During 
the  Civil  war  he  enlisted,  becoming  a private  in 
Company  H,  39th  M.  V.  I.,  Aug.  12,  1862.  He  was 
promoted,  Feb.  20,  1864,  to  be  first  lieutenant,  and 
was  appointed  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  with 
the  30th  Regiment  of  United  States  Colored 
Troops.  He  was  in  very  active  service,  and  June 
3,  1864,  was  in  a cavalry  charge  at  Cold  Harbor 
and  received  severe  injuries  from  being  tramped 
upon  by  the  horses  of  the  cavalry.  He  was  dis- 
charged Sept.  16,  1864,  and  going  to  Readville, 
Mass.,  was  made  clerk  in  the  dispensary  depart- 
ment of  a hospital  there.  The  following  year  he 
went  to  Weymouth,  Mass.,  and  clerked  in  a grocery 
till  1868,  thereby  gaining  an  experience  of  value 
to  him  afterward.  For  the  next  two  years  he  was 
employed  by  N.  D.  Whitney  & Co.,  manufacturers 
of  hosiery  and  knit  goods,  and  the  following  three 
as  a clerk  for  S.  W.  Hayden,  of  Dorchester. 

In  1873,  Mr.  Bowen  went  into  business  on  his 
own  account,  establishing  himself  in  Central  Falls 
at  the  corner  of  Hawes  and  Central  streets,  where 


RHODE  ISLAND 


9i5 


he  had  bought  out  John  Newell.  He  and  his 
father,  as  mentioned  above,  were  partners  for  some 
years,  and  in  1879,  soon  after  they  separated,  Mr. 
James  E.  Bowen  sold  out  in  his  turn  to  George  C. 
Stillman.  Removing  to  Brockton,  Mass.,  as  his 
headquarters,  he  spent  two  years  as  traveling  sales- 
man for  F.  B.  Washburn  & Co.,  confectioners,  and 
finally  in  1883  returned  to  Central  Falls,  where  he 
was  deputy  town  clerk  from  1884  to  1889.  Mr. 
Bowen  was  always  a loyal  Republican  and  April 
13,  1889,  was  appointed  postmaster  by  Harrison, 
continuing  in  that  position  till  1894.  He  was  then 
employed  as  clerk  of  the  city  council,  and  had  the 
task  of  transcribing  all  the  records  of  the  town  of 
Lincoln.  With  the  election  of  President  McKinley, 
Mr.  Bowen  was  again  made  postmaster,  appointed 
in  June,  1898,  and  as  he  was  re-appointed  by 
Roosevelt,  he  is  still  discharging  the  duties  of  the 
office  with  the  efficiency  he  has  displayed  from  the 
first.  He  has  established  the  free  delivery  of  mail 
in  the  city  and  has  materially  increased  the  busi- 
ness of  the  office. 

By  marriage  Mr.  Bowen  is  connected  with 
many  of  the  oldest  New  England  families,  notably 
that  of  Standish,  for  Mrs.  Bowen  is  in  the  eighth 
generation  from  Miles  Standish.  She  was  Miss 
Fannie  E.  Wilbur,  daughter  of  Jason  and  Sarah 
Emily  (Standish)  Wilbur,  of  Middleboro,  and 
was  married  to  Mr.  Bowen,  Feb.  5,  1874.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bowen  are  both  active  members  of  the  Broad 
Street  Baptist  Church,  in  which  they  have  worked 
for  twenty-eight  years.  He  was  librarian  a long 
time,  and  Mrs.  Bowen  was  teacher  of  a class  for 
over  eighteen  years,  and  is  also  prominent  in  the 
Foreign  Missionary  Society.  Mr.  Bowen  belongs  to 
Ballou  Post,  No.  3,  G.  A.  R.,  was  quartermaster 
four  years,  and  is  now  a trustee  of  that  post.  He 
is  also  a member  of  Delta  Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M., 
and  of  Pentalpha  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  both  of  Wey- 
mouth. 

PHILIP  STEVENS.  Among  a list  of  the 
representative  citizens  and  business  men  of  New- 
port no  name  would  be  more  familiar  to  the  people 
of  the  community  than  that  of  Philip  Stevens,  not 
only  in  that  he  has  been  actively  identified  with  the 
business  interests  of  that  locality  for  a number  of 
years,  but  also  from  the  fact  that  his  ancestors 
were  for  many  years  numbered  among  the  thrifty 
and  energetic  business  men  of  the  city. 

Since  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  century 
there  have  resided  in  Newport  families  bearing  the 
name  of  Stevens  or  Stephens.  One  John  Stevens, 
of  Newport,  was  admitted  a freeman  of  the  Colony 
in  May,  1708,  and  John  Stevens,  Jr.,  in  May,  1726. 
Thomas  Stevens,  of  Newport,  was  admitted  a free- 
man of  the  Colony  in  May,  1716,  and  Thomas 
Stevens,  Jr.,  in  April,  1723.  George  Stevens,  of 
Newport,  was  admitted  a freeman  in  May,  1731. 

Arnold’s  vital  statistics  of  the  State  of  Rhode 
Island  show  that  Nicholas  and  Rachel  Stevens  had 


a son,  John,  born  April  30,  1725;  that  Robert 
Stevens  was  married  Sept.  21,  1738,  to  Anstress 
Elizabeth  Wignel,  and  that  their  children  were: 
Mary,  John,  Robert  and  Robert  (2).  Then  follows 
the  family  of  William  and  Ann  Stevens  and  of 
Thomas  and  Ann  Stevens. 

Philip  Stevens  is  a worthy  representative  of  this 
ancient  family,  being  a descendant  of  John  Stevens, 
who  was  an  officer  in  the  3d  Company  at  Newport, 
having  been  appointed  a lieutenant  by  the  Co- 
lonial Assembly  in  the  May  session,  1735.  From 
this  Lieut.  John  Stevens,  who  is  no  doubt  the  first 
John  referred  to  in  the  foregoing,  the  lineage  of 
Philip  Stevens  is  through  John  (2),  John  (3),  Philip 
and  Lysander  Stevens. 

John  Stevens  (3),  the  great-grandfather  of 
Philip  Stevens,  was  a stone-cutter  by  trade,  and  for 
many  years  operated  a stone-yard  in  Newport, 
where  he  was  an  honored  and  respected  citizen. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Wood,  and  to  this  union 
were  born  children  as  follows:  James;  John,  who 
married  Susan  Brightman ; William,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Williams ; Philip,  mentioned  below ; and 
Mary,  who  married  Edward  Stanhope. 

Philip  Stevens,  the  grandfather  of  Philip  Ste- 
vens, of  Newport,  early  in  life  learned  the  trade 
of  marble-cutter,  an  occupation  he  followed  dur- 
ing his  life,  for  many  years  prior  to  his  death 
being  engaged  in  the  monument  business  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  well-known  firm  of  P.  Stevens  & Son. 
This  firm  was  established  in  1709  by  John  Stevens, 
and  was  carried  on  in  the  direct  line  of  descent 
and  under  the  ^tevens  name  for  nearly  two  hun- 
dred years,  during  that  time  building  many  of 
the  landmarks  of  Newport  and  vicinity.  About 
1760  they  erected  the  Jewish  synagogue  on  Touro 
street,  which  is  still  standing,  a testimonial  of  the 
builders’  skill  and  workmanship. 

Philip  Stevens  married  Priscilla  Bradford  Nor- 
man, who  was  in  the  sixth  generation  from  Gov. 
William  Bradford  of  the  “Mayflower,”  as  follows : 
(I)  Gov.  William  Bradford;  (II)  Maj.  William 
Bradford  and  Alice  (Richards)  ; (HI)  Samuel 
Bradford  and  Hannah  (Rogers)  ; (IV)  Gershom 
Bradford  and  Priscilla  (Wiswald)  ; (V)  Priscilla 
(Bradford)  and  Moses  Norman;  (VI)  Priscilla 
Bradford  (Norman)  and  Philip  Stevens. 

To  Philip  and  Priscilla  Bradford  (Norman) 
Stevens  were  born  children  as  follows : Susan, 
who  married  George  Burrows ; Lysander ; Philip, 
who  married  Lucinda  Stoddard ; Charles,  who  mar- 
ried Mary  Bateman ; Edwin,  who  married  Mary 
Kate  Burdick ; Sarah,  who  married  Dr.  Barrows,  of 
Boston,  Mass. ; and  Mary,  who  is  living  in  Boston, 
unmarried. 

Lysander  Stevens  was  born  Aug.  7,  1822,  in 
Newport,  and  died  in  his  native  city  May  24, 
1895.  In  early  life  he  learned  the  trade  of  stone 
and  marble  cutter  under  the  efficient  instructions 
of  his  father,  and  as  he  grew  to  manhood  became  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  P.  Stevens  & Son,  con- 


9io 


RHODE  ISLAND 


tinuing  successfully  in  the  business  until  his  death. 
He  was  a careful  and  capable  business  man,  and 
was  possessed  of  marked  industry  and  energy.  He 
was  quiet  and  unostentatious  in  manner,  but  withal 
courteous  and  affable,  consequently  winning  for 
himself  many  stanch  friends.  In  his  political  views 
he  was  a Republican,  but  he  never  cared  for  nor 
sought  public  office.  He  was  a member  and  regular 
attendant  of  the  Central  Baptist  Church. 

On  Oct.  3,  1845,  Mr.  Stevens  was  married  to 
Sally  Stacy  Simmons,  daughter  of  Joseph  Sim- 
mons, of  Newport,  and  she  survives  her  husband. 
Children  as  follows  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Stevens:  Mary  Kate,  who  resides  in  Newport,  is 
unmarried ; George  Burrows,  a machinist  by  trade, 
who  died  in  April,  1896,  aged  forty-eight  years, 
married  Mrs.  Meyers,  a widow,  and  to  them  were 
born  Caroline  Marguerite  and  Marie  Ellen ; Philip 
is  mentioned  below ; Louise  Brown  married  George 
A.  Slade,  of  Stonington,  Conn.,  where  they  reside, 
and  they  have  one  son — Allen  Chace,  who  married 
Grace  Chesebrough ; Abby  Bradford  died  at  the  age 
of  nineteen  years. 

Philip  Stevens,  son  of  Lysander  and  Sally 
Stacy  (Simmons)  Stevens,  was  born  Nov.  3,  1850, 
in  Newport,  and  received  his  early  education  in 
the  schools  of  his  native  city.  At  the  age  of  eigh- 
teen years  he  became  apprenticed  to  the  stone-cut- 
ting trade  under  his  father  and  grandfather,  who 
were  then  conducting  the  business  of  P.  Stevens 
& Son,  and  after  remaining  in  their  employ  for 
about  eight  years  embarked  in  business  on  his  own 
account,  continuing  therein  for  about  two  years 
as  a letterer  in  marble.  In  1878  Mr.  Stevens  en- 
gaged in  a grocery,  meat  and  provision  business  at 
Nos.  48-50  Thames  street,  continuing  successfully 
therein  until  June  1,  1903,  when  he  sold  out  to 
White  & Gladding.  In  1890  Air.  Stevens  estab- 
lished the  Newport  County  Creamery  Company, 
whose  plant  is  located  in  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  and 
successfully  conducted  this  business  until  1897, 
since  which  time  he  has  leased  the  plant.  In  about 
1885  Mr.  Stevens  engaged  in  the  charcoal,  wood 
and  sawdust  business,  in  which  he  has  continued 
actively  engaged  to  the  present  time.  He  was  the 
first  to  introduce  bundled  kindling  wood  in  New- 
port, and  his  business  in  this  line  has  greatly  in- 
creased, the  demand  for  this  product  being  great. 
In  1890  he  also  established  a novelty  store  at  the 
junction  of  Cross,  Bridge  and  Thames  streets, 
which  he  has  conducted  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Stevens  is  a member  of  Newport  Lodge, 
No.  104,  B.  P.  O.  E.,  is  past  exalted  ruler,  and  has 
served  as  trustee  for  a number  of  years.  In  polit- 
ical belief  he  is  a stalwart  Republican,  and  as  such 
has  been  elected  to  serve  his  native  city  as  aider- 
man  for  three  years ; he  was  a member  of  the  Fire 
and  Burial  Ground  committees,  and  chairman  of  the 
latter.  As  a business  man  Mr.  Stevens  is  enter- 
prising and  progressive,  and  as  a citizen  bears  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  the  entire  community.  He 


is  very  popular,  his  genial,  kindly  manner  winning 
him  many  warm  friends. 

On  May  2,  1880,  Mr.  Stevens  was  married  to 
Helen  Eudora  Chace,  daughter  of  Henry  C.  and 
Mary  A.  (Lyon)  Chace,  of  Newport.  Mrs.  Ste- 
vens was  born  in  Middletown,  and  died  in  New- 
port in  September,  1904.  She  was  also  a descend- 
ant of  one  of  New  England's  early  settled  families, 
members  of  which  family  were  early  settlers  of 
Rhode  Island. 

CARL  JURGENS,  florist  and  proprietor  of 
one  of  the  largest  bulb-forcing  establishments  in 
the  world,  and  for  more  than  thirty  years  a resi- 
dent of  Newport,  R.  I.,  one  of  that  city’s  substan- 
tial and  honored  citizens,  was  born  in  Holstein, 
Germany,  Feb.  26,  1844,  son  of  Wulf  and  Cather- 
ine (Horn)  Jurgens,  his  father  also  a native  of 
Holstein. 

Mr.  Jurgens  received  his  literary  education  in 
the  common  schools  of  Holstein,  and  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  began  to  learn  the  florists'  business  at  Ham- 
burg. After  an  apprenticeship  of  five  years  in  that 
city,  he  went  to  Paris  and  served  as  a pupil  in  the 
Imperial  Gardens  of  the  Tuileries.  The  year  which 
he  passed  there  was  of  great  advantage  to  him  pro- 
fessionally, as  the  court  of  Napoleon  III  was  then 
in  its  zenith,  and  no  expense  was  spared  in  main- 
taining the  great  botanical  gardens  up  to  the  most 
modern  standard.  The  castle  of  the  Tuileries  and 
garden  were  afterward  destroyed  during  the  reign 
of  the  commune.  From  Paris  Mr.  Jurgens  re- 
moved to  London,  where  for  two  and  a half  years 
he  was  employed  in  the  largest  floral  establishment 
of  that  metropolis.  From  England  he  was  called 
home  for  military  service,  being  placed  in  the  Re- 
serve, as  Germany  was  then  expecting  war  with 
France;  but  hostilities  did  not  commence  until  sev- 
eral years  later. 

Deciding  that  the  United  States  offered  a bet- 
ter field  than  any  European  country,  Mr.  Jurgens 
sailed  for  New  York  in  1869,  landing  in  that  city 
in  October.-  At  first,  for  about  two  years,  he  en- 
gaged with  a florist  of  Astoria,  Long  Island,  and 
then  perceived  his  opportunity  for  making  a de- 
parture which  was  a novelty  to  the  American  pub- 
lic. In  1872  he  established  his  business  at  No.  35 
Mill  street,  Newport,  his  specialty  being  the  rais- 
ing of  lilies  of  the  valley  for  the  wholesale  markets. 
When  he  founded  this  industry  he  was  obliged  to 
make  a European  trip  every  summer  in  order  to 
lay  in  a supply  of  bulbs,  as  at  that  time  the  Euro- 
pean dealers  did  not  grow  them  for  export.  The 
business  has  since  increased  to  such  proportions 
that  Mr.  Jurgens’  annual  sales  now  amount  to  sev- 
eral million  lilies  of  the  valley  and  more  than  a mil- 
lion other  bulbs.  He  has  invented  a new  process 
of  freezing  the  roots  of  the  bulbs,  and  then,  by 
keeping  them  in  cold  storage  and  bringing  them 
into  the  greenhouses  as  required,  he  is  enabled  to 
have  the  lilies  in  flower  throughout  the  year.  The 


RHODE  ISLAND 


917 


natural  season  of  blossoming  is  only  toward  the 
latter  end  of  May.  In  conducting  the  different 
operations  which  constitute  the  complete  process 
he  utilizes  a special  system  of  water  works,  and  his 
own  ice  houses  (capacity,  1500  tons)  and  cold 
storage  buildings. 

In  1881  Mr.  Jurgens  purchased  a tract  of  land 
in  Middletown,  R.  I.,  and  added  the  cultivation  of 
roses  to  that  of  lilies  of  tne  valley.  The  green- 
houses devoted  to  the  more  recent  industry  now 
cover  three  acres  of  ground  and  the  area  has  since 
been  greatly  increased.  The  product  of  the  rose 
houses  is  sold  by  agents  in  wholesale  quantities. 
There  are  two  agencies  in  New  York;  the  one  in 
Boston  covers  New  England,  and  that  in  Philadel- 
phia the  entire  south.  The  southern  territory  is 
especially  large,  extending  even  to  Palm  Beach, 
Florida. 

Mr.  Jurgens  now  has  over  fifty  men  in  his  em- 
ploy, and  his  bulb-forcing  establishment  is  the  sec- 
ond largest  in  the  world.  His  reputation  in  this 
field,  which  he  has  made  peculiarly  his  own,  is  cer- 
tainly international ; but  it  has  not  been  established 
without  many  drawbacks.  Perhaps  his  most  se- 
rious business  set-back  was  occasioned  by  the 
great  hail-storm  which  swept  through  Newp.ort  on 
July  13,  1894.  The  hail  stones  were  as  large  as 
tomatoes  or  turnips — resembling  them  also  in 
shape— and  broke  every  glass  in  his  greenhouses, 
as  well  as  destroying  the  growing  plants.  The  loss 
was  $22,000,  with  no  insurance. 

On  April  10,  1877,  Carl  Jurgens  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Louise  Kuhn,  of  Newport,  R. 
I.,  and  three  children  have  blessed  this  happy 
union,  namely:  Katherine,  born  Feb.  3,  1878,  mar- 
ried F.  C.  Scheerer,  of  New  York,  and  they  have 
two  children ; Louise,  born  Oct.  14,  1879,  married 
Charles  PI.  Parker,  of  Providence;  and  Carl,  Jr., 
born  April  10,  1882,  married  Florida  Hubbard,  of 
Tampa,  Florida.  Mr.  Jurgens  is  a self-made  man, 
whose  success  has  been  due  to  his  energy,  pluck 
and  perseverance,  coupled  with  the  natural  business 
acumen  with  which  he  is  amply  endowed.  Al- 
though having  always  been  interested  in  the  wel- 
fare of  the  city  of  his  adoption,  and  ever  ready  to 
lend  his  assistance  to  any  project  which  has  had 
for  its  object  the  material  betterment  of  Newport, 
Mr.  Jurgens  has  never  cared  for  nor  sought  public 
recognition,  preferring  to  devote  his  entire  time  to 
his  thriving  business.  He  is  of  a quiet,  unpreten- 
tious disposition,  and  very  domestic  in  his  habits, 
although  possessing  an  affable  and  courteous  man- 
ner, which  has  won  for  him  many  friends.  As  a 
citizen  of  Newport  Mr.  Jurgens  commands  and 
enjovs  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  entire  com- 
munity. 

CHACE  (Providence  lines — Hon.  Benjamin  G. 
Chace).  In  that  part  of  Rhode  Island  bordering 
on  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  and  as  well  in  the 


latter  State,  have  lived  since  the  early  settling  of 
that  territory  for  two  hundred  and  fifty  and  more 
years  the  Chase  or  Chace  family,  the  earlier  spell- 
ing of  the  name  being  Chase,  and  for  a number  of 
generations,  including  the  present  with  some, 
Chace.  Those  of  this  locality  of  the  old  stock  de- 
scend from  William  Chase,  those  about  Swansea, 
Somerset,  Fall  River,  Pawtucket,  Valley  Falls  and 
Providence  coming  through  Joseph  Chase,  a grand- 
son of  the  settler,  and  those  about  Middletown, 
Newport  and  vicinity  through  William  Chase,  an- 
other grandson  of  this  settler,  as  outlined  elsewhere 
in  this  work.  The  earlier  generations  of  this  Chase 
family  were  Friends,  or  Quakers  as  sometimes 
called,  and  as  well  many  in  later  generations  have 
adhered  to  this  faith.  Among  them  have  been 
some  noted  ministers  in  that  Society.  The  family, 
too,  has  produced  some  strong,  forceful  and  intel- 
lectual characters  who  have  acquired  distinction 
in  Rhode  Island  and  elsewhere,  and  their  achieve- 
ments are  noted  elsewhere  in  this  work,  this  article 
being  devoted  to  the  life  of  the  late  Hon.  Benjamin 
G.  Chace,  long  a substantial  man  and  citizen  of  the 
territory  named,  including  the  city  of  Providence. 
The  Chase  lineage  from  the  American  ancestor  and 
in  chronological  order  follows : 

(I)  William  Chase,  born  about  1595,  in  Eng- 
land, with  wife  Marv  and  son  William  came  to 
America  in  the  ship  with  Governor  WMthrop  and 
his  colony  in  1630,  settling  first  at  Roxbury.  He 
soon  became  a member  of  the  church  of  which  Rev. 
John  Eliot,  the  apostle  to  the  Indians,  was  pastor. 
On  Oct.  19,  1630,  he  applied  for  freemanship  and 
was  admitted  a freeman  May  14,  1634.  In  1637 
or  thereabouts  he  became  one  of  the  company  who 
made  a new  settlement  at  Yarmouth,  of  which  town 
he  was  made  constable  in  1639.  He  resided  at 
Yarmouth  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  May,  1659. 
His  widow  died  the  following  October.  Their 
children  were:  William,  born  about  1622,  in  Eng- 
land: Mary,  born  in  May,  1637,  in  Roxbury;  and 
Benjamin,  born  in  1639,  in  Yarmouth. 

(II)  William  Chase  (2),  son  of  William  and 
Mary,  born  about  1622,  in  England,  came  to  Amer- 
ica with  his  parents,  married  and  was  a resident  of 
Yarmouth.  He  died  Feb.  27,  1685.  His  children 
were:  William,  Jacob,  John,  Elizabeth,  Abraham, 
Joseph,  Benjamin  and  Samuel. 

(III)  Joseph  Chase,  son  of  William  (2),  be- 
came a resident  of  Swansea,  Mass.  He  married 
Feb.  28,  1694,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Sampson  and 
Isabel  (Tripp)  Sherman.  His  will  was  proved 
Ian,  19,  1725.  Their  children  were:  Abigail,  born 
July  6,  1695:  Lydia,  Oct.  18,  1696:  Job,  Jan.  21, 
*1698;  Alice,  Nov.  16,  1700;  Ruth,  April  15,  1702; 
Sampson,  April  1,  1704;  Isabel,  Oct.  6,  1705;  Jo- 
seph, July  11,  1707:  Stephen,  March  21,  1709;  Sa- 
rah : Silas  : George : Ebenezer ; and  Moses. 

(IV)  Stephen  Chase,  son  of  Toseph,  married 
(first)  9th  month,  nth  day,  1728,  Esther  Buffum ; 
(second)  in  1751  Bashaby  Stafford;  (third)  8th 


9i§ 


RHODE  ISLAND 


month,  2d  day,  1769,  Abigail  Porter;  and  (fourth) 
1st  month,  28th  day,  1776,  Nancy  Bushnell.  His 
children  were:  Hannah,  born  12th  month,  22d 
day,  1729;  Sarah,  born  9th  month,  31st  day  (sic), 
1731 ; Esther,  born  8th  month,  5th  day,  1733  ; Susan- 
na, born  nth  month,  1st  day,  1735;  Benjamin,  born 
nth  month,  29th  day,  1737;  Stephen,  born  2d 
month,  3d  day,  1740;  Joseph,  born  2d  month,  13th 
day,  1742;  Asa,  born  6th  month,  4th  day,  1744; 
Jethro,  born  2d  month,  13th  day,  1746;  Peace,  born 
6th  month,  5th  day,  1748;  and  Comfort,  born  5th 
month,  10th  day,  1750. 

(V)  Asa  Chase,  son  of  Stephen,  born  6th 
month,  4th  day,  1744,  married  1st  month,  8th  day, 
1769,  Deborah  Baker,  and  their  children  were: 
Stephen,  born  5th  month,  23d  day,  1770;  Lydia, 
born  2d  month,  24th  day,  1773;  Asa,  born  9th 
month,  14th  day,  1778;  Clark,  born  nth  month, 
16th  day,  1780:  Sarah,  born  8th  month,  3d  day, 
1782;  and  Joseph,  born  2d  month,  20th  day,  1785. 

(VI)  Clark  Chace,  son  of  Asa*  born  nth 
month,  16th  day,  1780,  married  (first)  8th  month, 
13th  day,  1807,  Nancy  Gibbs,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Gibbs,  and  (second)  Patty  Gardner.  His  children 
were:  Leonard,  born  Jan.  29,  1809;  Nancy,  born 
Feb.  2,  1810;  Benjamin  G.,  born  Feb.  24,  1812; 
Clark,  born  Feb.  7,  1814;  Lydia,  born  Aug.  24, 
1816;  Robey,  born  Feb.  21,  1819;  Patience,  born 
July  27,  1821;  Sarah  B.,  born  June  6,  1824;  and 
Robey. 

(VII)  Benjamin  G.  Chace,  son  of  Clark, 
was  born  Feb.  24,  1812,  in  the  town  of  Somerset, 
Mass.  His  father  was  engaged  in  the  pottery  bus- 
iness in  that  town  and  the  son’s  boyhood  was  a 
practical  one,  for  when  not  at  school  he  was  at 
work  in  the  pottery.  He  was  an  apt  pupil,  and, 
as  the  schools  in  his  locality  were  not  of  the  best, 
he  himself  in  his  own  case  was  often  both  scholar 
and  teacher,  as  outside  of  the  schoolroom  he  also 
prosecuted  several  branches,  including  surveying. 
He  taught  for  some  time  in  Swansea  and  Somer- 
set, Mass.  His  father  was  also  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  and  Benjamin  G.  remained  at 
home  until  he  was  of  age,  assisting  his  father  both 
in  the  pottery  and  on  the  farm.  For  the  next  two 
years  he  taught  school  each  winter,  following  which 
for  several  months  he  was  employed  in  a pottery 
at  Charlestown,  Mass.  Returning  to  his  native 
town  after  his  experiences  just  given,  and  being 
then  in  his  twenty-third  year,  he  became  associated 
with  his  father  and  his  brother,  Leonard  Chace, 
in  the  business  of  manufacturing  fire-brick  and 
stone  ware,  continuing  with  them  until  1854.  From 
1834  for  a time  he  was  occupied  in  the  business  of 
shipbuilding,  in  which  he  was  not  successful  owing 
to  the  then  general  business  depression  the  country 
over.  In  his  failure  he  found  himself  badly  in- 
volved, due  to  the  absconding  of  his  partner.  He 
went  to  work  and  paid  every  dollar  that  he  owed. 
Following  this  until  1857  lie  yas  occupied  as  a 
journeyman  in  the  manufacture  of  pottery  ware. 


From  1857  to  1861  he  was  occupied  for  a portion 
of  the  time  in  shipping  apples  east  from  the  south- 
ern shore  of  Lake  Erie,  and  from  1858  in  ship- 
ping produce — butter,  etc. — to  the  Fall  River, 
Taunton  and  Providence  markets.  In  the  fall  of 
1861  he  located  in  Provddence,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  produce  and  stone  ware  business,  his  location 
being  first  on  Canal  street,  whence  he  removed  to 
what  afterward  was  the  site  of  the  business  house 
of  Waldron,  Wightman  & Co.  At  the  time  of  mak- 
ing this  change  in  location  Mr.  Chace  Also  made 
some  change  in  his  business ; associating  with  his 
son,  he  began  the  wholesale  grocery  business  under 
the  firm  name  of  B.  G.  Chace  & Son.  Mr.  William 
F.  Brooks  was  soon  thereafter  admitted  to  the  firm 
as  a partner  in  the  business,  at  which  time  the 
firm  style  became  B.  G.  Chace  & Co.,  which  did  bus- 
iness for  years  at  Nos.  87  and  89  Dyer  street. 

Through  the  close  and  careful  attention  given 
by  Mr.  Chace  to  his  several  lines  of  business,  and 
through  his  tact  and  good  management,  and  as 
well  enterprise,  he  prospered,  accumulating  a com- 
petence. 

During  his  residence  in  Providence  Mr.  Chace 
took  an  active  interest  in  the  city’s  welfare,  and 
was  prominent  in  advancing  its  business  interests. 
In  bis  early  life  he  was  active  in  public  affairs,  tak- 
ing considerable  interest  in  politics.  He  served  for 
several  years  beginning  with  1839  as  a member 
from  the  town  of  Somerset,  Mass.,  of  the  lower 
branch  of  the  State  Assembly.  He  was  also  a 
strong  candidate  for  Congress,  but  did  not  allow 
himself  to  become  the  nominee  of  his  party.  He 
was  a Democrat  in  political  belief  and  was  the  can- 
didate' of  his  party  in  one  campaign  for  the  office 
of  governor  of  Rhode  Island.  His  name  also 
headed  the  Democratic  city  ticket  on  one  occasion 
as  candidate  for  mayor  of  Providence,  and  the  day 
before  election  a city  paper  made  the  following 
comment  on  his  nomination : “At  the  polls  to- 
morrow our  citizens  will  have  an  opportunity  to 
demonstrate  the  sincerity  of  the  continued  com- 
plaints they  have  preferred  against  the  government 
of  our  city  for  a few  years  past.  The  Democracy 
present  a candidate  for  mayor — Benjamin  G.  Chace 
—in  whom  our  people  have  confidence,  and  whose 
character  is  a sufficient  guaranty  that  his  adminis- 
tration will  be  characterized  by  economy  and  fidel- 
ity. Mr.  Chace  is  a far-seeing,  practical  business 
man,  and  well  comprehends  and  appreciates  the 
commercial  and  social  relations  of  our  community. 
He  is  not  a politician ; has  no  ‘entangling  alliances’ ; 
•but  in  his  nomination  the  party  evinced  their  recog- 
nition of  a demand  which  has  long  been  emphati- 
cally preferred — a demand  for  an  upright,  straight- 
forward, sterling  man,  who  would  represent  the 
entire  city,  and  not  a group  of  favorite  connec- 
tions ; who  would,  at  any  cost  and  at  all  times,  act 
impartially  and  disinterestedly ; who  would  labor 
to  lighten  the  burden  under  which  our  tax-payers 
groan,  without  discouraging  such  public  improve- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


919 


ments  as  our  growth  will  warrant ; who,  while  a 
Democrat,  has  a personal  record  that  has  secured 
the  endorsement  of  all  his  associates ; and  as  a 
partisan  has  never  been  identified  with  any  of  the 
chicanery,  instances  of  which  have  too  often  de- 
termined our  political  contests,  and  given  victory 
to  those  who  have  on  too  many  occasions  demon- 
strated their  'unworthiness.” 

The  Fall  River  (Mass.)  Monitor  took  advan- 
tage of  the  occasion  to  speak  in  the  highest  terms 
of  Mr.  Chace,  who  had  formerly  been  a citizen  of 
Bristol  county,  Mass.,  and  said  among  other  things : 
“Though  Mr.  Chace  has  been  nominated  by  the 
Democracy  he  is  entitled  to  that  honor  by  being  a 
supporter  of  Democratic  principles  in  their  best 
sense.  He  is  not  a partisan  in  the  ordinary  sense 
of  that  term,  but  an  advocate  of  what  is  right  in 
itself,  from  whatever  source  it  may  arise,  or  by 
whatever  name  it  may  be  called.  But  above  all, 
Air.  Chace  stands  pre-eminently  as  a candidate  of 
the  people.  He  is  brought  forward  by  no  clique 
or  special  family  influence,  but  solely  upon  his  in- 
dividual merits  and  qualifications  for  the  office.  He 
is  not  in  a situation  to  be  controlled  by  family  in- 
terests, but  to  seek  the  best,  equal  and  just  interests 
of  all,  the  welfare,  progress  and  honor  of  the  city, 
which  will  do  itself  honor  by  the  election  of  so 
worthy  a chief  magistrate.” 

Mr.  Chace  wrote  articles  on  the  Greenback  and 
later  on  the  Silver  question.  He  died  April  10, 
1896. 

In  January,  1838,  Mr.  Chace  was  married  to 
Eunice  Weaver  Gibbs,  daughter  of  Capt.  Robert 
Gibbs,  of  Somerset,  Mass.,  and  four  children 
blessed  the  union,  namely:  Benjamin  Franklin, 
who  married  Georgiana  Phetteplace,  and  has  one 
son,  Howard  P. ; Nancy  E.,  who  married  Francis 
Pond,  and  had  one  daughter,  L.  Corine  (wife  of 
George  Bowen)  ; Elizabeth  N. ; and  Geraldine  A. 

EDMUND  DENISON  CHESEBRO,  M.  D„ 
of  Providence,  is  descended  in  the  eighth  generation 
from  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  New  England, 
his  line  of  descent  from  the  pioneer  progenitor  of 
the  family  being  as  follows : 

(I)  William  Chesebrough,  who  is  credited  with 
being  the  first  white  man  to  make  what  is  now 
Stonington,  Conn.,  his  permanent  abode,  was  born 
in  1594,  in  Boston,  Lincolnshire,  England,  and  was 
there  married  Dec.  6,  1620,  to  Anna  Stevenson. 
In  1630  he  came  to  America  with  John  Winthrop 
and  party,  located  at  Boston,  Mass.,  and  soon 
united  there  with  the  First  Church.  He  was  ad- 
mitted a freeman  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony  in 
1631,  and  afterward  took  an  active  part  in  public 
affairs.  Prior  to  1640  he  removed  to  Braintree 
and  that  year  was  deputy  to  the  Massachusetts 
General  Court.  Soon  thereafter  he  removed  to 
Rehoboth  and  took  an  active  and  prominent  part 
in  organizing  that  town.  Later  on  he  settled  at  the 
head  of  Wequetequock  Cove,  in  the  Pawcatuck  re- 


gion in  Connecticut,  and  brought  to  this  locality 
his  entire  family,  which  consisted  of  his  wife  Anna 
and  four  sons,  namely,  Samuel,  Nathaniel,  John 
and  Elisha.  Mr.  Chesebrough  was  several  times 
deputy  to  the  General  Court  at  Hartford.  He  be- 
came the  possessor  of  between  2,000  and  3,000 
acres  of  land  and  a portion  of  this  region  of  coun- 
try became  known  as  South  Town,  in  1658,  Mystic 
in  1665,  and  Stonington  in  1666.  He  died  June  9, 
1667.  The  children  of  William  and  Anna  Chese- 
brough were:  Maria,  Martha,  David,  Jonathan, 
Samuel,  Andronicus,  Junice,  Nathaniel,  John,  Ja- 
bez,  Elisha  and  Joseph. 

(II)  Nathaniel  Chesebrough,  son  of  William, 
was  baptized  Jan.  28,  1630,  in  Boston,  England, 
and  was  married  in  1659  to  Hannah  Dennison,  of 
Stonington,  Conn.  He  served  in  the  Colonial  In- 
dian war;  was  one  of  the  first  nine  members  of  the 
Stonington  Church ; and  died  Nov.  22,  1678.  His 
children  were:  Anna,  Sarah,  Nathaniel,  Bridget, 
Hannah,  Samuel,  Margaret  and  Mary. 

(III)  Samuel  Chesebrough,  son  of  Nathaniel, 
born  Feb.  14,  1674,  married  Jan.  4,  1699  or  1700, 
Priscilla  Alden,  great-granddaughter  of  John  and 
Priscilla  (Mullens)  Alden.  Their  children  were: 
Mary,  Priscilla,  Nathaniel,  Amos,  Hannah,  Sarah 
and  Prudence. 

(IV)  Col.  Amos  Chesebrough,  son  of  Samuel, 
born  Feb.  2,  1700,  married  Dec.  2,  1729,  Desire 
Williams,  both  being  of  Stonington,  Conn.  Their 
children  were:  Amos,  Desire,  Lydia  E.,  Priscilla, 
Mary,  Samuel,  Hannah,  John,  Joshua  and  Eliza- 
beth. 

(V)  Samuel  Chesebrough,  son  of  Col.  Amos, 
born  April  3,  1743,  married  April  26,  1 772,  Mary, 
daughter  of  William  Slack,  both  of  Stonington. 
Mr.  Chesebrough  died  Oct.  ir,  1825,  and  his  wife 
Aug.  25,  1814.  Their  children  were:  Amos,  Abi- 
gail, Desire,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Priscilla  and  George. 

(VI)  Amos  Chesebro,  son  of  Samuel,  born 
Dec.  14,  T773,  married  July  20,  1801,  Phebe  Deni- 
son, of  Knox,  N.  Y.,  and  their  children,  all  born 
in  Stonington,  Conn.,  were:  Grace,  born  July  13, 
1803,  died  in  1893;  Edmund  D.,  born  Aug.  26, 
1805,  died  April  30,  1878:  Henry  D.,  born  Dec. 
5,  1807,  married  Sophia  Williams  and  died  March 
16,  1871  : Richard  C.,  born  March  14,  1810,  married 
Nancy  Chesebrough,  and  died  May  25,  1849.  at 
Red  Creek,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y. ; there  was  a child 
born  in  1811  : Samuel,  born  Oct.  8,  1814,  died  aged 
eighteen  years;  Amos  was  born  Dec.  22,  1816; 
Gideon  Perry,  born  Aug.  17,  1823,  married  Ann 
Adelia  Lisher. 

(VII)  Amos  Chesebro  (2),  son  of  Amos,  born 

Dec.  22,  1816,  married  Sept.  24,  1851,  Eunice 

Denison  Gates,  born  April  23.  1827,  daughter  of 
Zebediah  and  Mercy  (Denison)  Gates,  and  their 
children,  all  born  at  Stonington,  were:  Amos  G., 
born  Jan.  14,  185s,  married  Nellie  M.  Bartlett; 
Samuel  Z.,  born  Sept.  19,  1858,  married  Mary  J. 
Bartlett;  Mercy  Anette,  born  April  1,  1861,  mar- 


920 


RHODE  ISLAND 


ried  Austin  Everett  Potter ; Dr.  Edmund  Denison, 
born  March  26,  1863,  married  Grace  Laura  Mans- 
field. 

(VIII)  Dr.  Edmund  Denison  Chesbro,  son  of 
Amos  (2),  was  educated  in  the  Wequetequock  dis- 
trict school,  the  Stonington  high  school,  A.  J.  Fos- 
ter's private  school,  the  Mystic  Valley  Institute, 
and  graduated  from  Brown  University  with  the 
degree  of  A.  B.  in  1887,  in  1890  receiving  the  de- 
gree of  Master  of  Arts.  He  was  a member  of 
Delta  Kappa  Epsilon  fraternity  and  the  Phi  Beta 
Kappa  Society.  In  1890  he  received  the  degree  of 
M.  D.  from  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 
New  York,  and  in  that  year  began  practice  in 
Providence,  R.  I.,  where  his  great  success  is  known 
to  all.  Dr.  Chesebro  is  a member  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Medical  Society,  the  Providence  Medical 
Association,  the  American  Medical  Association, 
the  American  Academy  of  Medicine  and  the  Provi- 
dence Medical  Improvement  Club.  He  is  attend- 
ing physician  to  the  Rhode  Island  Hospital  and  to 
the  Children’s  Department  of  St.  Joseph’s  Hos- 
pital. Socially  he  is  connected  with  Orpheus 
Lodge,  No.  36,  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

On  Nov.  26,  1890,  Dr.  Chesebro  married  Grace 
L.  Mansfield,  daughter  of  Jacob  Mansfield,  of 
Providence,  and  to  them  have  been  born  three  chil- 
dren: Mildred,  May  30,  1894;  Edmund  Denison, 
May  2,  1898  (who.  died  Jan.  8,  1899)  ; and  John 
Alden,  Oct.  18,  1899.  In  1900  Dr.  Chesebro  erected 
the  modern  home,  at  Elmwood  avenue  and  Haw- 
thorne street,  where  he  has  since  resided. 

GEORGE  OLNEY  GORTON,  a well-known 
and  highly  respected  citizen  of  Providence,  now 
living  retired,  not  only  descends  from  one  of  the 
old  Rhode  Island  families,  but  is  connected  with 
many  of  those  that  have  been  prominent  in  the 
State's  history  from  its  earliest  period,  including 
the  Potters,  Holdens,  Remingtons,  Mathewsons, 
Budlongs,  Lippitts,  Olneys,  Watermans,  Jacksons, 
Richmonds,  Hawkins,  Burlingames,  Carders  and 
others. 

( I )  Samuell  Gorton,  the  progenitor  of  this  fam- 
ily, was  born  in  Gorton,  England,  about  1592,  and 
came  to  America  in  1636.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Warwick,  R.  I.,  and  occupies  a promi- 
nent place  in  the  early  history  of  that  town.  He 
is  not  only  referred  to  as  “Samuell  Gorton  the  first 
settler  of  Warwick”  by  writers  whose  compilations 
bear  evidence  of  careful  and  intelligent  research, 
but  as  a man  whose  firm  stand,  at  the  time,  did 
much  toward  preventing  Rhode  Island  from  be- 
coming a part  of  Massachusetts.  At  the  time  of 
the  raid  of  the  Massachusetts  soldiers  upon  Shawo- 
met,  the  English  flag  was  raised  over  Samuell  Gor- 
ton’s house,  and  is  probably  the  first  instance  where 
the  flag  of  England  was  fired  upon  in  America  by 
a white  man.  Samuell  Gorton’s  wife  was  Mary 
Maplet,  and  their  three  sons  were  Samuell,  Benja- 
min and  John.  The  father  died  between  Nov.  27 


and  Dec.  10,  1677.  Both  the  first  Samuell  and  his 
son  Samuell  spelled  their  names  with  two  Is. 

(II)  John  Gorton  lived  and  died  on  land  given 
him  by  his  father.  This  land  is  located  on  the  western 
edge  of  Gorton's  Pond  (named  for  John  Gorton) 
near  Apponaug,  in  the  town  of  Warwick.  The  In- 
dian name  of  this  pond  was  Coweset.  An  ancient 
house  now  standing  there  is  said  to  contain  some 
of  the  old  hewn  timbers  from  John’s  house.  His 
marriage  is  the  first  recorded  of  a Gorton  in  V ar- 
wick.  His  wife  is  spoken  of  by  some  writers  as 
Margaret  Wheaton,  possibly  Weeden,  yet  careful 
research  shows  it  to  have  been  Weston. 

(III)  Samuel  Gorton,  born  July  22,  1672,  son 
of  John  and  Margaret  (Weston)  Gorton,  was  made 
a freeman  in  1696..  He  married,  May  9,  1695,  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  Lieut.  “Elizur”  Collins  (who  was 
a physician  of  Warwick)  and  his  wife  Sarah 
(Wright).  Samuel  Gorton  died  June  5,  1721.  His 
wife  Elizabeth,  born  Nov.  I,  1672,  died  Sept.  9, 
1724. 

(iv  1 William  Gorton,  youngest  son  of  Samuel 
and  Elizabeth  (Collins),  was  born  in  Warwick  in 
1708,  and  was  a well-to-do  farmer,  as  well  as  a 
prominent  man  of  his  time.  He  married,  Jan.  7, 
1731,  Mercy  Mathewson,  daughter  of  Zachariah 
and  Sarah.  William  Gorton  died  Dec.  3,  1789, 
and  his  wife  Oct.  3,  1788.  They  were  both  buried 
in  the  old  Gorton  burial  ground  on  the  Button- 
woods  road  in  Warwick.  Their  graves  were 
marked  by  rude  stones,  his  bearing  the  inscription 
“W.  G.  1789”  and  hers  “M.  G.  1788.”  The  wife 
of  William  Gorton  died  in  her  seventy-sixth  year, 
after  a few  hours’  illness.  She  had  been  for  more 
than  thirty  years  a noted  midwife.  She  was  sur- 
vived by  all  her  six  children,  twenty-seven  grand- 
children, and  nineteen  great-grandchildren.  Wil- 
liam Gorton  died  intestate,  and  his  property  was 
divided  between  his  six  children,  namely : William, 
Nathan,  Elizabeth  (wife  of  William  Wood),  Pa- 
tience, Mercy  (wife  of  Oliver  Gardner)  and  John. 

(V)  Nathan  Gorton,  son  of  William  and  Mercy 
(Mathewson),  was  born  Oct.  12,  1734,  and  when 
about  eighteen  years  of  age  apprenticed  himself  to 
Preserved  Pierce,  of  East  Greenwich,  to  learn  the 
tailor’s  trade.  He  served  in  the  Revolutionary 
army  as  private  in  Capt.  Thomas  Rice’s  company, 
Col.  John  Waterman’s  regiment.  His  wife  was 
Mary  Pierce,  daughter  of  Rev.  Benjamin  and  Mary 
(Endlong)  Pierce,  and  great-granddaughter  of 
Capt.  Michael  Pierce,  the  noted  Indian  fighter, 
also  the  great-great-granddaughter  of  Isabel  Pot- 
ter (wife  of  Robert),  who  perished  from  exposure 
in  the  woods  at  the  time  of  the  invasion  of  Shawo- 
met  by  the  Massachusetts  soldiers.  Nathan  Gorton’s 
home  was  along  the  Apponaug  road,  and  was  noted 
for  its  immense  chimney,  built  of  stone  and  outside 
the  building  proper.  So  great  was  its  size  that, 
when  his  son  Joseph  erected  his  home  it  was  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  chimney,  and  the  one  served  the 
two  families.  The  original  building  was  a very 


O'Y 


y^ovO 


RHODE  ISLAND 


921 


ancient  one  and  the  sash  in  the  windows  was  of 
lead.  Nathan  Gorton  died  in  1809,  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the  Budlong  burial 
ground  in  Warwick.  His  children  were : Hulda, 
Joseph,  Elder  Benjamin,  Nathan  and  Isabel. 

(VI)  Joseph  Gorton,  son  of  Nathan,  was  born 

May  29,  1760,  and  died  in  1814.  He  first  married. 
Sept.  15,  1781,  Cynthia,  daughter  of  William  and 
Deliverance  (Stafford)  Havens,  who  was  born  Oct. 
5,  1760.  Their  children  were:  (1)  Zachary,  born 
Nov.  13,  1782,  died  May  9,  1783.  (2)  Nathan, 

born  Aug.  8,  1784,  died  when  young.  (3)  William, 
born  March  16,  1786,  died  Jan.  8,  1789.  (4)  Mercy 

Mathewson,  born  Jan.  22,  1788,  died  Feb.  ir,  1866. 
She  married  Capt.  William  Wood,  son  of  Capt  Ol- 
ney  and  Rosannah  (Remington)  Wood.  (5)  John 
H.  and  (6)  Caleb,  twins,  were  born  March  15, 

1789.  The  latter  died  in  infancy.  John  H.  married 

and  settled  in  Delaware,  where  he  died.  He  served 
in  the  war  of  1812.  (7)  Joseph,  born  Sept.  II, 

1790,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Whipple  and 

Sarah  (Greene)  Andrews.  (8)  Julia,  born  Dec. 
7,  1792,  died  Nov.  24,  1836;  she  married,  March 
22,  1813,  James  Budlong,  of  Pawtucket.  (9) 
Oliver  and  (10)  Gardner  were  born  April  23,  1794. 
Oliver  was  an  expert  mechanic,  and  was  employed 
on  the  first  looms  operated  in  America,  by  Samuel 
Slater,  of  Pawtucket ; he  married  Charlotte  Sweat- 
land,  and  died  in  1836.  Gardner,  who  died  March 
27,  1830,  married  Zuriel  Covill.  (11)  Caleb,  born 
Feb.  17,  1796,  died  Aug.  25,  1876.  He  married 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Carter) 
Hall,  and  she  died  in  1876,  in  her  eightieth  year. 
(12)  Sarah  Ann,  born  July  5,  1797,  died  in  June, 
1838:  she  was  the  wife  of  Olney  Wood,  Jr.,  son 
of  Capt.  Olney  and  Rosannah  (Remington) 
Wood.  The  mother  of  these  children,  Cynthia 
(Havens)  Gorton,  died,  and  Joseph  Gorton  mar- 
ried (second)  Rosannah  Remington,  widow  of 
Capt.  Olney  Wood,  Sr.  (who  was  lost  at  sea).  She 
was  born  Jan.  13,  1769,  and  died  Feb.  3,  1858.  To 
this  second  marriage  were  born  : ( 1 ) Capt.  Na- 

than, father  of  George  Olney  Gorton;  and  (2) 
Cynthia  Havens,  who  was  born  July  28,  1807, 
married  Robinson  Place,  and  died  Dec.  30,  1886. 
The  place  at  the  corner  of  Apponaug  and  Button- 
woods  road,  where  Joseph  Gorton  was  born  and 
where  he  died,  had  been  in  the  possession  of  his 
Gorton  ancestors  from  Samuell  (I)  down.  After 
Joseph  Gorton’s  death  the  land  passed  out  of  the 
family.  The  old  house  was  painted  red,  had  lead 
sash,  small  panes,  and  the  above-mentioned  huge 
chimney.  Joseph  Gorton  fell  dead  while  in  the  act 
of  removing  a rail  in  a gateway  that  his  son  Na- 
than might  pass  through. 

(VII)  Capt.  Nathan  Gorton,  son  of  Joseph, 
was  bprn  at  the  old  homestead  in  Warwick,  Nov.  5, 
1805.  Bereft  of  his  parents  at  an  early  age,  he  was 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  took  to  the  sea.  He  brought  the  first 
cargo  of  Pictou  coal  to  Providence.  For  a number 


of  years,  as  seaman,  mate  and  captain,  he  made 
voyages  to  many  parts  of  the  world,  largely  in  trad- 
ing trips  to  the  West  Indies.  Early  in  the  forties 
he  retired  from  a seafaring  life,  and  engaged  in 
the  lumber  business  in  Providence,  and  also  in 
partnership  with  Capt.  Caleb  Harris  engaged  in  the 
importation  of  Pictou  coal.  ‘‘Though  of  late  years 
he  had  led  a retired  life,  he  was  at  one  time  one  of 
the  most  prominent  men  in  the  city  in  both  public 
and  private  affairs.  He  was  one  of  the  most  up- 
right and  benevolent  of  men,  and  noted  for  his 
kind-heartedness.”  That  prominent  feature  of  the 
first  Samuell  Gorton  was  strongly  exemplified  in 
him — from  the  right  as  he  viewed  it  he  could  not 
be  swerved.  He  died  in  Providence  June  4,  1896. 
His  wife,  Rhoba,  to  whom  he  was  married  Oct. 
22,  1831,  was  born  April  19,  1801,  and  died  Dec. 
12,  1889.  She  was  a daughter  of  Major  Samuel 
and  Elizabeth  (Richmond)  Jackson,  a descendant 
of  John  Richmond,  one  of  the  incorporators  of 
Taunton,  Mass.,  of  John  Rogers  and  of  John  Alden, 
who  both  came  over  in  the  “Mayflower.”  To  Capt. 
Nathan  Gorton  and  wife  were  born  six  children : 
Charles,  born  July  27,  1832,  who  died  Oct.  12,  1836; 
George  Olney;  Susan  Jackson,  born  May  9,  1838, 
who  died  Feb.  14,  1895  (she  married,  Nov.  10, 
1870,  Millens  Burt,  and  had  three  children:  Wil- 
liam A. ; Leah  M.  and  Louis  M.)  ; Charles  and  Mar- 
tha, born  March  25,  1841,  the  former  deceased,  the 
latter  residing  in  Providence,  and  Mary  E.,  born 
March  7,  1844,  who  died  July  3,  1845. 

(VIII)  George  Olney  Gorton  was  born  in 
Providence  Jan.  27,  1835,  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  that  city.  Upon  leav- 
ing school  he  began  his  business  career,  first  as  a 
clerk  in  a shoe  store,  after  which  he  served  a three 
years’  apprenticeship  with  John  Bradford,  as  a 
chaser  of  jewelry,  which  business  he  followed  dur- 
ing his  active  business  life,  or  until  his  retirement 
a few  years  ago. 

Mr.  Gorton  early  manifested  much  interest  in 
military  affairs  and  in  such  circles  for  more  than 
fifty  years  his  name  has  been  prominent  both  in 
time  of  war  and  in  time  of  peace,  as  will  be  seen  by 
his  honorable  war  record  and  by  his  active  part  in 
local  military  organizations.  He  was  a charter 
member  of  the  old  Mechanic  Rifles  (now  the  Slo- 
cum Light  Guard),  in  which  he  served  on  the 
staff -as  adjutant,  and  he  is  a member  of  the  Vet- 
eran Association  of  the  same.  At  the  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  war  he  enlisted,  April  17,  1861,  becom- 
ing a private  in  Company  C,  1st  Rhode  Island  De- 
tached Militia,  Colonel  Burnside,  which  regiment 
responded  to  the  first  call  of  President  Lincoln  for 
troops.  He  was  appointed  first  sergeant  of  the 
Carbineers  (sharpshooters),  and  as  such  was  mus- 
tered out  with  the  regiment.  With  them  he  took 
part  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run.  He  was  com- 
missioned second  lieutenant,  3d  Rhode  Island 
Heavy  Artillery,  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  and 
appointed  adjutant;  commissioned  captain,  and  ten- 


9 22 


RHODE  ISLAND 


dered  the  position  of  major,  declining  both,  having 
attained  the  height  of  his  ambition  as  regimental 
adjutant.  He  is  a member  and  ex-president  of  the  3d 
Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery  Veteran  Association. 
For  a number  of  years  Adjutant  Gorton  has  been 
much  interested  in  genealogical  and  historical  re- 
search, and  is  a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  His- 
torical Society.  Since  his  retirement  from  active 
business  pursuits  he  has  been  able  to  pursue  more 
closely  such  work,  in  which  his  thoroughness  and 
reliability  have  become  marked  characteristics.  His 
genealogical  contributions  and  investigations  have 
been  wide  and  valuable,  not  only  among  his  own 
family  connections  but  many  others  as  well.  As  an 
authority  on  the  history  of  the  Gorton  family  he 
stands  foremost,  and  rendered  most  valuable  serv- 
ice in  the  compilation  of  the  “Gorton  Family 
Genealogy/'  In  such  work,  like  general  historical 
research,  his  interest  is  simply  that  of  one  whose 
remuneration  is  found  in  his  love  for  the  work.  In 
fact,  one  of  his  greatest  pleasures  is  to  do  for  oth- 
ers gratis  the  valuable  service  that  his  thorough 
knowledge  of  such  matters  makes  possible. 

Adjutant  Gorton’s  disregard  for  legends  or 
traditions  has  often  been  shown,  and  by  his  “in- 
clination to  dig”  he  has  more  than  once  proved  this 
antipathy  in  order  to  be  justifiable  and  intelligent. 
He  possesses  many  of  the  prominent  characteris- 
tics of  the  family,  noticeable  among  which  is  his 
frankness  and  detest  of  deceit.  Outspoken  and 
never  misunderstood,  his  position  is  usually  well  de- 
fined. He  is  firm  in  his  stand  for  what  he  consid- 
ers right,  though  open  to  conviction,  and  ready  to 
yield  when  in  error.  Probably  no  one  character- 
istic is  any  more  prominent  in  his  make-up  than 
that  of  being  thorough  in  whatever  he  undertakes. 
No  matter  how  seemingly  unimportant  the  task,  or 
how  humble  the  position,  there  is  shown  that  nat- 
ural desire  to  do  or  fill  it  thoroughly. 

For  many  years  Adjutant  Gorton  has  been  in- 
terested in  archaeology.  A student  and  reader,  his 
information  is  wide  and  varied.  In  political  and 
public  affairs  he  manifests  the  interest  of  a good 
citizen,  but  is  not  bound  by  party  ties,  selecting  the 
candidate  and  supporting  the  issues  which  to  him 
seem  most  worthy.  In  national  affairs  his  support 
is  usually  given  to  the  Republican  party. 

Adjutant  Gorton  married  (first)  Jan.  21,  1864, 
Mary  M.  Carter,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Maria 
(Richmond)  Carter,  of  South  Boston.  She  was 
born  Sept.  29,  1836,  and  died  May  14,  1902.  Their 
children  were:  Henry  Foster,  born  Sept.  18,  1871, 
died  June  12,  1872;  Walter  Jackson,  born  Aug.  14, 
1873,  died  Nov.  9,  1895.  At  the  time  of  the  latter’s 
death  the  Providence  Journal  said : “A  young  ar- 
chitect of  great  ability.  * * * An  alumnus  of 

the  School  of  Design  and  Providence  Technical 
School.  * * * He  was  a water  colorist  of 

some  note.  As  an  evidence  of  the  high  regard  in 
which  he  was  held  by  his  employers  (Stone,  Car- 
penter & Wilson)  their  place  of  business  was 


closed  on  the  occasion  of  the  funeral  services,  and 
they  and  their  assistants  attended  in  a body  * * * 
He  was  a young  man  of  unblemished  character  and 
of  a very  generous  nature.”  The  present  wife  of 
Adjutant  Gorton,  to  whom  he  was  married  June  15, 
1905,  was  Mrs.  Lillie  (Brayton)  Tew,  daughter  of 
Samuel  H.  and  Harriet  (Drew)  Brayton.  Mrs. 
Gorton  descends  from  some  of  the  oldest  and 
most  prominent  Rhode  Island  families,  including 
the  Braytons,  Knights,  Gortons  and  a number  of 
others. 

Charles  Gorton,  son  of  Capt.  Nathan  and 
Rhoba  (Jackson)  Gorton,  was  born  in  Provi- 
dence, where  he  lived  his  entire  life,  and  in  the 
public  schools  of  that  city  received  his  education. 
He  subsequently  became  closely  associated  with 
many  of  the  most  important  societies  in  Provi- 
dence, and  always  took  a deep  interest  in  city  and 
State  history.  He  started  business  life  as  an 
accountant,  having  been  employed  at  the  Merch- 
ants’ Bank,  at  R.  E.  Hamlin  & Co.’s,  and  at  G. 
and  H.  Works.  He  was  a member  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Historical  Society,  and  the  Veteran  Citi- 
zens Historical  Association ; president  of  the 
local  Numismatic  Society;  member  of  the  1st 
Light  Infantry  during  the  Civil  war.  Through- 
out his  life  he  was  greatly  interested  in  antiqui- 
ties and  his  collection  of  coins  was  one  of  the 
finest  owned  by  any  individual  in  the  city.  He 
also  had  a number  of  Indian  relics  and  rare 
books.  Early  in  life  he  became  a Freemason, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  belonged  to  the 
Rhode  Island  Consistory : St.  John’s  Comtnand- 
ery,  No.  1 ; Providence  Council,  No.  1 ; Provi- 
dence Arch  Chapter,  No.  1,  and  St.  John's  Lodge, 
No.  1.  He  was  the  first  to  propose  and  the  first 
to  avail  himself  of  the  by-law  creating  life  mem- 
bership in  Masonry.  At  his  funeral,  the  officiat- 
ing clergyman  said : “His  was  an  original  nature. 
His  self-control  amounted  nearly  to  a divine 
patience.  There  was  an  individualism,  a strength 
of  character,  about  the  man  that  verged  upon, 
but  never  reached,  eccentricity,  as  seen  in  his 
life  and  occupation.  Always  allowing  others  to 
form  their  own  opinions,  he  still  held  his  own 
convictions.  With  his  work  he  found  time  to 
make  friendships,  not  many,  perhaps,  but  strong 
ones.”  In  his  latter  years  he  lived  retired  from 
active  life. 

Mr.  Gorton  married  Leah  F.  Sweet.  His 
death  occurred  April  15,  1898. 

NATHANIEL  GREENE  CARPENTER.  The 
name  of  Carpenter  is  one  which  runs  through  the 
whole  history  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island.  It 
antedates  the  history  of  the  Revolution  over  a 
century  and  a half  and  the  bearers  of  the  name 
in  this  State  have  won  distinction  in  practically 
everv  field  of  labor  and  achievement.  The  family 
is  of  English  extraction,  and  the  line  of  descent  of 
Nathaniel  Greene,  Carpenter  follows. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


(I)  William  Carpenter,  born  in  England  in 
1605,  there  married  Abigail.  On  coming  to  Amer- 
ica he  ^settled  first  in  Weymouth,  where  he  became 
a freeman  in  1640.  He  was  a representative  from 
Weymouth  in  1641  and  1643,  and  from  Rehoboth  in 
1645,  having  been  admitted  an  inhabitant  of  the 
latter  town  in  1645.  He  was  also  made  a freeman 
in  that  same  year.  From  1643  to  1649  he  was 
proprietor  and  town  clerk.  He  died  Feb.  7,  1659, 
in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  his  widow  Abigail,  dying  Feb. 
22,  1687.  Three  of  their  seven  children  were  horn 
in  England,  the  next  three  in  Weymouth,  and  the 
youngest  in  Rehoboth.  They  were : John,  born 
about  1628;  William,  about  1631;  Joseph,  about 
1633 ; Hanna,  April  3,  1640 ; Abiah  and  Abigail, 
twins,  born  April  9,  1643  1 and  Samuel,  born  about 
1644. 

(II)  Samuel  Carpenter,  born  about  1644,  mar- 
ried, May  25,  1660,  Sarah  Readaway,  of  Rehoboth. 
He  was  one  who  bought  land  in  the  North  Pur- 
chase, and  also  had  land  allotted  to  him  in  the  di- 
vision in  1671.  He  died  Feb.  20,  1682,  or  1683, 
and  his  widow  Sarah  remarried.  He  and  Sarah 
had  a family  of  ten  children,  all  born  in  Reho- 
both, viz.:  Samuel,  Sept.  15.  1661;  Sarah,  Jan. 

11,  1663-64:  Abiah,  Feb.  10,  1665-66;  James,  April 

12,  1668;  Jacob,  Sept.  5,  1670;  Jonathan,  Dec.  11, 
1672;  Solonjon,  Dec.  23,  1677;  David,  April  17, 
1675;  Zachariah,  July  1,  1680;  and  Abraham,  Sept. 
20,  1682. 

(III)  Solomon  Carpenter  was  born  Dec.  23, 

i677- 

(IV)  Daniel  Carpenter,  son  of  Solomon,  had 
a son  Daniel  (2). 

(V)  Daniel  Carpenter  (2),  born  Sept.  8,  1744. 
married  Ruth  Cornell,  and  they  resided  at  Royal 
Grant,  New  Brunswick,  where  he  was  a farmer. 
He  probably  died  at  New  Brunswick,  though  one 
account  states  that  he  removed  to  Vermont.  His 
children,  all  born  in  North  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  were: 
Abigail,  born  April  2,  1770:  Samuel,  Dec.  5,  1771  ; 
Edward  ; Nabby  ; Sarah  ; Nathaniel ; Richard  : Su- 
san ; Peggy  : Polly ; George  ; Asahel ; Arnold  ; Dan- 
iel ; Benjamin  ; and  William. 

(VI)  Nathaniel  G.  Carpenter  married  in  1805 
Martha  Tarner,  and  they  were  residents  of  North 
Kingstown,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  Their 
children,  all  born  in  North  Kingstown,  were:  Dan- 
iel, born  Aug.  7,  1805,  who  married  May  25,  1828, 
Ann  Green,  and  lived  in  Providence : Samuel,  born 
Jan.  17,  1807,  who  married,  Oct.  25,  1829,  Betsy 
Pierce,  and  was  a farmer  of  North  Kingstown : 
Christopher  G.,  born  Sept.  12,  1809,  who  married 
in  April,  1840,  Hanna  Baker;  Nathan  T.,  born 
Oct.  3,  i8ti  : John  B.,  born  April  22,  1813,  who 
married  Eliza  Davis,  and  lived  in  Providence ; Har- 
riet W.,  born  March  13,  1816,  who  married  Peleg 
S.  Sanford,  and  resided  in  Providence ; Eliza  A., 
born  Feb.  13,  1818,  who  married  Oct.  21.  T849, 
Daniel  H.  Brown,  of  Bristol,  R.  I. ; and  Catherine, 


923 

born  May  22,  1823,  who  married  William  Taylor, 
and  resides  at  Wakefield,  Rhode  Island. 

(VII)  Nathan  T.  Carpenter  was  born  in  North 
Kingstown,  Oct.  3,  1811.  All  of  his  life  was  spent 
in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  he  took  no  active  in- 
terest in  political  or  public  affairs.  His  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Lydia  Gorton,  died  in  1890,  and 
he  followed  in  1892,  after  a long  life  of  unostenta- 
tious usefulness  to  the  community  in  which  he  lived. 
He  had  issue  as  follows:  Daniel  E.,  born  in  1843; 
Nathaniel  Greene;  William,  1849,  unmarried;  and 
Lydia,  who  married  Esquire  Spink,  of  North 
Kingstown. 

(\  III)  Nathaniel  Greene  Carpenter  was  born  in 
the  town  of  North  Kingstown,  April  20,  1845.  He 
received  a common  school  education  in  the  town  of 
East  Greenwich,  and  his  early  days  were  spent 
in  the  usual  routine  of  a farmer’s  son.  At  the  age 
of  about  twenty  Mr.  Carpenter  took  up  bis  resi- 
dence in  East  Greenwich  and  was  made  manager 
of  the  “Updike  Hotel,”  previously  managed  by  the 
owners,  the  Updike  sisters.  Upon  the  death  of  one 
of  them,  Mr.  Carpenter  assumed  the  entire  control 
of  the  hotel,  in  which  he  remained  for  about  thirty- 
two  years.  He  also  owned  a large  grocery  store  on 
Main  street,  and  after  he  finally  sold  out  his  interest 
in  the  hotel  he  devoted  his  time  more  exclusively 
to  this  business,  in  which  he  was  very  successful. 
On  Aug.  1,  1904,  he  sold  his  grocery  business  and 
has  since  given  his  attention  to  overseeing  his  va- 
ried interests. 

On  Dec.  15,  1874,  Mr.  Carpenter  married  Delia 
B.  Shippee,  daughter  of  Mancer  C.  and  Harriett 
(Dawlev)  Shippee.  Mr.  Carpenter  has  long  been 
one  of  the  most  substantial  citizens  and  prominent 
business  men  of  bis  town  and  vicinity,  often  serv- 
ing his  town  in  an  official  capacity.  In  the  later 
seventies  he  became  overseer  of  the  poor  and  re- 
mained as  such  for  thirteen  consecutive  years,  fill- 
ing the  position  with  marked  efficiency.  He  has 
served  eight  years  as  a member  of  the  town  council, 
and  he  was  a member  of  the  General  As- 
sembly in  1897,  and  in  May,  1898,  be  be- 
came a representative  and  served  until  T903.  He 
has  always  been  identified  with  the  Republican 
party.  His  career  has  been  eminently  successful, 
and  shows  the  just  rewards  of  honesty  and  unflag- 
ging effort.  Mrs.  Carpenter  is  a member  of 
St.  Luke’s  Episcopal  Church. 

Z.  HERBERT  GARDNER,  one  of  the  well- 
known  citizens  and  substantial  farmers  of  southern 
Rhode  Island  in  his  life  time,  descended  from  one 
of  the  oldest  families  in  the  State.  His  great- 
great-grandfather  was 

(IV)  Ezekiel  Gardner,  son  of  Nicholas,  born 
Dec.  6,  1710,  in  South  Kingstown.  He  removed  to 
Exeter,  and  reared  his  family  on  what  has  since 
been  known  as  the  Gardner  homestead. 

(V)  Zebulon  Gardner,  son  of  Ezekiel,  like  his 


924 


RHODE  ISLAND 


father  was  a tiller  of  the  soil.  During  the  Revolu- 
tionary war  he  gave  his  services  to  the  cause  of  his 
country. 

(VI)  Robert  Gardner,  son  of  Zebulon,  occu- 
pied. after  the  death  of  his  father,  the  homestead 
property,  where  with  his  wife,  Mary  Tillinghast, 
of  West  Greenwich,  he  spent  the  closing  days  of  his 
life  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruition  of  his  former 
toil.  His  sound  judgment,  sense  of  equity  and  po- 
sition as  magistrate  of  the  local  court  are  preserved 
in  the  title  of  “Judge”  Gardner,  by  which  he  was 
then  known  and  is  still  remembered.  He  was  also 
a representative  in  the  Legislature  from  the  town 
of  Exeter.  He  died  in  1845.  All  his  children  were 
born  in  Exeter,  viz. : John  T.,  Hannah,  Olive, 
Marcy,  Zebulon,  Robert,  Dorcas,  Fannie,  Mary  A., 
Catherine  and  Ann  W. 

(VII)  Zebulon  Gardner,  the  father  of  Z.  Her- 
bert, was  born  in  1810,  and  married  (first)  Sarah 
Sweet,  and  (second)  Eliza  B.  Lawton,  of  Fall 
River.  Mass.  To  this  second  marriage  were  born 
children  as  follows:  Robert,  born  March  17,  1842, 
married  Lottie  Dukesburv,  of  Maine,  and  resided 
in  Oakland,  Cal.,  where  she  died;  Fannie,  born  in 
1844,  died  in  infancy;  Mercy  T.,  born  in  1846, 
married  William  R.  Dutemple,  and  died  at  Au- 
burn, R.  I. ; Ann  Eliza,  born  in  1847,  married  Wil- 
liam P.  Gardiner,  and  died  April  6,  1880;  Z.  Her- 
bert, was  born  June  22,  1849. 

In  1850  Zebulon  Gardner  went  to  California, 
his  family  remaining  in  Fall  River,  where  his  wife 
died  soon  afterward.  In  California  he  married 
(third)  Mary  Reddish,  of  Missouri,  and  to  them 
were  born  two  sons:  John,  who  died  in  youth, 
and  Charles  F.  Zebulon  Gardner  was  killed  on  the 
Sacramento  river  in  a steamboat  disaster,  Aug.  25, 
1861.  His  son,  Charles  F.  Gardner,  has  since  be- 
come one  of  the  leading  attorneys  of  Sacramento. 

(VIII)  Z.  Herbert  Gardner  was  born  in  Exe- 
ter, June  22,  1849.  He  was  but  two  years  Did  when 
his  mother  died,  and  he  was  taken  into  the  home 
of  his  father’s  brother,  John  T.  Gardner,  and  has 
lived  all  of  his  life  on  the  Gardner  homestead  in 
Exeter,  part  of  which  he  inherited  from  his  uncle 
at  the  latter’s  death,  in  1878.  While  in  his  uncle’s 
home  he  had  such  meager  chances  for  an  education 
as  the  small  rural  school  afforded  until  old  enotigh 
to  attend  the  seminary  at  East  Greenwich,  after 
which  he  attended  Scholfield’s  Commercial  College 
in  Providence,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1868.  On  Jan.  30,  1879,  ^ie  married  Martha  A. 
Crandall,  who  was  born  Sept.  19,  1858,  daughter 
of  Thomas  A.  and  Mary  (Sweet)  Crandall,  of  Ex- 
eter. and  children  as  follows  were  born  to  them  : 
John  T.,  born  Aug.  31,  1882,  is  employed  in  the 
Providence  post  office ; Z.  Herbert.  Jr.,  born  Feb. 
4.  1884,  conducts  the  home  farm;  Thomas  C.,  born 
Feb.  7,  1887,  died  Sept.  6,  1895. 

On  political  Questions  Mr.  Gardner  was  always 
active  with  the  Republican  party,  and  was  fre- 
quently chosen  to  fill  positions  of  trust,  serving 


several  years  as  chairman  of  the  Republican  town 
committee.  For  three  years  he  was  commissioner 
of  the  town  asylum,  and  in  1879-80-81  represented 
Exeter  in  the  Lower  House  of  the  State  Legisla- 
ture. In  1883  he  was  honored  by  his  fellow  towns- 
men with  a seat  in  the  State  Senate,  and  was  re- 
elected in  1884.  For  three  of  these  five  terms  he 
was  chosen  without  opposition.  In  1884  he  was  a 
delegate  to  the  Republican  National  Convention  in 
Chicago.  Mr.  Gardner  was  an  officer  in  the  Exeter 
Grange  of  P.  of  H.,  and  a director  in  the  National 
Landholders’  Bank  of  Kingston,  R.  I.,  at  the  time 
of  his  death. 

In  agricultural  methods  he  usually  preferred  to 
operate  in  tested  rather  than  in  experimental  lines, 
and  while  engaged  exclusively  in  the  arts  of  agri- 
culture lie  found  that  the  duties  of  a husbandman 
were  entirely  consistent  with  a style  of  living  in 
the  home  which,  in  earlier  days,  would  have  been 
considered  the  height  of  extravagance.  He  died 
of  heart  failure  Jan.  19,  1904.  Mr.  Gardner  was 
one  of  the  best  known  men  of  Exeter,  and  his  fu- 
neral, at  which  Rev.  David  Taylor  officiated,  was 
attended  by  many  of  the  most  prominent  men  of 
the  State,  among  them  being  Governor  Brown, 
Sheriff  Cundall,'  General  Brayton,  Hon.  George 
Carmichael,  and  Hon.  E.  W.  Walker.  The  burial 
services  were  conducted  by  the  Grange,  and  he 
was  interred  in  a lot  in  the  homestead  cemetery. 

Mr.  Gardner’s  widow  and  sons  still  live  on  the 
homestead  farm,  and  enjoy  the  unstinted  esteem 
and  respect  of  all  who  know  them.  Mrs.  Gardner 
is  a direct  descendant  on  her  mother's  side  of  the 
famous  Capt.  Ebenezer  Adams,  of  North  Kings- 
town, whose  heroism  and  valor  during  the  Revo- 
lution have  been  commemorated  by  a tablet  erected 
to  his  memory  by  the  D.  A.  R.  Mrs.  Gardner  is  a 
member  of  Narragansett  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  and 
State  organization  of  the  D.  A.  R.  She  is  an  active 
is  at  present  treasurer  of  the  State  organization 
of  the  D.  A.  R.  She  is  an  active  member 
of  the  local  Grange,  and  since  its  organ- 
ization, in  1887,  has  been  its  secretary. 

JUDE  TAYLOR,  deceased.  In  the  death  of 
Jude  Taylor,  which  occurred  Feb.  7,  1902,  the 

city  of  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  lost  one  of  its  most  promi- 
nent and  influential  business  men  and  substantial 
and  highly  respected  citizens.  Mr.  Taylor  was 
born  March  14,  1822,  in  Edenfield,  Lancashire, 
England,  son  of  Jude  and  Elizabeth  (Crook) 
Taylor. 

Jude  Taylor,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Bury,  near 
Manchester,  England,  and  in  his  native  country 
learned  the  trade  of  cloth  finisher.  In  the  early 
part  of  the  nineteenth  century  he  came  to  Amer- 
ica, and,  settling  in  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  was  under, 
contract  with  manufacturers  of  woolen  goods,  as  a 
finisher  of  broadcloths,  flannels  and  blankets.  He 
was  engaged  in  this  capacity  for  a number  of  years, 
and  finally  settled  in  Pawtucket.  He  died  in  Ware, 


vS 


RHODE  ISLAND 


925 


Mass.,  at  an  advanced  age.  Mr.  Taylor  married 
Elizabeth  Crook,  and  to  them  were  born  children 
as  follows:  John,  who  died  in  Providence;  James, 
who  died  in  England ; Robert';  Mary ; Alice,  who 
married  John  Brierley;  Ellen;  Peter;  Jude,  Jr.; 
Hannah,  who  married  Nathaniel  McKinstry ; Bet- 
sey; and  Jonathan,  who  died  in  Amesbury,  Massa- 
chusetts. 

Jude  Taylor,  Jr.,  came  to  America  when  fif- 
teen years  of  age,  landing  in  Boston,  Mass.,  Aug. 
12,  1837.  He  at  once  joined  his  father  in  Paw- 
tucket, where  his  first  occupation  was  that  of  tier- 
boy  in  the  Dunnell  Print  Works,  in  which  he  re- 
mained six  months,  leaving  there  to  learn  engrav- 
ing for  calico  printing  with  Samuel  Lord,  in  the 
LeFavour  building,  to  the  rear  of  the  stone  build- 
ing on  North  Main  street.  Here  he.  served  a seven 
years’  apprenticeship  and  then  worked  four  years 
as  a journeyman.  In  1849,  m partnership  with  the 
late  Charles  Payne,  he  established  himself  in  busi- 
ness as  a calico  print  engraver  under  the  firm  name 
of  Payne  & Taylor,  in  the'  LeFavour  building,  but 
so  rapid  was  the  growth  of  the  enterprise  that  in 
four  years  they  were  obliged  to  seek  larger  quar- 
ters, removing  to  Dr.  Manchester’s  building,  rear 
of  North  Main  street,  where  they  remained  until 
1856.  They  then  removed  to  their  own  building 
on  East  avenue  (then  Pleasant  street).  At  that 
time  they  employed  a large  force  of  engravers  and 
designers.  They  continued  to  prosper  until  new 
methods  superseded  the  old  and  the  demand  for 
their  work  ceased.  In  the  meantime,  Payne  & 
Taylor  became  interested  in  the  manufacture  of 
haircloth,  and  in  1863  purchased  the  plant  of  the 
Boston  Hair  Clotn  Company.  This  business  was 
continued  until  March,  1893,  when  the  firm  was 
consolidated  with  the  Pawtucket  Hair  Cloth  Com- 
pany, of  which  Mr.  Taylor  was  the  president  at 
the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  also  president  of 
the  American  Hair  Cloth  Company  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  was  treasurer  of  the  American  Yarn 
Manufacturing  Company,  vice-president  of  the 
Pawtucket  Institution  for  Savings,  and  a director  of 
the  Pacific  National  Bank. 

Mr.  Taylor  served  on  the  Pawtucket  town 
council  from  1876  to  1881,  and  always  took  a deep 
and  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  adopted 
city.  He  was  a member  of  Samaritan  Lodge,  No. 
8,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Pawtucket,  for  fifty  years,  and 
at  the  time  of  his  death  his  family  were  presented 
engrossed  resolutions  by  that  body.  Mr.  Taylor 
was  a devout  member  of  the  Church  of  the  New 
Jerusalem  in  Pawtucket.  The  following  resolu- 
tions, showing  the  deep  regard  in  which  he  was 
held  by  those  with  whom  he  had  business  dealings, 
were  passed  by  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Paw- 
tucket Institution  for  Savings : 

“At  a regular  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  the  Pawtucket  Institution  for  Savings,  held 
Feb.  18,  1902,  the  following  resolutions  were  unani- 
mously adopted : 


“\\  hereas,  it  has  pleased  Providence  to  re- 
move from  our  midst  our  esteemed  friend,  Jude 
laylor,  the  late  vice-president  of  this  institution, 

"Resolved,  that  we,  the  trustees  of  the  Paw- 
tucket Institution  for  Savings,  desire  to  and  do 
hereby  record  our  appreciation  of  the  benefit  that 
has  resulted  to  this  institution  from  his  long  and 
faithful  services  as  trustee  and  vice-president,  cov- 
ering a period  of  over  twenty-five  years,  and  we 
desire  also  to  add  our  personal  testimony  to  his 
many  excellencies  of  character,  which  have  en- 
deared him  to  his  associates. 

"Resolved,  that  these  resolutions  be  spread 
upon  the  records  of  this  Institution,  and  that  a 
copy  thereof  be  transmitted  to  his  family,  to  whom 
we  hereby  tender  our  sincere  sympathy  in  their 
affliction. 

“Charles  B.  Moies,  Secretary.” 

On  July  4,  1846,  Mr.  Taylor  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Amey  Thomas  Jenks,  daughter  of  Dea- 
con Talbot  and  Rosanna  (Coffin)  Jenks,  and  to 
them  were  born  children  as  follows : Thomas  B., 
who  died  in  infancy;  Alice  Louisa,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  three  years ; Cathleen,  who  is  unmarried  and 
residing  in  Prpvidence ; and  Emma  Florence,  who 
married  James  W.  Hallett,  and  had  one  daughter, 
Amey  Taylor  Hallett,  now  the  wife  of  George  E. 
Foster,  of  Providence. 

The  Taylor  homestead  at  No.  186  East  avenue, 
Pawtucket,  where  Mrs.  Taylor  still  resides,  occu- 
pies ground  which  was  originally  used  as  a burying 
ground  by  the  Indians,  and  a number  of  Indian 
relics  have  been  unearthed  therefrom. 

1 

BOYDEN.  The  Woonsocket  Boyden  family,  one 
of  distinction  there  since  prior  to  the  middle  of  the 
nineteenth  century,  where  have  resided  three  gen- 
erations of  the  name,  is  a branch  of  the  ancient 
Massachusetts  Boyden  family,  the  emigrant  ances- 
tor of  which  was  Thomas  Boyden,  who  came  from 
Ipswich,  England,  in  1634,  in  the  ship  “Frapcis,” 
being  at  the  time  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He 
was  a member  of  the  church  at  Scltuate  in  1635. 
He  afterward  went  to  Watertown,  where  he  lived 
some  years  and  was  made  a freeman  in  1647.  In 
1650  he  sold  land  in  Watertown,  and,  says  Bond, 
in  his  work  on  Watertown,  probably  soon  after 
removed  to  Groton,  but  returned  to  Watertown 
about  1 666  and  bought  property  there.  This  he 
sold  in  1670.  His  wife  Frances  died  in  1658,  and 
in  that  same  year  he  married  Hannah,  widow  of 
Joseph  Morse.  His  children  by  his  first  wife  were: 
Thomas,  born  Sept.  26,  1639;  Mary,  Oct.  15,  1641  ; 
Rebecca,  Nov.  1,  1643;  Nathaniel,  1651;  Jonathan, 
Feb.  20,  1652;  Sarah,  Oct.  12,  1654 — all  after  Na- 
thaniel born  in  Boston. 

From  this  emigrant  settler,  (I)  Thomas  Boyden, 
descended  the  Sturbridge  family  of  Boydens,  the 
home  town  of  the  Woonsocket  family,  the  head 
of  which  was  the  late  Rev.  John  Boyden,  whose 
birthplace  was  in  Sturbridge,  though  much  of 


926 


RHODE  ISLAND 


whose  career  was  passed  in  the  town  of  his  adop- 
tion, where  his  citizenship  was  one  of  honorable 
distinction  and  usefulness,  and  where  was  reared 
and  partially  educated  his  son,  whose  career  was 
one  of  promise,  but  was  cut  short  in  his  early  death ; 
and  here  the  name  is  perpetuated  through  his 
grandson  and  namesake,  John  Richmond  Boyden, 
now  one  of  the  active  business  men  of  Woonsocket. 
Of  this  family  more  presently.  The  lineage  from 
the  emigrant  settler,  Thomas  Boyden,  is  through 
Thomas  Boyden  (2),  Joseph,  Lieut.  John,  Capt. 
John,  John  Boyden  (3),  and  Rev.  John  Boyden. 
These  generations  in  detail  follow  in  regular  order. 

(II)  Thomas  Boyden  (2),  born  Sept.  26,  1639, 
in  Watertown,  Mass.,  married  Martha  Holden,  born 
Jan.  15,  1646,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Martha 
Holden,  he  a fellow  passenger  with  the  senior 
Thomas  Boyden  in  the  ship  “Francis.”  Mr.  Boy- 
den died  Nov.  15,  1719,  in  Groton,  Mass.  His  wife 
died  March  18,  1687,  in  Charlestown.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Martha,  born  July  14,  1667,  in  Water- 
town;  Elizabeth,  May  24,  1670;  John,  Dec.  6,  1672, 
in  Groton;  Jonathan,  Sept.  27,  1675;  Joseph,  April 
24,  1678;  and  Benjamin,  March  29,  1683. 

(III)  Joseph  Boyden,  born  April  24,  1678,  in 
Groton,  married  Rebecca,  probably  in  Groton,  as 
the  eldest  child  was  born  there.  Mr.  Boyden  re- 
moved to  that  part  of  Dedham  which  later  was  set 
off  as  the  town  of  Needham.  He  was  chosen  a 
selectman  of  Needham  in  1721,  and  also,  the  same 
year,  one  of  three  custodians  of  a fund  for  the  use 
of  the -town  and  school.  On  Aug.  12,  1735,  was 
a tavern-keeper  in  Sutton,  and  in  1736  he  and  his 
wife  were  dismissed  from  the  church  in  Needham 
and  recommended  to  the  church  in  Sutton.  In 
1738  he  removed  to  Worcester,  where  he  had 
bought  a tract  of  about  one  hundred  acres  of  land 
on  the  south  side  of  the  town.  This  land  he  con- 
veyed in  1740  to  his  sons,  Daniel  and  John.  This 
property  has  since  been  known  as  the  old  Boyden 
place.  He  died  April  17,  1748.  His  children  were: 
Joseph,  born  Oct.  6,  1705  (in  Groton)  ; Daniel, 
March  1,  1708;  John,  Aug.  16,  1710  (both  in  Ded- 
ham) ; Nathan,  June  3,  1714;  Rebecca,  March  6, 
1716;  and  John  (2),  Aug.  7,  1719  (all  in  Needham). 

(IV)  Lieut.  John  Boyden,  born  Aug.  7,  1719, 
in  Needham,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Ger- 
shom  Rice,  Jr.,  of  Worcester.  Mr.  Boyden  settled 
on  a farm  located  on  Pakachoag  Hill,  which  was 
deeded  to  him  by  his  father,  in  August,  1740,  and 
where  he  remained  until  his  death ; it  was  located 
in  the  south  part  of  Worcester,  now  the  town  of 
Auburn.  He  was  a lieutenant  in  the  French  and 
Indian  war.  He  died  about  1773,  in  Auburn.  His 
widow  died  Jan.  6,  1814,  aged  eighty-seven  years, 
in  Auburn.  Their  children  . were  : Peter,  born 
July  28,  1745;  John,  Jan.  7,  1748;  Elizabeth,  July 
30,  1750;  Hannah,  baptized  May  13,  1753;  Jo- 
seph, baptized  Dec.  11,  1757;  Dorothy,  baptized 
Aug.  10,  1760;  Samuel,  baptized  March  20,  1763; 
and  Darius,  baptized  Sept.  1,  1765. 


(V)  Capt.  John  Boyden,  born  Jan.  7,  1748, 
in  Auburn,  married  Feb.  26,  1776,  Abigail  (Hobbs) 
Brown,  widow  of  Elias  Brown,  of  Lincoln.  Mr. 
Boyden  was  a faithful  friend,  a Christian  and 
patriot,  a soldier  of  the  Revolution.  He  died  Feb. 
22,  1795,  in  Sturbridge,  Mass.  His  children,  all 
born  in  Sturbridge,  were:  John,  born  Jan.  11, 
1777;  Elizabeth,  May  16,  1783;  Peter,  Oct.  13, 
1784;  and  Abigail,  July  31,  1786. 

(VI)  John  Boyden,  born  Jan.  11,  1777,  in 
Sturbridge,  Mass.,  married  Nov.  10,  1796,  Eliza- 
beth Adams,  of  Brookfield,  Mass.,  born  Aug.  19, 
1774.  They  died,  he,  Dec.  3,  1856,  in  Brookfield, 
Mass.,  and  she,  July  26,  1858.  Their  children,  all 
born  in  Sturbridge,  were:  Caroline,  born  Aug. 
7,  1797;  Sally,  born  Dec.  12,  1799;  Charles,  born 
Nov.  8,  1801 ; Abigail,  born  Nov.  4,  1803  1 Maria, 
born  Aug.  4,  1805;  an  infant,  born  Jan.  15,  1808, 
who  died  the  same  day;  John,  born  May  14,  1809; 
Julia,  born  April  6,  1812;  Charlotte,  born  April 
6,  1815;  and  Loring,  born  Aug.  24,  1817.  John 
Boyden  was  a farmer  and  land  owner  in  Sturbridge, 
where  he  made  his  home.  He  was  an  old-line 
Democrat,  and  was  a firm  believer  in  the  doctrine 
of  the  Universalist  Church. 

(VII)  Rev.  John  Boyden,  born  May  14,  1809, 
in  the  town  of  Sturbridge,  Mass.,  married  Sept. 
20,  1831,  Sarah  Church  Jacobs,  daughter  of  Rich- 
mond and  Clarissa  Jacobs,  of  Scituate,  Mass.  They 
had  one  son,  John  Richmond,  born  in  Dudley, 
Mass.,  Aug.  22,  1838. 

Rev.  Mr.  Boyden  passed  his  youth  upon  the 
home  farm  with  his  parents,  alternating  between 
assisting  with  the  farm  work  in  season  and  attend- 
ance at  the  neighborhood  schools.  He  furthered 
his  education  in  the  academies  at  Sturbridge, 
Brookfield  and  Dudley,  Mass.  For  a period  through 
the  winters  following  the  termination  of  his  school 
days  he  himself  taught  school  until  his  convictions 
led  him  into  the  Christian  ministry.  He  prepared 
for  his  calling  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev. 
Iiosea  Ballou,  of  Boston.  He  began  his  ministry 
as  pastor  of  a church  at  Berlin,  Conn.,  and  follow- 
ing a pastorate  there  of  three  years  he  was  similarly 
identified  with  a church  at  Dudley,  Mass.,  for  five 
years.  In  1840  he  became  pastor  of  the  church  at 
Woonsocket,  which  was  the  field  of  his  labors 
through  the  remaining  years  of  his  life. 

The  early  labors  of  Rev.  Mr.  Boyden  were 
mostly  of  a polemical  character,  were  various  and 
widely  bestowed,  he  often  preaching  eight  or  ten 
times  a week.  It  is  said  that  he  was  possessed 
of  that  fineness  of  nature,  delicacy  of  sentiment, 
justness  of  apprehension  and  sound  common  sense 
which  secured  a perpetual  inspiration,  and  wher- 
ever he  went  he  exerted  an  influence  for  good. 
The  advocate  of  universal  interpretations  of  the 
Scriptures  Rev.  Mr.  Boyden  often  met  with  bitter 
opposition,  but  never  did  equanimity  or  magna- 
nimity fail  him.  It  is  said  that  men  whom  his 
reasoning,  which  was  always  clear  and  natural, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


927 


could  not  convince  were  often  persuaded  by  the 
sweetness  of  his  temper.  He  took  an  active  interest 
in  the  various  reformatory  movements  of  the  day. 
He  was  among  the  foremost  to  advocate  total  ab- 
stinence and  prohibition.  The  cause  of  anti-slavery 
enlisted  all  his  sympathies,  and  to  its  advancement 
he  devoted  his  utmost  energy.  He  recognized  the 
injustice  done  to  women  by  restricting  the  sphere 
of  her  activity,  and  in  the  small  remuneration  paid 
for  her  labors,  and  persuasively  pleaded  for  her 
relief. 

Mr.  Boyden  rendered  much  valuable  service  to 
his  adopted  community  and  to  the  State.  He  several 
times  represented  the  town  of  Woonsocket  in  the 
lower  house  of  the  General  Assembly.  He  was 
one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Rhode  Island 
Universalist  Convention,  and  for  years  served  as 
its  honored  president.  For  some  twenty-five  or 
more  years  he  was  superintendent  and  member  of 
the  school  committee,  rendering  most  important 
service.  The  town  of  Woonsocket  was  highly  fa- 
vored in  having  so  judicious  and  efficient  a servant 
in  this  relation,  and  at  the  close  of  his  long  con- 
nection with  the  school  system  the  schools  of 
Woonsocket  compared  favorably  with  the  best  in 
Rhode  Island. 

In  his  own  denomination  the  name  of  Rev. 
Boyden  was  revered,  and  he  was  respected  by 
other  branches  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  more 
than  that  he  was  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him. 
He  died  Sept.  28,  1869,  at  his  home  in  Woon- 
socket. 

(VIII)  John  Richmond  Boyden,  son  of  Rev. 
John,  born  Aug.  22,  1838,  in  Dudley,  Mass.,  mar- 
ried, in  1862,  A.  Ohvia;  daughter  of  the  late  Hon. 
Willis  Cook,  of  Woonsocket,  mentioned  in  full 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  To  this  marriage  was  born 
one  son,  John  Richmond  (2). 

Mr.  Boyden  acquired  his  education  in  the 
Woonsocket  high  school,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated, and  at  Tufts  College.  He  then  engaged  in  edu- 
cational work,  teaching  school  both  in  Woonsocket 
and  at  Great  Falls,  N.  H.  Subsequently  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Woonsocket  Rubber  Company, 
having  been  chosen  treasurer  of  that  corporation, 
a relation  he  sustained  to  it  most  satisfactorily 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1867.  Mrs.  Boyden 
still  resides  at  her  home  in  Woonsocket  with  her 
son,  John  Richmond  (2).  She  is  a member  of  the 
Daughters  of  the  Revolution,  and  is  well  known 
socially.  Her  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Univer- 
salist Church. 

(IX)  John  R.  Boyden  (2),  only  son  of  the 
late  John  Richmond  Boyden,  was  born  in  the  city 
of  Woonsocket,  R.  I.,  in  1867.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  public  and  high  schools  of  that 
city,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  became  agent 
for  the  estate  of  his  late  grandfather,  Hon.  Willis 
Cook,  and  for  the  past  twenty-one  years  he  has 
faithfully  performed  the  duties  of  that  position  of 


trust  and  responsibility.  In  1905  he  became  clerk 
in  the  People's  Savings  Bank,  at  Woonsocket,  of 
which  his  venerable  uncle,  Reuben  G.  Randall,  is 
secretary  and  treasurer.  Mr.  Boyden  is  a member 
of  the  board  of  directors  and  assistant  treasurer. 
In  politics  he  is  a stanch  Republican,  and  he  has 
always  supported  the  men  and  measures  of  that 
party.  In  1905  he  was  elected  a member  of  the 
city  council,  representing  the  Fourth  ward,  and 
he  is  still  serving  as  a member  of  that  body,  taking 
an  active  and  public-spirited  interest  in  the  city’s 
progress  and  welfare.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Woonsocket  Business  Men’s  Association,  and  is  a 
member  of  its  executive  committee.  His  fraternal 
connections  are  with  Morning  Star  Lodge,  A.  F. 
& A.  M.,  the  Chapter  and  the  Council.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Universalist  Society  (of  which  he  is 
president),  in  which  his  grandfather  was  such  a 
leading  light,  and  he,  too,  is  active  in  its  work, 
bearing  with  honor  and  distinction  his  proud  family 
name. 

Mr.  Boyden  married  Miss  Gertrude  Warfield, 
who  was  born  in  Woonsocket,  daughter  of  Aaron 
B.  Warfield,  mentioned  in  full  elsewhere.  Mrs. 
Boyden  is  a descendant  of  some  of  New  England’s 
oldest  and  best  families — the  Warfields,  Chilsons, 
Burdens,  etc. 

(VII)  Loring  Boyden,  youngest  brother  of 
the  late  Rev.  John  Boyden,  and  one  of  Woon- 
socket’s oldest  citizens,  was  born  Aug.  24,  1817,  at 
Sturbridge.  He  was  educated  in  his  native  town 
and  at  Spencer,  Mass.,  and  Dudley  Academy.  He 
taught  his  first  school  at  Charlestown,  during  the 
winter  season,  and  he  worked  at  farm  work  dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  the  year.  Later  he  came  to 
Woonsocket,  and  for  ten  years  taught  in  the  pub- 
lic schools.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  became 
interested  in  the  grocery  business  with  the  late 
Edwin  Ballou  Miller,  at  the  Social  Store,  which 
business  was  conducted  for  eighteen  years.  After 
he  resigned  his  position  there  he  became  assistant 
librarian  at  the  Harris  Library,  remaining  twelve 
years,  when  he  retired  from  active  work  and  has 
lived  quietly  ever  since.  He  is  quite  active  for  his 
years,  and  takes  a deep  interest  in  everything  per- 
taining to  Woonsocket.  He  is  honored  and  re- 
spected by  all.  In  his  political  principle  he  is  a 
Republican,  but  he  has  never  aspired  to  official 
position.  He  is  strictly  temperate  in  his  habits. 
Like  all  his  people  he  is  a Universalist. 

O11  Sept.  5,  1845,  Loring  Boyden  married,  in 
New  York  City,  Elizabeth  C.  Arnold,  who  was 
born  in  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  Aug.  7,  1828,  daughter 
of  Joseph  P.  and  Rosina  (Jencks)  Arnold,  and 
granddaughter  of  Joseph  and  Patience  (Wilbur) 
Arnold  and  of  Judge  George  and  Sarah  (Aldrich) 
Jencks.  Mrs.  Boyden  is  a lady  of  refined  taste, 
and  though  now  in  her  eightieth  year  is  quite  active 
and  devoted  to  her  home.  This  happy  couple,  to 
whom  have  been  given  sixty-two  years  of  wedded 


928 


RHODE  ISLAND 


life,  have  many,  many  friends.  The  four  children 
who  blessed  their  union  all  died  young,  namely : 
Charles,  born  Feb.  11,  1847,  died  May  25,  1848; 
Madora,  born  Dec.  28,  1849,  died  Feb.  11,  1863; 
Clara  Stenton,  born  May  11,  1856,  died  Dec.  5, 
1864;  and  Emily  S.,  born  May  29,  1862,  died  June 
16,  1862. 

EDWARD  PETERSON  MARSH.  In  the 
death  of  the  gentleman  whose  name  introduces  this 
article  there  passed  away  one  of  the  substantial  and 
honored  citizens  of  Newport,  which  city  -was  the 
place  of  his  birth  and  where  the  greater  part  of 
his  active  business  life  had  been  spent. 

The  Marsh  family  of  Newport  and  its  vicinity 
is  descended  from  Jonathan  Marsh,  of  Jamestown, 
R.  I.,  who  served  as  deputy  from  that  town  in 
1702.  From  a record  of  the  year  following,  when 
he  and  John  Carr,  ferryman,  are  named  in  con- 
nection with  some  ferry  matters,  he  is  supposed  to 
have  been  engaged  in  that  line  of  work.  Jonathan 
Marsh  married  (first)  Sarah  Reape,  who  was 
born  April  17,  1664,  and  who  died  Sept.  26,  1687. 
She  left  two  sons,  William  and  John,  the  latter 
born  Sept.  11,  1687.  On  Jan.  17,  1700,  Mr.  Marsh 
married  (second)  Phoebe,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Mary  (Havens)  Cook  and  widow  of  Oliver 
Arnold.  One  son,  Jonathan,  Jr.,  was  born  to  this 
marriage,  and  two  years  later,  June  10,  1704,  the 
father  died  in  Jamestown. 

Benjamin  Marsh,  born  in  Little  Compton,  R. 
has  been  perpetuated  in  Rhode  Island,  was  born 
Jan.  27,  1702,  and  was  married  Oct.  3,  1728,  to 
Mary,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Ruth  (Sheffield) 
Gould.  She  was  born  Dec.  20,  1708,  and  became 
the  mother  of  children  born  as  follows : Phoebe, 
June  16,  1729;  Daniel,  Oct.  7,  1731;  Jonathan, 
Dec.  17,  1733;  Mary,  Aug.  24,  1735;  Gould,  July 
12,  1738;  James,  Sept.  27,  1740;  Nathaniel,  July 
26,  1742;  William,  July  22,  1743;  Jeremiah,  Aug. 
17,  1744;  Carr,  Jan.  11,  1746-47;  Ruth,  Sept.  4, 
1748;  Phoebe  (2),  Feb.  1,  1750;  and  Ruth  (2), 
June  1,  1752.  Jonathan  and  Mary  Marsh  made 
their  home  in  Newport,  where  he  became  a free- 
man May  6,  1729.  He  died  Feb.  18,  1770,  and 
his  remains  were  interred  in  the  Clifton  burial- 
ground. 

Benjamin  Marsh,  born  in  Little  Compton,  R. 
I.,  was  for  many  years  a shoemaker  in  Newport, 
and  there  died.  Qn  May  5,  1793,  he  married  Miss 
Fannie  Peterson,  and  they  had  children  as  follows : 
Sallie ; Benjamin,  Jr.;  Joseph  W. ; Mary,  wife  of 
Capt.  Joseph  Sherman ; Samuel  J. ; Frances,  wife 
of  James  Burdick ; Abbv,  wife  of  Joseph  Weaver ; 
and  Ann,  who  married  Samuel  H.  Lawton,  of 
Newport,  and  there  died. 

Samuel  Johnson  Marsh  was  born  Nov.  4,  1798, 
in  New  Bedford,  Mass.  As  a young  man  he  took 
up  carpentering  for  a number  of  years,  but  later 
he  went  into  the  furniture  business,  opening  a 


store  in  Newport  which  he  conducted  for  the  rest 
of  his  life.  Besides  carrying  full  lines  of  stock, 
he  made  a specialty  of  repairing  all  kinds  of  furni- 
ture. Of  a quiet,  retiring  nature,  Mr.  Marsh  was 
never  active  in  political  work,  but  nevertheless  took 
a keen  interest  in  all  things  affecting  the  city’s  wel- 
fare. Originally  an  old  line  Whig,  after  the  for- 
mation of  the  Republican  party  he  supported  that 
organization.  He  was  a regular  attendant  at  the 
Second  Baptist  Church,  and  was  a liberal  sup- 
porter of  all  charitable  and  benevolent  projects. 

Samuel  J.  Marsh  married  Mary  C.,  daughter 
of  Charles  Williams.  She  died  in  Gardner,  Mass., 
aged  fifty-four  years,  but  her  husband  lived  to  the 
good  old  age  of  seventy-five  years,  nine  months, 
twenty-nine  days,  passing  away  Sept.  3,  1874. 

They  were  the  parents  of  six  children  : ( 1 ) Sam- 

uel J.,  Jr.,  died  March  17,  1863,  aged  thirty-nine 
years,  in  Cascade,  Dubuque  Co.,  Iowa.  During  the 
Civil  war  he  was  a member  of  an  Iowa  regiment, 
and  his  death  was  the  result  of  illness  contracted 
in  the  service.  His  wife  was  Miss  Mary  Prentice, 
of  Plainfield,  Conn.  (2)  Sallie  W.,  born  Nov.  13, 
1825,  married  Edward  Barker  of  Newport,  where 
she  died  March  5,  1905.  (3)  William  E.,  born  Feb. 

13,  1828,  married  Miss  Nancy  Putnam,  of  Gard- 
ner, Mass.  He  was  for  many  years  chief  of  police 
of  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  where  he  is  now  living  re- 
tired. (4)  A sketch  of  Edward  P.  is  given  below. 
(5)  Phoebe  died  young.  (6)  Phoebe  (2)  became 
the  wife  of  Charles  Barker,  of  Newport,  where  she 
died. 

Edward  Peterson  Marsh  was  born  Nov.  29, 
1835,  in  Newport.  The  first  fifteen  years  of  his 
life  were  spent  there,  attending  school,  after  which 
he  went  to  Gardner,  Mass.,  and  became  a chair 
finisher  under  Haywood  Brothers,  remaining  in 
their  employ  about  six  years.  He  then  returned 
to  Newport  and  went  to  work  in  his  father’s  shop, 
located  on  Thames  street,  at  the  foot  of  Pelham. 
Several  years  passed  thus,  after  which  he  went  to 
New  York,  and  about  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  was 
employed  there  as  a chair  finisher,  under  contract 
with  his  brother,  William  E.,  then  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  chair  business.  When  the  business  was 
removed  three  years  later  to  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  he 
accompanied  his  brother  and  worked  for  him  there 
four  years  more. 

Returning  to  Newport  in  about  1867,  Edward 
P.  Marsh  became  again  associated  with  his  father, 
and  shortly  after  became  a member  of  the  firm, 
then  known  as  Samuel  J.  Marsh  & Son.  After 
the  death  of  the  elder  Mr.  Marsh,  in  1874,  the  son 
continued  the  business  alone  for  several  years  and 
then  went  into  partnership  with  George  B.  Smith, 
in  the  same  line.  The  firm  of  Marsh  & Smith  con- 
tinued only  till  the  spring  of  1880,  and  July  1st  of 
that  year  Mr.  Marsh  again  opened  a furniture  es- 
tablishment in  the  old  building  on  Thames  street, 
the  present  site  of  the  “Boston  Store.”  In  1884 


RHODE  ISLAND 


929 


he  removed  to  No.  101  Thames  street,  where  in 
January,  1890,  he  added  to  the  original  establish- 
ment the  undertaking  department,  which  received 
most  of  his  attention  until  his  death.  On  March 
I,  1896,  in  company  with  his  son,  Samuel  W.,  and 
Thomas  W.  Freeborne,  Mr.  Marsh  organized  the 
, firm  of  T.  W.  Freeborne  & Co:,  in  the  furniture 
and  auction  line,  but  this  association  lasted  only  till 
Jan.  1,  1898,  after  which  time  Mr.  Marsh  had  no 
business  interests  outside  of  his  Thames  street, 
undertaking  establishment. 

Mr.  Marsh  had  always  been  an  active  worker 
in  fraternal  organizations,  and  was  a member  of 
Union  Lodge,  No.  668,  Knights  of  Honor,  of 
which  he  was  trustee  for  several  years ; of  Malbone 
Lodge,  No.  93,  New  England  Order  of  Protection ; 
and  of  Miantonomi  Commandery,  No.  114,  United 
Order  of  the  Golden  Cross,  in  which  he  was  past 
noble  commander.  In  politics  he  was  a strong  Re- 
publican and  was  chosen  by  his  party  to  the  city 
council  for  seven  years,  during  two  of  which  he 
was  preseident  of  that  body.  Mr.  Marsh  had  al- 
ways been  a devout  Baptist  and  active  in  church 
work.  Formerly  a member  of  the  Second  Cliurch, 
he  was  deacon  for  a long  time  and  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday-school  for  over  twenty  years.  Later 
he  united  with  the  Central  Baptist  Church  (now  tne 
Second  Baptist),  where  July  29,  1903,  he  was  made 
deacon,  serving  in  that  capacity  until  his  death. 

On  Nov.  27,  1856,  Edward  P,  Marsh  and  Mary 
C.  Hull  were  united  in  matrimony.  Mrs.  Marsh 
was  the  daughter  of  Hanson  and  Catherine  (Cook) 
Hull,  of  Newport.  They  had  only  one  child,  a 
son,  Samuel  Williams  Marsh,  born  Dec.  10,  1868, 
in  Newport,  who  is  now  conducting  the  undertak- 
ing business  established  by  his  father.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools,  graduating  from 
the  Rogers  High  School  of  Newport,  in  1885.  In 
November,  1889,  he  received  his  diploma  from  the 
United  States  College  of  Embalming,  in  New 
York  City,  after  which  he  became  associated  with 
his  father  in  business.  He  also  is  an  active  member 
of  the  Central  Baptist  Church  (now  the  Second 
Baptist),  of  which  he  has  served  as  clerk  for  a 
number  of  years.  On  June  26,  1907,  Samuel  W. 
Marsh  was  married  to  Mrs.  Isabel  Sanford  Rich- 
ardson, of  Providence,  formerly  of  Newport. 

Edward  P.  Marsh  passed  away  at  his  home  on 
Cranston  avenue  December  27,  1906,  in  the  sev- 
enty-second year  of  his  age,  after  an  illness  caused 
by  heart  failure,  which  had  confined  him  at  home 
for  several  weeks.  On  Nov.  27th  preceding,  he 
and  Mrs.  Marsh  had  the  pleasure  of  celebrating 
the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  their  marriage,  but  as 
Mr.  Marsh  was  not  strong  at  that  time  it  was  ob- 
served in  a quiet  way,  although  many  of  their 
friends  called  during  the  day  and  evening  to  pay 
their  respects  in  hon'or  of  the  occasion.  In  the 
death  of  Mr.  Marsh  the  city  lost  one  of  its  esteemed 
and  respected  citizens,  one  whose  memory  will 
ever  be  honored  by  those  who  knew  htm. 

59 


COGGESHALL.  The  early  Coggeshall  family 
of  Rhode  Island  was  one  of  the  more  wealthy  and 
prominent  of  the  founders  of  the  Providence  Planta- 
tions. John  Coggeshall,  the  progenitor  of  this  fam- 
ily, was  born  in  1599  in  the  County  of  Essex,  Eng- 
land. The  family  there  was  of  Norman  origin, 
and  was  possessed  of  large  estates  in  Essex  and 
Suffolk,  including  the  Manor  of  Little  Coggeshall 
and  Codham  Hall,  Wethersfield,  in  the  vicinity  of 
Coggeshall-on-the-Blackwater.  The  oldest  fam- 
ilies, following  the  usages  of  the  Normans,  wrote 
their  names  with  the  preposition,  as  Thomas  de 
Coggeshall,  who  was  the  owner  of  these  vast  es- 
tates in  the  reign  of  King  Stephen  of  Bloss,  grand- 
son of  the  Conqueror,  1135-1154.  Five  of  the 
family,  several  of  whom  were  Knights,  were 
sheriffs  of  Essex,  which  until  1556  included  Here- 
fordshire. Coggeshall  Abbey,  the  most  famous  of 
the  Cistercian  order,  was  built  by  King  Stephen, 
1142,  and  endowed  by  his  Queen  Matilda  of  Bou- 
logne and  his  son,  Eustace,  with  their  lands  in 
France. 

(I)  John  Coggeshall,  who  was  a merchant,  immi- 
grated to  New  England  in  1632,  arriving  in  Boston 
on  the  ship  ‘‘Lion/’  and  bringing  with  him  his  wife, 
Mary,  and  three  children,  John,  Joshua  and  Ann. 
He  and  his  wife  soon  joined  the  church  at  Rox- 
bury,  formed  that  year.  He  removed  to  Boston 
in  1634,  and  in  April  became  a member  of  that 
church,  with  which  his  wife  also  became  connected, 
and  he  was  soon  chosen  a deacon.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  board  of  selectmen  of  Boston,  1634,  was 
also  a deputy  that  year,  and  he  served  in  the  same 
capacity  seven  times.  He  was  one  of  the  seventy- 
five  supporters  of  Anne  Hutchinson,  who  were  dis- 
armed. He  was  one  of  sixteen  persons,  who  in 
1638  went  to  Providence  and  bought  from  the 
Narragansett  Indians  the  island  of  Aquidneck,  sub- 
sequently called  Rhode  Island.  They  soon  became 
incorporated  in  a body  politic,  and  began  the  set- 
tlement of  Pocasset  (Portsmouth).  Mr.  Cogges- 
hall was  one  of  the  leading  men  of  Portsmouth 
who  settled  in  Newport  in  1639.  In  1640  Ports- 
mouth and  Newport  wfere  united,  and  Mr.  Cogges- 
hall was  chosen  one  of  the  assistants.  He  had  been 
one  of  the  elders  in  Portsmouth  chosen  in  1639. 
In  1644  the  several  establishments  were  united, 
becoming  Providence  Plantations,  but  the  organi- 
zation was  not  effected  until  1647.  Mr.  Cogge- 
shall became  president  of  Providence  Plantations, 
and  died* in  office  Nov.  23,  1647.  His  widow  died 
Dec.  19,  1684. 

(II)  Joshua  Coggeshall,  born  in  1623,  married 
(first)  Dec.  22,  1652,  Joan  West,  born  in  1631. 
She  died  in  1676,  and  he  married  (second)  June 
21,  1677,  Rebecca  Russell.  Mr.  Coggeshall  was  of 
Newport  and  Portsmouth,  R.  I.  He  was  a member 
of  the  Society  of  Friends,  was  deputy  much  of  the 
time  from  1664  to  1672,  and  was  assistant  much 
of  the  time  from  1669  to  1676.  He  died  May  1, 
1688.  His  children,  all  born  to  the  first  marriage, 


930 


RHODE  ISLAND 


were:  Mary,  born  in  1655;  Joshua,  1656-  John, 
3:659 ; Josiah,  1662;  Daniel,  1665;  Humility,  1671; 
Caleb,  1672;  and  Isaac. 

(III)  Joshua  Coggeshall  (2),  son  of  Joshua, 

born  in  May,  1656,  in  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  married 
(first)  May  13,  1680,  Sarah.  She  died  March  20, 
1697,  and  he  married  (second)  Aug.  26,  1697, 
Sarah.  Mr.  Coggeshall  was  a resident  of  that- part 
of  Newport  which  became  Middletown,  and  near 
Portsmouth.  His  children  were:  Joshua,  born 
May  13,  1681  ; John,  Dec.  14,  1683;  Thomas, 
March  29,  1684;  Elizabeth,  March  29,  1686; 

Thomas,  June  24,  1688;  Josiah,  Dec.  12,  1690; 
Richard,  Feb.  11,  1692;  Mary,  March  15,  1695; 
Caleb,  July  25,  1698;  Sarah,  March  22,  1700; 
James,  March  17,  1701 ; a daughter,  Jan.  15, 

1703;  Benjamin,  Jan.  31,  1705;  Ann,  Nov.  18, 
1707;  Waite,  Jan.  11,  1709;  Comfort,  Aprd  22, 
1711  ; and  Benjamin  (2),  Nov.  15,  1714. 

(IV)  Thomas  Coggeshall,  born  June  24,  1688, 
in  Newport,  R.  I.,  married  March  11,  1708,  Mercy, 
born  in  1691,  daughter  of  Gideon  Freeborn,  and 
they  resided  in  Middletown,  R.  I.,  he  being  oc- 
cupied in  farming.  He  died  Jan.  26,  1771,  and 
she  passed  away  May  26,  1776;  both  are  buried 
in  the  Coggeshall  burying  ground  in  Middletown. 
Their  children  were : Elizabeth,  born  Aug.  30, 
1710;  Comfort,  Sept.  17,  1712;  Mercy,  June  30, 
1714;  Sarah,  Aug.  20,  1715;  Wait,  Jan.  4,  1717, 
Mary,  March  27,  1720;  Joshua,  March  11,  1722; 
Mercy,  Feb.  23,  1724;  Gideon,  April  20,  1726; 
Thomas,  Aug.  26,  1728;  and  Hannah,  May  20, 
I73i- 

(V)  Joshua  Coggeshall  (3),  born  March  11, 
1722,  in  Middletown,  R.  I.,  married  (first)  Jan.  12, 
1743,  Sarah  Bailey.  She  died  Nov.  4,  1750,  and  he 
married  (second),  Jan.  2,  1752,  Ann,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Dennis.  Mr.  Coggeshall  was  a farmer  of 
Middletown,  R.  I.  He  died  Sept.  24,  1786.  His 
children,  the  first  two  only  born  to  the  first  mar- 
riage, were:  Thomas,  born  Aug.  30,  1744;  Ruth, 
June  26,  1747;  Sarah,  Sept.  26,  1752;  Joseph,  Aug. 

16,  1754;  Elizabeth,  Oct.  14,  1756;  George,  March 

17,  l7 59  (died  Nov.  16,  1762)  ; Mary,  July  14, 
1761;  Mercy,  Sept.  14,  1762;  Ann,  June  1,  1764, 
and  George  (2),  June  10,  1767. 

(VI)  Joseph  Coggeshall,  son  of  Joshua  and 
Ann,  born  Aug.  16,  1754,  in  Middletown,  R.  I., 
married  Elizabeth  Horswell,  of  Little  Compton,  R. 
I.,  and  their  children  were:  Noel,  born  March 
31,  1777;  Ruth,  Aug.  27,  1780;  Joseph,- June  5, 
1783;  Anne,  Jan.  28,  1786;  Joshua,  Dec.  26,  1788; 
Sarah,  Sept.  18,  1791;  John  P.,  April  13,  1794; 
and  Abraham  C.,  March  15,  1797. 

(VII)  Joshua  Coggeshall,  son  of  Joseph  and 
Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  26,  1788,  on  the  old  Cogges- 
hall homestead  in  Middletown,  R.  I.,  married,  Nov. 
26,  1815,  Deborah,  daughter  of  John  and  Hannah 
Allen,  of  Middletown,  R.  I.  Mr.  Coggeshall 
through  an  unusually  long  life  was  one  of  the  most 
useful,  influential  and  prominent  men  of  his  town. 


When  in  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  in  Au- 
gust, 1812,  he  was  elected  second  deputy  to  the 
State  Assembly,  at  which  period  the  deputies  were 
chosen  twice  a year,  and  the  sessions  held  in  May 
and  October  of  each  year.  He  was  three  times 
elected  to  that  position,  serving  from  the  October 
session,  1812,  to  the  October  session  of  1814.  He 
was  again  elected  to  this  body  in  1832,  and  at  this 
time  he  was  the  oldest  official  connected  with  the 
State  government.  In  1816  he  was  elected  a mem- 
ber of  the  town  council  of  Middletown,  and  sus- 
tained such  relation  to  the  town  until  1839.  He 
was  then  chosen  town  clerk,  serving  from  1839  to 
1 873-74  with  “exemplary  precision  and  correct- 
ness.” His  record  was  a model  one.  His  fellow 
townsmen  often  sought  his  counsel  and  advice  in 
the  adjustment  of  their  difficulties,  domestic  differ- 
ences and  business  relations,  and  through  his  wise 
and  sagacious  management  were  saved  from  many 
unpleasant  feuds  and  from  unprofitable  litigation, 
and  the  town  of  Middletown  no  less  enjoyed  and 
profited  by  the  prudent  foresight  and  conservative 
teachings  of  him  who  for  nearly  fifty  years  ap- 
parently gave  a leading  direction  to  the  course  of 
the  administration  of  municipal  affairs. 

Mr.  Coggeshall  as  he  grew  up  on  the  farm 
assisting  his  father  with  its  work  received  a good 
elementary  education.  After  his  marriage  he  re- 
moved to  the  property  afterward  owned  by  his  son, 
David.  This  property  he  bought  and  improved. 
Later  in  life  he  became  owner  of  a portion  of  the 
more  recent  Albert  L.  Chase  farm.  Here  he  built 
the  house  in  which  he  died.  In  his  early  life  he  was 
a well  known  Whig,  but  subsequently  became  a 
Democrat.  He  worshiped  with  the  Friends,  but 
was  liberal  toward  all  denominations.  Mr.  Cogges- 
hall died  April  7,  1879,  in  the  ninety-first  year  of 
his  age.  His  children  were:  (1)  George  C.,  born 
Oct.  7,  1816,  is  mentioned  below.  (2)  David,  born 
Oct.  28,  1818,  married  Sarah  C.  Bailey,  and  is 
mentioned  below.  (3)  Hannah  M.,  born  Jan.  6, 
1820,  married  Qeorge  G.  Chase.  (4)  Anna  E., 
born  Nov.  2,  1822,  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years.  (5)  Sarah  D.,  born  Sept.  21,  1824,  married 
James  Chase,  and  died  at  her  home  in  Middletown, 
Nov.  30,  1906. 

(VIII)  George  C.  Coggeshall,  son  of  Joshua 
and  Deborah,  born  Oct.  7,  1816,  on  the  old  Cogge- 
shall -homestead,  in  Middletown,  R.  I.,  married  Dec. 
19,  1849,  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Pardon  Brown,  of 
Middletown.  Mr.  Coggeshall  received  the  benefit 
of  a good  education  with  the  excellent  Oliphant 
School  of  his  neighborhood.  He  was  reared  amid 
agricultural  pursuits  under  the  direction  of  his 
father,  and  by  inheritance  and  association  became 
possessed  of  many  of  the  fine  traits  of  character 
which  distinguished  the  father.  Soon  after  his 
marriage  Mr.  Coggeshall  removed  to  the  farm 
upon  which  he  ever  afterward  lived,  and  which 
was  later  the  home  of  his  widow,  and  is  now  owned 
and  operated  by  his  son  Francis  J.  Like  his  father 


RHODE  ISLAND 


93i 


Mr.  Coggeshall  was  one  of  the  most  useful  men 
of  his  community,  active  in  the  duties  of  citizenship 
and  prominent  in  the  public  affairs  of  his  town.  He 
was  for  seven  years  a member  and  president  of  the 
town  council  of  Middletown,  the  duties  of  which 
office  he  performed  with  signal  correctness.  In 
politics  he  was  a stanch  supporter  of  the  principles 
of  the  Democratic  party,  as  laid  down  by  Jefferson 
and  Jackson.  He  was  treasurer  of  the  Aquidneck 
Agricultural  Society  from  its  organization,  in  which 
he  took  an  active  part,  until  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  served  as  captain  of  the  Home  Guards  of  Mid- 
dletown, which  was  raised  as  an  emergency  organi- 
zation for  service  at  a critical  period  in  the  Civil 
war.  His  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Baptist 
denomination,  and  he  was  a consistent  member  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church  at  Newport.  “By  the 
constancy  and  purity  of  his  Christian  character,  by 
his  faithfulness  and  fidelity  in  his  discharge  of  pub- 
lic trusts,  and  by  his  fair,  honorable  and  courteous 
intercourse  with  his  fellows,  he  won  the  confidence, 
esteem  and  brotherly  regard  of  his  church,  his 
townsmen  and  all  who  knew  him.” 

Mr.  Coggeshall  died  at  his  farm  in  Middletown, 
R.  I.,  Jan.  31,  1873,  in  the  fifty-eighth  year  of  his 
age,  and  was  buried  in  the  old  Coggeshall  cemetery 
in  Middletown.  His  children  were : Joshua,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  C.,  daughter  of  Stephen  P.  Weaver; 
George,  who  died  Nov.  4,  1906, . married  (first) 
Alzada  J.  Weaver,  and  (second)  Sarah  G.  Weaver, 
both  of  whom  were  daughters  of  Stephen  P. 
Weaver;  Fillmore,  who  resides  in  Portsmouth,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  Brown;  Francis 
J. ; and  Lucy,  who  married  George  Anthony,  died 
in  Portsmouth.  The  mother  died  on  the  farm  April 
18,  1900,  and  was  buried  in  the  same  cemetery  in 
which  the  father  rests. 

(IX)  Francis  J.  Coggeshall,  youngest  son  of 
George  C.,  was  born  Aug.  14,  1859,  on  the  old 
homestead,  and  has  passed  all  his  days  there.  He 
received  the  advantages  afforded  by  the  Oliphant 
school,  acquiring  an  excellent  common  school  edu- 
cation, but  he  has  worked  from  an  early  age,  as  he 
was  only  fourteen  when  his  father  died.  He  worked 
out  for  farmers,  receiving  $14  a month  for  his 
services,  which  was  at  the  time  considered  good 
wages,  and  when  he  was  of  age  commenced  farm- 
ing on  his  own  account  on  the  old  home  place, 
which  he  now  owns  and  cultivates.  He  has  about 
forty  acres  of  valuable  land,  on  which  he  carries 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  giving  special 
attention  to  market  gardening.  This  line,  though 
it  requires  closer  attention  and  incessant  industry, 
is  one  of  the  most  remunerative  branches  of  farm- 
ing, and  Mr.  Coggeshall  has  found  a ready  market 
for  his  excellent  products  in  Newport.  He  is  en- 
terprising and  intelligent  in  his  work,  and  by  in- 
dustry has  attained  an  honorable  position  among 
the  substantial  and  respected  citizens  of  his  locality. 

Mr.  Coggeshall  was  married  April  3,  1881,  to 
Sarah  A.  Thurston,  daughter  of  Peleg  Thurston, 


of  Portsmouth,  and  one  child  has  been  born  to 
them,  Jeannette,  a graduate  of  the  Rogers  high 
school  of  Newport,  who,  April  24,  1907,  was  mar- 
ried to  Laurence  A.  Goffe,  of  Newport,  an  inspec- 
tor in  the  Engineering  Department  of  the  United 
States  Government.  The  family  attend  Holy  Cross 
Episcopal  Church,  in  Middletown.  Mr.  Coggeshall  ' 
is  a Democrat  in  political  sentiment,  but  he  is  in- 
dependent in  his  support  of  candidates  and  measures 
he  deems  important  to  the  public  welfare  and  ad- 
vancement. 

(VIII)  David  Coggeshall,  son  of  Joshua  and 
Elizabeth  Coggeshall,  was  born  Oct.  28,  1818,  on 
the  old  Coggeshall  homestead  in  Middletown,  R. 

I.  Here  he  wras  reared  to  the  life  of  a farmer  under 
the  direction  of  his  father,  one  of  the  most  capable 
tutors,  whose  exemplary  life  was  a model  one  and 
gave  shape  to  the  lives  of  many  of  the  young  men 
of  that  region  who  had  the  privilege  of  a knowl- 
edge of  the  man.  Young  David  worked  on  the 
farm  and  attended  schools  of  the  neighborhood, 
and  before  reaching  his  majority  was  well  fitted  for 
the  duties  of  life.  Agricultural  pursuits  were  con- 
genial to  his  tastes  and  so  his  life  was  that  of  a 
farmer  all  through.  He  finally,  in  1877,  came  into 
possession  of  the  homestead  farm  by  inheritance, 
and  successfully  continued  in  agricultural  pursuits 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  July  11,  1906,  after 
a brief  illness  at  the  venerable  age  of  nearly  eighty- 
eight  years.  Unlike  his  distinguished  and  honored 
father  and  his  brother,  Mr.  Coggeshall  rather 
shrank  from  holding  public  office,  and  although 
solicited,  almost  invariably  declined  the  use  of  his 
name  in  that  connection.  He  did,  however,  at  one 
time  serve  as  assistant  United  States  assessor.  His 
political  affiiliations  were  with  the  Democratic 
party,  although  in  town  affairs  he  always  took  a 
neutral  stand.  He  was  a regular  attendant  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  gave  liberally 
to  its  support.  Mr.  Coggeshall  served  for  a num- 
ber of  years  as  a member  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  Newport  National  Bank,  continuing  in  that 
capacity  until  his  death. 

On  March  20,  1851,  Mr.  Coggeshall  was  mar- 
ried to  Sarah  C.  Bailey,  daughter  of  George  I. 
Bailey  and  Mary  S.  Chase,  of  Middletown,  R.  I. 
This  union  was  blessed  by  children  as  follows:  (1) 
George  Bailey  was  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
management  of  the  homestead.  He  is  unmarried 
and  resides  at  home.  (2)  Elizabeth  Horswell, 
married  John  L.  Simmons,  of  Newport,  Sept.  3, 
1879.  They  reside  in  Middletown,  where  Mr. 
Simmons  is  engaged  in  farming  and  poultry  rais- 
ing, and  also  assisted  the  late  David  Coggeshall  in 
the  conduct  of  his  farm.  Their  children  are: 
Sarah  Coggeshall,  wife  of  Clarence  Thurston,  of 
Newport,  and  the  mother  of  one  son,  Benjamin 
Marshall;  George  Alvin;  Julia  Collins,  who  mar- 
ried Oct.  2,  1907,  James  Robert  Chase  2d,  of  Mid- 
dletown; David  Coggeshall;  John  L.,  Jr.;  and  Eliz- 
abeth. (3)  Harriet  Bailey  married  Arthur  C. 


932 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Chase,  a farmer  of  Portsmouth.  They  have  no 
children. 

David  Coggeshall  was  one  of  the  substantial 
farmers  of  Newport  County,  and  a man  of  ex- 
emplary as  well  as  positive  traits  of  character.  He 
won  general  respect  and  warm  esteem,  and  was  one 
’ of  the  best  known  of  the  older  inhabitants  of  Mid- 
dletown. He  was  not  only  kind,  sympathetic  and 
generous  in  his  impulses,  but  was  a man  of  many 
charitable  and  helpful  deeds,  who  will  be  long  and 
affectionately  remembered. 

WILLIAM  LARNED,  late  of  Woonsocket, 
was  a descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  and 
best  families  of  New  England,  his  first  ancestor 
in  America  being  William  Learned  (Larned  or 
Larnet),  one  of  the  earliest  of  the  name  on  this 
side  of  the  Atlantic. 

(I)  William  Learned  and  his  wife  Goodith 
(Goditha),  from  Bermondsey  Parish,  County  of 
Surrey,  England,  probably  came  to  New  Eng- 
land in  1632.  They  are  of  record  that  year  in 
Charlestown,  Mass.,  and  he  was  admitted  a free- 
man May  14,  1634.  Their  names  are  the  first 
two  on  the  list  of  the  members  of  the  present 
First  Church  of  Charlestown,  to  which  they  were 
admitted  “1632,  10  mo.,  day  6.”  Mr.  Learned 
figured  in  public  affairs,  and  was  selectman  in 
Charlestown  in  1635-36.  He  was  highly  es- 
teemed for  his  intelligence  and  virtue,  as  is  evi- 
denced by  his  appointment  with  others  of  the 
church  to  “consider  some  things  tending  towards 
a body  of  laws.”  He  was  a subscriber  to  the 
town  orders  from  Woburn,  drawn  up  at  Charles- 
town, Dec.  16,  1640;  was  one  of  the  seven  orig- 
inal members  of  the  church  in  Woburn,  which 
was  gathered  Aug.  .14,  1642-43;  was  one  of  the 
first  board  of  selectmen  chosen  in  1644,  and  was 
re-elected  the  following"  year.  He  was  also 
elected  constable  from  1644  to  1645.  He  died  in 
Woburn  March  1,  1645-46,  leaving  a widow.  His 
.children  were:  Sarah,  born  about  1608;  Bethia, 
baptized  Oct.  29,  1612;  Mary,  baptized  Sept.  15, 
1615;  Abigail,  baptized  Sept.  30,  1618;  Elizabeth, 
baptized  March  25,  1621  ; and  Isaac,  baptized 
Feb.  25,  1623-24. 

(II)  Isaac  Learned,  bapt.  (born?)  Feb.  23,  1623, 
in  Bermondsey  Parish,  County  of  Surrey,  Eng- 
land, was  probably  seven  or  eight  years  old 
when  he  came  to  New  England,  and  when  about 
seventeen  or  eighteen  went  with  his  father  to 
Woburn.  He  married  at  Woburn,  July  9,  1646, 
Mary,  daughter  of  Isaac  Stearnes,  of  Watertown. 
She  was  a native  of  England,  baptized  Jan.  26, 
1626,  in  the  Parish  of  Nayland,  Suffolk.  Mr. 
Learned  sold  his  property  in  Woburn  in  1652 
and  removed  to  Chelmsford,  where  he  died  Nov. 
27,  t65 7.  He  was  chosen  selectman  of  Chelms- 
ford in  1654,  sergeant  of  the  train  band  in  1656, 
and  served  on  committees,  etc.  His  widow, 
Mary,  was  married  June  7,  1662,  to  John  Burg, 


and  died  probably  within  a year  and  a half  after- 
ward. Isaac  Learned’s  children  were:  Mary, 
born  Aug.  7,  1647;  Hannah,  Aug.  24,  1649;  Wil- 
liam, Oct.  1,  1650  (all  born  at  Woburn)  ; Sarah, 
Oct.  18,  1653;  Isaac,  Sept.  16,  1655;  and  Benoni, 
Nov.  29,  1657  (all  born  at  Chelmsford). 

(III)  Isaac  Learned  (2),  born  at  Chelmsford 
Sept.  16,  1655,  died  Sept.  15,  1737.  He  married, 
July  23,  1679,  Sarah  Bigelow,  who  was  born 
Sept.  29,  1659,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Warner)  Bigelow,  of  Watertown ; she  was  de- 
scended from  William  the  Conqueror.  They  set- 
tled in  Framingham,  near  Learned’s  Pond,  which 
was  so  named  from  him.  As  a soldier  he  took 
part  in  the  Narragansett  fight,  and  was  wounded. 
He  served  in  Captain  Davenport’s  Company. 
He  was  received  as  an  inhabitant  of  Sherborn, 
Mass.,  in  April,  1679 — Framingham  not  then  be- 
ing a town  ; he  figured  in  the  incorporation  of 
Framingham  in  1699-1700.  He  was  selectman 
in  1698,  1706  and  1 7 1 1 , and  fence  viewer  in 
1681-82.  His  children  were:  Isaac,  born  May 

10,  1680;  Sarah,  March  16,  1682;  Abigail,  March 

11,  1684;  Mary,  April  12,  1686;  William,  Feb. 

12,  1688;  Ebenezer,  Aug.  31,  1690;  Samuel,  Oct. 
4,  1692  ; Hannah,  Sept.  16,  1694;  Elizabeth,  July 
27,  1696;  Moses,  April  29,  1699;  and  Martha, 
May  21,  1702. 

(IV)  William  Learned  (2),  son  of  Isaac  (2), 
born  Feb.  12,  1688,  in  Chelmsford,  was  the  ances- 
tor in  direct  line  of  the  branches  of  the  family 
in  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut.  On  Nov.  24, 
1715,  he  married  Hannah  Bryant,  born  in 
1696-97,  daughter  of  Simon  and  Hannah  Bryant, 
of  Killingly,  Conn.  (formerly  of  Braintree, 
Mass.)  Mr.  Learned  had  removed  from  Fram- 
ingham to  Killingly,  purchasing  land  in  what 
is  now  Putnam,  in  1712.  Later  he  removed  to 
Sutton,  where  he  lived  for  a time,  being  one  of 
the  original  members  of  the  church  there  in  1720. 
He  later  (1721)  bought  land  in  Killingly,  and 
probably  removed  there.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  church  in  Thompson,  Conn.,  in  1731 
(Thompson  Parish  had  formerly  been  the  North 
Society  of  Killingly).  He  was  chosen  a deacon 
in  1742.  He  was  surveyor  of  highways  in  1729: 
selectman  from  1740  to  1744,  and  town  treasurer 
from  1742  to  1746.  He  died  June  11,  1747.  His 
widow,  Hannah,  married  Oct.  17,  1755,  Joseph 
Leavens.  Mr.  Learned’s  children  were:  Han- 
nah; Samuel,  born  Dec.  28,  1718;  Simon,  Feb. 
10,  1721  ; Ebenezer.  March  11,  1723;  William. 
April  15,  1725 ; Abijah,  April  26,  1729;  James, 
Dec.  24,  1733;  and  Asa,  March  29,  1736. 

(V)  William  Learned  (3),  born  April  15, 
1725,  married  Dec.  12,  1754,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Da- 
vis) Mayo,  of  Oxford,  Mass.  Mr.  Learned  re- 
ceived from  his  father’s  estate  half  the  house, 
but  sold  out  in  a few  years  to  Isaac  Park  and  re- 
moved to  Oxford,  where  all  his  children  were 
born.  He  finally  settled  in  Dudley,  Mass.,  where 


O' 


RHODE  ISLAND 


933 


✓ 


he  died  May  15,  1806.  He  held  the  rank  of  major 
in  Col.  Jonathan  Holman’s  Regiment,  on  the 
alarm  list,  1776.  His  children  were:  Lucy,  born 
Oct.  6,  1755;  William,  born  Feb.  11,  1758;  Lucy, 
born  Dec.  9,  1759;  Thomas,  born  Jan.  5,  1762; 
Ruth,  born  Jan.  5,  1764;  Dolly,  born  Dec.  15, 
1766;  and  Elizabeth. 

(VI)  Thomas  Learned,  born  Jan.  5,  1762, 
married  May  12,  1785,  Hannah,  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Morris,  and  they  resided  in  Dudley,  Mass. 
Mr.  Learned  enlisted  July  10,  1779,  in  Capt. 
Thomas  Fish’s  Company;  again  joined  a com- 
pany at  Springfield,  July  I,  1780,  under  Ensign 
Joseph  Miller.  He  died  June  15,  1848.  His  chil- 
dren were:  Morris,  born  May  23,  1786;  William, 
born  in  December,  1789;  Hannah;  Eliza;  and 
Dolly,  born  about  1797. 

(VII)  Morris  Learned,  born  May  23,  1786, 
married  Nov.  25,  1810,  Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  7, 
1790,  daughter  of  Dr.  John  Elliot  Eaton,  of  Dud- 
ley, Mass.,  and  they  were  residents  of  that  town. 
Mr.  Learned  was  over  ninety  years  old  when  he 
died,  and  his  wife  lived  to  be  over  a hundred, 
dying  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I.  Their  children  were: 
Elizabeth,  born  Sept.  12,  1811;  Elizabeth  Davis, 
born  Feb.  16,  1813 ; Thomas  Morris,  born  Dec. 
8,  1814;  John  Elliot  Eaton,  born  Aug.  31,  1816; 
Hannah  Maria,  born  Sept.  3,  1818;  Ursula  Paine, 
born  Oct.  7,  1820:  William,  born  Sept.  5,  1822; 
Cordelia  Waldo,  born  Dec.  27,  1826;  Harriet 
Knight,  born  May  10,  1828;  Sarah  Williams, 
born  Dec.  25,  1829;  Frederick,  born  Nov.  26, 
1830,  and  George  Bowen,  born  April  28,  1834. 

(VIII)  William  Larned,  son  of  Morris  and 
Elizabeth  (Eaton),  was  born  at  Dudley  Sept. 
25  (°r  5).  1822.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native 
place  and  there  received  his  education.  When  a 
young  man  he  went  to  Webster,  Mass.,  entering 
the  counting-room  of  Samuel  Slater  & Son, 
where  he  remained  for  some  time,  later  finding 
employment  in  Providence,  R.  I.  During  the 
gold  fever  of  1849  he  followed  the  example  of 
the  thousands  who  went  to  California  to  engage 
in  prospecting,  and  spent  a short  time  there,  re- 
turning to  New  England.  But  later  he  again 
went  West,  this  time  to  Colorado,  locating  at 
Denver,  where  he  remained  for  a quarter  of  a 
century  or  more,  during  which  he  was  agent  for 
the  California  Powder  Company  and  also  had 
mining  interests.  In  1899  he  came  back  to  New 
England,  and  thereafter  made  his  residence  at 
Woonsocket,  which  had  been  the  early  home  of 
his  wife.  There  he  died  April  23,  1904,  and  he 
was  buried  in  Oak  Hill  cemetery. 

Mr.  Larned  was  a man  who  won  friends  and 
respect  in  every  community  in  which  he  lived, 
and  though  not  long  a resident  of  Woonsocket 
had  a wide  circle  of  acquaintances  who  esteemed 
him  for  his  high  character  and  honorable  life.  He 
was  a good  citizen,  a devoted  husband  and 
father,  and  an  attendant  of  the  Universalist 


Church,  in  whose  doctrines  he  believed  thor- 
oughly,  endeavoring  to  practice  them  in  his  daily 
walk  in  life. 

In  1853  Mr.  Larned  married  Elizabeth  Cook, 
who  was  born  in  Woonsocket,  daughter  of  James 
Madison  Cook,  and  a member  of  one  of  the  best 
families  of  that  town.  Two  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larned,  a son  that  died  in  in- 
fancy and  a daughter,  Mary  Cook.  The  latter 
received  her  education  in  the  Woonsocket  high 
school  and  at  Wellesley  College,  Wellesley, 
Mass.,  and  was  married  June  26.  1901,  at  the 
Larned  home  in  Woonsocket,  to  David  Lyman. 
They  reside  with  Mrs.  Larned  at  the  old  home 
of  the  family  on. Social  street,  Woonsocket,  orig- 
inally the  Cook  homestead,  the  house  having 
been  built  in  the  early  twenties  during  the  last 
century  by  Smith  Arnold.  It  is  a fine  double 
house,  and  was  one  of  the  first  dwellings  on  the 
street.  Mrs.  Larned  and  her  daughter  are  both 
charter  members  of  the  Woonsocket  Chapter  of 
the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  of 
which  Mrs.  Lyman  was  the  first  register.  She 
served  as  regent  of  the  chapter,  in  1898,  1899  and 
1900,  and  as  such  represented  it  in  national  con- 
vention, attending  the  one  held  at  Washington, 
D.  C.,  as  well  as  other  national  meetings.  Mrs. 
Larned  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lyman  are  all  attend- 
ants of  the  Lmiversalist  Church  and  much  re- 
spected members  of  the  community  in  which 
they  reside  and  in  the  social  life  of  which  they 
take  a prominent  part.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lyman 
have  traveled  extensively  in  Europe,  visiting  all 
the  places  of  interest  to  the  tourist  and  student, 
and  satisfying  their  artistic  tastes  and  love  for 
the  beautiful  in  exploring  the  treasures  of  the 
old  world. 

James  Madison  Cook,  the  father  of  Mrs. 
Larned,  was  throughout  his  life  one  of  the  best 
known  citizens  of  Woonsocket.  He  was  a mem- 
ber of  a prominent  family  of  this  section,  being 
a brother  of  the  late  Willis  and  Lyman  Cook, 
formerly  the  most  widely  known  business  men 
of  northern  Rhode  Island.  A complete  history 
of  the  family  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Mr.  Cook  was  born  in  1809  on  Cumberland 
Hill,  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  and  was  the  youngest 
of  six  children — three  sons  and  three  daughters 
— born  to  Levi  Cook.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  local  public  schools  and  a select  school ; 
and  when  a young  man  taught  school  in  his  na- 
tive town  for  some  little  time.  After  giving  up 
that  profession  he  moved  to  the  village  of  Woon- 
socket Falls,  in  1830,  and  entered  the  employ 
of  Smith  Arnold  & Co.,  cotton  manufacturers, 
working  in  the  carding  room.  He  soon  acquired 
a knowledge  of  the  manufacturing  business,  and 
after  holding  the  position  of  superintendent  of 
a cotton  mill  became  a manufacturer  himself, 
becoming  interested  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton 
goods  with  his  brothers.  He  served  many  years 


934 


RHODE  ISLAND 


as  superintendent  of  the  mill.  He  finally  retired 
from  business,  and  afterward  filled  the  position 
of  collector  of  internal  revenue  during  the  Civil 

war. 

Mr.  Cook  was  originally  a Whig  and  after- 
ward a Republican  in  political  opinion,  and  he 
was  influential  in  the  councils  of  his  party  and  a 
popular  candidate  for  office  on  several  occasions. 
He.  served  in  the  town  council  and  as  representa- 
tive to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State.  Pro- 
gressive and  public-spirited,  he  took  an  active 
and  conspicuous  part  in  the  early  growth  and 
prosperity  of  Woonsocket,  and  was  identified 
with  a number  of  projects  intended  to  promote 
the  advancement  of  that  place.  He  was  a prom- 
inent member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  both 
the  Producers’  Savings  Bank  and  the  old  Woon- 
socket Institution  for  Savings.  He  was  a well- 
known  member  of  the  Universalist  Society  and 
at  one  time  served  as  vice-superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school  of  that  denomination.  Active  in 
every  cause  or  undertaking  in  which  he  became 
interested,  he  always  used  his  influence  for  good, 
and  thus  he  was  one  of  the  best  known  and  most 
respected  men  of  his  day,  doing  his  full  duty  in 
every  relation  of  life  as  he  saw  it.  To  those 
who  knew  the  full  meaning  of  this  to  a man  of 
his  sterling  character  and  broad  outlook  it  was 
apparent  that  when  Mr.  Cook  endeavored  to  do 
his  best  it  meant  that  the  best  possible  would  be 
done. 

In  1833,  in  Woonsocket,  Mr.  Cook  married 
Susan  Hall  Arnold,  daughter  of  Smith  and  Mary 
(Earle)  Arnold,  the  former  a well-known  mer- 
chant of  Woonsocket.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cook 
moved  at  once  into  the  house  at  what  is  now 
No.  58  Social  street  where  they  ever  afterward 
remained,  and  there  Mr.  Cook  died  Nov.  23,  1890, 
reaching  the  ripe  age  of  eighty-one  years,  nine 
months,  seven  days.  Airs.  Cook  survived  him, 
passing  away  at  the  old  home  July  2,  1899,  and 
both  are  buried  in  Oak  Hill  cemetery.  Airs. 
Cook  was  a noble  Christian  woman,  noted  for 
her  kindness  of  heart  and  benevolent  disposition, 
and  she  had  many  friends  in  the  community  in 
which  her  life  was  spent.  To  Mr.  and  Airs.  Cook 
were  born  seven  children,  namely:  Elizabeth 
Earl,  born  April  I,  1835,  the  widow  of  William 
Larned  ; Smith  Arnold,  born  Feb.  19,  1837,  who 
died  in  infancy;  Alary  A.,  born  Sept.  24,  1838, 
who  died  in  infancy;  Tames  Smith,  born  Oct. 
27,  1842,  deceased;  Theodore  M.  (deceased), 
born  Oct.  22,  1839,  who  was  a well-known 
banker  of  Woonsocket;  Joseph  A.,  born  Oct.  25, 
1841,  who  died  young;  and  Su^an  Hortense, 
born  June  4,  1844,  who  married  Lyman  Boyn- 
ton, both  being  now  deceased. 

In  the  death  of  James  Aladison  Cook  Woon- 
socket lost  one  of  its  most  prominent  citizens 
and  able  business  men.  One  who  knew  him  well 
said  of  him  : “Mr.  Cook  had  a noble  presence,  na- 


ture having  been  generous  toward  him.  He  was 
tall,  erect,  vigorous,  manly.  His  dark  eye  be- 
neath a jutting  forehead  always  beamed  with  the 
light  of  a proud  and  genial  good-heartedness. 
Whether  you  met  him  at  his  home,  or  on  the 
street,  or  in  the  banking  room,  he  was  the  same 
cordial,  dignified,  intelligent  gentleman,  ready 
with  a happy  greeting,  ready  with  the  latest 
news,  or  some  bright  word  of  current  wit  or 
good  humor.  His  full  and  accurate  information 
ever  made  him  a valuable  counselor.  He  was  en- 
terprising, but  he  was  conservative,  desiring  to 
move  on  safe  lines.  Kindly,  merry  with  his 
friends,  he  could  not  be  turned  a hair’s  breadth 
from  the  course  that  seemed  to  him  just  and 
right.  He  was  honest,  inflexible,  incorruptible. 
When  one  speaks  of  such  a man  it  is  hardly 
possible  to  refrain  from  language  which  to  stran- 
gers will  seem  like  extravagance,  and  yet  were 
I to  say  all  I know,  and  all  there  is  in  my  heart 
of  loving  and  honorable  memory,  I am  sure  no 
one  could  rise  up  on  earth  and  mention  any  de- 
fect in  the  integrity  of  this  man.  Fearlessly  his 
friends  lay  the  laurels  of  a life  well  lived  upon 
his  grave.  He  bore  amongst  us  a spotless  repu- 
tation and  all  the  years  he  seemed  to  us  to  be 
climbing  to  new  heights  of  excellence.  Since 
his  son,  Theodore  M.,  and  his  daughter.  Airs. 
Boynton,  died,  all  who  met  Air.  Cook  could  see 
he  carried  a bleeding  heart.  His  home,  his  wife 
and  children  were  unspeakably  dear  to  him. 
There  he  was  happy,  entirely  happy.  No  trace 
of  wrong  or  unkindness  could  anyone  ever  dis- 
cover there,  and  when  death  entered  those  doors 
and  bore  his  dear  ones  away  it  left  an  anguish 
that  words  cannot  describe.  To  this  great  sorrow 
sorrow  has  been  added  these  last  three  or  more 
years  almost  intolerable  physical  sufferings, 
and  yet  he  has  borne  up  with  a surprising,  al- 
most a pathetic,  fortitude.  If  commended  for  his 
patience  or  courage,  he  has  depreciated  it  with  a 
gentle  modesty  and  humility.  He  has  seemed 
to  say,  it  is  our  duty  to  suffer  and  trust,  if  called 
to  do  so,  and  not  complain.  He  has  tried  to  be 
cheerful  and  let  his  suffering  cloud  as  little  as 
possible  the  lives  of  the  beloved  around  him, 
and  he  has  wonderfully  succeeded,  so  that  it  is 
a delight  and  an  inspiration  to  think  of  him  in 
these  later  and  supposedly  darker  days  like  a 
victor,  going  up  to  the  ‘many  mansions’  hero- 
ically, beautifully.  How  largely  Air.  Cook’s  self- 
control,  serenity,  grace  and  goodness  were  the 
outcome  of  his  faith  I dare  not  attempt  to  say. 
His  motto  was  not  exactly  that  of  the  old  Greek 
and  Roman  school,  ‘one  world  at  a time,’  but 
rather  ‘Do  your  duty  in  this  world,  and  it  must 
be  well.’  What  sentiment  reveals  a nobler  mind 
than  this?  It  was  his  firm  purpose  that  shone  in 
his  business,  in  his  home,  in  his  life,  and  gave  it 
consistency  and  beauty,  kept  him  in  the  hour  of 
temptation  and  supported  him  in  affliction. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Death  had  no  terrors  for  him.  Just  a little  be- 
fore the  silver  cord  was  loosened  he  said  to  the 
daughter,  who  sat  by  his  side,  ‘Oh,  how  I would 
like  to  lift  the  curtain  and  see  what  is  beyond. 
Would  it  not  be  comforting?’  The  curtain  has 
been  raised  by  angel  hands  and  he  has  passed 
behind  it.  His  home,  the  church  which  he  loved, 
the  city  which  'lie  honored,  are  left  to  mourn  his 
loss.  But  in  his  memory  we  have  much  to  be 
thankful  for.  If  in  modern  days,  if  in  such  a 
press  and  throng  of  temptations,  he  could  resist 
the^  evil,  could  keep  up  his  integrity,  and  win 
such  a life,  assuredly  we,  our  young  men  and  our 
young  women  may  make  of  this  eager  life  an 
arena  of  victorious  moral  combat,  a theatre  of 
noble  acting,  a field  of  triumphant  strength  and 
noble  victory.  Earnestly  do  we  commend  to  his 
bereaved  wife  and  daughter  and  the  sorrowing 
family  circle  the  consolation  of  religion,  and  to 
them  extend  the  expression  of  our  profound  sym- 
pathy.”— W. 

CROSS  (Providence  family).  The  early  home 
of  the  Rhode  Island  Cross  family  was  in  the  town 
of  Westerly  and  one  of  the  towns  coming  out  of 
that  territory — Charlestown,  and  in  those  towns 
the  family  has  been  continuous  to  the  present,  and 
prominent.  One  or  more  branches  of  the  family 
of  the  locality  named  removed  to  Providence, 
where  a number  of  the  name  have  given  a good 
account  of  themselves. 

It  is  a family  tradition  that  the  Crosses  from 
the  locality  named  spring  from  John  Cross,  who, 
with  his  brother  Ralph,  came  from  Scotland.  In 
the  town  of  Westerly  are  recorded  the  births  of 
Samuel,  Joseph,  John,  William,  Susannah  and  Ed- 
ward Cross,  as  born  between  the  years  1724  and 
1735,  respectively,  their  parents’  name  being  omit- 
ted ; while  in  the  town  of  Charlestown  the  vital 
record  of  the  family  begins  with  the  family  of  Peleg 
Cross  and  his  wife  Mary.  The  former  was  born 
Dec.  6,  1723,  and  died  Dec.  27,  1812;  and  the  latter 
was  born  July  30,  1735,  and  died  May  27,  1812. 
Their  children  of  town  record  were : Mary,  born 
May  1,  1755;  Thankful,  born  Sept.  7,  1757;  Peleg, 
born  June  24,  1739;  Mercy,  born  April  28,  1761; 
Anna,  born  Dec.  8,  1763;  and  Rubamah,  born  July 
27,  1767.  Peleg  Cross,  the  father,  was  admitted  a 
freeman  of  the  Colony  at  the  April  session  of  the 
General  Assembly.  1743,  and  his  name  appears  as 
a member  of  the  Colonial  Assembly  from  Charles- 
town in  1767. 

Peleg  Cross  (2),  son  of  Peleg  and  Marv,  born 
June  24,  1759,  of  Charlestown  town  record,  mar- 
ried in  1781,  Catey,  daughter  of  John  Congdon,  of 
Charlestown,  and  their  children  of  town  record 
were:  Mary,  born  Nov.  29,  1781;  Sarah,  born 
March  31,  1783:  Peleg,  born  Dec.  17,  1784:.  Catey 
C.,  born  Dec.  26,  1786;  John  C.,  born  March  26, 
1789:  Nathaniel  L.,  born  March  21,  1791;  Benja- 
min C.,  born  March  26,  1793  ; Joseph  IT,  born  May 


935 

28,  1797;  Celia,  born  May  31,  1800;  and  George 
W.,  born  Oct.  22,  1802. 

Nathaniel  L.  Cross,  son  of  Peleg  and  Catey 
(Congdon)  Cross,  born  March  21,  1791,  in  1813 
married  Dorcas  Cross. 

William  J.  Cross,  son  of  Nathaniel  L.  and  Dor- 
cas, born  March  1,  1814,  in  the  town  of  Westerly, 
R.  I.,  married  Frances  Ellison.  He  died  in  Provi- 
dence July  15,  1885,  aged  seventy-one  years,  and 
she  died  Oct.  30,  1901,  aged  eighty-six  years. 

During  his  early  childhood  Mr.  Cross  lived 
with  his  grandparents  in  Charlestown,  R.  I.  At 
the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  entered  the  Plainfield 
Academy,  a famous  institution  in  those  days,  and 
was  graduated  at  the  age  of  eighteen.  He  then 
came  to  Providence,  where  he  passed  the  remainder 
of  his  life  in  active  business  as  a merchant  and 
manufacturer.  For  a time  after  his  arrival  in  the 
city  he  worked  for  William  A.  Robinson,  dealer 
in  sperm  oil,  on  South  Water  street;  subsequently 
he  was  of  the  firm  of  Hill,  Carpenter  & Co.,  wool 
dealers  and  mill  Stockers.  He  first  engaged  in 
woolen  and  worsted  manufacture  with  William 
Hudson  and  Joseph  Carpenter  in  the  Elm  Street 
Woolen  Mills,  and  later  as  a member  of  the  firnr 
of  Carpenter  & Cross,  running  the  Valley  Worsted 
Mills  on  Eagle  street.  Mr.  Cross  was  an  active 
member  of  the  Richmond  Street  Congregational 
Church,  and  later  with  other  residents  of  the  East 
Side  was  a charter  member  of  the  Central  Congre- 
gational Church,  of  which  he  was  a deacon  for 
many  years. 

To  William  Jones  and  Frances  (Ellison)  Cross 
were  born  two  sons  and  one  daughter : ( 1 ) Wil- 
liam Ellison,  born  Sept.  5,  1852,  was  during  his 
active  life  connected  with  the  Valley  Worsted 
Mills.  He  died  at  Asheville,  N.  C.,  April  23,  1891. 
(2)  Frances  Maria,  born  Aug.  9,  1854,  died  July 
25,  1885.  On  Nov.  27,  1877,  she  was  married  to 
Rev.  Thomas  D.  Anderson,  Jr.,  and  they  had  two 
sons,  Clifford  Spence  and  Francis  Maurice.  (3) 
John  Alexander. 

John  Alexander  Cross,  born  Feb.  2,  1857, 
was  educated  in  Providence,  attending  the  public 
schools,  University  Grammar  School  and  Brown 
University,  where  he  was  a member  of  the  Alpha 
Delta  Phi  Fraternity.  He  then  became  engaged  in 
the  manufacturing  business  at  the  Valley  Worsted 
Mills,  and  there  remained  until  1898,  being  secre- 
tary of  that  corporation.  Mr.  Cross  in  1898  became 
interested  in  the  Diamond  Machine  Company,  of 
Providence,  R.  I.,  of  which  he  was  treasurer  until 
1902,  when  he  became  the  New  England  manager 
of  the  Manufacturers’  Commercial  Company  of 
New  York.  In  May,  1906,  he  organized  the  Mer- 
cantile Advance  Company,  of  which  he  is  president 
and  treasurer. 

On  Nov.  12,  1884,  Mr.  Cross  married  Grace 
Lillian  Reed,  daughter  of  Amos  Newton  and  Sarah 
Elizabeth  Reed,  of  North  Abington,  Mass.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cross  have  come  one  son  and  one 


936 


RHODE  ISLAND 


daughter,  born  as  follows : Marguerite,  Dec.  25, 
1885;  and  Ralph  Newton,  June  16,  1892.  Mr. 
Cross  is  a member  of  the  Central  Congregational 
Church,  University  Club,  Providence  Art  Club  and 
the  Sprague  House  Association,  of  which  latter  he 
is  a director. 

SPOONER  (Providence  family).  An  ancient 
Massachusetts  family,  one  of  approximately  two 
hundred  and  seventy  years’  standing,  the  Spooners 
have  been  for  generations  numerous  and  prominent 
in  that  part  of  the  State  adjacent  to  Rhode  Island ; 
and  from  it  have  sprung  many  prominent  and  dis- 
tinguished descendants  in  other  states.  For  several 
generations  there  has  been  a Providence  family, 
descended  from  the  same  American  ancestor, 
prominently  identified  with  both  the  city  and  the 
State  of  Rhode  Island.  Reference  is  made  especi- 
ally to  the  late  Joshua  Spooner,  for  years  one  of 
the  leading  wholesale  merchants  of  Providence,  and 
to  his  son,  Hon.  Henry  J.  Spooner,  one  of  the 
leading  lawyers  of  the  State,  citizen  soldier  and 
public  man,  of  a long  and  honorable  career  as 
legislator,  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  the  Rhode  Island  General  Assembly,  mem- 
ber of  the  United  States  Congress,  etc.  It  is  with 
this  Providence  branch  of  the  Spooner  family  that 
this  article  deals.  The  arrangement  in  the  follow- 
ing genealogy  and  family  history  is  chronological, 
beginning  with  the  immigrant  settler. 

(I)  William  Spooner  is  of  record  at  New 
Plymouth,  Mass.,  in  1637,  then  probably  in  his 
minority.  He  was  admitted  a freeman  June  6, 
1654,  and  at  that  time  was  appointed  a surveyor 
of  highways.  About  1660  he  removed  from 
Plymouth  to  the  new  settlement  at  Acushnet,  in 
the  Dartmouth  Purchase,  in  which  he  held  lands. 
He  married  (first)  Elizabeth  Partridge,  who  died 
April  28,  1648,  and  (second),  March  18,  1652, 
Hannah  Pratt.  One  child  was  born  to  the  first 
marriage,  and  eight  children  to  the  second.  Mr. 
Spooner  died  in  March,  1683-84. 

(II)  William  Spooner  (2),  a farmer  and  resi- 
dent of  Acushnet,  married  in  1690,  Mrs.  Alice 
Blackwell,  who  was  born  in  1656,  widow  of  John 
Blackwell  and  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Sarah 
(Walker)  Warren.  Mr.  Spooner  was  frequently 
chosen  to  town  offices.  He  was  a lieutenant  in  the 
militia,  and  with  his  wife  was  a member  of  Roches- 
ter Church.  He  was  living  Oct.  27,  1735;  his  wife 
died  prior  to  that  time.  Their  children  were  eight 
in  number. 

(III)  Benjamin  Spooner,  born  March  31, 
1691,  married  Nov.  29,  1716,  Joanna  Tobey,  born 
May  22,  1697,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Abia  Tobey. 
His  second  wife’s  name  was  Zeruiah.  Eight  chil- 
dren were  born  to  the  first  marriage  and  three  to 
the  second. 

Benjamin  Spooner’s  early  educational  advan- 
tages, it  is  said,  were  limited  to  what  could  be 
had  in  the  schools  of  the  neighborhood  during  the 


winter  months  and  confined  to  his  early  boyhood 
years.  However,  they  were  sufficient  to  lead  him 
to  a higher  self-culture ; and  reading,  observation, 
adaptability  to  apply  and  use,  made  him  in  man- 
hood one  of  the  most  cultured  men  of  the 
places  in  which  he  lived.  His  influence  through 
life  was  given  to  all  enterprises  that  looked  to  the 
welfare  of  his  fellowmen,  and  carried  with  it  the 
high  respect  of  all  who  knew  him.  Soon  after  at- 
taining his  majority  he  ^went  to  Sandwich,  Mass., 
where  he  was  married.  About  1720  he  removed 
from  Sandwich  to  Middleborough,  Mass.,  where 
he  purchased  a large  tract  of  land  bordering  on 
what  has  since  been  known  as  Elder’s  pond,  in 
that  part  of  the  town  now  known  as  Lakeville,  and 
there  he  lived  a long  and  useful  life.  He  died  in 
1783. 

(IV)  Samuel  Spooner,  a native  of  Middle- 
borough,  Mass.,  married  Abby  Wilkinson  and  lived 
in  the  town  of  his  birth.  He  was  a man  of  fine 
scholarly  attainments,  and  gave  his  life  to  teach- 
ing, making  mathematics  a specialty.  He  taught 
in  Plymouth  and  Bristol  counties.  Mass.  His 
death  occurred  prior  to  1793.  His  children  were 
Joshua  and  James,  born,  respectively,  July  26,  1772, 
and  July  27,  1774. 

(V)  James  Spooner,  born  July  27,  1774,  mar- 
ried Nov.  2,  1797,  Sally  Luther,  born  May  3,  1775, 
daughter  of  Capt.  Benjamin  and  Rebecca  Luther. 
Mr.  Spooner  was  a farmer,  of  Dighton,  Mass.  He 
died  Oct.  9,  1822,  his  wife  Sally  on  Oct.  7,  1851. 
Their  children  were : Jonathan,  born  Aug.  20, 
1798,  was  lost  at  sea  when  a young  man;  Joseph 
T.,  born  June  21,  1801,  died  Aug.  21,  1809;  Joshua 
was  born  Nov.  8,  1803 ; Sally,  born  Dec.  10,  1805, 
died  Sept.  18,  1808;  Maria,  born  July  5,  1808, 
died  Aug.  31,  1811;  Sally  M.,  born  Oct.  29,  1811, 
married  Rufus  D.  Carver,  and  died  at  an  advanced 
age  in  New  Jersey;  Charles,  born  April  25,  1813, 
died  Oct.  13,  1828;  Abby,  born  Oct.  3,  1815,  mar- 
ried George  Waters,  and  died  at  Somerset,  Mass., 
April  10,  1904;  Eliza,  born  Nov.  24,  1819,  died 
Dec.  8,  1843. 

(VI)  Joshua  Spooner, ffiorn  Nov.  8,  1803,  in  the 
town  of  Dighton,  Mass.,  became  a wholesale  dry- 
goods  merchant  of  Providence,  where  for  many  years 
he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  being  succes- 
sively a member  of  the  firms  of  Watson  & Spooner, 
Spooner  & Draper,  and  Larned,  Carr  & Spooner. 
He  was  a man  of  great  probity  of  character,  pru- 
dent and  honorable  in  business,  and  greatly  re- 
spected and  esteemed  for  his  many  virtues.  Mr. 
Spooner  married  Dec.  7,  1831,  Ann  Crawford 
Noyes,  who  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  May 
6,  1808,  daughter  of  Capt.  John  Miller  and  Abijah 
(Updike)  Noyes,  and  died  April  20,  1876.  She 
was  a woman  of  intelligence  and  of  fine  literary 
taste  and  culture,  descending  maternally  from  the 
distinguished'  L’pdike  family  of  Rhode  Island,  her 
grandfather  being  John  Updike,  who  married  Ann 
Crawford  Nov.  13*  1760.  Abijah  (Updike)  Noyes 


RHODE  ISLAND 


937 


was  born  Nov.  27,  1778,  and  died  Nov.  29,  1834. 
John  Miller  Noyes,  the  father  of  Ann  Crawford 
Noyes,  was  a sea  captain,  owning  and  commanding 
ships  voyaging  to  foreign  parts — Europe,  the  East 
and  West  Indies,  South  America,  etc.,  and  was  a 
man  of  much  ability  and  culture,  and  of  marked 
musical  and  artistic  tastes  and  accomplishments. 
Bv  his  wife  Abijah  he  had  eight  children,  one  of 
whom — Samuel  Miller  Noyes,  born  Aug.  22,  1812, 
and  died  June  10,  1888 — was  a prominent  citizen 
of  Providence.  John  Miller  Noyes  married  (sec- 
ond) Jessie  McAuslin,  of  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  by 
whom  he  had  two  sons:  John  Miller,  who  died 
in  infancy,  and  Charles  McWalter  B.  (“Charles 
Me”  was  subsequently  dropped  by  him  from  his 
name),  born  May  10,  1837,  and  died  Dec.  5,  1885, 
who  was  an  Episcopalian  clergyman,  living  in 
Providence  (where  he  graduated  from  Brown  Uni- 
versity in  1858),  in  New  York  City,  and  in  Venice, 
Italy,  where  he  was  United  States  consul  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  John  Miller  Noyes  died  in  Wil- 
mington, N.  C.,  Oct.  21,  1842. 

Joshua  Spooner  died  Oct.  20,  1869,  at  his  home 
in  Providence,  R.  I.  The  children  of  Joshua  and 
Ann  C.  Spooner  were:  (1)  James  N.,  died  in 
infancy.  (2)  Emily  N.,  born  Feb.  12,  1835,  died 
Oct.  10,  1859,  unmarried.  (3)  Charles  J.,  born 
July  6,  1837,  died  May  17,  1856.  (4)  Henry  J., 

born  Aug.  6,  1839.  (5)  Frederic  C.,  born  Feb. 

20,  1844,  died  May  20,  1893 ; he  never  married. 
He  resided  at  different  times  in  Providence,  R.  I., 
Dighton,  Mass.,  and  Warren,  R.  I.  (6)  Frank  A., 
born  Dec.  12,  1845,  a resident  of  Warwick,  R.  I., 
has  been  twice  married,  and  is  the  father  of  three 
sons  and  two  daughters. 

(VII)  Henry  Joshua  Spooner,  son  of  the 
late  Joshua  and  Ann  Crawford  (Noyes)  Spooner, 
was  born  Aug.  6,  1839,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  and 
received  the  greater  part  of  his  preliminary  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city.  He 
entered  Brown  LTniversity  in  the  fall  of  1857,  anc^ 
was  graduated  therefrom  in  i860,  with  the  degree 
of  A.  B.  He  possessed  marked  aptitude  for  de- 
bate, with  a decided  taste  in  that  line,  and  his 
favorite  studies  while  in  college  were  those  relat- 
ing to  history,  literature,  rhetoric  and  logic.  While 
a sophomore  he  was  president. of  his  class.  In  the 
fall  following  his  graduation  he  became  a student 
at  the  Albany  (N.  Y.)  Law  School,  from  which 
institution  he  was  graduated  in  1861,  with  the 
degree  of  LL.  B.,  and  was  therefrom  admitted  to 
the  Bar  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  New 
York.  Returning  to  his  native  city  he  continued 
his  law  studies  in  the  office,  and  under  the  direction 
of  the  well  known  law  firm  of  Thurston  & Ripley 
until  late  in  the  summer  of  1862. 

The  stirring  times  of  1861-62  called  from  the 
various  walks  of  life  many  of  the  youth  of  the 
land  in  defense  of  their  country,  youn^  Spooner 
among  them.  In  the  summer  of  1862,  not  con- 
tent to  longer  remain  simply  a looker-on,  he  accepted 


a commission  as  second  lieutenant  in  the  Fourth 
Regiment,  Rhode  Island  Volunteer  Infantry — a 
regiment  which  had  been  in  active  service  for  some 
months.  He  was  commissioned  as  such  Aug.  27, 
1862,  and  joined  his  regiment  near  Washington, 
D.  C.,  just  before  the  Maryland  campaign.  The 
Fourth  Rhode  Island  was  at  that  time  in  the  2d 
Brigade  (under  command  of  Col.  Harland),  3d 
Division,  9th  Army  Corps,  and  shared  in  the  spon- 
taneous ovation  bestowed  by  the  citizens  of  Fred- 
erick upon  the  Union  forces  as  they  entered  the 
city ; and  in  the  battle  of  South  Mountain,  fought 
Sept.  14th,  it  sustained  the  honor  already  gained 
in  North  Carolina.  In  the  battle  of  Antietam,  on 
the  17th  of  September,  the  “Fourth”  engaged  with 
a valor  second  to  no  other  on  the  field,  and  closed 
the  sanguinary  day  with  the  loss  of  102  killed  and 
wounded  and  seven  captured.  It  was  here  that 
Col.  William  H.  P.  Steere — commanding  the 
“Fourth” — fell  severely  wounded,  and  that  the 
regiment  was  to  called  to  mourn  the  loss  of  its 
former  commander,  Gen.  Isaac  P.  Rodman,  com- 
manding the  division,  who  received  a mortal  wound 
in  the  bloody  contest.  On  Oct.  5,  1862,  Lieut. 
Spooner  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  and  ad- 
jutant. In  November,  1862,  the  Fourth,  with  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  Gen.  Burnside,  was 
in  front  of  Fredericksburg,  and  in  the  battle  of 
Dec.  13th  was  actively  engaged.  Here  fell  the 
brave  Lieut. -Col.  Joseph  B.  Curtis,  then  in  com- 
mand of  the  regiment — Col.  Steere  being  still  dis- 
abled by  his  wound — killed  by  a ball  from  a 
shrapnel  shell;  Adjutant  Spooner  was  at  his  side. 
Later  on  the  Fourth  was  respectively  in  another 
brigade,  under  command  of  Col.  Dutton,  in  the 
9th  Army  Corps,  engaged  in  the  active  operations 
attending  the  siege  of  Suffolk,  and  in  several 
skirmishes  and  engagements  in  that  vicinity ; and 
in  the  3d  Brigade  of  the  2d  Division,  7th  Corps, 
under  Gen.  Naglee.  In  June,  the  Fourth  formed  a 
part  of  the  expedition  to  King  William  Court 
House,  for  the  purpose  of  threatening  Richmond, 
destroying  the  railroad  bridges  over  the  South  and 
North  Anna  rivers.  From  July,  1863,  to  March, 
1864,  the  Fourth  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Portsmouth, 
Va.,  where  it  was  engaged  in  erecting  substantial 
earthworks  and  completing  a line  of  fortifications. 
Later  on  it  was  at  the  front  with  the  9th  Corps, 
before  Petersburg,  and  almost  ’constantly  under 
fire.  In  the  assault  upon  the  Rebel  works,  im- 
mediately upon  the  explosion  of  the  Mine,  July 
30th,  the  regiment,  led  by  Lieut. -Col.  Buffum,  ad- 
vanced upon  the  enemy’s  line  and  under  a galling 
fire  entered  the  crater  of  the  fort,  caused  by  the 
explosion,  where  a hand  to  hand  conflict  ensued, 
with  great  slaughter  on  both  sides,  the  Fourth 
sustaining  a total  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  miss- 
ing of  ninety-four,  among  them  Lieut. -Col.  Buffum 
and  several  other  officers  and  twenty-one  enlisted 
men  captured. 

In  the  foregoing  narrative  no  attempt  has  been 


933 


RHODE  ISLAND 


made  to  follow  in  detail  the  movements  of  the 
Fourth,  but  to  refer  only  to  those  of  greater  im- 
portance. The  last  battle  in  which  the  regiment 
took  part — the  operations  on  the  Weldon  railroad, 
Sept.  30,  1864, — was  on  the  eve  of  the  expiration 
of  its  term  of  service.  The  Fourth  returned  to 
Providence,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service  Oct. 
15,  1864.  But  Adjutant  Spooner  and  several  other 
officers,  and  172  of  the  original  three-years  men, 
who  had  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  together  with  re- 
cruits, remained  in  the  field,  and  were  subse- 
quently consolidated  with  the  7th  Rhode  Island 
Infantry,  to  be  known  as  the  7th  Rhode  Island 
Volunteers,  Adjutant  Spooner,  however,  being 
mustered  out,  Feb.  3,  1865,  upon  such  consolida- 
tion. 

After  the  battle  of  Antietam,  as  stated  above, 
Lieut.  Spooner  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  and 
adjutant,  which  position  he  continued  to  occupy, 
except  during  several  months  while  lie  served  on 
the  brigade  staff  as  acting  commissary  of  subsist- 
ence, until  his  final  muster  out,  in  February,  1865. 

After  the  war,  returning  to  Providence  with  an 
honorable  war  record,  young  Spooner  resumed  the 
study  of  law,  and  early  in  June  of  the  same  year, 
1865,  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Rhode  Island,  from  which  time,  excepting 
while  absent  at  Washington  in  his  official  capacity, 
he  was  successfully  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Providence  until  his  retirement,  in 
recent  years,  from  active  practice. 

For  much  of  the  time  since  the  middle  seventies, 
through  a period  of  thirty  years,  Col.  Spooner  has 
been  prominently  before  the  people  of  his  city  and 
State.  From  May,  1866,  to  May,  1869,  he  was 
justice  and  clerk  of  the  Court  of  Magistrates  of 
the  city  of  Providence.  From  1875  to  1881,  in- 
clusive, he  was  a member  of  the  Lower  House  of 
the  General  Assembly,  from  the  city  of  Providence, 
and  a member  of  the  Judiciary  committee  from 
1876  to  1879.  In  May,  1879,  'ie  was  chosen 
Speaker  of  the  House,  and  re-elected  to  that  office 
in  May,  1880.  At  a special  election  for  repre- 
sentative from  the  1st  Rhode  Island  District  to  the 
United  States  Congress  held  Nov.  22,  1881,  Col. 
Spooner  was  chosen,  as  a Republican,  his  majority 
over  Charles  C.  Van  Zandt  (Republican)  and 
Henry  T.  Sisson  (Democrat)  being  1,788.  This 
election  was  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  Hon. 
Nelson  W.  Aldrich,  who  had  been  elected  United 
States  Senator  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the 
death  of  Ambrose  E.  Burnside.  Col.  Spooner  was 
returned  by  successive  re-elections  to  the  XLVIIIth, 
XLIXth,  Lth  and  List  Congresses.  He  was 
again  chosen  from  Providence  as  a representative 
in  the  Lower  House  of  the  Rhode  Island  General 
Assembly  in  1903. 

Col.  Spooner  has  been  actively  identified  with 
the  Republican  party  for  many  years,  though  in 
more  recent  years  he  has  been  independent  in 
State  politics,  acting  with  the  Democratic  party  for 


reforms  in  State  and  city  government.  In  1868 
and  1872  he  delivered  speeches  throughout  Rhode 
Island  in  favor  of  the  election  of  Gen.  Grant,  of 
Hayes  in  1876,  of  Garfield  in  1880,  of  Blaine  in 
1884,  and  of  Harrison  in  1888  and  1892.  In  1876 
and  1880  he  was  a member  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  the  State  Central  Republican  Club ; and 
from  1879,  for  a number  of  years,  chairman  of 
the  Republican  Committee  of  the  city  of  Provi- 
dence. 

Col.  Spooner  was  president  of  the  Franklin 
Lyceum,  an  old  and  well-known  literary  and  de- 
bating society  of  Providence,  in  1866  and  1867. 
For  two  years,  from  May,  1875,  to  May,  1877,  he 
served  as  aid-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  Gov.  Henry 
Lippitt  of  Rhode  Island,  with  the  rank  of  colonel. 
He  was  department  commander  of  the  Department 
of  Rhode  Island,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  in 
1877 ; president  of  the  Fourth  Rhode  Island  Vet- 
eran Association  in  1878;  and  senior  vice-com- 
mander of  Massachusetts  Commandery,  Military 
Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the  United  States, 
in  1904-05.  His  post  membership  in  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  is  with  Rodman  Post,  No. 
12,  Department  of  Rhode  Island.  He  is  a mem- 
ber, and  was  president  in  1904  and  1905,  of  the 
Soldiers  and  Sailors  Historical  Society  of  Rhode 
Island,  and  a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  His- 
torical Society.  He  is  a Freemason,  belonging  to 
St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  1,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of  which 
he  served  one  year  as  master,  and  to  St.  John’s 
Commandery,  No.  1,  Knights  Templar.  At  Brown 
he  became  a member  of  the  Theta  Delta  Chi ; and 
he  is  now  a member  of  the  Hope  University  and 
Squantum  Clubs,  and  an  honorary  member  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Yacht  Club. 

On  Nov.  16,  1868,  Col.  Spooner  was  married 
to  Mary  Slack  Brown,  daughter  of  David  A.  and 
Abby  E.  Brown ; and  they  have  one  son,  Henry 
Joshua,  Jr.,  born  Nov.  13,  1869. 

Mary  Slack  (Brown)  Spooner,  wife  of  Henry 
Joshua  Spooner,  is  a lineal  descendant  of  Rev. 
Chad  Brown,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  Provi- 
dence,— the  line  of  descent  being  as  follows : 

(I)  Chad  Brown,  who  came  from  Salem  to 
Providence  in  1637,  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church  in  1642.  He  died  about 
1665. 

(II)  John  Brown,  son  of  Chad,  born  about 
1630,  in  England,  married  Mary  Holmes. 

'(Ill)  James  Brown,  son  of  John,  born  1 666, 
was  pastor  of  Baptist  Church  and  died  1732.  He  , 
married  Mary  Harris. 

(IV)  Elisha  Brown,  son  of  James,  born  1717, 
died  1802.  He  married  (first)  Martha  Smith,  and 
one  of  their  sons  was  Jeremiah,  born  1746.  Elisha 
Brown  was  deputy  governor  of  the  Colony  of 
Rhode  Island,  1765-67. 

(V)  Jeremiah  Brown,  son  of  Elisha,  born 
1746,  married  (first)  Mary  Cushing.  One  of  their 
sons  was  Cushing,  born  1777. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


939 


(VI)  Cushing  Brown,  son  of  Jeremiah,  born 
1777,  died  1834.  He  married  Nancy  Arnold. 

(VII)  David  A.  Brown,  son  of  Cushing,  born 
1815,  died  1886.  He  married  Abby  E.  Winsor,  born 
1821,  and  died  1877. 

(VIII)  Mary  Slack,  daughter  of  David  A., 
born  May  12,  1844. 

(VIII)  Henry  Joshua  Spooner,  Jr.,  was  born 
in  Providence,  and  prepared  for  college  at  the 
University  Grammar  School,  graduating  from 
Brown  University  in  1891.  Soon  afterward  he  be- 
came connected  with  the  Burdon  Wire  & Supply 
Company,  becoming  superintendent,  and  continued 
in  that  capacity,  after  it  was  consolidated  with  the 
Standard  Seamless  Wire  Company,  under  the  name 
of  the  United  Wire  & Supply  Company,  until  1903, 
when  he  resigned  to  engage  in  the  wholesaling  of 
heavy  Southern  timber.  He  is  a junior  member 
of  the  Massachusetts  Commandery  of  the  Loyal 
Legion,  and  a member  of  the  Theta  Delta  Chi  at 
Brown.  On  Dec.  12,  1894,  he  married  Helen 
Newell  Smith,  daughter  of  James  N.  Smith,  of 
Dighton,  Mass.,  and  they  have  one  son,  Henry 
Joshua  Spooner  3d,  born  April  10,  1896. 

PELEG  SMITH  BOS  WORTH.  For  many 
years  the  name  of  Bosworth  has  been  actively  iden- 
tified with  the  business  interests  of  Newport,  where 
for  years  the  firm  of  Smith  Bosworth  & Co.  was 
known  in  the  line  of  manufacturing  of  doors, 
blinds,  sash,  moldings,  etc.  Of  this  well-known 
firm  Peleg  S.  Bosworth  was  a member  during  the 
greater  part  of  its  existence.  Mr.  Bosworth  is  a 
descendant  of  one  of  New  England’s  earliest  set- 
tled families,  the  record  of  his  ancestry,  in  chro- 
nological order  following. 

(I)  Edward  Bosworth  and  his  wife,  Mary,  em- 
barked for  New  England  in  the  ship  “Elizabeth  and 
Dorcas,”  in  1634.  Mr.  Bosworth  dying  as  the  ves- 
sel was  nearing  the  port,  his  remains  were  interred 
in  Boston.  His  widow  and  children  were  next 
heard  of  in  Hingham,  Mass.,  as  early  as  1635, 
where  Mrs.  Bosworth  died,  May  18,  1648.  The 
children,  all  probably  born  in  England,  were : Ed- 
ward, Jr.;  Jonathan,  born  about  1611  ; Benjamin, 
born  in  1613 ; Mary,  born  in  1614,  and  Nathaniel, 
born  in  1617. 

(II)  Jonathan  Bosworth,  son  of  Edward,  was 
born  about  1611.  Among  his  children  was  Jona- 
than, Jr. 

(III)  Jonathan  Bosworth,  Jr.,  son  of  Jonathan, 
married  Hannah  Howland,  daughter  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Tilley)  Howland,  both  of  whom  came 
to  this  country  in  the  “Mayflower.’' 

(IV)  Jonathan  Bosworth  (3),  son  of  Jonathan, 
Jr.,  married  Sarah  Rounds,  and  their  children 
were:  Ichabod,  born  in  Swansea,  Mass.,  May  31, 
1706;  Christian,  born  in  Rehoboth  May  16,  1708; 
Jonathan.,  born  in  Rehoboth,  Feb.  10,  1 71 1,  and 
Elisha,  born  July  8,  1713. 

(V)  Ichabod  Bosworth,  son  of  Jonathan  (3), 


born  May  31,  1706,  married  (first)  Jan.  12, 
1726-27,  Mary  Brown,  and  had  children:  Bethia, 
born  Nov.  6,  1727;  Mary,  Oct.  22,  1735;  Ichabod, 
Jr.,  Oct.  14,  1739;  and  Elizabeth,  Dec.  17,  1742. 
Ichabod  Bosworth  married  (second)  in  Warren, 
R.  I.,  Nov.  19,  1748,  Bethia  Wood,  of  Swansea, 
Mass.,  and  they  had  children : Peleg,  born  May 
6,  1754;  Joseph,  April  10,  1756;  Charity,  April  21, 
1758,  and  John,  June  14,  1760. 

(VI)  Peleg  Bosworth,  son  of  Ichabod,  was  born 
May  6,  1754,  and  married  Sept.  1,  1774,  Mary 
Smith,  who  was  born  in  August,  1749,  in  Reho- 
both, Mass.,  and  died  in  1818. 

(VII)  Peleg  Bosworth,  Jr.,  son  of  Peleg,  was 
born  March  5,  1779,  and  married  Feb.  7,  1803, 
Susannah  Rounds,  who  was  born  Jan.  3,  1782, 
daughter  of  Deacon  Rounds,  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  She  died  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Re- 
hoboth Aug.  7,  1863.  Peleg  Bosworth  was  a car- 
penter and  builder,  as  well  as  a farmer,  and  lived 
at  Bristol  Neck,  Smithfield  and  Providence,  R.  I., 
doing  the  greater  part  of  his  work  in  the  latter  city, 
where  he  at  various  times  employed  a large  force 
of  men.  Finally,  returning  to  Rehoboth,  he  became 
engaged  in  farming,  in  which  he  continued  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  April  29,  1829,  at  the 
age  of  fifty  years.  His  children  were:  Susannah 
Rounds,  born  Sept.  9,  1803,  died  Nov.  21,  1877; 
Peleg  (3),  born  Sept.  28,  1805,  died  Feb.  12, 
1887;  Mary  Ann,  born  Nov.  1,  1807,  died  Oct.  17, 
1809;  Electa  Ann,  born  Nov.  17,  1809,  married 
Elisha  Paddleford,  and  died  June  5,  1880:  Smith, 
born  Nov.  21,  1811,  is  mentioned  below;  Stephen 
Smith,  born  Jan.  4,  1814,  died  Sept.  21,  1814;  Ann 
Eliza,  born  Aug.  27,  1815,  married  John  Allen 
Buffinton,  of  Providence;  Simeon,  born  July  5, 
1817,  died  Dec.  4,  1820;  Mary  Potter,  born  Nov. 
24,  1820,  died  Dec.  1,  1820;  Henry  Alonzo  was 
born  Dec.  19,  1821 ; George  Smith,  born  July  2, 
1824,  died  July  26,  1881  ; Edwin  Ruthven,  born 
March  16,  1826,  died  July  18,  1887. 

(VIII)  Smith  Bosworth,  son  of  Peleg,  Jr.,  was 
born  Nov.  21,  1811,  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  town,  as  was  customary  with  the  farmers’ 
sons,  attending  the  schools  winters  and  working 
on  the  farm  during  the  summer  months.  In  1829 
he  went  to  Providence  with  Tallman  & Buckland, 
remaining  with  them  at  the  trade  of  carpenter  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then*  returned  to  his 
home  and  in  the  following  spring  went  to  New  Bed- 
ford, Mass.,  where  he  followed  his  trade  until  the 
next  winter.  In  the  spring  of  1834  he  located  in 
Newport,  and  worked  about  two  years  at  his  trade 
for  William  Weeden,  after  which  he  located  in  bus- 
iness for  himself,  becoming  associated,  about  two 
years  later,  with  Henry  Bull,  in  his  sawmill  on 
Bull  street,  and  there  continued  until  the  mill  was 
closed.  In  1851  lie  removed  a portion  of  the  ma- 
chinery and  tools  from  the  latter  mill  to  West 
Broadway,  where  he  continued  for  many  years  un- 


940 


RHODE  ISLAND 


der  the  style  of  Gideon  Lawton  & Co.,  until  in 
about  1873,  when  Mr.  Bosworth’s  sons  purchased 
the  interests  of  their  father’s  partners,  and  the 
style  of  the  firm  was  then  changed  to  Smith  Bos- 
worth  & Co.  This  firm  operated  a sawmill  and 
sash  and  blind  factory,  manufacturing  stairs,  blinds, 
doors,  sash,  moldings,  etc.,  until  1903,  when  the 
business  was  practically  discontinued,  after  which 
time  Mr.  Bosworth  was  not  actively  engaged  in 
business.  Smith  Bosworth  passed  away  at  his 
home  in  Newport,  May  16,  1907,  in  the  ninety-sixth 
year  of  his  age. 

Mr.  Bosworth  attended  the  Channing  Memorial 
Church  (Unitarian),  to  which  his  family  belong, 
and  of  which  they  are  supporters.  In  politics  a Re- 
publican, Mr.  Bosworth  was  a member  of  the  city 
council  for  two  years. 

In  1837  Smith  Bosworth  was  married  to  Re- 
becca Kaighn  Taylor,  of  Newport,  daughter  of 
Capt.  Edward  Easton  Taylor,  and  she  passed  away 
in  1889  in  Newport,  aged  seventy-five  years,  after 
a wedded  life  of  over  fifty-one  years,  the  mother 
of  these  children  : Rebecca,  who  has  been  engaged 
in  teaching  since  nineteen  years  of  age ; Peleg  S., 
mentioned  below ; and  Edward  T.,  who  was  born 
Aug.  22,  1844,  in  Newpbrt.  Edward  T.  Bosworth 
was  during  its  existence  a member  of  the  firm  of 
Smith  Bosworth  & Co.,  and  has  since  been  follow- 
ing the  trade  of  carpenter.  In  May,  1862,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  L,  9th  Rhode  Island  Regiment, 
for  three  months’  service,  and  re-enlisted  in  Sep- 
tember, 1862,  in  Company  D,  12th  Rhode  Island 
Regiment,  for  nine  months.  On  Feb.  1,  1876,  he 
married  Emma  I.  White,  daughter  of  William  H. 
and  Sarah  Jeannette  (Smith)  White,  of  Provi- 
dence. 

(IX)  Peleg  Smith  Bosworth,  the  subject  proper 
of  this  review,  was  born  in  Newport  April  12,  1839, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  city,  after  which  he  became  associated 
with  his  father,  and  in  about  1873  was  admitted  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Smith  Bosworth  & Co.,  with 
which  he  continued  until  its  dissolution.  He  had 
been  active  manager  after  his  father’s  retirement, 
and  very  successful  in  the  place  in  which  his  father 
labored  for  so  many  years,  proving  himself  an  able 
and  capable  business  man,  energetic  and  en- 
terprising, of  strict  integrity.  He  is  fra- 
ternally connected  with  Coronet  Council,  No. 
63,  Royal  Arcanum,  of  Newport;  and  with 
Miantonomi  Commandery,  Order  of  the  Gol- 
den Cross.  In  politics  he  is  a Republican, 
but  he  has  never  been  an  office  seeker.  He  has  been 
connected  with  the  fire  department  for  many  years, 
being  foreman  of  engine  No.  4.  In  religious  mat- 
ters he  is  connected  with  the  Second  Baptist 
Church. 

Mr.  Bosworth  was  married  in  May,  1861,  to 
Annie  Waters,  of  New  York  and  later  of  Tiverton, 
R.  I.,  and  these  children  have  been  born  to  the  un- 
ion : Elizabeth,  who  is  unmarried ; Rebecca,  who 


married  Philip  McVickar,  of  Newport ; William, 
unmarried,  who  is  connected  with  the  Newport 
Illuminating  Company ; Annie  W.,  who  married 
Philip  Simmons,  both  of  them  being  connected  with 
the  post  office  service ; and  Edward  T.,  an  inspector 
in  the  telephone  exchange,  of  Newport. 

NATHANIEL  GREENE  STANTON,  M. 
D.,  an  old  resident,  highly  honored  citizen,  and 
well-known  medical  practitioner  of  Newport,  R. 
I.,  was  born  in  New  Shoreham,  Block  Island, 
July  8,  1835,  son  of  George  Augustus  Stanton, 
and  grandson  of  Marlboro  Stanton.  The  Stan- 
ton family  is  an  old  one  in  New  England,  and 
was  founded  in  this  country  by  Thomas  Stanton, 
the  emigrant. 

(I)  Thomas  Stanton,  known  as  Capt.  Thomas 
Stanton,  the  first  ancestor  of  this  branch  of  the 
family  in  America,  was  of  English  birth.  He 
was  educated  for  a cadet,  but  not  liking  the  pro- 
fession of  arms,  and  taking  a deep  interest  in 
the  religious  principles  of  the  migrating  Puritans, 
he  came  to  the  Colonies  in  the  ship  “Bonaven- 
tura,”  in  1635,  embarking  at  London,  England, 
Jan.  2d.  He  landed  in  Virginia,  thence  going 
to  Boston,  Mass.,  where  he  was  recognized  by 
Winthrop  and  his  associates  as  a valuable  man, 
worthy  of  their  unlimited  confidence.  The  next 
year  he  was  selected  by  the  Boston  authorities 
to  accompany  Mr.  Fenwick  and  Hugh  Peters  as 
interpreter  on  a mission  to  Saybrook,  Conn.,  to 
hold  'a  conference  with  the  Pequot  Indians  rela- 
tive to  the  murder  of  Captains  Stone  and  New- 
ton. He  possessed  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the 
language  and  character  of  the  Indians,  which 
gave  him  prominence  in  the  new  settlements  of 
Connecticut.  In  1637  he  took  up  his  home  at 
Hartford,  where  the  General  Court  declared  he 
should  be  a public  officer  to  attend  the  court  up- 
on all  occasions,  either  general  or  particular,  at  the 
meetings  of  the  magistrates,  to  interpret  be- 
tween them  and  the  Indians,  at  a salary  of  ten 
pounds  per  year.  He  became  the  intimate  and 
special  friend  of  Governor  Winthrop  of  Connec- 
ticut, acting  as  interpreter  in  all  of  his  inter- 
course with  the  Indians.  He  was  the  first  white 
man  who  joined  William  Chesebrough  in  the 
new  settlement  in  the  Pawcatuck  valley,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1650  or  1651  he  established  a trad- 
ing house  in  Stonington,  on  the  west  bank  of 
the  Pawcatuck  river.  For  a few  years  his  family 
resided  in  New  London  before  permanently  locat- 
ing at  Stonington,  in  1657.  After  this  he  took  an 
active  part  in  filie  town  affairs,  becoming  promi- 
nent, and  he  was  elected  to  almost  every  posi- 
tion of  public  trust  in  the  new  settlement;  he 
served  as  magistrate  from  1662  until  his  death, 
was  appointed  a judge  of  the  court  in  1666,  and 
was  a deputy  to  the  General  Court,  1666-1675. 

Mr.  Stanton  married  in  Hartford,  in  1637, 
Anna,  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas  and  Dorothy 


RHODE  ISLAND 


941 


Lord,  and  they  had  ten  children,  namely: 
Thomas,  John,  Mary,  Hannah,  Toseph,  Daniel, 
Dorothy,  Robert,  Sarah  and  Samuel.  Capt. 
Thomas  Stanton  died  Dec.  2,  1677,  aged  sixty- 
eight  years,  and  his  wife  passed  away  in  1688. 
Before  removing  from  Hartford  he  had  come 
into  possession  of  considerable  property,  and 
was  considered  well-to-do  for  those  times. 

(II)  Joseph  Stanton,  son  of  Capt.  Thomas, 
was  born  March  21,  1646,  in  Hartford,  Conn., 
and  removed  therefrom  with  his  parents  to 
Stonington,  Conn.  In  1669  he  was  appointed 
assistant  magistrate  to  hold  court  in  New  Lon- 
don, his  father  being  then  magistrate.  He  mar- 
ried June  19,  1673,  Hannah,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Mead,  of  Roxbury,  Mass.,  and  she  died  in 
1696,  he  surviving  until  1714.  Their  children 
were:  Joseph,  born  in  1674;  Hannah,  born  in 
1676;  Thomas,  born  Dec.  16,  1678;  Rebecca,  born 
in  April,  1681 ; Thomas  (2),  baptized  April  5, 
1691  ; Daniel,  baptized  April  1,  1694;  and  Samuel, 
baptized  July  17,  1698. 

(III)  Joseph  Stanton  (2),  son  of  Joseph,  was 
born  in  1674,  and  married  Jan.  3,  1705,  Esther, 
daughter  of  Benadam  and  Hester  (Prentice) 
Gallup.  They  were  residents  of  Westerly,  R.  I. 
Mr.  Stanton  was  a justice  of  the  peace.  His 
children  were:  Esther,  born  in  1708;  Mary, 
born  in  1711;  Hannah,  born  in  1714;  Nancy, 
born  in  1716;  Joseph,  born  April  23,  1717;  Sarah, 
born  in  1719,  and  Lucy,  born  Sept. ’22,  1722. 

(IV)  Col.  Joseph  Stanton  (3),  son  of  Joseph 
(2),  was  born  April  23,  1717,  in  Westerly,  R.  I., 
was  an  officer  in  the  French  and  Indian  war,  and 
assisted  in  taking  Louisbourg  in  1745.  He  mar- 
ried (first)  Aug.  9,  1738,  Mary  Champlain,  born 
July  13,  1722,  daughter  of  William  Champlain. 
She  was  admitted  to  the  Stonington  Church, 
July  11,  1742,  and  died  in  1750.  Their  children 
were  born  as  follows:  Joseph,  July  19,  1739; 
Esther,  Nov.  23,  1741;  Mary,  June  18,  1743;  Au- 
gustus, March  22,  1745;  Hannah,  Feb.  24,  1746, 
and  Lodowick,  May  27,  1749.  Colonel  Stanton 
married  (second)  in  1752  Abigail  Gardiner, 
daughter  of  Henry  Gardiner,  of  South  Kings- 
town, R.  I.,  and  there  came  to  them  children  as 
follows : Gacdiner,  Marlboro,  Henry  <jnd  Abi- 
gail. 

(V)  Augustus  Stanton,  son  of  Col.  Joseph 
Stanton  (3),  born  March  22,  1745,  in  Westerly, 
R.  I.,  married  Feb.  6,  1765,  Eunice  Crandall, 
born  Jan.  23,  1743,  daughter  of  James  and  Da- 
maris  (Kenyon)  Crandall.  They  were  residents 
of  Hancock,  Mass.,  where  Mr.  Stanton  died  April 
10,  1822.  Their  children  were:  Gen.  Joseph, 
born  about  1766:  Robert,  born  Aug.  14,  1768: 
Oliver;  Ethan;  Marlboro:  Esther;  Lucy;  Cyn- 
thia; Damaris  and  Charlotte. 

(VI)  Marlboro  Stanton,  son  of  Augustus, 
was  born  in  1779  in  Rhode  Island,  and  married 
Martha  Hazard,  born  Jan.  25,  1782,  daughter  of 


George  W.  and  Martha  (Babcock)  Hazard,  he 
a descendant  of  Thomas  Hazard,  who  is  first  of 
record  in  this  country  at  Boston  in  1635,  through 
Robert,  George,  Gov.  George  and  Hon.  George 
Hazard,  at  one  time  mayor  of  -Newport.  Marl- 
boro Stanton  died  Dec.  21,  1835,  at  Charlestown, 
R.  I.  His  children  were:  Albert  Wanton,  born 
in  1807,  and  George  A.,  born  Jan.  24,  1809,  both 
in  Charlestown,  Rhode  Island. 

(VII)  George  Augustus  Stanton,  son  of  Marl- 
boro, born  Jan.  24,  1809,  in  Charlestown,  R.  I., 
married  (first)  March  8,  1834,  Catherine  Sands, 
who  was  born  Nov.  9,  1813,  daughter  of  William 
P.  Sands,  of  Block  Island,  R.  I.,  and  died  Sept. 
30,  1846,  at  Charlestown.  Mr.  Stanton  married 
(second)  June  5,  1848,  Sarah  M.  Brown,  who  was 
born  Dec.  16,  1822,  at  Stonington,  Conn.,  and 
died  April  16,  1849.  He  married  (third)  Feb.  14, 
1857,  Bridget  Babcock  Browning,  born  Jan.  10, 
1832,  in  Charlestown,  R.  I.  George  A.  Stanton 
was  a merchant,  conducting  a general  store  in 
Charlestown,  and  later  went  to  Westerly,  where 
he  opened  a boot  and  shoe  store,  continuing  in 
that  business  until  his  death.  A Democrat  in 
politics,  he  served  his  native  town  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  Legislature  and  as  senator.  His  chil- 
dren were:  By  the  first  marriage — Nathaniel 
Greene;  Kate  Sands,  a graduate  of  the  Woman’s 
College  of  New  York,  and  residing  in  that  city; 
Mary,  who  died  in  Providence,  the  wife  of  Na- 
than Hale ; George  A.,  a resident  of  Newport, 
who  married  (first)  Hattie  Mann  and  (second) 
Amy  Elizabeth  Dickinson;  Benjamin  F.,  a resi- 
dent of  Providence,  in  the  employ  of  the  Narra- 
gansett  Broom  Company,  married  to  Emma 
Harris  of  Providence;  and  Martha,  who  died  in 
infancy.  There  were  no  children  to  the  second 
marriage.  To  the  third  marriage  were  born: 
Hattie,  who  is  a school  teacher  of  Westerly; 
Fannie,  who  married  William  Gavitt  and  resides 
in  Westerly;  and  Anna,  who  married  Daniel 
Champlin,  and  resides  in  Chicago. 

(VIII)  Nathaniel  Greene  Stanton  was  born 
July  8,  1835,  in  New  Shoreham,  and  there  began 
his  schooling.  Thence  he  went  to  the  Suffield 
(Conn.)  Institute  for  three  terms,  and  then  to 
Allegany  county,  N.  Y.,  spending  one  year  at  the 
Alfred  Center  Academy.  Locating  in  Provi- 
dence, he  took  up  the  study  of  pharmacy  in  the 
office  of  Dr.  Wadsworth  Burrington,  also  taking 
lessons  in  the  laboratory  of  Brown  University 
for  three  years.  Mr.  Stanton  was  at  Harvard 
when  the  war  broke  out,  and  he  enlisted  in  the 
1st  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  as  hospital  steward, 
later  being  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  assistant 
surgeon;  he  was  then  brevetted  captain,  being 
in  the  service  in  all  two  years.  After  being 
mustered  out  Captain  Stanton  returned  to  Har- 
vard and  graduated  therefrom  in  1866,  with  the 
degree  of  M.  D.,  later  studying  in  Paris,  London 
and  Dublin  for  about  one  year.  Returning  to 


942 


RHODE  ISLAND 


America  at  the  end  of  that  time,  he  took  up 
practice  in  Providence  in  partnership  with  Dr. 
Thomas  Potter,  with  whom  he  remained  two 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  Dr.  Stanton  went 
to  Newport  and.  became  associated  in  practice 
with  his  cousin,  the  late  Dr.  Nathaniel  Greene, 
this  partnership  continuing  for  seven  years.  His 
next  partnership  was  with  Dr.  A.  F.  Squire,  with 
whom  he  continued  for  a period  of  fourteen 
years,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession  alone,  being 
now  the  oldest  practicing  physician  in  New- 
port. He  is  a member  of  the  Chi  Psi  college 
fraternity.  Dr.  Stanton  was  a member  of  the 
Newport  Artillery  for  fourteen  years,  being  sur- 
geon for  that  body,  with  the  rank  of  major.  In 
politics  he  is  independent."  He  is  a director  and 
vice-president  of  the  Island  Savings  Bank,  and 
has  numerous  other  business  interests. 

In  manner  Dr.  Stanton  is  cordial  and  genial. 
He  has  a generous  nature,  and  in  his  practice  is 
painstaking  and  sympathetic,  in  the  sickroom 
being-  cheerful  and  always  gentle,  to  which  quali- 
ties his  large  practice  is  due  in  a great  measure. 
His  politeness  and  cordial  manner  are  inborn. 
During  his  long  residence  in  Newport  he  has 
won  the  esteem  and  respect  of  the  entire  com- 
munity. 

GORHAM  (Providence  family).  The  family 
bearing  this  name  in  Providence  and  vicinity — the 
Bristol-Providence  Gorhams — is  a,  branch  of  the 
old  Cape  Cod  family  which  is  of  two  hundred  and 
sixty  and  more  years  standing  in  New  England, 
and  of  long,  honorable  connection  in  England.  The 
family.,  it  is  said,  accompanied  William  the  Con- 
queror thither  from  Normandy,  and  members  of 
the  family,  for  services  at  the  battle  of  Hastings, 
received  a manorial  estate  at  a place  afterward 
called  Gorhamsbury.  Gorham,  Maine,  is  named 
for  a branch  of  this  old  Cape  Cod  family,  among 
whose  posterity  have  been  many  noble  men  and 
women  of  achievement  and  great  usefulness.  Here 
in  Rhode  Island,  at  Providence  particularly,  have 
figured  in  the  last  century  some  strong,  forceful 
characters.  Reference  is  especially  made  to  the 
late  Jabez  Gorham  and  his  son,  the  late  John  Gor- 
ham, whose  names,  in  connection  with  the  manufac- 
ture of  jewelry,  as  founders  and  developers  of  the 
great  Gorham  Manufacturing  Company  of  Provi- 
dence, are  world-wide.' 

This  article  deals  briefly,  in  chronological  order, 
with  the  genealogy  and  families  of  some  of  the 
Bristol-Providence  Gorhams. 

(I)  James  Gorham,  born  in  1550,  died  in  1576. 
In  1572  he  married  Agnes  Bennington. 

(II)  Ralph  Gorham,  son  of  James,  born  in 
1575,  came  to  New  England  before  1637.  His 
children  were : Ralph  and  John. 

(III)  Capt.  John  Gorham,  son  of  Ralph,  born 
in  Benefield,  England,  baptized  Jan.  28,  1621,  mar- 


ried in  1643,  Desire  Howland,  born  at  Plymouth, 
about  1623,  daughter  of  John  Howland  and  Eliza- 
beth Tilley,  of  the  “Mayflower.”  He  was  buried 
at  Swansea,  Feb.  5,  1675-76.  She  died  at  Barn- 
stable, Oct.  13,  1683.  Their  children  were:  De- 
sire, born  April  2,  1644,  in  Plymouth;  Temperance, 
May  5,  1646,  in  Marshfield;  Elizabeth,  April  2, 
1648,  in  Marshfield;  James,  April  28,  1650,  in 
Marshfield;  John,  Feb.  20,  1651-52,  in  Marshfield; 
Joseph,  Feb.  16,  1653-54,  in  Yarmouth;  Jabez, 
Aug.  3,  1656,  in  Barnstable;  Mercy,  Jan.  20,  1658, 
in  Barnstable;  Lydia,  Nov.  16,  1661,  in  Barnstable; 
Plannah,  Nov.  28,  1663,  in  Barnstable;  and  Shu- 
bael,  Oct.  21,  1667,  in  Barnstable. 

(IV)  Jabez  Gorham,  son  of  Capt.  John,  born 
Aug.  3,  1656,  in  Barnstable,  Mass.,  married  Han- 
nah (Sturgis)  Gray,  daughter  of  Edward  Sturgis, 
of  Barnstable  and  Yarmouth.  They  removed  from 
Barnstable  to  Bristol,  R.  I*  He  . died  between 
March  16,  1724-25,  and  May  18,  1725.  Their  chil- 
dren wrere : Hannah,  born  Dec.  23,  1677 ; Samuel, 
born  April  15,  1682;  Jabez,  born  Jan.  3,  1683-84; 
Shubael,  born  April  12,  1686;  Isaac,  born  Feb.  1, 
1689;  John,  born  Nov.  8,  1690;  Joseph,  born  Aug. 
22,  1692;  Hannah,  born  Feb.  21,  1693-94  (the  last 
two  baptized  in  1695,  in  Christ’s  Church  in  Bris- 
tol) ; Benjamin,  born  Dec.  11,  1695;  Thomas,  born 
Oct.  30,  1701 ; and  Elizabeth.  In  the  census  of 
Bristol  in  1689  Jabez  Gorham  is  mentioned  with 
wife  and  four  children.  His  widow  passed  away 
Oct.  17,  1736,  at  Cape  Cod,  whither  she  had  re- 
turned after  her  husband’s  death. 

(V)  Jabez  Gorham  (2),  son  of  Jabez,  was 
born  Jan.  31  (or  3),  1683-84.  His  first  wife,  Leah, 
died  May  13,  1739,  and  he  married  (second)  July 
31,  1744,  Mary  Maxfield.  He  died  Nov.  21,  1745. 
His  children,  all  born  to  his  first  marriage  were : 
Samuel,  born  Nov.  27,  1707,  in  New’port;  Elizabeth, 
born  April  9,  1710,  in  Newport ; Shubael,  born 
March  29,  1713,  in  Bristol;  Hannah,  baptized  Oct. 
27,  1717;  Mary,  baptized  Oct.  10,  1721;  Rebecca, 
baptized  Jan.  5,  1723;  Nathan,  baptized  Jan.  30, 
1725-26;  and  Deborah,  baptized  Sept.  24,  1732 
(last  five  baptized  at  Bristol). 

(V)  Isaac  Gorham,  son  of  Jabez,  born  Feb.  1, 
1689,  was  twice  married.  His  first  wrife  bore  the 
Christian  name  of  Mary.  She  died  Sept.  11,  1716, 
and  he  married  (second)  Aug.  6,  1717,  Hannah 
Miles,  daughter  of  Richard  Miles,  of  New  Haven, 
Conn.  His  children  were : Isaac,  born  May  28, 
1713;  Hezekiah,  born  February,  1714-15  (both  in 
Bristol  and  to  Mary)  ; John;  Mary,  born  Oct.  10, 
1721;  Timothy,  born  Nov.  13,  1723;  Hezekiah, 
born  Dec.  5,  1725;  Samuel;  Elizabeth;  and  Han- 
nah (all  born  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  and  to  Han- 
nah ) . 

(V)  Benjamin  Gorham,  son  of  Jabez,  born 
Dec.  11,  1695,  married  Bethiah  Cary,  born  Dec. 
9,  1696,  daughter  of  David  Cary,  of  Bristol.  Mr. 
Gorham  settled  in  Providence  and  is  without  doubt 
the  first  of  the  family  to  settle  there.  He  died  be- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


tween  Oct.  18,  1771,  and  Feb.  1,  1772.  His  wife 
Bethiah  died  probably  before  1753.  Their  children 
were:  Benjamin,  born  Aug.  22,  1718;  Bethiah, 
baptized  Aug.  5,  1722;  Sarah,  born  Sept.  15,  1723; 
Elizabeth,  baptized  Jan.  21,  1727-28;  Jabez;  Sam- 
uel ; and  Jemima. 

(VI)  Jabez  Gorham,  son  of  Benjamin,  married 
Oct.  4,  1753,  Abigail  Field,  born  Jan.  27,  1730, 
daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Abigail  (Waterman) 
Field,  and  their  children  were:  Jabez,  born  July 
15,  1760;  Samuel,  born  Dec.  11,  1763;  and  John. 

(VII)  Jabez  Gorham,  son  of  Jabez,  born  July 

15,  1760,  followed  the  occupation  of  harness  maker 
in  Providence,  his  establishment  being  on  North 
Main  street.  He  married,  Oct.  26,  1782,  Catherine 
Tyler,  born  November,  1762.  He  died  May  27, 
1802,  and  she  passed  away,  March  29,  1807.  Their 
children  were:  Hannah,  born  Feb.  19,  1784,  mar- 
ried Dexter  Thurber;  Benjamin,  born  March  2, 
1786,  married  Emma  Angell ; Field,  born  July  27, 
1787;  Bethiah,  born  March  16,  1789,  married  Wil- 
liam Comstock;  Sarah,  born  Jan.  27,  1791;  Jabez, 
born  Feb.  18,  1792;  Catherine,  born  June  30,  1793, 
married  Dec.  24,  1810,  Enos  Angell;  John,  born 
June  4,  1795,  married  Jan.  15,  1816,  at  Smithfield, 
R.  I.,  Marcy  Mason;  Sarah,  born  Feb.  2,  1797,  mar- 
ried Dec.  29,  1819,  Samuel  Olney ; William  Field, 
born  April  30,  1798. 

(VIII)  Jabez  Gorham,  son  of  Jabez  and  Cath- 
erine, born  Feb.  18,  1792,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  mar- 
ried (first)  Dec.  4,  1816,  Amey  Thurber,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Mehetabel  (Dexter)  Thurber.  She 
was  born  Jan.  30,  1795,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  and 
died  Nov.  26,  1820;  and  he  married  (second)  April 

16,  1822,  Lydia  Dexter,  daughter  of  Lewis  and 
Lydia  (Comstock)  Dexter.  She  was  born  in 
Smithfield,  R.  I.,  Nov.  11,  1797,  and  died  Sept.  4, 
1873.  His  children  were : . 

(1)  Benjamin,  born  Sept.  24,  1817,  died  Oct. 
6th  of  that  year. 

(2)  Amanda,  born  Dec.  11,  1818,  married 
(first)  May  14,  1838,  William  Gladding  Price,  and 
they  had  one  child,  William,  now  deceased,  who 
had  two  sons,  Raymond  and  Wayland.  She  mar- 
ried (second)  Nov.  28,  1842,  John  Clark  Harris, 
and  their  children  were : Joseph,  of  Boston,  who 
has  two  sons,  Joseph  Roy  and  Gorham  W.,  and 
Jabez  G.,  who  resides  in  Providence  and  has  Her- 
bert C.,  Mary  Amanda  (now  Mrs.  Randolp  T. 
Ode),  and  Edith.  She  married  (third)  April  22, 
1889,  Benjamin  Comstock.  She  died  March  17, 
1897. 

(3)  John,  born  Nov.  18,  1820,  in  Providence, 
married  Sept.  4,  1848,  Amey  Thurber,  born  Sept. 
1,  1827,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Lucy  (Brown) 
Thurber,  and  their  children  born  in  Providence, 
were : Lucy,  deceased  ; Herbert,  who  was  drowned 
at  the  age  of  fifteen ; Amey  Thurber,  deceased ; 
John  Henry,  deceased ; Charles  Isaac,  of  Buffalo, 
N.  Y. ; and  Jabez,  of  Chicago.  John  Gorham  died 
June  26,  1898. 


943 

(4)  Benjamin,  born  Feb.  2,  1823,  died  Dec. 
5th  of  the  same  year. 

(5)  Amey,  born  May  7,  1824,  married  Dec.  1, 
1845,  Henry  Aborn  Webb,  and  their  children  were: 
Harriet  Raymond,  who  married  Benjamin  Green- 
wood, of  Providence;  and  Amey,  wife  of  Benjamin 
Ide  Wheeler,  President  of  the  University  of  Cali- 
fornia, Berkeley,  Cal.;  the  mother  died  Jan.  30, 

1864. 

(6)  Susan,  born  July  3,  1825,  married  Nov.  15, 

1865,  Caleb  Farnum,  who  died  in  Providence  Feb. 
1,  1898.  Mrs.  Farnum  lives  on  Wesleyan  avenue, 
Providence. 

(7)  Charles  Field,  born  March  5,  1834,  married 
(first)  Feb.  27,  1854,  Marianna  Towne,  and  their 
one  child,  Ella,  is  now  Mrs.  George  Messer,  of 
North  Attleboro,  Mass.  He  married  (second) 
April  19,  i860,  Catherine  B.  Yerrington.  Charles 
Field  Gorham  died  Aug.  16,  1906. 

Jabez  Gorham,  father  of  the  above  named  chil- 
dren, attended  the  common  schools  of  the  town  of 
his  birth  until  fourteen  years  of  age.  On  the  death 
of  his  father,  he  was  apprenticed  to  Nehemiah 
Dodge,  a jeweler,  and  with  him  remained  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  Not  long  thereafter,  as- 
sociated with  Christopher  Burr,  William  Hadwin, 
George  G.  Clark  and  Henry  G.  Mumford,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  gold  jewelry,  their 
location  being  on  the  second  floor  of  a building  on 
the  corner  of  North  Main  and  Steeple  streets, 
Providence.  This  firm  did  an  extensive  business, 
and  after  five  years  was  dissolved,  Mr.  Gorham 
becoming  sole  proprietor  of  the  business ; he  carried 
it  on  at  the  old  stand  until  about  1828,  when  he 
purchased  property  on  Steeple  street  which  formed 
a part  of  the  later  establishment  of  the  Gorham 
Manufacturing  Company,  and  moved  to  it.  The 
original  firm  made  a variety  of  jewelry;  later  Mr. 
Gorham  manufactured  also  what  was  styled  the 
“Gorham  Chain,”  which  became  celebrated,  and 
later  he,  in  addition,  made  silver  spoons  and  asso- 
ciated with  him  Henry  L.  Webster,  of  Boston. 
The  firm  was  styled  Gorham  & Webster  until  1839, 
when  Mr.  Gorham  retired  from  the  establishment, 
but  continued  himself  to  make  the  “Gorham 
Chain.”  I11  1841  he  repurchased  the  silver  busi- 
ness of  the  old  concern,  associated  with  him  his 
son  John,  and  under  the  firm  name  of  J.  Gorham  & 
Son  they  manufactured  spoons  and  silverware. 
The  senior  member  of  the  firm  retired  from  active 
business  in  1847,  Laving  the  son  continuing  it 
alone. 

The  senior  Mr.  Gorham  in  his  political  affilia- 
tions was  a Whig  and  later  a Republican.  He 
served  the  public  in  a number  of  official  relations ; 
for  several  years  he  represented  the  city  of  Provi- 
dence in  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island, 
and  from  1842  to  1844  he  was  a member  of  the 
common  council  of  Providence  from  the  First 
ward.  In  his  early  life  for  several  years  he  com- 
manded a military  company.  He  was  a member  of 


944 


RHODE  ISLAND 


the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  also  of  the  Charitable 
Mechanics  Society. 

Mr.  Gorham  was  one  of  the  original  proprietors 
of  the  Eagle  Screw  Company,  and  was  influential 
in  promoting  the  interests  of  that  corporation.  In 
his  earlier  life  he  resided  at  the  corner  of  Benefit 
and  Star  streets,  and  in  about  1858  built  his  brick 
dwelling  at  the  corner  of  Benefit  and  Bowen 
streets,  which  was  thereafter  his  home.  He  died 
March  24,  1869,  aged  seventy-seven  years. 

(IX)  John  Gorham,  son  of  Jabez  and  for 
years  his  business  partner,  remained  at  school  until 
perhaps  eighteen  years  of  age,  then,  until  he  joined 
his  father  in  business  in  1841,  in  Providence,  he 
was  occupied  in  clerical  positions  in  Providence, 
Boston  and  New  York.  Father  and  son  remained 
together  in  the  manufacture  of  silver  spoons,  forks, 
thimbles  and  a small  variety  of  other  articles  under 
the  name  of  J.  Gorham  & Son,  until  the  former’s 
retirement  from  active  business  in  1847.  Die  son 
continued  the  business  alone  and  under  the  old 
name,  but  soon  after  purchased  the  five-story  brick 
building  on  Canal  street,  since  occupied  by  the 
Gorham  Manufacturing  Company.  At  about  this 
time  Mr.  Gorham  made  a radical  change  in  his 
manufacturing  by  introducing  steam-power,  which 
is  believed  to  have  been  its  first  application  to  the 
manufacture  of  silverware.  He  also  at  this  period 
commenced  the  introduction  of  those  labor  saving 
machines  and  appliances  which  ever  thereafter 
were  a distinguishing  feature  of  his  establishment. 
In  1850  Mr.  Gorham  Thurber  was  admitted  to  a 
partnership  in  the  concern,  and  in  1852  Mr.  Lewis 
Dexter  became  an  associate  in  the  business,  the 
firm  style  changing  respectively  to  Gorham  & Thur- 
ber and  to  Gorham  & Co.  The  senior  member  of 
the  firm  in  1852  visited  Europe  for  the  purpose  of 
acquainting  himself  with  the  manufacture  of  silver- 
ware in  other  countries,  returning  the  following 
fall,  having  engaged  several  skilled  workmen  in 
branches  not  well  understood  in  this  country.  Front 
year  to  year  the  business  rapidly  increased,  and  in 
i860  Air.  Gorham  again  visited  Europe  on  a similar 
errand  and  again  brought  operatives  to  this  coun- 
try, among  whom  were  designers  and  modelers. 
The  business  increased,  and  with  it  additional  ac- 
commodations in  the  way  of  buildings  were  af- 
forded, and  in  the  early  sixties  it  was  giving  employ- 
ment to  some  three  hundred  persons.  The  concern 
was  incorporated  in  1865  under  the  name  of  the 
Gorham  Manufacturing  Company,  and  Air.  Gor- 
ham was  chosen  president  of  the  corporation.  Two 
ye^rs  later  Air.  Gorham  visited  the  French  Exhibi- 
tion, paying  especial  attention  to  the  department  of 
silverware.  Again  in  1869  he  visited  Europe, 
traveling  more  extensively  in  the  interest  of  the 
company.  The  business  continued  to  increase  and 
outgrow  its  accommodations  until  in  1868  addi- 
tional buildings  were  provided,  and  under  Mr. 
Gorham’s  wise  management  the  company  became 
eminent  for  the  excellent  quality  and  artistic  finish 


of  its  product.  He  built  up  a great  institution  in 
the  thirty-six  years  of  his  connection  with  the  busi- 
ness, retiring  from  it  in  February,  1878.  During 
this  long  period  he  never  permitted  any  article  to 
pass  as  second  quality  or  below  the  highest  stand- 
ard which  it  was  capable  of  being  made,  and 
adopted  in  the  beginning  the  one-price  system. 

In  his  earlier  life  Mr.  Gorham  was  interested  in 
military  matters,  and  in  the  forties  was  active  in 
public  affairs.  He  was  in  part  instrumental  in 
organizing  the  Providence  Horse  Guards,  and  at- 
tained the  position  of  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  or- 
ganization. As  a Whig  he  represented  Providence 
in  the  State  Assembly.  He  was  one  of  two  mem- 
bers appointed  for  New  England  on  the  Centennial 
Board  of  Finance  in  1876.  He  possessed  in  an 
eminent  degree  those  qualities  which  insure  success 
in  the  formation  of  large  enterprises.  He  was  a 
practical  mechanic  of  artistic  taste,  and  had  an  un- 
usual ability  to  organize  and  contract.  His  views 
were  broad  and  honorable.  He  was  capable,  per- 
sistent, patient  and  always  self-controlled.  He 
died  at  Chase  City,  Va.,  June  26,  1898. 

STEDMAN.  The  branch  of  the  Stedman 
family  represented  in  South  Kingstown  is  first  men- 
tioned in  the  vital  statistics  of  that  place  in  the 
early  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  when  the  chil- 
dren of  Thomas  and  Hannah  AlcCoon  Stedman 
are  recorded  as  follows:  John,  born  Sept.  21, 
1725;  Samuel,  Dec.  4,  1726;  Daniel,  Oct.  10,  1728; 
Thomas,  Oct.  10,  1730;  Enoch,  Nov.  5,  1734;  Han- 
nah, Feb.  6.  1736;  James,  Alarch  3,  1738;  Sarah, 
Aug.  30,  1742;  and  William,  May  4,  1745.  It  is  a 
family  tradition  that  Thomas  Stedman  was  of 
Scotch  origin.  He  lived  and  died  in  South  Kings- 
town, and  his  posterity  have  been  among  the  sub- 
stantial and  useful  men  and  women  of  the  town ; 
notably  has  this  been  shown  in  the  lives  of  Hon. 
William  T.  Stedman  and  his  brothers,  the  late 
Louis  W.,  and  Daniel,  Oliver  E.  and  Arthur  W. 

Oliver  Stedman,  grandfather  of  William  T.,  was 
born  in  1795,  at  Wakefield,  R.  I.  He  spent  all  his 
life  in  South  Kingstown,  a shoemaker  by  trade,  but 
he  also  farmed  and  worked  at  carpentering  and 
boat  building.  He  married  Frances  Sweet,  sister t 
of  Dr.  William  Sweet,  and  they  had  two  sons : the 
eldest,  Samuel,  was  a carpenter  like  his  father. 
This  son  married  Sarah  Knowles  and  became  the 
father  of  William  Harrison,  Samuel  F.  and  James 
G.  (deceased),  all  three  generations  residing  in 
South  Kingstown.  The  second  son  of  Oliver  and 
Frances  Stedman  was  William. 

William  Stedman  was  born  in  South  Kings- 
town, Jan.  29,  1818.  He  spent  his  life  in  that  town, 
and  attended  the  public  schools  of  Wakefield,  where 
his  teachers  were  Edward  H.  Hazard  and  Air. 
Gayno.  After  leaving  school,  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  fishing  most  of  his  life.  He  died  Oct.  16, 
1886.  He  married  (first)  in  1842,  Elizabeth 
Tucker,  and  to  this  marriage  there  were  born  two 


RHODE  ISLAND 


945 


daughters,  Sarah  and  Ellen,  both  now  deceased. 
He  married  (second)  Jane  Clark,  daughter  of 
Christopher  Clark,  and  they  had  seven  children : 
(i)  William  Thomas  was  born  in  Wakefield,  R.  I., 
March  20,  1852.  (2)  Daniel,  born  Feb.  26,  1854, 

was  a baker  in  Wakefield.  (3)  Laura  married 
Capt.  Henry  A.  Whaley,  lighthouse  keeper  at  Point 
Judith.  (4)  John  E.,  of  Wakefield,  married  Helen, 
daughter  of  James  W.  Brown,  and  had  one  son, 
William  E.  (5)  Louis  W.  died  Dec.  24,  1904.  (6) 
Oliver  E.  is  a dentist  at  Wakefield.  (7)  Arthur 
W.  is  the  postmaster  at  Wakefield. 

Hon.  William  Thomas  Stedman  was  born  at 
Wakefield,  K.  I.,  March  20,  1852.  He  attended 
public  and  private  schools  in  Wakefield  and  Peace 
Dale,  and  the  Kingstown  Seminary.  In  1870,  at 
the  age  of  eighteen  years,  he  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Peace  Dale  Manufacturing  Company  a a 
assistant  bookkeeper,  and  through  fidelity  to  his 
duties  he  was  soon  advanced  to  the  position  of 
bookkeeper,  and  later  to  that  of  secretary  and  assist- 
ant treasurer  of  the  Peace  Dale  Manufacturing 
Company,  and  also  of  the  Narragansett  Pier  Rail- 
road Company.  In  politics  Mr.  Stedman  is  a Re- 
publican, and  from  1895  to  1900  he  was  a member 
of  the  town  council,  being  president  of  that  body  for 
four  years.  From  1901  to  1906  he  was  a repre- 
sentative in  the  State  Legislature,  in  1901  and  1902 
serving  on  the  committee  on  Charities  and  Correc- 
tions, and  in  1903,  1904,  1905  on  the  Finance  com- 
mittee. He  is  a member  and  treasurer  of  the  Peace 
Dale  Congregational  Church,  and  also  treasurer  of 
the  Union  Fire  District. 

On  Feb.  29,  1888,  Mr.  Stedman  married  Sarah 
Clark,  daughter  of  James  B.  Clark,  and  to  them 
have  come  two  children,  Lucy  Ripley,  born  Feb.  2, 
1889;  and  Oliver  Hazard,  born  July  7,  1891. 

Daniel  Stedman  was  horn  in  Wakefield,  R.  I., 
Feb.  26,  1854.  He  spent  his  earlier  school  days  in 
Wakefield,  and  then  for  two  years  worked  in  Provi- 
dence and  attended  school  there.  For  some  time 
he  worked  in  the  Peace  Dale  Mills  and  the  Wake- 
field Mills,  but  about  1885  he  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business  for  himself  on  Main  street,  continuing 
there  until  1896,  when  he  sold  out  to  Louis  W. 
Stedman,  his  brother.  In  September  of  that  year 
he  went  into  a grocery  and  bakery  on  Robinson 
street,  where  he  is  still  successfully  engaged.  His 
wife  was  a Miss  Abby  Ann  Thomas,  daughter  of 
George  P.  Thomas  of  Wakefield.  Mr.  Stedman 
has  been  a Republican  in  politics  and  his  fraternal 
connections  are  with  Hope  Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M., 
and  Columbia  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Louis  W.  Stedman,  who  died  Dec.  24,  1904, 
was  for  many  years  an  active  and  prosperous  busi- 
ness man  of  Wakefield.  He  was  born  March  10, 
1865,  and  his  education  was  acquired  in  the  Wake- 
field schools.  When  he  left  school  he  went  to  work 
in  the  Peace  Dale  mills,  and  after  some  twelve 
years  there  he  went  into  partnership  with  his 
brother  Daniel  in  a grocery  and  market,  and  was 
60 


associated  with  him  till  1896,  when  he  bought  out 
his  brother's  interest  and  conducted  the  business 
alone  till  his  death.  In  addition  to  this  property 
he  held  stock  in  the  Wakefield  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany. Like  the  other  members  of  the  family  he  was 
an  active  Republican,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  chairman  of  the  Republican  town  committee. 
He  married  Miss  Rebecca  Russell,  daughter  of 
Isaac  D.  Russell,  of  South  Kingstown. 

Dr.  Oliver  E.  Stedman  was  born  in  Wake- 
field Aug.  27,  1866,  and  attended  the  public  schools 
and  the  high  school  there.  He  engaged  in  business 
in  1886  with  his  brother  Daniel  under  the  firm 
name  of  Stedman  Bros.,  bu-t  in  1892  he  gave  this 
up  and  went  to  the  New  York  Dental  College, 
graduating  in  1895.  He  returned  to  Wakefield 
and  practiced  with  Dr.  Barbour,  of  that  place,  until 
January,  1906,  when  he  opened  an  office  in  the 
Stedman  block.  In  politics  lie  is  also  a Republican. 
Dr.  Stedman  was  married  at  Wakefield,  April  13, 
1895,  to  Phebe  C.  Sheldon,  daughter  of  Jonathan 
Sheldon,  of  Wakefield.  They  have  three  children, 
as  follows:  Olive  Evangeline,  born  Jan.  12,  1896; 
Madeline  Parthenia,  April  18,  1897;  and  Fred- 
erick Sheldon,  April  6,  1904. 

Arthur  W.  Stedman,  a merchant  and  post- 
master at  Wakefield,  was  born  in  that  town,  Feb. 
17,  1868,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools. 
During  early  manhood  he  worked  for  half  a year 
in  the  Peace  Dale  mills,  and  for  two  years  in  the 
mills  at  Wakefield.  For  some  years  afterward  he 
was  with  the  firm  of  Stedman  Brothers  and  later 
with  his  brother  Louis  W.,  and  upon  the  death  of 
the  latter  became  proprietor  of  the  business,  one 
of  the  best  equipped  groceries  and  markets  in  the 
town.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  all 
public  movements,  and  in  politics  has  been  a stanch 
Republican.  On  June  20,  1898,  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  at  Wakefield  by  President  McKinley, 
and  Dec.  9,  1902,  was  re-appointed  by  President 
Roosevelt.  He  is  a member  of  the  Postmasters’ 
Association  of  New  England. 

Mr.  Stedman  married  Neomi  Thomas,  daughter 
of  George  P.  Thomas,  of  Wakefield,  and  they  have 
one  daughter,  Helen  Adeline. 

HON.  WILLIAM  S.  HAYWARD  (deceased), 
long  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Provi- 
dence, for  several  years  its  chief  executive  officer, 
for  a dozen  or  more  years  officially  connected  with 
the  city’s  municipal  affairs  and  active  and  promi- 
ment  in  all  that  makes  up  good  citizenship,  was  a 
fine  type  of  American  manhood — the  product  of 
his  own  business  creation  under  American  oppor- 
tunities. Born  and  reared  a poor  boy,  practically 
self-educated  and  surely  self-made,  he  rose  through 
the  force  of  his  make-up,  his  determination  and 
ambition  to  high  and  honorable  public  station. 

William  S.  Hayward  , was  born  Feb.  26,  1835,  in 
the  town  of  Foster,  R.  I.,and  began  his  life  on  a 
farm,  attending  school  until  he  was  twelve 


946 


RHODE  ISLAND 


years  of  age.  At  this  early  age  he  obtained  work 
on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Bennet  L.  Holden  in  the  town 
of  Old  Warwick,  same  State,  where  he  remained 
several  years,  during  which  period  he  attended  the 
public  schools  four  terms.  In  1851  he  came  to 
Providence  and  obtained  a position  in  the  bakery 
of  Rice  & Hayward,  the  members  of  the  firm  at 
that  time  being  Mr.  Fitz  James  Rice  and  Mr. 
George  W.  Hayward.  Young  Hayward  remained 
with  these  gentlemen  one  year,  when  he  accepted 
a position  with  Mr.  Calvin  Rockwood  at  an  in- 
creased salary.  He  remained  with  Mr.  Rockwood 
until  1853,  then  returned  to  his  former  employers, 
becoming  their  salesman,  in  which  capacity  he  con- 
tinued until  1858.  In  this  last  named  year  he  pur- 
chased the  delivery  department  of  their  business 
to  supply  the  trade,  they  retaining  the  right  to 
supply  out-of-town  customers.  In  i860  the  two 
branches  united,  and  Mr.  Hayward  became  a mem- 
ber of  the  firm,  the  style  being  Rice,  Hayward  & 
Company. 

The  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war  in  1861  sug- 
gested a new  avenue  of  business,  and  on  the  first 
of  November  of  that  year  Mr.  Hayward  went  to 
Washington  City,  where,  in  connection  with  the 
late  L.  H.  Humphreys,  he  established  what  was 
known  as  the  “Rhode  Island  Bakery.”  For  several 
years  the  business  was  remarkably  successful.  It 
was  confined  principally  to  sutlers  and  others  de- 
pendent upon  the  army  for  patronage,  but  when  the 
army  in  its  forward  movement  crossed  over  into 
Virginia,  the  “Rhode  Island  Bakery”  was  left  with- 
out patronage,  and  the  owners,  sharing  in  the  gen- 
eral belief  that  the  war  was  nearly  over,  sold  out 
their  business  at  considerable  loss  and  returned  to 
Providence.  1 

In  1863  Mr.  Hayward  bought  the  entire  busi- 
ness of  Messrs.  Rice,  Hayward  & Co.,  and  assumed 
full  management.  Under  his  wise  conduct  of  af- 
fairs, his  energy  and  enterprise,  the  business  rap- 
idly increased  through  the  patronage  solicited  from 
the  troops  encamped  in  Rhode  Island  during  the 
war.  In  1865  Mr.  Fitz  James  Rice  again  became 
a partner  of  Mr.  Hayward,  the  partnership  con- 
tinuing until  the  death  of  Mr.  Rice  in  1893. 

The  public  life  of  Mr.  Hayward  began  in  1872. 
His  career  had  been  watched  by  his  fellow  citizens 
and  neighbors  who  had  seen  him  gradually  rise  in 
the  business  world,  conducting  his  own  affairs  in 
that  safe,  careful,  business-like  manner  that 
prompted  their  calling  him  to  public  station.  He 
was  elected  a member  of  the  common  council  from 
the  Sixth  ward  in  1872,  and  was  annually  re-elected 
until  1876,  when  he  took  a seat  in  the  board  of  al- 
dermen representing  the  same  ward  and  filling  the 
vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Mr.  N.  F. 
Potter,  Jr.,  who  was  elected  Water  Commissioner 
in  that  year.  He  served  as  a member  of  the  board 
until  1878,  and  as  president  of  the  board  from  1878 
until  1880,  when  he  was  chosen  mayor  of  Provi- 


dence, which  office  he  filled  for  three  years  in  suc- 
cession. Mr.  Hayward  was  also  for  a long  time 
a member  of  the  board  of  State  Charities  and  Cor- 
rections, resigning  some  three  or  four  years  before 
his  death.  He  was  commissioner  of  the  City  Sink- 
ing Fund  and  a commissioner  of  Dexter  Asylum. 
He  was  president  of  the  Union  Trust  Company  of 
Providence,  and  a director  of  the  Eagle  National 
and  Citizens  Savings  Banks.  He  was  also  chair- 
man of  the  Standing  Committee  of  the  Un- 
ion Congregational  Church.  Among  fraternal  or- 
ders he  belonged  to  What  Cheer  Lodge  of  Masons 
and  Calvary  Commanclery,  Knights  Templar;  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  He,  too,  was  a member  of  the 
Eirst  Light  Infantry,  of  the  Franklin  Society  and 
other  organizations. 

On  Nov.  9,  1859,  Mr.  Hayward  was  married 
to  Miss  Lucy  Maria,  daughter  of  the  late  Fitz 
James  Rice,  Esq.,  of  Providence.  Mr.  Hayward 
was  a man  of  fine  physique,  and  of  commanding 
presence,  standing  over  six  feet,  two  inches  in 
height,  and  weighing  two  hundred  and  twenty 
pounds. 

Mr.  Hayward  died  at  midday  Nov.  5,  1900,  at 
his  home  on  Broad  street,  with  Bright’s  disease, 
after  an  illness  of  only  eight  days.  His  funeral 
took  place  at  the  Union  Congregational  Church  on 
Broad  street,  Providence,  the  services  being  con- 
ducted by  the  pastor  of  the  church,  Rev.  Dr.  Nut- 
ting, and  Dr.  W.  W.  Woolley.  The  funeral  was 
attended  by  a large  concourse  of  people,  business 
associates  and  friends  of  the  deceased,  among 
whom  were  many  of  the  prominent  men  of  the 
State,  among  the  latter  being  Senator  Aldrich, 
Chief  Justice  John  H.  Stiness  and  Judge  Pardon 
E.  Tillinghast,  later  made  Chief  Justice  and  now 
deceased,  and  Governor  Gregory.  The  pall  bearers 
were:  James  H.  Smith,  G.  W.  R.  Matteson,  Mr. 
Sampson,  C.  D.  Sellew,  Dutee  Wilcox,  Albert  W. 
Smith,  Henry  Z.  Green  and  A.  E.  Allen. 

Mr.  Hayward  needs  no  eulogy,  his  life  work — 
what  he  accomplished,  what  he  made  of  himself — 
is  the  highest  standard  of  his  measurement.  One 
has  only  to  read  between  the  lines  of  this  brief 
outline  of  his  career,  and  to  note  the  expression  of 
the  press  of  the  city  in  which  that  career  was 
passed,  while  yet  he  was  among  the  living,  to  know 
his  size. 

On  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Hayward  as  the  chief 
executive  of  the  city  the  local  papers  paid  him  de- 
served compliments.  On  this  occasion  said  The 
Providence  Journal  of  Jan.  5,  1884:  “The  pleasant 
words  of  thanks  to  Mayor  Hayward  which  accom- 
panied the  close  of  his  legislative  functions,  have 
much  more  than  an  official  and  perfunctory  signifi- 
cance. They  indicate  not  only  the  warm  feeling  of 
personal  respect  and  regard  of  the  associates,  won  by 
unfailing  kindness  and  impartiality,  but  that  of  the 
community  as  well  for  a high  order  of  administra- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


947 


tive  ability,  sincere  devotion  to  the  public  welfare, 
and  a graceful  courtesy  and  dignity  worthy  of  the 
chief  magistrate  of  the  city.” 

On  the  same  occasion  another  of  the  local  pa- 
pers, The  Providence  Evening  Press  of  Jan.  7, 
1884,  said  editorially  among  other  things : “The 
valedictory  address  of  Mayor  Hayward  delivered 
before  the  city  council,  today,  very  properly  is  con- 
fined to  a brief  summary  of  some  of  the  more  im- 
portant operations  of  the  various  departments  of 
the  city  government  during  his  term  of  office,  which 
has  embraced  the  past  three  municipal  years.  It 
informs  us  that  the  net  city  debt  has  been  decreased 
during  that  period  $593,646.43.”  After  referring 
to  other  matters  in  the  address  it  sums  it  up  as  fol- 
lows: “Such  is  a brief  summary  of  the  matters 
treated  in  the  valedictory  address  of  His  Honor, 
Mayor  William  S.  Hayward,  now  ex-mayor  of  the 
city  of  Providence,  than  whom  no  more  honest,  up- 
right, well-meaning  man  ever  occupied  the  mayoral 
office  of  this  or  any  other  city  in  the  land.  He  has 
given  twelve  years  of  an  honest  man’s  life  to  the 
service  of  the  city  in  one  and  another  of  the  differ- 
ent branches  of  its  municipal  government,  and  re- 
tires today  to  private  life  crowned  with  the  envi- 
able unperishable  honor  of  a well-spent  public  ca- 
reer, and  laden  with  the  grateful  thanks  of  his  fel- 
low citizens.” 

And  still  another  of  the  local  papers,  The  Prov- 
idence Evening  Telegram  of  Jan.  7,  1884,  on  the 
same  occasion  remarked : “At  noon  today  Mayor 
Hayward  performed  the  last  official  act  of  his  ad- 
ministration, and  bade  farewell  to  the  halls  of  mu- 
nicipal legislation.  There  was  a tinge  of  sadness 
to  his  final  parting  words,  for  during  the  three 
years  he  occupied  the  mayoral  office  he  had  en- 
deared himself  to  all  officials  of  the  city  govern- 
ment, and  to  our  citizens  generally,  by  his  faithful 
discharge  of  duties,  and  courteous  and  affable  man- 
ners.” 

Mr.  Hayward  was  always  a supporter  of  all 
measures  for  the  benefit  of  the  city  and  people, 
and  contributed  much  of  his  time  and  means  to 
the  furtherance  thereof.  The  beautiful  fountain 
which  adorns  the  center  of  Hayward  Park  was  his 
present  to  the  citizens  of  the  city  of  Providence  in 
1889. 

After  Mr.  Hayward’s  death  his  widow  carried 
on  the  business  for  upwards  of  a year,  when  it  'was 
disposed  of.  Mrs.  Hayward  was  married  Dec.  10, 
1903,  to  James  Henry  Smith,  of  Providence,  and 
she  died  July  5,  1906,  at  Bethlehem,  New  Hamp- 
shire. 

FITZ  JAMES  RICE  (deceased),  of  Provi- 
dence, was  late  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Rice 
& Hayward. 

While  born  and  bred  in  the  Commonwealth  of 
Massachusetts  and  representing  a family  of  ap- 
proximately two  hundred  and  seventy  years  stand- 
ing there,  the  late  Fitz  James  Rice  became  through 


the  nearly  sixty  years  of  his  residence  here  a true 
Rhode  Islander,  one  among  the  leading  business 
men  and  substantial  citizens  of  its  capital  city, 
Providence.  He  descended  through  seven  genera- 
tions of  a worthy  race  of  people,  men  and  women 
of  high  resolve  and  noble  purpose,  who  left  their 
impress  upon  society.  Mr.  Rice  sprang  from  Ed- 
mund Rice,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  the  family, 
from  whom  his  lineage  is  through  Henry,  Jona- 
than, Hezekiah,  Jonathan  (2),  Phineas  and  Mica- 
jah  Rice.  These  generations  in  detail  follow  in  the 
order  named. 

(I)  Edmund  Rice,  born  about  1594,  came  from 
England  to  New  England.  He  settled  at  Sudbury 
in  1639,  removed  to  Marlboro,  and  died  there,  May 
3>  1663. 

(II)  Henry  Rice,  son  of  Edmund,  born  about 
1617,  was  admitted  a freeman  in  1658.  He  mar- 
ried at  Sudbury,  Feb.  1,  1643,  Elizabeth  Moore, 
and  resided  at  Sudbury,  and  lastly  at  Framingham, 
where  he  died  Feb.  10,  1710-n.  His  wife  Eliza- 
beth died  Aug.  3,  1705. 

(III)  Jonathan  Rice,  son  of  Henry,  born  July 
3,  1654,  married  March  23,  1674-75,  Martha 
Eames,  and  resided  at  Sudbury,  where  she  died 
Feb.  2,  1675-76.  His  second  wife  was  Rebecca 
Watson,  of  Cambridge,  whom  he  married  Nov.  1, 
1677.  She  died  at  Sudbury,  Dec.  22,  1689.  His 
third  wife  was  Elizabeth  Wheeler,  whom  he  mar- 
ried Feb.  12,  1690-91.  He  removed  to  Framing- 
ham after  1705,  where  he  died  April  12,  1725. 

(IV)  Hezekiah  Rice,  son  of  Jonathan,  born  in 
1694,  married  April  23,  1719,  Mary  Haynes,  of 
Sudbury,  and  resided  at  Marlboro  and  Framing- 
ham. He  was  for  many  years  selectman  at  Fram- 
ingham. He  died  Dec.  16,  1761,  and  his  widow 
Mary  passed  away  Dec.  16,  1785. 

(V)  Jonathan  Rice  (2),  son  of  Hezekiah,  born 
Oct.  8,  1725,  married  Oct.  29,  1746,  Ruth  Eames, 
and  died  at  Framingham,  in  1780,  aged  about  fifty- 
five  years.  His  widow  Ruth  died  May  16,  1805, 
aged  seventy-eight  years. 

(VI)  Phineas  Rice,  son  of  Jonathan  (2),  born 
Nov.  23,  1761,  married  June  3,  1784,  Ruth  Perry, 
of  Natick.  She  died  at  Framingham  Oct.  28,  1832, 
in  her  seventieth  year.  Flis  second  wife  was  Sus- 
anna, widow  of  Ebenezer  M.  Ballard,  and  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Abigail  (Howe)  Fiske.  Mr.  Rice 
died  May  17,  1842,  aged  eighty-one.  Mr.  Rice  was 
a patriot  of  the  Revolution,  serving  as  an  officer  in 
the  army.  On  the  closing  of  the  ports  of  Boston 
to  commerce  and  navigation  just  before  the  war, 
by  the  English  Parliament,  he  rendered  valuable 
service  to  the  country  by  transporting,  by  means  of 
ox  teams,  merchandise  from  New  York  to  Boston. 

(VII)  Micajah  Rice,  son  of  Phineas,  baptized 
in  June,  1787,  married  April  24,  1810,  Lucy  Ban- 
nister, and  resided  at  Framingham,  where  she  died 
March  28,  1835,  and  he  married  (second)  June  30, 
1842,  Abigail  Paige,  born  in  Hillsboro,  New  Hamp- 
shire. 


948 


RHODE  ISLAND 


(VIII)  Fitz  James  Rice,  son  of  Micajah  and 
Lucy  (Bannister)  Rice,  born  July  14,  1814,  in 
Barre,  Mass.,  married  Dec.  25,  1837,  Elizabeth 
Borden  Cooke,  of  Fall  River,  Mass.  She  died  in 
1872,  and  he  married  (second)  in  1874,  Mrs.  Re- 
becca R.  (Lewis)  Cooke,  widow  of  William  B. 
Cooke,  of  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts. 

While  yet  in  his  infancy  the  parents  of  Mr. 
Rice  removed  to  the  town  of  Framingham,  Mass., 
his  father’s  birthplace.  Here  young  Rice  passed 
his  early  boyhood.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years 
he  went  to  Medfield  in  the  same  State  and  there  for 
four  years  was  occupied  in  learning  the  baker’s 
trade  in  the  well-known  establishment  of  Mr.  W. 
P.  Balch.  After  the  completion  of  his  trade  he 
worked  at  it  for  one  year  at  Fall  River,  Mass. 
Coming  to  Providence  in  1837  he  was  engaged  for 
the  next  five  years  in  the  bakery  of  Mr.  Benjamin 
Balch  of  this  city,  following  which  he  began  busi- 
ness for  himself.  Associated  with  George  W.  Hay- 
ward in  1849,  whom  he  had  known  well  when  both 
were  apprentices  in  Medfield,  Mr.  Rice  established 
the  business  which  was  so  long  and  so  favorably 
known,  and  as  well  which  proved  so  extensive  and 
profitable,  conducted  under  the  name  of  Rice  & 
Hayward,  and  becoming  one  of  the  largest  estab- 
lishments of  its  kind  in  North  Carolina. 

In  i860  Mr.  William  S.  Hayward,  who  had  had 
for  some  years  a business  connection  as  salesman, 
etc.,  with  the  concern,  and  who  had  married  a 
daughter  of  Mr.  Rice,  was  admitted  as  a member  of 
the  firm,  the  style  of  which  then  became  Rice,  Hay- 
ward & Co.  Three  years  later  the  partnership  was 
dissolved,  Mr.  William  S.  Hayward  becoming  the 
sole  owner  of  the  business.  He  conducted  it  alone 
for  two  years,  when  in  1865,  Mr.  Rice  again  be- 
came associated  with  him  in  the  business  which  was 
conducted  under  the  old  firm  name  of  Rice  & Hay- 
ward, the  senior  member  remaining  a partner 
through  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Rice  was  a good  type  of  the  New  England 
citizen.  He  was  industrious  and  frugal,  and  so 
managed  his  business  affairs  as  to  lay  by  a com- 
petence. He  was  simple  in  his  manner  of  life,  yet 
gave  liberally  to  worthy  causes  and  ever  manifested 
an  interest  in  such  lines  as  tended  to  elevate  man- 
kind and  advance  his  city  and  town.  He  was 
chosen  a member  of  the  common  council  of  Provi- 
dence in  1868,  and  re-elected  in  1869,  giving  to 
that  body  efficient  service.  In  1856  he  united  with- 
the  High  Street  Congregational  Church,  at  the 
time  under  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Woolcut, 
the  church  later  uniting  with  the  Richmond  Street 
Church  and  the  two  becoming  what  is  the  Union 
Congregational  Church.  He  was  particularly  in- 
terested in  missionary  work,  and  for  a number  of 
years  was  a member  of  the  American  Board  of 
Commissioners  of  Foreign  Missions.  He  became 
a life  member  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  at  Providence  in 
1877.  He  had  taken  a deep  interest  in  this  organ- 
ization for  many  years,  and  to  it  gave  liberally, 


both  of  his  time  and  means.  He  became  a member 
of  What  Cheer  Lodge  of  Masons  at  Providence  in 
1857,  and  later  on  was  made  Commander  of  Cal- 
vary Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  and  in  this 
same  order  held  other  high  official  stations. 

To  the  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Rice  were  born 
five  children,  namely:  Lucy  M.  (deceased),  who 
married  (first)  Hon.  William  S.  Hayward,  and 
(second)  James  Henry  Smith;  George  A.,  a resi- 
dent of  Providence ; Arthur  G.,  who  died  when 
young ; Carolina  C.  and  Lizzie  J.,  both  of  whom 
also  died  when  young. 

During  bis  long  residence  in  Providence  of 
more  than  fifty  years,  Mr.  Rice  was  highly  appre- 
ciated and  esteemed  for  his  business  acumen  and 
capacity,  for  his  social  qualities  and  benevolent  dis- 
position. The  old  family  homestead  was  on  Chris- 
tian Hill,  where  he  resided  nearly  all  of  the  time 
after  coming  to  Providence.  The  latter  ten  years  of 
his  life  were  spent  where  his  widow  now  resides,  No. 
382  Trinity  Square.  His  sudden  death  from  ap- 
oplexy occurred  Aug.  10,  1893,  at  the  home  of 
Capt.  George  W.  Conley  on  Block  Island,  where 
he  was  temporarily  sojourning. 

WILSON.  The  East  Providence  Wilsons  with 
which  this  article  deals  rank  as  one  of  the  early 
and  historic  families  of  New  England.  One  Roger 
Willson,  of  Scrooby,  England,  was  one  of  those 
persons,  who,  in  1608,  fled  with  the  Puritans  from 
religious  persecution,  and  settled  in  Leyden,  Hol- 
land. From  his  connection  with  the  “Mayflower” 
expedition  his  descendants  are  really  entitled  to  be 
classed  among  those  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  al- 
though he  never  realized  his  intention  of  coming 
to  the  New  World.  His  youngest  son,  Lieut.  John, 
and  the  only  one  to  come  to  America,  was  the 
founder  of  a branch  of  the  Wilsons  of  the  old 
Rehoboth  and  Seekonk  region  of  Massachusetts. 
The  following  sketch  of  Roger  Willson  and  much 
of  the  data  pertaining  to  the  earlier  generations 
are  taken  from  an  authentic  sketch  and  genealogical 
chart  prepared  in  October,  1862,  by  Mr.  S.  C. 
Newman,  member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Historical 
Society,  under  the  patronage  of  Mr.  George  F. 
Wilson. 

“Roger  Willson  was  born  in  the  village  of 
Scrooby,  County  of  Nottingham,  England,  about 
1588.  He  was  of  Rev.  John  Robinson’s  Church, 
whose  members  fled  from  persecution  in  1608,  and 
finally  settled  in  Leyden.  He  was  a prominent 
member  of  the  church,  and  of  the  secular  organiza- 
tion of  that  Pilgrim  body  of  Puritans.  Although 
most  of  that  little  society  were  poor,  being  stripped 
of  much  of  their  substance  before  leaving  Eng- 
land, he  was  more  fortunate  than  most  of  his  as- 
sociates, and  in  Leyden  was  a woolen  and  silk 
draper.  He  was  one  of  the  joint  stock  company 
which  fitted  out  the  May  Flower  for  the  first  band 
of  Pilgrims.  He  did  not  come  with  them,  but  from 
allusions  to  him  in  the  Levden  records  it  is  inferred 


RHODE  ISLAND 


949 


that  he  intended  to  join  them  at  some  later  period, 
as  was  the  case  with  Rev.  Mr.  Robinson. 

“Mr.  Robinson  died  March  i,  1624,  and  that 
event  about  broke  up  their  organization.  They 
were  like  sheep  without  a shepherd  and  hearing  of 
the  great  suffering  of  their  friends,  the  Pilgrims, 
they  continued  to  drag  out  a few  more  years  at 
Leyden,  and  as  the  persecution  had  died  away  in 
England  a portion  of  them  returned  thither,  and 
the  remainder  became  absorbed  in  the  Dutch  popu- 
lation, and  were  no  more  known  as  a distinct  peo- 
ple. Whether  Mr.  Willson  returned  to  England 
is  not  certainly  known,  but  from  the  fact  that  his 
youngest  child,  Lieut.  John,  at  the  age  of  twenty 
emigrated  to  America  in  1651,  it  is  conjectured 
that  his  father  had  returned  to  England  and  died 
there,  as  there  is  no  record  of  his  death  at  Leyden. 

“There  have  been  a great  number  of  families, 
and  individuals  giving  rise  to  families  here,  by  the 
name  of  Willson,  which  have,  at  various  periods 
of  our  Colonial  and  State  history,  emigrated  from 
England,  Ireland  and  Scotland  to  America ; but 
the  family  here  sketched,  and  which  came  so  near 
becoming  extinct,  so  far  as  America  is  concerned, 
is  the  only  portion  of  the  race  whose  ancestry 
held  any  connections  with  the  Puritans  at  Leyden, 
and  assisted  in  fitting  out  that  immortal  band  with 
the  first  Pilgrim  ship  in  1620,  which  has  laid  the 
foundation  for  a great  Western  Empire.  * * * 

“The  light  now  thrown  upon  the  origin  of  this 
race  cannot  fail  to  excite  a deep  and  permanent 
interest  in  the  present  and  coming  generations, 
inasmuch  as  the  descendants  of  the  venerated 
Roger  Willson  are  as  indissolubly  connected  with 
the  origin  and  success  of  the  first  Pilgrim  ship 
that  reached  our  shores  as  any  descendants  of  the 
actual  passengers  of  the  May  Flower  now  living  in 
our  country.  * * * 

“The  wife  of  Roger  Willson  was  sister  to  Dr. 
Samuel  Fuller,  the  surgeon  and  physician  who 
came  in  the  May  Flower.  Mr.  Willson  was  a dea- 
con in  the  Rev.  Mr.  Robinson’s  Church  at  Leyden, 
before  the  Pilgrim  ship  sailed  for  America.  Dr. 
Fuller  died  at  Plymouth  in  1633,  and  his  will  is 
the  first  on  record  in  America,  and  is  the  oldest 
will  made  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

“From  all  that  can  now  be  gathered  and  known 
concerning  Roger  Willson,  the  ancestor  of  the  race 
here  sketched,  and  the  connections  of  his  wife,  it 
is  fairly  and  historically  inferable  that  he  occupied 
a first  class  position  among  the  ever  memorable 
band  of  Pilgrims,  at  Leyden,  and  that  without  his 
energetic  co-operation  the  first  ship  of  the  Pil- 
grims might  never  have  sailed  and  landed  on  our 
shores.  He  was  bondsman  for  the  only  three  men 
who  ever  obtained  the  freedom  of  the  city  of 
Leyden — William  Bradford,  the  first  Governor  of 
Plymouth  Colony,  Isaac  Allerton,  and  Deggory 
Priest — men  whose  names  will  be  remembered  and 
honored  as  long  as  there  shall  be  any  remembrance 


of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  and  their  settlement  at 
Plymouth.” 

In  this  article  especial  reference  is  made  to  the 
posterity  of  the  late  Benjamin  Wilson,  who  lived 
at  Uxbridge  and  East  Douglass,  Mass.,  and  whose 
sons,  the  late  Hon.  George  Francis  Wilson  and  the 
present  Hon.  Benjamin  Wilson,  both  long  identified 
with  one  of  the  large  and  important  industries  of 
East  Providence,  have  been  substantial  men  and 
prominent  citizens  of  the  town,  and  as  well  their 
sons,  several  of  whom  are  carrying  forward  to 
still  greater  success  the  work  established  and  fos- 
tered by  their  fathers,  and  are  worthily  perpetuat- 
ing the  family  name. 

(I)  Lieut.  John  Wilson,  the  first  of  the  line 
in  America,  born  in  1631,  was  the  youngest  son  of 
Roger  Willson  and  his  wife  Mary  (Fuller),  and 
the  only  one  who  came  to  America.  He  made  the 
journey  in  1651,  fought  as  a lieutenant  in  the  In- 
dian wars,  and  proved  himself  a most  worthy  man. 
He  died  in  1691.  He  was  twice  married,  and 
his  second  wife  was  buried  in  the  old  Seekonk 
cemetery.  His  children  were  born  in  Woburn, 
Mass.,  as  follows:  Samuel,  Dec.  29,  1658;  Abi- 
gail, Aug.  8,  1666;  Elizabeth,  Aug.  6,  1668;  Ben- 
jamin, Oct.  15,  1670;  Hannah,  May  31,  1672  (died 
young)  ; John,  Jan.  3,  1674;  Hannah,  Dec.  28,  1674 
(died  young);  Hannah,  March  11,  1677 ; Susan- 
nah, March  12,  1679. 

(II)  Benjamin  Wilson,  born  Oct.  15,  1670, 
son  of  Lieut.  John,  moved  to  Rehoboth  after  the 
death  of  his  father  in  1691,  became  a man  of  prop- 
erty, and  is  often  alluded  to  in  the  records  of 
Rehoboth.  He  was  twice  married  there,  and  had 
eighteen  children,  all  born  in  Rehoboth,  namely  : 
By  first  wife — Jonathan,  born  Nov.  8,  1698  (died 
young)  ; Rebecca,  Jan.  20,  1701 ; Hannah,  Oct. 

7,  1702;  Frances,  Sept.  7,  I7°4;  Elizabeth,  July 

8,  1706;  Samuel,  Jan.  5,  1708;  Ruth,  April  7,  1710; 

Bethiah,  Dec.  4,  1 7Il>  Abigail,  Aug.  30,  1713; 
Mary,  Oct.  17,  1714;  Sarah,  Feb.  23,  1729;  by 
second  wife— John,  Oct.  29,  1733;  Lucas,  Aug.  10, 
1 735  ; Ammi,  April  26,  1737!  Benjamin,  April  11, 
1 739 ^ Jonathan,  April  7,  1741  ; Ezekiel,  May  n, 
1744;  Chloe,  June  23,  1746.  . . ' 

(III)  John  Wilson,  son  of  Benjamin,  was  born 

Oct.  29,  1733*  and  lived  to  be  ninety-three  years 
old.  All  his  days  were  passed  at  Rehoboth  except 
for  the  period  he  served  in  the  French  and  Revolu- 
tionary wars.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  old  French 
war  under  Gen.  Putnam,  and  also  served  in  the  Rev- 
olutionary war,  enlisting  in  a company  of  infantrv 
raised  in  Rehoboth.  He  was  a large,  powerful 
man,  and  many  anecdotes  of  his  daring  deeds,  while 
in  the  armies,  are  interspersed  through  the  annals 
of  Rehoboth,  and  tradition  still  tells  of  his  great 
strength  and  activity  in  the  athletic  trials  of  the 
days  m which  he  lived.  In  these  he  never  met  his 
equal.  His  children  were  all  born  at  Rehoboth,  as 
follows:  Molly,  Dec.  2,  1764  (married  Abel 


950 


RHODE  ISLAND 


French)  ; Sarah,  Sept.  15,  1766  (died  young)  ; 
Joseph,  June  25,  1768;  Sarah,  Oct.  15,  1770  (mar- 
ried Job  Knapp,  of  Douglass)  ; John,  Feb.  15, 
1773  ; .Miles,  Jan.  27,  1775;  Abigail,  April  6,  1777 
(married  Richard  Olney)  ; Betsey,  Sept.  23,  1779 
(married  Abraham  Ormsbee)  ; Benjamin,  March 
23,  1783;  Lucretia,  April  24,  1785  (never  mar- 
ried). 

(IV)  Benjamin  Wilson,  son  of  John,  born 
March  23,  1783,  was  three  times  married,  his  first 

wife  being  Perry,  his  second  Mercy 

Cragin,  and  his  third  Elona  Carpenter,  daughter 
of  Nathaniel  Carpenter,  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.  To 
the  second  marriage  were  born  three  children — 
George  Francis,  Laura  Maria  and  Mary  Ann — 
and  to  the  third  four — John,  Joseph,  Benjamin  and 
Harriet  Elona. 

(V)  George  Francis  Wilson,  eldest  son  of 
Benjamin  and  Mercy  Wilson,  born  Dec.  7,  1818, 
in  Uxbridge,  Mass.,  married  in  1844,  Clarissa  Bart- 
lett, daughter  of  Prescott  and  Narcissa  Bartlett, 
of  Conway,  Mass.,  a lady  of  fine  culture  and  in- 
telligence and  of  lovely  character. 

Mr.  Wilson  lived  upon  a farm,  attending  dis- 
trict schools  winters,  until  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
he  injured  his  hip,  while  at  the  plow,  so  as  to  af- 
fect his  gait  for  life,  and  was  apprenticed  to  Wel- 
come and  Darius  Farnum,  of  Waterford,  Mass., 
to  learn  the  trade  of  wool  sorting.  The  reason  he 
gave  for  selecting  this  trade  was  characteristic 
of  the  man.  “That  kind  of  work  cannot  be  done  in 
the  night,  and  I shall  have  all  my  evenings  for 
study.’1  At  the  end  of  three  years  he  had  mastered 
his  trade  and  also  had  made  drawings  of  every 
machine  in  the  mill,  and  fully  understood  the  en- 
tire, business.  Frederick  M.  Ballou,  Esq.,  and  John 
W.  Wheelock  were  apprentices  with  Mr.  Wilson, 
and  they  fitted  up  a room,  where  they  passed  their 
evenings  together  in  study.  Of  the  three,  his  life- 
long friend,  Mr.  Ballou,  alone  survived  Mr. 
Wilson. 

Mr.  Wilson  received  recommendations  from  his 
employers  and  a valuable  testimonial,  but  he  wished 
for  a better  education  before  commencing-  in  earn- 
est  the  work  of  his  life,  and  having  added  to  pre- 
vious savings  by  a year  of  bookkeeping  for  Squire 
Bezeleel  Taft,  of  Uxbridge,  he  entered  the  acad- 
emy at  Shelburne  Falls,  Mass.,  as  a pupil,  and 
afterward  became  a teacher  there. 

In  1844  Mr.  Wilson  went  with  his  newly  mar- 
ried wife  to  Chicago,  traveling  by  canal  to  Buffalo 
and  by  schooner  through  the  lakes.  Here  they 
opened  the  Chicago  Academy,  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  at  the  corner  of  Clark  and 
Washington  streets,  commencing  with  three  schol- 
ars, and  ending  in  1848,  when  they  decided  to 
return  East,  with  225  pupils,  including  many  who 
have  largely  contributed  to  the  progress  of  the 
wonderful  city,  among  these  John  B.  and  Charles 
Farwell.  From  1848  to  1854  Mr.  Wilson  was 
successively  in  the  employ  of  the  late  Gov.  Jack- 


son, the  elder  Sprague,  at  Quidnick,  and  the  At- 
lantic Delaine  Company,  at  Olneyville.  In  Janu- 
ary, 1855,  he  entered  into  a partnership  with  Prof. 
E.  N.  Horsford,  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  who  then 
held  the  Rumford  Professorship  at  Harvard,  for 
a purpose  which  is  best  expressed,  perhaps,  in 
one  clause  of  their  agreement  made  at  that  time, 
somewhat  quaint  for  these  modern  days,  and  well 
worthy  of  record.  This  clause  declares  their  pur- 
pose to  be  that  of  “building  up  a chemical  manu- 
facturing establishment  of  respectability  and  per- 
manency, such  as  shall  be  an  honor  to  ourselves  and 
our  children,  and  a credit  to  the  community  in 
which  it  is  located,  and  which  shall  afford  us  a rea- 
sonable means  of  support.”  How  well  their  inten- 
tions were  realized  all  know  who  are  fa-miliar 
with  the  manufacturing  interests  of  this  vicinity. 
In  1856-57  the  business  was  moved  from  Provi- 
dence to  what  was  then  Seekonk,  but  which,  by 
change  of  the  State  line,  has  since  become  East 
Providence,  and  the  firm  of  George  F.  Wilson  & 
Co.  became,  and  has  since  continued  to  be,  the 
Rumford  Chemical  Works,  and  the  names  of  its 
productions  are  now  household  words  in  this  coun- 
try from  one  ocean  to  the  other. 

The  business  of  the  Rumford  Chemical  Works 
as  stated  was  established  by  George  F.  Wilson  and 
Professor  E.  N.  Horsford  in  1854-55.  In  1858  (or 
1859)  the  concern  was  incorporated  as  the  Rumford 
Chemical  Works,  the  name  being  given  to  the  works 
and  village  where  one  of  its  plants  is  located,  in 
honor  of  Count  Rumford,  the  eminent  authority 
on  the  means  of  supplying  nutritious  food,  who  had 
founded  at  Harvard  University  a professorship 
for  the  purpose  of  teaching  the  utility  of  science,  a 
chair  which  was  occupied  by  Professor  Horsford 
from  1847  to  1863.  At  these  works  are  manufac- 
tured culinary  and  medical  preparations  of  the 
phosphates,  including  Rumford  Baking  Powder, 
Horsford’s  Bread  Preparation,  Rumford  Yeast 
Powder,  Horsford’s  Acid  Phosphates,  etc.  At  the 
time  of  the  beginning  of  the  manufacture  of  these 
phosphatic  products,  under  the  patent  of  Professor 
Horsford,  the  only  virtue  of  any  baking  powder, 
yeast  or  other  preparation  for  the  raising  of  bread 
was  its  power  to  make  the  dough  light,  none  of 
them  contributing  anything  of  nutritious  value. 
Professor  Horsford’s  object  was  to  produce  a 
powder  that  would  not  only  raise  the  dough,  but 
also  supply  the  nutritious  elements  so  essential  to 
the  healthy  condition  of  the  human  body  which  are 
removed  from  fine  white  flour  during  the  process 
of  bolting,  and  how  well  he  succeeded  in  accom- 
plishing his  object  may  be  judged  by  the  statement 
of  the  late  Baron  Liebig,  of  Germany,  one  of  the 
leading  chemists  of  his  time,  who  in  commenting 
upon  this  preparation  said,  “I  consider  this  inven- 
tion as  one  of  the  most  useful  gifts  which  science 
has  made  to  mankind.  It  is  certain  that  the  nutri- 
tive value  of  flour  will  be  increased  ten  per  cent  by 
this  phosphatic  preparation.” 


RHODE  ISLAND 


95i 


Of  Professor  Horsford’s  profound  knowledge 
and  research  as  a chemist  were  born  the  prepara- 
tions which  bear  his  name,  while  to  Mr.  Wilson’s 
genuine  and  indomitable  energy  are  due  the  credit 
of  inventing  the  unique  apparatus  and  machinery 
for  their  practical  production,  the  creation  of  a de- 
mand for  articles  hitherto  unknown,  and  the  build- 
ing up  of  a successful  business  in  their  manufac- 
ture. 

Mr.  Wilson  resided  in  Providence  from  1852 
to  1861,  during  which  time  he  was  for  many  years 
a very  prominent  member  of  the  school  committee, 
and  for  two  terms  served  the  city  in  the  House  of 
Representatives,  in  i860  and  1861.  In  1861  he 
removed  to  East  Providence,  where  he  ever  after- 
ward resided.  He  was  four  times  elected  a member 
of  the  school  committee,  and  was  also  one  of  the 
town  council  of  1873,  the  other  members  being 
Hon.  William  Whitcomb  and  Hon.  E.  D.  Pearce, 
all  of  whom  died  within  a year  of  each  other — the 
latter  gentleman  dying  within  a few  hours  of  Mr. 
Wilson.  Their  long  controversy  over  the  red  bridge 
question  is  well  known,  and  the  characteristic  en- 
ergy which  each  threw  into  the  contest ; but  per- 
haps only  those  who  were  intimate  with  them  know 
that  during  the  whole  of  it  they  were  frequent  visit- 
ors at  each  others*  houses,  and  always  met  and 
greeted  one  another  as  “George"  and  “Ned,”  and 
their  friendship  afterward  seemed  to  be  rather 
strengthened  than  impaired. 

Mr.  Wilson's  thorough  knowledge  of  mechanical 
principles  and  appliances  was  well  known,  and  was 
practically  exemplified  in  his  own  business.  His 
opinion  was  constantly  sought  upon  new  inven- 
tions and  his  advice  by  inventors  struggling  with 
mechanical  difficulties  in  their  road  to  success,  many 
of  whom  left  with  substantial  assistance  in  addi- 
tion to  advice.  His  own  inventions,  both  of  process 
and  appliances,  were  numerous,  as  the  files  of  the 
Patent  Office  will  show.  Outside  of  the  business 
of  the  works,  some  of  the  most  important  are  an 
improvement  in  the  manufacture  of  steel,  a revolv- 
ing boiler  for  paper  manufacture,  and  important 
discoveries  in  illuminating  apparatus  for  lighthouse 
use. 

In  1872  the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of  Arts 
was  conferred  on  Mr.  Wilson  by  Brown  University. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Franklin  Lyceum,  the 
Franklin  Society  and  the  Rhode  Island  Society  for 
the  Encouragement  of  Domestic  Industry,  and  for 
many  years  actively  participated  in  the  proceedings 
of  all  of  them.  His  interest  in  agricultural  matters 
was  always  great  and  the  contributions  of  the  works 
under  his  direction  to  the  affairs  of  the  latter  society, 
both  of  stock  and  farm  products,  were  remarkable 
for  excellence  and  quantity.  Fie  was  an  extensive 
reader,  a deep  thinker,  possessed  of  a mind  and 
memory  of  no  common  order,  and  his  universal  and 
thorough  acquaintance  with  all  current  and  scien- 
tific subjects,  and  with  literature,  astonished  all  who 
knew  what  a busy  life  he  led. 


It  has  been  stated  that  the  wife  of  Mr.  Wilson 
was  a woman  of  fine  culture  and  intelligence  and  of 
lovely  character.  To  her  is  attributed  a large 
measure  of  the  success  of  the  Academy  at  Chicago, 
in  which  they  were  both  teachers,  and  she  was,  in- 
deed, a helpmate  to  him  in  the  days  of  his  early 
struggle  as  a manufacturer.  Her  memory  is  held 
in  loving  reverence  by  many  of  the  employes  of 
her  husband,  among  whom  she  went  with  open 
hand,  and  to  whose  necessities  in  sickness  and 
trouble  she  so  often  ministered.  Her  death  occurred 
in  1880.  Five  children,  two  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, survived  Mr.  Wilson.  The  six  children  of 
George  F.  and  Clarissa  (Bartlett)  Wilson  were 
born  as  follows:  Clara  Frances,  March  13,  1847; 
Ellery  Holbrook,  Sept.  20,  1848;  George  Francis, 
Oct.  10,  1850;  Mary  Augusta,  July  25,  1852;  Ella 
Narcissa,  Aug.  23,  1855  (died  young)  ; Alice 
Louise,  Sept.  2,  1859. 

Mr.  Wilson  died  at  his  home  in  East  Providence 
(formerly  a part  of  the  ancient  Seekonk,  Mass.) 
Jan.  19,  1883.  In  his  will  he  bequeathed  to  Dart- 
mouth College  the  sum  of  $50,000  for  the  erection 
of  a library  building,  and  to  Brown  University  the 
sum  of  $100,000  for  the  erection  and  equipment  of 
the  Physical  Laboratory  known  as  Wilson  Hall. 

The  Providence  Journal  at  the  time  of  his  death 
prefaced  its  remarks  with  these  lines : 

“The  death  of  George  F.  Wilson  will  recall 
many  reminiscences  of  a man  not  more  distinguished 
as  a successful  manufacturer  than  for  general  cul- 
ture and  energetic  discharge  of  duty  in  business 
and  official  life,”  and  closed  them  with  the  follow- 
ing: 

“Thus  ends  a life  full  of  lessons  to  the  young, 
a practical  exemplification  of  the  great  truth  that 
in  this  country  a man’s  life  may  be  what  the  boy 
resolves  it  shall  be.” 

(V)  Benjamin  Wilson,  son  of  Benjamin  and 
Elona  (Carpenter)  Wilson,  and  a half-brother  of 
George  Francis  Wilson,  born  March  15,  1833, 
East  Douglass,  Mass.,  married  Julia  Emeline, 
daughter  of  Elijah  K.  Dickinson,  of  Barre,  Mass. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  high 
school  at  East  Douglass,  Mass.,  but  left  school  when 
about  seventeen  years  of  age.  By  careful  reading 
of  standard  works  he  has  overcome  his  earlier 
deficiency,  and  is  a thoroughly  educated  and  cul- 
tured man,  and  he  takes  great  pride  in  his  fine  pri- 
vate library.  When  about  twenty  years  of  age  he 
was  employed  as  bookkeeper  at  Northbridge,  Mass., 
for  Deacon  Joel  Batchelder,  a boot  and  shoe  manu- 
facturer. Fie  then  came  to  Rhode  Island  and  en- 
tered the  employ  of  the  Atlantic  Delaine  Mill,  Ol- 
neyville,  where  his  brother  George  F.  was  em- 
ployed, and  in  1854  or  ’55,  when  the  business  of 
George  F.  Wilson  was  established,  began  as  an  em- 
ploye in  the  concern.  Two  years  later,  in  1856.  he 
went  to  Chicago,  111.,  and  engaged  in  the  business 
of  brick  making.  Owing  to  impaired  health  he  re- 
turned East  in  1864,  and  again  identified  himself 


952 


RHODE  ISLAND 


with  the  Rumford  Chemical  Works,  being  made 
superintendent  of  the  plant,  a position  he  has  held 
for  over  forty  years,  during  which  time  he  has 
contributed  his  portion  to  the  success  of  this  great 
industry  by  his  careful  attention  and  management 
of  its  affairs. 

Air.  Wilson  for  many  years  has  taken  an  active 
part  in  the  public  affairs  of  East  Providence.  He 
is  a Republican  and  lias  been  active  in  his  party, 
was  for  more  than  twenty -one  years  a member  of 
the  town  council  and  its  president  for  eighteen 
years,  was  three  years  judge  of  probate,  and  was 
elected  a second  time  in  November,  1905.  He  is 
well  known  in  the  Business  Men’s  Association,  hav- 
ing served  the  association  as  first  vice-president,  and 
was  its  second  president.  He  is  a member  of  both 
the  Athletic  and  Pomham  Clubs,  and  fraternally  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  at  one 
time  took  an  active  part  in  the  latter  order.  Like 
his  brother  Mr.  Wilson  is  a man  of  excellent  mental 
equipment.  Largely  self-educated,  he  is  well  read 
and  a most  entertaining  conversationalist.  He  is 
a close  student  of  human  nature,  and  meets  men  in 
all  the  various  relations  of  life  with  rare  good 
judgment. 

To  Benjamin  and  Julia  Emeline  (Dickinson) 
Wilson  have  been  born  four  children:  Fred  W. 
died  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  of  scarlet  fever. 
Clarence  E.  is  a graduate  of  Brown  University  and 
Columbia  College  and  is  now  a chemist  at  the 
American  Smelting  & Refining  Co.,  at  Perth  Am- 
boy, N.  J.  Benjamin  died  of  scarlet  fever.  Jessie, 
who  lives  at  home,  is  a graduate  of  Brown  Uni- 
versity,  having  taken  two  degrees. 

ATWOOD.  The  Atwood  family  has  been  one 
of  considerable  prominence  and  consequence  in 
England,  where  nearly  fifteen  different  families  of 
the  name  had,  up  to  a generation  ago,  entered 
their  coats  of  arms  in  the  Herald’s  office.  It  has 
been  a numerous  family  on  both  sides  of  the  At- 
lantic. Here  in  New  England  the  name  appeared 
earliest  in  Massachusetts.  One  John  Atwood, 
gentleman,  from  London,  was  in  Plymouth  as  early 
as  1636,  and  was  assistant  in  the  Colony  two  years 
later ; he  left  no  issue.  Dr.  Thomas  Atwood,  said 
to  have  been  captain  of  a troop  of  horse  under 
Cromwell,  settled  first  in  Plymouth  and  later  re- 
moved to  Wethersfield,  Conn.  Harmon  Atwood, 
of  Sanderstead,  Surrey,  England,  son  of  John  and 
grandson  of  Nicholas  Atwood,  is  of  record  at 
Boston  in  1642,  in  which  year  he  was  admitted  an 
inhabitant.  His  descendants  have,  since  early  in 
the  seventeenth  century,  been  somewhat  numerous 
in  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut,  where  in  each 
generation  they  have  been  citizens  of  worth  and 
stability. 

Charles  Walton  Atwood,  of  whom  and  of  whose 
lineage  and  posterity  this  article  treats,  was  for 
many  years  one  of  the  most  substantial  of  Provi- 
dence citizens,  and  in  his  business  connections  was 


identified  with  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the 
city  to  as  great  a degree,  perhaps,  as  any  other 
of  his  day.  He  descended  from  Harmon  Atwood, 
above  mentioned,  the  lineage  being  as  follows : 

(I)  Harmon  Atwood,  son  of  John  and  grand- 
son of  Nicholas  and  Olive  Atwood,  appears  first 
of  record  in  this  country  at  the  time  of  his  admis- 
sion as  an  inhabitant  of  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1642, 
in  which  year  he  was  in  the  employ  of  Thomas 
Battolph,  a leather  dresser  or  glover.  In  1642  he 
was  a member  of  the  artillery  company,  and  the 
next  year  he  was  made  a freeman.  On  Feb.  24, 
1644,  *ie  was  admitted  to  the  Church,  and  on  Aug. 
11,  1646  he  was  married  to  Ann,  daughter  of 
William  Copp,  who  came  to  America  in  the  ship 
“Blessing”  in  1635.  Harmon  Atwood  died  in  1650. 
His  two  children  were:  John,  baptized  Sept.  5, 
1647  (aged  four  days),  and  Sarah,  baptized  May 
26,  1650. 

(II)  John  Atwood,  son  of  Harmon,  born  Sept. 

I,  1647,  was,  16 73,  a member  of  the  artillery 

company,  of  which  he  became  lieutenant  in  1695. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  First  Church  in  1675,  and 
was  deacon  in  the  old  North  Church  (Second)  in 
1693.  He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife, 
Sarah,  died  in  1689,  the  mother  of  four  children, 
namely:  John,  born  May  23,  1671;  Joshua,  June 
3,  1673;  Samuel,  May  13,  1687;  and  Sarah,  Nov. 

II,  1688.  On  Oct.  27,  1690,  he  married  (second) 
Widow  Mary  Smith,  daughter  of  Zachariah  Long, 
of  Charlestown,  Mass.,  who  bore  him  the  follow- 
ing children:  Mary,  born  Sept.  1,  1691;  John, 
Feb.  16,  1693;  Samuel,  March,  1696;  Abigail,  Nov. 
17,  1699;  and  James,  April  10,  1701.  John  At- 
wood died  Aug.  24,  1714,  and  his  wife  Mary  passed 
away  March  18,  1728.  Many  of  his  children  died 
in  youth  or  infancy,  the  sons,  John  and  Joshua, 
perpetuating  the  name.  The  descendants  of  John 
are  elsewhere  mentioned. 

(III)  Joshua  Atwood,  born  June  3,  1673,  died 
while  still  a young  man,  leaving  a son  Francis, 
whose  mother  married  a second  time,  and  became  a 
resident  of  Providence,  bringing  with  her  the  son 
Francis. 

(IV)  Francis  Atwood  married  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  and  Lydia  (Hearndon)  Williams, 
granddaughter  of  Joseph  and  Lydia  (Olney)  Wil- 
liams, and  great-granddaughter  of  Roger  Williams. 
Their  children  were:  Charles,  Nathaniel,  Thomas, 
John,  William,  Lydia  and  Anna. 

(V)  Charles  Atwood,  son  of  Francis,  married 
in  1746,  Mary  Green,  born  Dec.  18,  1718,  daugh- 
ter of  Jabez  Green,  who  was  a son  of  James  and 
grandson  of  Surgeon  John  Green,  of  Salisbury, 
County  Wilts,  England,  who  came  to  New  Eng- 
land and  to  Providence,  becoming  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Providence  Plantations.  The  chil- 
dren of  Charles  and  Mary  were:  Nehemiah,  an 
old  time  merchant,  married,  Dec.  31,  1786,  Joanna 
Snell ; Charles  married  Mary  Brayton ; Caleb  ; 
Elizabeth  married  Daniel  Brayton ; and  Mary  mar- 


CHARLES  W 


ATWOOD 


RHODE  ISLAND 


953 


ried  Benjamin  Brayton.  Charles  Atwood,  the 
father,  purchased  a large  tract  of  land  in  the  town 
of  Warwick,  R.  I.,  which  included  the  present  site 
of  the  Lippitt  and  Phenix  Mills.  In  1783  the 
Lippitt  mill  site  passed  into  the  hands  of  his  son 
Nehemiah,  who  used  the  water  power  to  operate 
a grist  mill. 

(YI)  Caleb  Atwood,  son  of  Charles  and  Mary, 
married  July  29,  1781,  Meriam,  daughter  of  John 
Walton,  and  their  children  were : John  Walton, 
born  April  12,  1786;  Rayward,  born  April  16, 
1789,  was  a captain  in  Kent  county  militia,  and 
was  twice  married,  his  second  wife  being  Frances 
Slocum ; Catherine,  born  May  22,  1792 ; Charlotte, 
born  Aug.  22,  1796,  married  Rev.  Potter.  Caleb 
Atwood  was  a resident  of  the  town  of  Warwick, 
where  all  of  his  children  were  born  and  reared, 
and  he  was  well  and  favorably  known  in  his  day  and 
generation. 

(VII)  Capt.  John  Walton  Atwood,  son  of 
Caleb  and  Meriam,  was  born  April  12,  1786,  and 
was  a patriot  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  a 
resident  of  Phenix,  in  the  town  of  Warwick,  and 
was  always  much  interested  in  military  affairs, 
serving  in  the  Fourth  regiment,  Kent  County 
Militia,  as  ensign,  lieutenant  and  captain.  He  was 
of  tall  and  commanding  presence  and  his  snow 
white  hair  attracted  much  attention.  His  character 
was  as  sturdy  and  rugged  as  was  his  constitution, 
and  tradition  relates  much  of  his  physical  prowess 
and  moral  goodness.  His  wife,  Catharine  Bud- 
long,  who  is  remembered  as  a lady  of  mild  and 
motherly  manner,  also  lived  to  advanced  years. 
Both  are  buried  at  Phenix.  His  children,  all  now 
deceased,  were : Charles  Walton  : George  Bray- 
ton ; Alma,  who  married  a Dr.  Cooper ; George 
M.,  who  married  Caroline  Wilbur,  and  of  their 
sons  William  Herbert  now  lives  in  New  York 
City,  and  George  B.  in  Providence. 

(VIII)  Charles  Walton  Atwood  was  born 
in  the  village  of  Phenix,  town  of  Warwick,  Tan. 
10,  1828,  and  was  there  reared.  His  schooling 
was  confined  to  the  district  schools,  and  his  ad- 
vantages in  an  educational  way  were  decidedly 
limited.  He  was  employed  in  various  ways  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  birth  until  he  was  about  twenty- 
two  vears  of  age,  when  he  came  to  the  city  of 
Providence,  and  with  the  limited  capital  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  established  himself  in 
the  lumber  business.  His  beginning  was  in  a most 
modest  way,  and  his  equipment  consisted  of  one 
old  horse  and  wagon  with  which  he  delivered  his 
previously  solicited  sales  of  rough  lumber.  He 
was  thoroughly  industrious  and  frugal,  and  as  his 
small  capital  was  increased  by  his  profits,  he  re- 
invested, sold  and  delivered.  When  there  came 
a time  when  business  as  a retail  dealer  was  slow, 
and  he  had  a surplus  stock  in  his  small  yard,  he 
bought  a lot  and  erected  a dwelling  thereon.  This 
found  immediate  sale,  and  he  afterward  com- 
bined building  with  his  general  lumber  business. 


During  his  career  it  is  estimated  that  he  built 
buildings  the  total  value  of  which  would  aggre- 
gate more  than  a million  of  dollars.  Many  of  the 
buildings  he  retained  and  rented,  owning  at  one 
time  something  more  than  one  hundred  and  sixty 
tenements  of  various  sorts.  His  active  business 
career  began  in  1846,  and  ended  with  his  death 
in  1877.  During  this  time,  when  under  his  able 
guidance  his  business  grew  to  great  proportions, 
he  insisted  upon  giving  his  personal  attention  to 
every  detail,  keeping  his  own  books  and  accounts, 
and  to  this  rigid  business  rule,  combined  with  his 
honesty  and  fair  dealing,  his  clear  foresight  of 
conditions  and  opportunity,  and  to  his  persever- 
ance and  wonderful  industry,  was  due  his  success. 
His  business  grew  to  be  one  of  the  largest  of  its 
kind  in  Rhode  Island  and  his  lumber  yards  were 
situated  on  Pond  street,  extending  through  Crans- 
ton street.  An  old  school  building  located  on  the 
property  was  converted  into  an  office,  and  there  his 
two  sons  received  their  first  business  training  from 
their  father  whose  teaching  founded  their  later 
recognized  excellent  ability.  As  will  be  seen,  Charles 
Walton  Atwood  was  truly  a self-made  man,  from 
the  very  outset  depending  upon  himself  alone.  He 
achieved  nothing  by  chance  or  brilliant  accident. 
Opportunity  never  especially  favored  him.  Only 
by  employing  the  means  and  bringing  to  bear  the 
qualities  necessary  for  the  accomplishment  of  it, 
did  he  acquire  what  he  possessed.  There  were  no 
splendid  financial  passages  in  his  life,  no  bold  and 
hazardous  speculations.  He  had  self  trust,  self 
command  and  relied  on  his  own’  individuality,  on 
his  cool  caution,  his  placid  calculating  mind,  his 
considerate  discriminating  judgment.  There  was 
no  ostentation  or  show  about  him,  as  he  preferred 
retiracy  and  the  superintendence  of  his  private  inter- 
ests. He  was  neither  rash  nor  excitable,  and  in  all 
his  enterprises  he  “hastened  slowly.”  In  short,  his 
life  is  illustrated  by  “patience  and  work”  and  this 
Sir  Isaac  Newton  is  said  to  have  defined  as 
“genius.”  He  was  a man  of  principle,  and  his 
private  life  was  without  stain,  his  name  carried  no 
blemish.  In  his  social  relations  he  was  plain  and 
agreeable,  disliking  flattery  and  pretense.  In  dispo- 
sition kindly  and  charitable,  he  performed  many 
a kindness  to  the  -needy  in  the  most  unostentatious 
manner.  His  end  came  while  he  was  comparatively 
a young  man,  and  his  early  demise  was  directly  due 
to  over  exertion,  mental  and  physical.  His  death 
occurred  Nov.  10,  1877.  Some  four  years  previous 
he  had  practically  retired  from  business,  his  sons 
assuming  the  responsibilities. 

Mr.  Atwood  married  Caroline  Frances  Rey- 
nolds, daughter  of  Ezekiel  and  Hannah  (Hazzard) 
Reynolds,  descendants  of  old  and  notable  Rhode 
Island  families.  She  was  born  at  Warwick,  Jan. 
10,  1838,  and  she  died  at  her  home  in  Providence, 
July  21,  1895,  a lady  of  many  virtues  who  assisted 
in  no  small  degree  in  the  success  of  her  husband. 
Their  children,  all  reared  in  an  atmosphere  of  re- 


954 


RHODE  ISLAND 


finement  and  moral  culture,  were : John  W., 
Anna  Josephine,  Mary  E.,  Charles,  Frederick  Eu- 
gene (died  in  infancy),  and  Caroline  Frances.  -Of 
these 

(IX)  John  W.  Atwood,  son  of  Charles  Wal- 
ton, was  born  in  1846,  in  Phenix,  R.  I.,  and  re- 
ceived a good  common  school  education,  which 
was  concluded  in  the  public  schools  of  Providence. 
Taking  up  a business  rather  than  a professional 
career,  he  was  but  a young  man  when  he  entered 
the  lumber  business  with  his  father,  and  he  early 
secured  a practical  knowledge  in  that  line,  which 
was  of  material  assistance  to  him  when,  a few 
years  later,  he  branched  out  in  business  for  himself. 
In  the  real  estate  and  building  business  he  be- 
gan in  a modest  way,  and  met  with  success  from 
the  start.  Shrewd  and  careful,  as  well  as  straight- 
forward, with  a good  knowledge  of  prospective 
values,  his  business  and  own  personal  holdings  in- 
creased until  he  became  well  known  in  such  circles. 
For  some  few  years  previous  to  the  death  of  his 
father  he  managed  his  extensive  business,  and  later 
that  of  his  father’s  estate,  subsequently  confining  his 
attentions  to  his  private  affairs.  He  was  a busi- 
ness, rather  than  a public  man,  and  while  a Demo- 
crat his  interest  in  politics  was  that  of  a public 
spirited  citizen,  and  not  an  office  seeker.  As  a 
citizen  he  stood  high,  and  as  a business  man  was 
successful  and  honorable.  He  passed  away  in 
Providence,  March  16,  1894,  leaving  no  descend- 
ants. 

(IX)  Mary  E.  Atwood,  born  Nov.  12,  1850, 
married,  June  20,  1872,  William  Read  Johnson, 
son  of  Reuben  and  grandson  of  George  Johnson. 
He  was  born  Aug.  29,  1841,  in  the  town  of  Scitu- 
ate,  R.  I.,  a descendant  from  an  old  family  long 
prominent  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  and  in 
the  city  of  Providence.  Mr.  Johnson  has  for  some 
years  been  well  known  in  real  estate  circles  in  the 
city.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Johnson,  namely : Susie  Josephine,  born  Jan. 
10,  1872,  who  married  Charles  H.  Mathewson,  of 
Edgewood,  and  has  children : Mildred  (born  Jan. 
2,  1897)  and  Ethel  (born  July  29,  1900)  ; William 
Carter,  born  Dec.  2,  1875,  who  was  educated  in 
Providence  and  in  Brown  University,  class  of  1901, 
and  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business;  James 
Luther,  born  in  1883,  who  died  in  1888.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Johnson  occupy  the  former  homestead  of 
her  father,  Charles  W.  Atwood,  on  Broad  street, 
Providence. 

(IX)  Charles  Atwood,  second  son  of  Charles 
Walton,  was  born  in  Providence,  May  10,  1858, 
and  received  his  business  training  under  the  able 
teaching  of  his  father.  Upon  the  latter’s  retirement 
from  active  business  in  1873,  the  two  sons,  John 
W.  and  Charles,  assumed  charge,  the  first  at- 
tending to  the  outside  work  and  the  latter  giving 
his  attention  to  the  clerical  details.  At  the  death 
of  the  father  in  1877,  the  elder  son,  John  W.,  be- 
came administrator  of  the  estate.  In  1883  a di- 


vision of  the  estate  was  made,  and  Charles  as- 
sumed entire  control  of  that  portion  which  became 
his,  and  immediately  became  active  in  building  and 
real  estate  movements  for  and  on  his  own  account. 
Among  others  he  built  the  Atwood  Block  con- 
taining thirty-six  rooms,  the  first  modern  tene- 
ment house  on  “Christian  Hill.”  The  death  of  the 
brother  in  1894  and  the  mother  in  1895  (July) 
added  further  to  Mr.  Atwood’s  business  cares  as  it 
devolved  upon  him  to  settle  and  care  for  the 
estates.  This  obligation  was  successfully  consum- 
mated, and  Mr.  Atwood  afterward  accepted  the  su- 
pervision of  real  estate  and  property  interests  of 
. others,  and  conducted  one  of  the  most  successful 
and  extensive  agencies  in  the  city  of  Providence. 
Mr.  Atwood  was  a member  of  the  Central  Club  of 
Providence,  and  the  New  England  Order  of  Pro- 
tection. Mr.  Atwood  married,  Dec.  19;  1878,  Miss 
Ellura,  daughter  of  Rev.  Preston  B.  Hopkins,  of 
Sterling,  Conn.,  and  descendant  of  one  of  the  old- 
est families  of  New  England.  Mrs.  Atwood  is  a 
member  of  the  Daughters  of  the  Revolution.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Atwood  had  one  son,  Ernest  Preston 
Brown,  born  Dec.  3,  1879;  he  is  a graduate  of 
Brown  University  and  of  Boston  Law  School,  the 
former  with  the  class  of  1902,  and  the  latter  of  1905, 
and  he  is  associated  with  a well  known  law  firm  of 
Providence.  Mr.  Chas.  Atwood  erected  his  home 
at  the  corner  of  Harvard  avenue  and  Broad  street, 
and  resided  there  until  his  recent  death,  March  13, 
1908. 

(IX)  Caroline  Frances  Atwood,  youngest 
of  the  children  of  Charles  Walton  Atwood,  was 
horn  in  Providence,  Nov.  17,  1867,  and  in  June, 
1888,  she  married  Raymond  Harris  Price,  son  of 
William  G.  Price,  a native  of  Holland  Patent,  N. 
Y.,  but  of  an  old  Rhode  Island  family — the  Harris. 
He  is  connected  with  the  General  Fire  Extinguisher 
Company,  and  is  also  interested  in  real  estate. 
Their  children  are : Laurence  Atwood,  born  April 
12,  1889;  Milton  Harris,  Oct.  30,  1893;  William 
Gladding,  May  15,  1897;  Madeline,  Nov.  23,  1902. 

GORHAM.  The  Gorhams  of  Providence  are 
a branch  of  the  old  Cape  Cod  family,  which  has 
been  of  record  in  New  England  for  more  than  two 
hundred  and  sixty  years,  besides  being  of  long  and 
honorable  connection  in  England.  The  family,  it 
is  said,  accompanied  William  the  Conqueror  thither 
from  Normandy,  and  certain  members  of  it,  for  sev- 
vices  at  the  Battle  of  Hastings,  received  a manorial 
estate  at  a 'place  afterward  called  Gorhamsbury. 
Gorham,  Maine,  is  named  for  a branch  of  the  old 
Cape  Cod  family,  among  whose  posterity  have  been 
many  noble  men  and  women,  of  achievement  and 
great  usefulness.  The  line  of  the  family  followed 
out  in  this  article  is  that  to  which  belongs  Samuel 
Gorham,  of  Providence,  now  retired,  but  for  a 
third  of  a century  a merchant  there,  and  his  two 
sons,  Prof.  Frederic  Poole  Gorham,  Associate  Pro- 
fessor of  Biology  at  Brown  University,  and  Plow- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


ard  Bowen  Gorham,  a successful  attorney  and 
judge  at  Providence. 

(I)  Ralph  Gorham,  son  of  James  and  Agnes 
Bennington  Gorham,  was  born  in  1575  and  came 
to  New  England  before  1637.  His  children  were 
Ralph  and  John.  His  father,  James  Gorham,  was 
born  in  1550,  married  in  1572,  and  died  in  1576. 

(II)  Capt.  John  Gorham,  son  of  Ralph,  was 
born  in  Benefield,  England,  and  was  baptized  Jan. 
28,  1621.  He  married  in  1643  Desire  Howland, 
born  at  Plymouth  about  1623,  daughter  of  John 
Howland  and  Elizabeth  Tilley,  of  the  “Mayflower.” 
He  was  buried  at  Swansea,  Feb.  5,  1675-76.  She 
died  at  Barnstable,  Oct.  13,  1683.  Their  children 
were:  Desire,  born  April  2,  1644,  in  Plymouth; 
Temperance,  May  5,  1646,  in  Marshfield ; Eliza- 
beth, April  2,  1648,  in  Marshfield;  James,  April  28, 
1650,  in  Marshfield;  John,  Feb.  20,  1651-52,  in 
Marshfield  ; Joseph,  Feb.  16,  1653-54,  in  Yarmouth  ; 
Jabez,  Aug.  3,  1656;  Mercy,  Jan.  20,  1658;  Lydia, 
Nov.  16,  1661;  Hannah,  Nov.  28,  1663;  and  Shu- 
bael,  Oct.  21,  1667.  The  last  five  were  born  in 
Barnstable. 

(III)  Jabez  Gorham  married  Hannah  (Sturgis) 
Gray,  daughter  of  Edward  Sturgis,  of  Barnstable 
and  Yarmouth.  They  removed  from  Barnstable 
to  Bristol,  R.  I.,  where  he  died  after  March  16, 
1724-25.  Their  children  were:  Hannah,  born 
Dec.  23,  1677;  Samuel,  April  15,  1682;  Jabez,  Jan. 
3,  1683;  Shubael,  April  12,  1686;  Isaac,  Feb.  I, 
1689;  John,  Nov.  8,  1690;  Joseph,  Aug.  22,  1692; 
Hannah,  Feb.  21,  1694  (who  with  Joseph  was  bap- 
tized in  1695,  in  Christ’s  Church,  in  Bristol)  ; Ben- 
jamin, Dec.  11,  1695;  Thomas,  Oct.  30,  1701;  and 
Elizabeth.  In  the  census  of  Bristol  in  1689  Jabez 
Gorham  is  mentioned  with  wife  and  four  children. 
He  died  in  1725,  and  his  widow  passed  away  Oct. 
17,  1736,  at  Cape  Cod;  whither  she  returned  after 
her  husband’s  death. 

(IV)  Benjamin  Gorham  married  Bethiah,  born 
Dec.  9,  1696,  daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth 
Cory,  of  Bristol.  She  was  a granddaughter  of  John 
Cory,  who  came  from  England  and  in  June,  1644, 
married  Elizabeth  Godfrey.  He  died  Nov.  2,  1681, 
aged  sixty-nine,  and  his  wife  died  in  1680.  His 
wife  was  a daughter  of  Francis  Godfrey,  a carpen- 
ter, who  settled  in  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  and  there 
died  between  1666  and  1669.  David  Cory,  son  of 
John  and  Elizabeth,  was  born  in  1658. 

Benjamin  Gorham  made  his  home  in  Provi- 
dence, without  doubt  the  first  of  the  family  to  set- 
tle there.  He  died  between  Oct.  18,  1771,  and  Feb. 
1,  1772.  His  wife  Bethiah  died  probably  before 
1 753-  Their  children  were:  Benjamin,  born  Aug. 
22,  1718;  Bethiah,  baptized  Aug.  5,  1722;  Sarah, 
Sept.  15,  1723;  Elizabeth  baptized  Jan.  21,  1727-28; 
Jabez  ; Samuel ; and  Jemima. 

(V)  Jabez  Gorham,  son  of  Benjamin,  married 
Oct.  4,  1753,  Abigail  Field,  born  Jan.  27,  1730, 
daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Abigail  (Waterman) 


955 

field.  Their  children  were:  Jabez,  July  15,  1760; 
Samuel,  Dec.  n,  1763;  and  John. 

(VI)  Samuel  Gorham  was  a blacksmith  and 
iron  worker  and  resided  for  a number  of  years 
at  Hope,  R.  I.  He  died  Sept.  19,  1817,  and  was 
buried  in  the  North  cemetery  at  Providence.  He 
married  (first)  Sarah  Earl,  who  was  born  Dec.  5, 
1 771’  and  died  Nov.  8,  1804.  Their  children 
were:  Abigail,  born  Aug.  25,  1791,  who  died  May 

26,  1797  5 Daniel,  Nov.  8,  1792,  who  died  March 
14,  1829;  Sarah,  Jan.  13,  1795,  who  died  Aug.  31, 
1834;  Benjamin  E.,  Oct.  12,  1798,  who  died  in 
Ohio  in  1843  i Samuel,  Nov.  27,  1801,  who  died 
Feb.  19,  1802;  Mehetabel,  who  was  born  June  15, 
1803,  and  died  same  day;  and  Almira,  July  2,  1804, 
who  died  May  27,  1805.  Samuel  Gorham  for  his 
second  wife  married,  May  10,  1807,  Sarah  Callen- 
der, born  June  29,  1776)  who  survived  him  and 
died  in  Providence.  They  had  two  children : Ja- 
bez, born  Feb.  9,  1808;  and  Mary,  born  Oct.  19, 
1810,  who  married  Henry  Dunham,  and  died  March 

27,  1853. 

(VII)  Jabez  Gorham  learned  the  trade  of  a 
jeweler,  which  occupation  he  followed  all  his  life 
in  the  city  of  Providence.  He  died  there  Feb.  7, 
1871,  and  was  buried  in  the  North  cemetery.  Mr. 
Gorham  was  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  mar- 
ried Eliza  Ann  Poole,  a native  of  Martha’s  Vine- 
yard, Mass.,  who  survived  her  husband,  and  died 
in  Boston,  Mass.  They  had  two  sons:  (1)  Wil- 
liam H.,  born  Oct.  18,  1832,  married  Annie  M. 
Moffitt.  He  was  a jeweler  and  resided  at  Provi- 
dence. His  death  occurred  Jan.  2,  1901,  in  Digh- 
ton,  Mass.,  to  which  place  he  had  gone  on  a visit. 
(2)  Samuel  was  born  Sept.  3,  1834. 

(VIII)  Samuel  Gorham  was  born  in  Provi- 
dence, and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  there.  For-  a time  after  leaving  school  he 
was  employed  as  a clerk  in  a grocery  store  on 
Benefit  street,  receiving  wages  of  one  dollar  per 
week.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  began  to  learn 
the  trade  of  a jeweler,  apprenticing  himself  for  four 
years  to  Church  & Metcalf,  manufacturing  jewel- 
ers at  Providence,  with  whom  he  remained  for  sev- 
eral years  after  completing  his  apprenticeship.  He 
then  gave  up  his  trade  and  was  employed  as  a 
clerk  for  W.  S.  Huntoon  & Son,  wholesale  and  re- 
tail cigar  and  tobacco  dealers.  About  three  years 
later  Mr.  Gorham  became  a partner  and  the  firm 
name  became  Huntoon  & Gorham,  the  partnership 
continuing  for  over  thirty-two  years.  For  thirty 
years  the  establishment  was  located  on  Westmin- 
ster street,  and  was  then  moved  to  Pine  street, 
where  they  remained  for  two  years  before  Mr.  Gor- 
ham sold  out  his  interest.  The  firm  was  the  largest 
and  the  leading  one  in  that  line  of  business  in  the 
city.  Since  disposing  of  his  business  interest  Mr. 
Gorham  has  lived  retired.  . 

Mr.  Samuel  Gorham  was  married.  Nov.  20, 
1862,  in  Providence,  to  Miss  Abby  H.  Fish,  a na- 


956 


RHODE  ISLAND 


tive  of  Providence,  born  Jan.  5,  1839,  daughter  of 
Daniel  and  Sophronia  (Tobey)  Fish.  Two  sons 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gorham,  Frederic 
Poole  and  Howard  Bowen.  In  political  matters 
Mr.  Gorham  is  a Republican,  but  has  never  sought 
public  office.  He  is  a man  of  quiet  and  retiring 
manner,  has  had  an  honorable  business  career,  and 
is  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

(IX)  Prof.  Frederic  Poole  Gorham  was  horn 
April  29,  1871,  in  Providence,  and  attended  the 
public  schools,  being  graduated  from  the  Provi- 
dence high  school  in  the  class  of  1889.  He  then 
entered  Brown  University,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1893.  He  accepted  the  chair  of  bi- 
ology there  at  the  beginning  of  the  next  school 
year,  also  teaching  geology  in  addition  to  biology, 
for  a few  years.  Later,  in  1902  and  1903,  he  took 
a course  of  lectures  in  biology  at  Harvard  Medical 
School,  going  there  in  addition  to  teaching  his  class 
three  days  each  week  at  Brown. 

Prof.  Gorham  was  married  June  24,  1897,  in 
Burrillville,  R.  I.,  to  Miss  Emma  M.  Lapham,  a 
native  of  Providence,  daughter  of  Simon  S.  and 
Mary  J.  (Mowry)  Lapham.  Two  children  were 
born  to  them,  viz.:  Mary  Emma,  Aug.  10,  1898; 
and  Savles  Gorham,  Sept.  14,  1900. 

Prof.  Gorham  is  a Republican  in  his  political 
views.  During  his  college  course  he  was  made  a 
member  of  the  Chi  Phi  fraternity  at  Brown,  and 
since  graduating  has  connected  himself  with  the 
American  Society  of  Naturalists ; American  Asso- 
ciation for  the  Advancement  of  Science : Society 
of  American  Bacteriologists,  of  which  he  has  been 
secretary  and  vice-president ; American  Society  of 
Pathologists  and  Bacteriolojgists ; American  Public 
Health  Association  ; the  Entomological  Society  of 
America:  Washington  Academy  of  Science  and 
Society  of  Sigma  Xi ; Boston  Society  of  Medical 
Sciences ; Boston  Bacteriological  Club ; Massachu- 
setts Association  of  Boards  of  Health  ; the  Univer- 
sity Club : Art  Club : and  Anawan  Club,  of  Provi- 
dence ; and  the  St.  Botolph  Club  of  Boston,  com- 
posed mostly  of  medical  men  and  artists.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  Audubon  Society  of  Rhode  Island 
and  an  honorary  member  of  the  Providence  Medi- 
cal Association  and  the  Rhode  Island  Medical  So- 
ciety. 

Prof.  Gorham  is  the  author  of  two  valuable 
text-books,  “A  Laboratory  Guide  for  the  Dissection 
of  the  Cat,”  “An  Introduction  to  the  Study  of 
Anatomy,”  and  “A  Laboratory  Course  in  Bacteri- 
ology for  the  use  of  Medical,  Agricultural  and  In- 
dustrial Students”  (1901).  Besides  his  professor- 
ship at  Brown  University  he  also  holds  the  posi- 
tion of  bacteriologist  to  the  city  of  Providence. 

(IX)  Howard  Bowen  Gorham  was  born  Feb. 
10,  1876,  and  was  graduated  from  the  Providence 
high  school  in  the  class  of  T894.  He  then  entered 
Brown  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1898.  Soon  afterward  he  began  the  study  of 
law  in  the  office  of  William  H.  Sweetland,  now  pre- 


siding justice  of  the  Superior  court,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  August,  1900.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  law,  in  which  he  has  met 
with  success.  In  April,  1906,  he  was  elected  clerk 
of  the  Sixth  District  court,  with  judicial  power. 
He  is  a Republican  and  a member  of  the  City 
Republican  Committee,  of  which  he  has  been  for 
the  past  six  years  assistant  secretary.  He  served 
two  years  as  a member  of  the  city  council,  in  which 
he  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Accounts, 
and  a member  of  the  committee  on  Ordinances. 
In  1906  he  was  elected  a member  of  the  board  of 
aldermen,  and  in  the  same  year  was  elected  a mem- 
ber of  the  city  School  Committee.  He  is  a member 
of  St.  John’s  Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M.;  of  Manufac- 
turers Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F. ; of  the  Chi  Phi  fraternity 
at  Brown  University;  also  belongs  to  the  West 
Side  Club  and  the  Anawan  Club,  and  is  a member 
of  the  Rhode  Island  Bar  Association ; he  was 
elected  secretary  of  the  latter  body  in  September, 
I9°5- 

Mr.  Gorham  was  married,  June  1,  1905,  to 
Helen  A.  Whittemore,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  a descend- 
ant of  David  Keniston,  who  was  the  last  survivor 
of  the  famous  “Boston  Tea  Party.”  They  have 
one  son,  David  Keniston,  born  June  9,  1906. 

WILLIAM  HENRY  SHELDON.  The  late 
William  Henry  Sheldon,  of  Pascoag,  at  which  place 
he  conducted  for  many  years  a large  and  prosperous 
lumber  and  planing-mill  business,  was  a self-made 
man  and  one  who  rose  from  a humble  beginning 
to  the  foremost  ranks  of  the  honored  and  successful 
business  men  of  his  section. 

Mr.  Sheldon  was  born  May  II,  1837,  *n  the 
town  of  Glocester,  son  of  George  and  Marana 
(Kelley)  Sheldon.  Two  children  were  born  to  his 
parents,  the  other  being  Lucy,  wife  of  Benedict 
Burlingame,  of  Glocester.  George  Sheldon  was  a 
farmer  all  his  life,  and  died  in  Glocester.  William 
Henry  Sheldon  was  reared  to  the  arduous  work  of 
the  farm  and  his  opportunities  for  an  education 
were  decidedly  limited.  He  had  to  work  hard  from 
his  early  boyhood,  and  when  a young  man  learned 
the  trade  of  carpenter,  following  that  occupation 
as  a journeyman  for  a number  of  years.  In  the 
latter  fifties,  wishing  to  engage  in  business  for 
himself  and  feeling  the  lack  of  education,  he  at- 
tended Scholfield’s  Business  College,  at  Providence, 
for  a time.  In  i860  he  entered  into  a copartner- 
ship with  Almon  Smith,  and  together  they  operated 
a power  wood-working  shop  near  A.  Hopkins  & 
Co.’s  machine  shop  at  Laurel  Hill.  This  partner- 
ship was  dissolved  after  a few  years,  Mr.  Sheldon 
carrying  on  the  business  alone  there  until  1872, 
when  he  built  a small  shop  on  Sayles  avenue,  Pas- 
coag, the  building  still  standing.  He  remained  in 
this  small  shop  until  1881,  when  he  erected  the 
three-story  stone  building  in  which  he  was  ever 
after  located.  Shortly  after  the  completion  of  his 
new  shop  he  commenced  putting  in  wood-working 


RHODE  ISLAND 


957 


machinery  and  had  one  of  the  best  appointed  and 
most  complete  establishments  of  its  kind  in  the 
State.  His  business  as  a contractor  and  builder 
was  very  extensive  and  he  constructed  the  major 
portion  of  the  buildings  in  Burrillville,  as  well  as 
many  in  adjoining  towns.  This  was  a very  profit- 
able part  of  his  business  operations.  Mr.  Sheldon 
was  a stanch  Republican  in  politics,  and,  while 
he  'never  sought  public  office,  he  was  the  type  of 
man  to  be  called  upon  to  hold  positions  of  trust ; he 
served  as  a member  of  the  town  council,  as  high- 
way commissioner,  and  in  other  minor  offices.  He 
was  a member  of  Friendship  Lodge,  No.  7,  A.  F. 
& A.  M.,  at  Chepachet ; Pascoag  Chapter,  A.  O.  U. 
W.,  and  the  United  Order  of  the  Golden  Cross.  He 
attended  the  Free  Baptist  Church  and  contributed 
freely  to  the  support  thereof.  Mr.  Sheldon  suffered 
a decline  in  health  covering  a period  of  two  years, 
and  died  Feb.  17,  1896;  he  was  buried  in  the  Acotes 
Hill  cemetery  at  Chepachet. 

Mr.  Sheldon  was  married  (first)  to  Mary  Pres- 
ton, daughter  of  James  Preston,  of  Foster,  R.  I. 
She  died  in  1865.  On  March  23,  1873,  he  married 
(second)  Nancy  E.  Baker,  who  was  born  in  Graf- 
ton, Mass.,  daughter  of  Thomas  M.  and  Bathsheba 
(Brown)  Baker,  and  by  this  union  there  was  one 
son,  William  Russell,  born  Dec.  15,  1880.  He  mar- 
ried Pauline  Kurtz,  of  Boston,  Mass.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  Pascoag  and  the 
Bryant  and  Stratton  Business  College  at  Provi- 
dence, and  after  completing  his  education  assumed 
the  management  of  the  business  established  by  his 
father,  continuing  it  until  March,  1905,  when  the 
stock  -was  disposed  of  to  Myron  D.  Lapham.  The 
family  have  been  residents  of  Providence  since 
July,  1906.  William  R.  Sheldon  is  a member  of 
Granite  Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  at  Harrisville,  the 
chapter,  council  and  commandery  at  Woonsocket, 
and  Palestine  Temple,  Mystic  Shrine. 

William  H.  Sheldon’s  record  as  a business  man 
was  one  which  reflected  great  credit  upon  him.  He 
won  his  honors  fairly,  and  not  by  trickery  or  de- 
ceit, for  he  most  heartily  detested  both.  He  had  a 
thorough  and  complete  knowledge  of  the  lumber 
business,  having  few  equals  as  a judge  of  timber, 
and  was  a man  of  uncommon  native  business  ability 
and  judgment,  possessing  the  qualifications  for  suc- 
cess in  almost  any  line  of  business  he  might  have 
chosen  to  undertake. 

PEARSE  (Pierce,  Pearce).  The  Pearse  fam- 
ily is  both  ancient  and  historic  in  the  annals  of 
England,  the  lineage  of  Richard  Pearse,  the  immi- 
grant to  New  England  and  founder  of  the  Ameri- 
can family,  being  traced  to  the  time  of  Galfred.  In 
more  recent  English  generations  were  Peter  Percy, 
standard  bearer  of  Richard  III.  at  the  battle  of  Bos- 
worth  Field  (1485),  and  Richard  Percy,  the 
founder  of  Pearce  Hall.  From  Richard  Pearse,  the 
immigrant  settler,  the  lineage  of  the  children  of  the 


late  Albert  S.  Pearse,  of  Bristol,  R.  I.,  is  through 
Richard  (2),  Richard  (3),  Richard  (4),  Nathan- 
iel, Capt.  Richard  and  Nathaniel  Pearse. 

bor  nearly  two  and  a half  centuries  the  Pearse 
family  has  been  identified  with  the  political, judicial 
and  legislative  history  of  Rhode  Island  and  Bristol. 
During  both  the  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  peri- 
ods the  name  constantly  recurs  either  in  legislative 
or  military  affairs.  Capt.  Nathaniel  Pearse  com- 
manded an  artillery  company  at  the  burning  of 
Bristol  by  the  British,  during  the  Revolution,  and 
covering  the  period  from  1757  to  1849  different 
members  of  the  family  represented  the  town  in  the 
State  Legislature.  Hon.  Dutee  J.  Pearse,  in  the 
early  portion  of  the  century,  served  as  a member 
of  Congress  from  Rhode  Island  for  more  than  a 
decade ; the  late  Edward  Pearse  was  for  many  years 
a leading  figure  in  the  commerce  and  finances  of 
Bristol,  a number  of  his  sons  following  in  his 
footsteps.  In  more  recent  years  figured  the  late 
Alfred  S.  Pearse,  Richard  S.  Pearse,  John  S. 
Pearse,  and  the  son  of  the  last  named,  the  late 
John  Bowen  Pearse,  who  was  for  many  years  high 
sheriff  of  Bristol  county,  succeeding  his  father  to 
that  office,  and  also  for  many  years  postmaster  of 
Bristol. 

(I)  Richard  Pearse  (named  changed  from 
Percy  in  this  generation),  born  in  England  in  1590, 
married  in  England — his  wife’s  name  being  Mar- 
tha— and  was  a resident  of  Bristol,  England.  He 
was  a son  of  Richard,  who  resided  on  the  home- 
stead of  his  father,  grandson  of  Richard  Percy, 
the  founder  of  Pearce  Hall,  in  York,  England, 
where  he  lived  and  died,  and  great-grandson  of 
Peter  Percy,  who  was  standard-bearer  to  Richard 
III  at  the  battle  of  Bosworth  field,  in  1485. 

Richard  Pearse  came  to  America  in  the  ship 
“Lyon,”  from  Bristol,  England,  his  brother,  Capt. 
William  Pearse,  being  master  of  the  ship.  His 
children  were:  Richard,  John,  Samuel,  Hannah, 
Martha,  Sarah,  William  and  Marv.  [Capt.  Wil- 
liam Pearse,  of  the  ship  “Lyon,”  was  a distin- 
guished shipmaster.  He  was  killed  by  the  Span- 
iards at  Providence,  in  the  Bahamas,  1641.  He  is 
credited  with  being  the  author  of  the  first  almanac, 
for  1639,  published  in  North  America.] 

(II)  Richard  Pearse  (2),  son  of  Richard  the 
settler,  born  in  1615,  in  England,  married  in  1642, 
in  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  Susannah  Wright,  born  in 
1620.  Mr.  Pearse  died  in  1678  in  Portsmouth,  and 
Mrs.  Pearse  was  dead  at  that  time.  He  was  at 
Portsmouth  as  early  as  1654,  and  was  admitted  a 
freeman  of  the  Colony  from  Portsmouth.  His 
children  were:  Richard,  born  Oct.  3,  1643;  Mar- 
tha, Sept.  13,  1645:  John,  Sept.  8,  1647;  Giles,  July 
22,  1651;  Susannah,  Nov.  22,  1652;  Mary,  May  6, 
1654;  Jeremiah,  Nov.  17,  1656;  Isaac,  December, 
1638;  George,  July  10,  1662;  Samuel,  Dec.  22, 
1664. 

(III)  Richard  Pearse  (3),  born  Oct.  3,  1643, 
in  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  was  a freeman  of  the  Colony 


958 


RHODE  ISLAND 


of  Portsmouth  in  May,  1663.  He  removed  to 
Bristol,  R.  I.,  probably  soon  after  bis  father's  death, 
and  there  both  he  and  his  wife,  Experience,  died, 
his  death  occurring  July  19,  1720.  Their  children, 
born  in  Bristol,  were : Jonathan,  Richard,  Abi- 
gail, Mary,  Jeremiah,  Annie,  Benjamin,  and  a son. 

(IV)  Richard  Pearse  (4)  married  (first)  Sa- 
rah and  (second)  May  22,  1723,  Susannah  Law- 
ton,  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  daughter  of  Isaac  and 
Elizabeth  (Tollman)  Lawton.  Susannah  Lawton 
was  born  April  3,  1689,  and  died  July  29,  1768. 
Mr.  Pearse  died  Oct.  28,  1744.  His  widow  mar- 
ried, in  September,  1746,  John  Burden,  of  Ports- 
mouth. Richard  Pearse  was  a resident  of  Bristol. 
His  children  were:  Samuel,  Nathaniel,  Sarah, 
Richard,  William,  Experience,  Mary,  Susannah, 
Ann  and  Elizabeth. 

(V)  Nathaniel  Pearse,  born  Nov.  23,  1708, 
married  April  6,  1732,  Mary  Lindsay,  and  was  a 
resident  of  Bristol.  Their  children  were : Samuel, 
born  Oct.  25,  1733;  John,  March  28,  1735  ; Richard, 
Jan.  15,  1737;  Nathaniel,  Aug.  5,  1739;  Christo- 
pher, July  5,  1741;  Elizabeth,  Feb.  17,  1743; 
Thomas,  March  6,  1744;  Mary,  April  3,  1747; 
Thomas  (2),  March  24,  1749;  William,  April  2, 
1753:  and  Sarah,  Aug.  26,  1754. 

(VI)  Capt.  Richard  Pearse,  born  Jan.  15,  1737, 
married  Phebe  Monroe,  born  June  16,  1743,  and 
they  were  residents  of  Bristol,  R.  I.,  and  Rehoboth, 
Mass.  He  died  in  1809.  Their  children  were: 
Phebe,  born  Oct.  5,  1760;  Richard,  Oct.  27,  1762; 
Nathaniel,  Oct.  4,  1764;  Lydia,  Feb.  13,  1767; 
Mary,  July  2,  1 77 1 ; Timothy,  Feb.  14,  1775  ; Rob- 
ert, July  18,  1777. 

(VII)  Nathaniel  Pearse,  born  Oct.  4,  1764, 
married  Dec.  25,  1787,  Lucy  Rogerson,  born  in 

1764,  daughter  of  Rev.  Robert  Rogerson,  a native 
of  Great  Britain,  a graduate  of  Harvard  College, 

1765,  and  for  upward  of  forty  years  pastor  of  the 
Congregational  Church  at  Rehoboth,  Mass.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Pearse  resided  in  Rehoboth.  He  died 
Nov.  28,  1810,  and  she  passed  away  Jan.  22,  1805. 
Their  children  were:  George  A.,  born  Oct.  18, 
1788;  Lucy,  July  12,  1790;  Nathaniel,  Nov.  7, 
1793:  William  H.,  Sept.  5,  1797;  Betsey  R.,  Aug. 
28,  1709:  and  Albert  Smith,  April  1,  1804. 

* (VIII)  Albert  S.  Pearse,  born  April  1,  1804. 
in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  married  Sept.  1,  1831,  Mary 
Smith  Bradford,  born  June  29,  1813,  and  they  were 
residents  of  Bristol,  R.  I.  She  was  a daughter  of 
Capt.  William  and  Mary  (Smith)  Bradford,  of 
Bristol,  and  a descendant  of  William  Bradford,  of 
the  “Mayflower.” 

Mr.  Pearse  learned  the  trade  of  a house  car- 
penter, and  for  some  years  followed  it.  When  a 
young  man  he  went  to  what  was  then  considered 
the  far  West,  to  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where 
he  worked  at  his  trade.  Descending  from  a pious 
ancestry,  he  early  espoused  the  cause  of  religion 
and  good  morals,  and  was  active  in  those  lines 
through  life.  While  in  Cincinnati  he  was  superin- 


tendent of  a Sunday-school  there.  He  was  the 
first  among  his  fellow  workmen  in  that  city  to  sign 
a temperance  pledge,  and  to  advocate  that  cause, 
and  at  a time,  too,  when  one  in  such  a position 
brought  upon  himself  ridicule  and  opposition.  Mr. 
Pearse  was  a sincere  and  consistent  Christian  and 
a most  estimable  man  and  citizen.  He  possessed 
decided  musical  talent,  and  was  a leader  in  the 
choir  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Bristol,  of 
which  he  was  a member.  For  a time  he  was  su- 
perintendent of  the  Sunday-school  of  that  church. 
He  possessed  a rich  vein  of  humor,  which  exhibited 
itself  in  anecdote.  He  was  a man  of  tender  heart 
and  fine  feelings.  His  death  occurred  at  Bristol 
Aug.  20,  1878.  The  children  born  to  the  marriage 
of  Albert  S.  Pearse  and  Mary  S.  (Bradford)  were: 
William  B.,  born  Sept.  30,  1832,  died  Sept.  2,  1834; 
Marion,  born  Nov.  11,  1834,  died  Dec.  11,  1835; 
Marion  Rogerson,  born  March  5,  1837,  married 
Oct.  23,  1872,  Prof.  Edward  W.  Robbins,  a gradu- 
ate of  Yale  (1843),  a lawyer  and  a teacher  by  pro- 
fession (pedagogical  career  embracing  Kensington, 
Meriden,  New  Britain,  Conn.,  Normal  School, 
Baltimore,  Md.,  and  the  State  of  Virginia),  who 
died  at  Bristol,  Nov.  7,  1899;  Albert  S.,  Jr.,  of  Erie, 
Pa.,  was  born  May  15,  1840;  Edward  Bradford  is 
mentioned  below;  Frederick  P.,  born  Aug.  11, 
1848,  married  July  19,  1873,  Ellen  F.  Wilson,  born 
Dec.  15,  1851 ; J.  Russell,  born  Dec.  30,  1850,  mar- 
ried Isabella  Kirkwood,  and  became  the  father  of 
William  Bradford,  Mabel  Russell,  James  Frederick 
and  Anna  Marion. 

(IX)  Edward  Bradford  Pearse,  born  in  Bristol, 
R.  I.,  Feb.  1,  1843,  married  Mary  J.  Coffin,  daugh- 
ter of  Reuben  and  Mary  (West)  Coffin.  Her 
mother  was  a daughter  of  Ansel  West,  who  was 
formerly  the  operator  of  the  Stonington  & New 
York  Line  of  steamers  running  between  the  points 
mentioned.  Mr.  Pearse  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city,  attended  the  high  school 
for  two  years,  and  when  twenty  years  of  age  com- 
menced to  learn  his  trade  as  a machinist  in  New 
York  and  Bristol.  He  then  settled  on  the  place 
where  he  now  resides,  having  lived  there  since 
1869.  From  that  year  until  1894  he  was  employed 
at  his  trade  by  the  National  Rubber  Company, 
since  which  time  he  has  served  on  a committee  of 
five  in  the  construction  of  three  new  school-houses 
for  the  town.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  B.  Pearse  have 
one  daughter,  Nellie  Philips,  born  June  10,  1869, 
now  the  wife  of  Eber  Hill,  of  Bristol.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hill  were  born  two  sons — Carlton  Bradford, 
Aug.  20,  1890,  and  Harold  Eber,  Jan.  23,  1896. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  B.  Pearse  were  also  the  parents 
of  one  son,  Frank  Bradford,  who  was  born  Dec. 
12,  1874,  and  died  in  November,  1875. 

FRANK  T.  PEARCE,  one  of  the  most  widely 
known  manufacturing  jewelers  of  New  England, 
and  a leading  citizen  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  historic  family  first  definitely  mentioned 


RHODE  ISLAND 


in  the  person  of  Peter  Percy,  standard-bearer  to 
Richard  III  at  the  battle  of  Bosworth  Field,  in 
1485.  From  Richard,  the  immigrant  American 
settler,  the  direct  descent  of  Frank  T.  Pearce  is 
through  (II)  Richard  (2),  (III)  George,  (IV) 
James,  (V)  James  (2),  (VI)  Right,  (VII) 
Thomas,  and  (VIII)  Franklin;  the  details  of  the 
two  first  generations  have  been  previously  given. 

(III)  George  Pearce,  born  July  10,  1662,  mar- 
ried April  7,  1687,  Alice  Hart,  born  March  8,  1664, 
daughter  of  Richard  and  Hannah  Hart,  of  Ports- 
mouth, R.  I.  Their  children  were  born  as  follows: 
Susannah,  Aug.  21,  1688;  James,  Sept.  4,  1691; 
Samuel,  Feb.  3,  1695;  George,  March  2,  1697; 
Mary,  May  16,  1700. 

(IV)  James  Pearce,  born  Sept.  4,  1691,  married 
in  1712  Martha  Wilbur,  born  Oct.  22,  1690,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Potter)  Wilbur,  of  Lit- 
tle Compton,  R.  I.  Children  were  born  to  them  as 
follows:  William,  Jan.  19,  1713;  Susanna,  May 
24,  1715:  Martha,  Aug.  4,  1717;  James,  Sept.  24, 
1719;  Giles,  March  23,  1722;  Mary,  Oct.  17,  1724; 
George,  Sept.  12,  1727:  Alice,  Jan.  1,  1729;  Phebe, 
Sept.  21,  1731;  Samuel,  Jan.  29,-  1733. 

(V)  James  Pearce  (2),  son  of  James  and  Mar- 

tha (Wilbur)  Pearce,  born  Sept.  24,  1719,  married 
Sept.  14,  1749,  Sarah  Simmons,  born  Jan.  27,  1730. 
They  were  of  Little  Compton,  R.  I.  They  had  the 
following  children:  Right,  born  July  27,  1750; 
Stephen,  Dec.  20,  1753;  John,  Aug.  24,  1755; 

Ichabod,  Sept.  30,  1758,  died  Oct.  27,  1762;  Eze- 
kiel, March  24,  1760;  Ezra,  March  21,  1761  ; Icha- 
bod (2),  Nov.  24,  1762;  Simeon,  Jan.  26,  1766. 

(VI)  Right  Pearce,  son  of  James  (2),  born 
Jul  y 27,  1750,  was  married  in  1771  to  Anstris  Saw- 
yer, born  Oct.  30,  1751,  and  resided  in  Little  Comp- 
ton, R.  I.  Mr.  Pearce  died  April  8,  1829,  and  Mrs. 
Pearce  passed  away  Oct.  12,  1835.  Their  children 
were:  Godfrey,  born  Oct.  3,  1772;  Priscilla,  Sept. 
28,  1776;  Sarah,  April  29,  1778;  Timothy,  July  17, 
1779:  Thomas,  Sept.  6,  1784:  Priscilla  (2),  July 
23,  1790;  and  Abraham,  April  12,  1792. 

(VII)  Thomas  Pearce,  son  of  Right,  born  Sept. 
6,  1784,  married  Feb.  26,  1810,  Eliphal  Tompkins, 
born  March  15,  1790,  and  they  were  residents  of 
Little  Compton,  R.  I.  Their  children  were : Ab- 
ner T.,  born  Oct.  4,  1811,  married  Sarah  R.  Briggs ; 
Frederick  S.,  born  March  30,  1813,  married  Nov. 
11,  1839,  Lois  M.  Lee;  Louisa  was  born  Oct.  22, 
1815;  Joseph,  born  April  22,  1818,  married  Phebe 
Pearce;  Franklin,  born  June  19,  1820,  is  mentioned 
further  on;  George  T.  was  born  July  28,  1826; 
John  T..  Aug.  25,  1824;  and  Maria,  Aug.  14,  1828. 

(VIII)  Franklin  Pearce,  son  of  Thomas,  born 
June  19,  1820,  married  Oct.  12,  1847,  Elizabeth 
Najac,  born  Nov.  7,  1823,  and  they  resided  in 
Providence,  R.  I.  Mr.  Pearce  died  May  31,  1900, 
and  his  wife  June  5,  1903.  Their  children  were: 
Frank  T.,  born  Nov.  13,  1848;  Anna  E.,  born 
Sept.  2,  1850,  who  married  George  H.  Richardson, 
and  died  Nov.  7,  1877;  Eleanor  E\,  born  Jan.  3, 


959 

1852,  deceased;  and  Nellie  B.,  bom  March  19, 

1857- 

Franklin  Pearce  was  born  in  LitBe  Compton, 
R.  I.,  and  came  to  Providence  when  avout  seven- 
teen years  of  age  to  be  apprenticed  as  a painter  to 
a certain  Mr.  Shaw.  He  became  first  a jount°vman 
and  then  a master  painter,  and  opened  a shop  on 
the  corner  next  to  the  postoffice,  later  removing  to 
a place  on  Mathewson  street,  where  the  Lapham 
building  now  stands.  At  that  time  his  paint  shop 
was  at  the  rear  of  a dwelling-house  which  faced 
Westminster  street ; now  the  handsome  building  of 
Tilden  & Thurber  occupies  the  site  of  the  dwelling- 
house  mentioned.  For  many  years  Mr.  Pearce  was 
one  of  the  leading  painters  of  Providence,  employ- 
ing thirty  or  forty  hands,  doing  much  of  the  work 
for  the  best  families  on  the  east  side  and  extending 
his  business  to  the  mills  of  Blackstone  valley  and 
Fall  River.  His  home,  for  more  than  half  a cen- 
tury, was  on  Cope  (formerly  Trinity)  street,  and 
was  quite  a social  center,  since  the  head  of  the 
household  was  especially  domestic,  generous, 
whole-hearted  and  hospitable.  While  never  active 
in  politics,  Mr.  Pearce  was  sturdily  Whig  or  Repub- 
lican. At  one  time  he  was  a member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  but  was  too  fond  of  his  family  and  home  to 
advance  far  in  the  order.  He  was  also  a constant 
attendant  of  the  Round  Top  Congregational 
Church,  though  never  a regular  member. 

(IX)  Frank  T.  Pearce,  son  of  Franklin,  born 
Nov.  13,  1848,  married  May  14,  1873,  Annie  R. 
Gardiner,  born  May  29,  1855,  and  the  union  has 
been  blessed  with  children  as  follows : Aldridge 
G.,  born  April  2,  1875  i William  H.,  Feb.  4,  1882 
(died  in  March,  1882)  ; and  Anna  E.,  Dec.  14, 
1886. 

Mr.  Pearce  was  the  senior  member  of  the  firm 
of  F.  T.  Pearce  & Co.,  his  son,  Aldridge  G.  Pearce, 
being  another  member.  They  are  manufacturers 
of  gold  pens,  gold-plated  penholders,  pencils  and 
fountain  and  stylographic  pens.  The  business  was 
established  in  1880,  and  is  now  located  in  the  Ada 
building,  on  Sprague  street,  Providence,  the  pro- 
duct of  the  establishment  going  to  all  countries  of 
the  world. 

But  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  had  many 
long  years  of  struggle  before  he  reached  that  po- 
sition of  success  and  prosperity.  Frank  Thomas 
Pearce  received  his  literary  education  in  the  Foun- 
tain street  primary  and  intermediate  school  and  in 
the  Providence  high  school.  When  within  one  t.erm 
of  completing  his  course  in  the  latter  (in  1864) 
he  was  offered  such  an  excellent  business  opportu- 
nity for  one  of  bis  years  that  he  left  his  school 
days  behind  him  forever.  Entering  the  employ 
of  the  Kendall  Manufacturing  Company,  he  steadily 
advanced  until  at  the  end  of  seven  years’  service 
he  was  city  salesman  and  in  charge  of  the  shipping. 
In  1871  he  became  connected  with  Richard  Cross 
& Sons,  manufacturers  of  gold  pens,  etc.,  his  terri- 
tory as  traveling  salesman  covering  the  cities  of  New 


960 


RHODE  ISLAND 


England,  and  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Wash- 
ington. After  remaining  with  that  firm  four  years 
he  assumed  a like  position  with  the  Ray  Manufac- 
turing Company,  of  New  York  City,  traveling  as 
far  West  as  the  Missouri  river.  In  1880  Mr. 
Pearce  again  became  a permanent  resident  of  Prov- 
idence, establishing  the  business  for  the  manufac- 
ture and  sale  of  gold  pens  of  every  description, 
with  gold-plated  holders  for  both  pens  and  pencils 
— the  industry  which  under  his  untiring  and  able 
management  has  developed  to  large  proportions. 
His  original  location  was  No.  107  Friendship 
street,  and  there  he  first  employed  six  or  seven 
hands.  In  1890  the  number  had  increased  to  more 
than  one  hundred  employees,  hut  subsequently  la- 
bor-saving devices  came  into  vogue,  so  that  now, 
although  the  output  is  far  greater  than  ever  before, 
from  forty  to  fifty  people  only  are  employed  in  the 
manufacturing  department.  The  growth  of  the  es- 
tablishment, which  is  the  largest  of  the  kind  in 
New  England,  is  chiefly  attributable  to  Mr. 
Pearce’s  energy,  industry  and  business  sagacity. 
The  business  was  incorporated  April  1,  1907,  un- 
der the  name  of  The  F.  T.  Pearce  Company,  Frank 
T.  Pearce,  president,  and  Aldridge  G.  Pearce, 
treasurer. 

Mr.  Pearce  has  been  president  of  the  New  Eng- 
land Manufacturing  Jewelers’  & Silversmiths’ 
Association,  and  is  among  the  most  widely  known 
members  of  the  Masonic  Association  in  the  East. 
He  is  a member  of  St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  1,  A.  F. 
& A.  M.,  Providence ; Royal  Arch  Chapter ; Provi- 
dence Council;  St.  John’s  Commandery,  No.  1,  K. 
T. ; Rhode  Island  Consistory,  A.  & A.  S.  R.,  and 
Palestine  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  of  which  he 
is  potentate.  He  has  held  office  in  each  of  these 
bodies,  was  commander  of  St.  John’s  Commandery, 
and  was  commander-in-chief  of  the  Rhode  Island 
Consistory.  Finally,  he  has  been  honored  with  the 
presidency  of  the  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island 
Association  of  Knights  Templars  Commanders. 
In  politics  Mr.  Pearce  has  simply  been  a Republi- 
can voter,  and  outside  of  the  domestic  circle  and 
Freemasonry  his  social  affiliations  have  been  chiefly 
with  the  West  Side  Club,  of  Providence,  of  which 
he  was  president. 

HENRY  A.  TINKHAM,  now  living  retired  at 
Harrisville,  town  of  Burrillville,  after  a period  of 
nearly  forty-three  years  of  faithful  service  in  the 
employ  of  the  firm  of  William  Tinkham  & Co.  and 
its  predecessors,  is  a son  of  Nehemiah  and  Alzada 
(Andrews)  Tinkham,  and  brother  to  William 
Tinkham,  of  Providence,  and  the  late  Ellison  Tink- 
ham, of  Carolina,  R.  I.,  sketches  of  whom  appear 
elsewhere  in  this  publication. 

Henry  A.  Tinkham  was  born  Oct.  6,  1840,  in 
Harmony,  town  of  Glocester.  He  received  limited 
educational  advantages  in  the  district  schools,  go- 
ing to  school  a few  months  each  winter,  the  sum- 
mer seasons  being  spent  in  hard  work  on  the  farm 


and  in  his  father's  blacksmith  shop.  He  remained 
at  home  until  the  fall  of  1862,  when  he  came  to 
Harrisville,  which  place  has  since  been  his  home. 
For  many  years  he  was  in  charge  of  the  outside 
work,  such  as  the  teaming  and  farming  operations, 
but  for  the  last  thirty  years  was  employed  as  night 
watchman  for  the  firm  of  William  Tinkham  & Co. 
He  retired  from  active  work  in  July,  1905. 

Mr.  Tinkham  has  always  been  a hard-working 
man,  economical  and  careful  of  his  earnings,  and 
has  acquired  a competence.  He  has  always  lived 
a quiet  life,  not  caring  for  any  public  office,  and 
has  been  a faithful  employee,  strictly  temperate, 
and  a man  respected  by  all  who  know  him.  Air. 
Tinkham  is  unmarried. 

ENOCH  WILCOX  VARS,  manufacturing 
chemist,  of  Niantic,  R.  I., 'is  one  of  the  representa- 
tive citizens  of  the  town  of  Westerly,  and  probably 
the  best  known  member  of  the  old  Vars  family  in 
that  section  of  the  State.  He  is  a descendant  in 
the  seventh  generation  from  John  Vars,  one  of 
the  early  French  emigrants  to  this  country,  and 
whose  descendants  for  more  than  two  hundred 
years  have  been  more  or  less  prominently  identified 
with  the  growth  and  development  of  the  town  of 
Westerly.  Not  far  from  the  village  of  Niantic 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  of  Westerly,  is  the 
old  Vars  homestead,  one  of  the  prettiest  and  best 
farms  in  that  vicinity,  its  lands  lying  quite  high 
and  sloping  gently  to  the  east.  This  tract  of  land 
for  more  than  two  centuries  has  been  in  the  family, 
and  has  been  the  birthplace  and  home  of  seven  suc- 
cessive generations  of  the  Vars  name. 

The  line  of  descent  of  Enoch  Wilcox  Vars,  from 
the  progenitor  of  the  family,  John  Vars,  is  through 
Isaac,  Theodity,  Isaac  (2),  Isaac  (3)  and  Charles. 
The  generations  being  indicated  by  Roman  numer- 
als follow : 

(I)  John  Vars,  born  in  France  about  1653, 
while  in  the  country  on  a visit,  stopped  at  Newport, 
R.  I.,  and  concluded  to  settle  there.  He  returned 
to  France  for  his  family  and  belongings,  sailed  with 
them,  but  died  on  passage  to  America.  His  widow 
Mary  and  only  child,  arrived  in  Newport  about 
1685,  and  about  1700  located  permanently  in  the 
town  of  Westerly.  About  this  time  Mrs.  Vars 
married  again,  her  second  husband  being  Theodity 
Rhodes,  of  Westerly.  She  died  in  1740. 

(II)  Isaac  Vars,  son  of  John,  born  about  1682, 
in  France,  married  May  29,  1708,  Rebecca  Larkin, 
of  Westerly.  Mr.  Vars  located  in  Westerly,  about 
1700.  His  stepfather,  Theodity  Rhodes,  had  pur- 
chased in  June,  1707,  from  the  Indians,  a tract  of 
land  which  he  subsequently  deeded  to  him,  and  in 
1732  Air.  Vars  himself  purchased  from  the  Indians 
sixty  acres  of  land  adjoining  his  farm  on  the  east. 
On  this  first  named  tract  of  land  near  the  spring, 
and  perhaps  a half  mile  south  of  the  village  of 
Niantic  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town,  Mr.  Vars 
built,  in  about  1708-09,  a house  which  with  its  addi- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


961 


tions  has  constituted  what  is  known  as  the  “Old 
Vars  Homestead.”  To  the  first  cabin  house  an 
addition  was  made  years  later,  and  in  1776,  The- 
odity  Vars,  a son  of  Isaac,  added  thereto  what  is 
now  the  western  part  of  the  house.  Mr.  Vars  lived 
to  be  about  eighty  years  of  age. 

(III)  Theodity  Vars,  son  of  Isaac,  born  Oct.  5, 
1710,  in  Westerly,  R.  I.,  and  presumably  the  first 
of  the  Vars  name  born  in  America,  married  Dec. 
31,  1732,  Mary  Dodge,  born  March  12,  1713, 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Dodge,  of  Westerly. 
Isaac  Vars  gave  to  his  son  Theodity  the  sixty  acres 
of  land  referred  to  as  that  bought  by  him  in  1732, 
adjoining  his  own  farm,  and  upon  it  was  probably 
built  the  house  that  stood  where  in  recent  years 
has  stood  the  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Peckham  house.  The- 
odity Vars  was  occupied  in  farming.  He  was  made 
a freeman  of  the  town  in  1733.  On  selling  his 
property  later  he  reserved  a twenty-acre  wood  lot, 
which  since  has  been  a part  of  the  old  homestead. 
Mr.  Vars  died  in  the  homestead  in'  1795,  and  his 
wife  passed  away  in  1792,  aged,  respectively,  eighty- 
five  and  eighty  years. 

(IV)  Isaac  Vars  (2),  son  of  Theodity,  born 
Oct.  25,  1733,  married  (first)  in  1755,  Elizabeth 
Burdick.  She  died  in  1778,  and  he  married  (sec- 
ond) Oct.  15,  1780,  Waity  Gardiner,  of  East  Green- 
wich, R.  I.,  born  in  1750.  Mr.  Vars  was  a farmer, 
and  occupied  the  home  place.  He  was  made  a free- 
man in  1758,  became  active  in  public  affairs  and  held 
various  town  offices.  He  died  in  1821,  aged  eighty- 
eight  years.  The  second  Mrs.  Vars  died  in  1825, 
aged  seventy-five  years.  The  children  of  the  first 
marriage  were:  Thomas,  born  Aug.  21,  1756; 
Elizabeth,  Aug.  20,  1758;  Joseph,  Nov.  7,  1760; 
Edward,  March  13,  1763;  Ann,  March  13,  1765; 
Sarah,  March  25,  1768;  Catherine,  Oct.  19,  1770; 
and  Lydia,  March  4,  1772.  The  children  born  to 
the  secG  id  marriage  were : Polly,  born  Sept.  3, 
1781;  I aac,  July  6,  1788;  and  Fanny,  July  11, 
1790. 

(V)  Isaac  Vars  (3),  son  of  Isaac  (2),  born  July 

6,  1788,  married  Jan.  9,  1811,  Hannah  Saunders, 
born  Sept.  27,  1791,  in  Westerly,  daughter  of  Capt. 
Arnold  Saunders.  Mr.  Vars  occupied  the  old  home- 
stead in  Westerly,  was  a farmer  and  a man  highly 
esteemed  and  respected  in  the  community  in  which 
he  lived.  His  death  occurred  July  31,  1870.  His 
wife  Hannah  passed  away  in  1863,  aged  seventy- 
two.  Their  eleven  children  were  : ( 1 ) Hannah, 

born  Dec.  3,  1811,  married  Andrew  Aikens,  who 
was  lost  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  (second)  Alonzo 
Simiano.  (2)  John,  born  Feb.  22,  1813,  married 
Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Remington;  he  died  in  Niantic, 
Conn.  Her  daughter  is  Mrs.  Eben  Robinson,  of 
Providence.  (3)  Charles,  born  June  5,  1814,  was 
the  father  of  Enoch  W.  Vars.  (4)  George  W., 
born  April  7,  1816,  had  a son,  Charles  Addison. 
He  lives  in  Jamestown,  R.  I.  (5)  Lucinda,  born 
April  15,  1818,  married  Gardiner  Case.  (6)  Char- 

61 


lotte,  born  Dec.  19,  1819,  married  George  D.  Ches- 
ter, and  lives  in  Niantic,  R.  I.  (7)  Maria,  born 
Sept.  13,  1821,  died  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years. 
(8)  Alfred  G.,  born  March  30,  1825,  resides  in 
Niantic,  R.  I.  (9)  Edwin,  born  Nov.  5,  1827,  lives 
on  the  old  homestead  in  Niantic.  (10)  Frances, 
born  Dec.  25,  1829,  married  James  M.  Aldrich,  of 
Westerly,  R.  I.  (11)  Nelson  B.  was  born  May  6, 
i83x* 

(VI)  Charles  Vars  was  born  at  Watch  Hill, 
R.  I.,  June  5,  1814,  and  died  Jan.  16,  1892.  He 
attended  the  school  formed  by  a number  of  families 
clubbing  together,  and  was  brought  up  on  a farm. 
On  Sept.  17,  1837,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years, 
Mr.  \ ars  married,  in  Providence,  Honor  Gardiner, 
daughter  of  Malbro  and  Deborah  Gardiner,  the 
former  of  whom  was  a whaler.  Mrs.  Vars  was 
born  Feb.  21,  1821,  and  died  April  22,  1846,  the 
mother  of  children  as  follows:  Abbv  M.,  born  Oct. 
3,  1839,  married  May  7,  1859,  Thomas  W.  Potter, 
and  lives  in  Westerly,  R.  I. ; Nathan  Hull,  born 
April  27,  1841,  married  Lepha  Anna  Gavitt,  and 
had  one  child,  Lillian ; Charles  Courtland,  born 
July  14,  1843,  an  engineer  on  the  New  York,  New 
Haven  & Hartford  Railroad,  residing  in  Provi- 
dence, married  Abby  Ward,  of  Charlestown,  and 
has  three  sons,  William,  Gorton  G.  and  Edward 
W. ; William  Denison,  of  Saybrook  Point,  born 
March  14,  1845,  was  married  Nov.  13,  1866,  to 
Hattie  N.  Ward,  and  has  one  child,  Alice  Honor, 
born  Oct.  19,  1873,  now  Mrs.  Harry  Dobson,  of 
New  York  City. 

Charles  Vars  married  for  his  second  wife,  Nov. 
11,  1846,  Hannah  L.  Wilcox,  daughter  of  Oliver 
Wilcox  and  cousin  of  Stephen  Wilcox.  She  died 
Sept.  27,  1876,  and  on  May  14,  1877,  for  his  third 
wife,  he  wedded  Abbie  Earl  Hoxie  Wilcox,  the 
widow  of  Dennison  Wilcox.  He  \Vas  a member  of 
the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Church.  Six  children 
blessed  the  second  union:  (1)  Mary  Honor,  born 
May  11,  1850,  married  Horace  Adrian  Burdick,  of 
Dansville,  N.  Y.,  who  has  served  as  Probate  Judge 
in  his  district,  and  has  two  sons,  Irving  E.  and 
Charles  A. ; the  former  is  a graduate  of  Yale, 
scientific  department,  an  expert  electrician,  and  the 
inventor  of  the  Hall  & Burdick  Submarine  Arc 
Light.  (2)  Enoch  Wilcox,  born  May  5,  1851,  is 
mentioned  later.  (3)  Oliver  Edwin,  born  Feb.  3, 
1853,  resides  at  Andover,  N.  Y.  He  has  success- 
fully carried  on  mercantile  business  for  a number 
of  .years,  in  different  lines,  including  the  drug 
business.  He  has  other  business  interests.  He 
married  Ella  Lanphear,  and  his  children  are  Clif- 
ford J.,  Floyd  C.  and  Mabel  Irene.  (4)  Alice  W., 
born  May  14,  1854,  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years.  (5)  Isaac  Newton,  born  June  29,  1856, 
died  in  infancy.  (6)  Isaiah  Wilcox,  born  July  20, 
1857,  married  Lillian  Warner,  and  had  one  child, 
Ethel.  He  was  a locomotive  engineer  on  the  Con- 
necticut River  Division  of  the  New  York,  New 


962 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Haven  & Hartford  Railroad,  and  resided  for  some 
years  in  Middletown,  Conn.  He  died  in  August, 
1888,  at  the  home  of  his  brother  Enoch  W.,  in 
Niantic,  Rhode  Island. 

(VII)  Enoch  Wilcox  Vars,  born  May  5,  1851, 
in  the  town  of  Westerly,  attended  the  public  schools, 
the  Hopkinton  Academy,  and  later  the  academy  on 
“Cookey  Hill”  in  Westerly.  When  a young  man, 
he  began  the  study  of  pharmacy,  under  Dr.  William 
Hyde  of  Stonington,  Conn.,  one  of  the  best  known 
and  most  successful  practitioners  in  eastern  Con- 
necticut in  his  day.  Young  Vars  made  rapid  progress 
in  learning  the  business,  and  soon  won  the  favor  and 
admiration  of  his  preceptor,  who  not  having  any 
children  of  his  own,  wanted  to  adopt  him,  but  Mr. 
Vars’s  father  being  postmaster  and  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  at  Niantic,  R.  I.,  was  desirous  of  having 
his  son  assist  him  there. 

In  1869  Enoch  W.  Vars  began  business  with  his 
father  at  Niantic  as  an  assistant,  and  soon  after 
became  a partner.  From  the  year  1869  Enoch  Vars 
had  entire  charge  of  the  drug  business  in  his 
father's  store,  and  at  once  added  thereto  the  busi- 
ness of  manufacturing  chemist.  Some  of  the  first 
formulas  put  up  were  those  that  had  been  used 
with  great  success  by  old  Dr.  Hyde  of  Stonington. 
After  a few  years  of  partnership  with  his  father, 
Mr.  Vars  bought  that  parent’s  interest,  and  has 
since  carried  on  the  business  alone.  I11  the  line  of 
a manufacturing  chemist,  Mr.  \ ars  has  for  years 
had  on  the  market  a number  of  preparations  that 
have  long  since  been  regarded  as  standards.  The 
motto,  “As  good  as  the  best,  better  than  the  rest” 
is  original  with  Mr.  Vars,  and  a most  appropriate 
one,  and  is  applicable  to  all  his  preparations.  About 
1888,  the  requirements  of  his  business  necessitated 
larger  quarters,  and  that  year  he  erected  his  present 
substantial  business  building.  In  connection  with 
the  manufacturing  business  he  conducts  a general 
mercantile  business  including  drugs,  and  is  post- 
master at  Niantic.  In  the  latter  capacity,  Mr.  Vars 
has  since  1861  been  very  closely  identified  with  the 
office,  or  has  been  postmaster.  With  the  exception 
of  three  years,  during  Cleveland’s  first  term,  the 
postolfice  at  Niantic  has  been  in  the  family  for  more 
than  forty-five  years.  He  was  appointed  postmaster 
Aug.  28,  1889,  by  President  Harrison,  and  has 
served  continuously  ever  since. 

In  pharmaceutical  circles  throughout  the  State 
and  New  England  Mr.  Vars  is  very  well  known. 
He  was  a charter  member  of  the  State  Pharma- 
ceutical Association  of  Rhode  Island,  and  has  filled 
almost  every  important  office  in  that  organization, 
including  that  of  president,  and  he  is  now  member 
of  the  executive  committee.  He  was  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  application  for  a charter  when  the 
Rhode  Island  College  of  Pharmacy  and  Applied 
Sciences  was  chartered  by  the  Rhode  Island  General 
Assembly,  and  is  now  a member  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  that  institution.  He  is  one  of  the 
owners  of  the  “New  England  Druggist,”  the  lead- 


ing trade  journal  of  the  kind  in  New  England.  In 
his  business  Mr.  Vars  has  made  an  enviable  repu- 
tation for  honest  goods,  and  his  practices  in  the 
management  of  his  business,  have  been  such  as  to 
not  only  create  and  retain  an  excellent  reputation 
as  a straightforward  and  law-abiding  citizen,  but 
to  attach  dignity  to  his  profession. 

In  addition  to  the  line  of  business  already  men- 
tioned, Mr.  Vars  does  quite  an  extensive  business 
as  an  insurance  agent,  and  as  a broker.  He  is  a 
prominent  Mason,  being  a member  of  Franklin 
Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  M.;  Franklin  Chapter;  Provi- 
dence Council,  No.  1 ; and  Narragansett  Com- 
mandery,  K.  T.  His  religious  connection  is  with 
the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Church  at  Niantic,  of 
which  he  is  clerk. 

Mr.  Vars  married  Miss  Minnie  E.  Palmer,  of  Al- 
fred, N.  Y.,  daughter  of  Hosea  and  Mary  Palmer. 
Two  children  were  born  to  this  union:  (1)  Arthur 
E.,  born  May  24,  1877,  was  a graduate  of  the  New 
York  College  of  Pharmacy,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  March  20,  1904,  was  the  Chicago  manager, 
for  a large  New  York  firm  of  manufacturing  chem- 
ists. He  was  an  able  young  man,  and  of  unusual 
promise.  He  married  Susan  A.  Morgan,  daughter 
of  Dr.  J.  H.  Morgan,  of  Westerly,  R.  I.  (2)  Effie 
H.,  born  April  17,  1879,  is  a school  teacher.  On 
Oct.  15,  1889,  Mr.  Vars  married,  for  his  second 
wife,  Miss  Ruth  A.  Crandall,  the  daughter  of 
Alanson  and  Ruby  C.  (Whaley)  Crandall,  a sketch 
of  whom  follows.  The  children  born  to  the  second 
marriage  were:  Mary  C.,  born  Aug.  22,  1891; 
and  Clarence  A.  and  Raymond  C.  (twins),  born 
July  29,  1894. 

Mrs.  Enoch  W.  Vars  is  eligible  to  membership 
in  the  D.  A.  R.  as  her  great-great-grandfather 
Whaley  was  a Revolutionary  soldier.  She  is  also 
eligible  through  the  Andrews  family,  which  her 
ancestry  includes. 

Alanson  Crandall,  father  of  Mrs.  Enoch 
W.  Vars,  was  born  Aug.  5,  1824,  near  the 
village  of  Rockville,  R.  I.,  son  of  Samuel  Crandall, 
Sr.,  and  he  died  March  13,  1903,  at  his  home  in 
Tomaquag  Valley,  in  the  town  of  Hopkinton,  where 
he  had  been  an  esteemed  citizen  for  more  than  forty 
years.  He  was  one  of  a family  of  twelve  children, 
the  others  being  Samuel,  William  Clark,  Nicholas, 
Daniel,  Benjamin,  Isaac,  Mary  Ann,  Elizabeth, 
Julia,  Hannah  and  Lucetta.  When  about  twenty- 
two  years  of  age  during  a revival  of  religion  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  Alexander  Campbell,  after  being 
powerfully  wrought  upon  by  the  spirit  of  God  and 
passing  through  deep  exercise  of  mind,  seeking  the 
prayers  of  God’s  people  in  his  behalf,  he  was  con- 
verted, Sept.  26,  1846,  received  baptism  at  the  hand 
of  the  presiding  pastor  of  the  Rockville  Seventh 
Day  Baptist  Church,  with  which  he  united,  and 
retained  his  membership  to  the  end  of  his  life. 
While  a resident  member  he  was  prominent  and 
active  in  the  affairs  of  the  church,  where  he  served 
as  chorister  and  Bible  School  superintendent.  He 


RHODE  ISLAND 


963 


was  gifted  in  prayer,  exhortation  and  music,  and 
using  these  gifts  made  himself  a living  power  for 
God.  To  him  the  Christian  religion  was  an  abiding 
reality.  As  a neighbor  he  was  ever  kind  and  oblig- 
ing, often  sacrificing  his  own  convenience  to  accom- 
modate others.  For  those  in  affliction  and  sorrow 
he  ever  had  a kind  word.  He  was  possessed  of 
tender  feelings,  and  often  shed  tears  of  sympathy 
with  the  afflicted,  never  feeling  that  to  do  so  was 
beneath  his  manhood. 

In  politics  Mr.  Crandall  was  a Republican.  He 
represented  his  town  in  the  State  Legislature,  and 
was  for  several  years  a member  of  the  town  council. 
He  served  as  a member  of  the  executive  committee 
of  the  Washington  County  Agricultural  Society 
from  its  formation  to  within  a year  of  his  death, 
when  he  resigned  because  of  failing  health.  In 
Masonic  circles  he  was-  affiliated  with  Franklin 
Lodge,  No.  20,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of  Westerly. 

On  May  31,  1848,  Mr.  Crandall  married  Miss 
Ruby  C.  Whaley,  and  to  them  were  born  three 
children : Albert  W.,  of  Providence,  who  resides 
at  No.  13  Summit  avenue,  and  has  his  office  at  No. 
39  Smith  street;  Mary  E.,  who  died  in  1889,  in 
young  womanhood ; and  Ruth  A.,  wife  of  Enoch  W. 
Vars,  of  Niantic,  R.  I.  Ruby  C.  (Whaley)  Cran- 
dall, wife  of  Alanson  Crandall,  and  daughter  of 
Albert  and  Ruth  (Andrews)  Whaley,  was  born  in 
Coventry,  R.  I.,  Ja'n.  19,  1827,  and  died  at  the 
home  of  her  son-in-law  and  daughter,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Enoch  W.  Vars,  in  Niantic,  R.  I.,  May  11, 
1903.  Her  early  life  was  spent  on  a farm  in  the 
town  in  which  she  was  born.  During  her  childhood 
her  father  died,  but  the  mother  kept  the  family 
together  and  reared  them  in  a most  creditable  man- 
ner. When  the  young  girl  reached  the  years  of 
womanhood  she  found  work  at  Phenix,  and  about 
1844,  while  residing  there,  she  accepted  Christ  as 
her  Savior  by  the  ordinance  of  baptism.  Later 
she  removed  to  Rockville,  and  there  met  and  mar- 
ried Alanson  Crandall,  after  which  she  united  with 
the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Church  there,  and  re- 
mained a member  all  her  life.  For  nearly  fifty- 
five  years  she  made  a model  home  for  her  husband 
and  children.  She  and  Mr.  Crandall  were  known 
as  “Aunt  Ruby”  and  “Uncle  Lan.”  As  a wife  and 
mother  Mrs.  Crandall  was  noble  and  true,  as  a 
neighbor  kind  and  obliging,  and  the  memory  of  a 
sweet,  loving,  faithful  mother  is  the  most  blessed 
one  that  we  can  retain  through  life. 

(VI)  Alfred  Gardiner  Vars,  born  March  30, 
1825,  in  Westerly,  the  eighth  child  of  Isaac  Vars 
(3),  and  Hannah  (Saunders)  Vars,  spent  his  boy- 
hood days,  until  six  years  old,  on  the  home  farm. 
His  father  then  moved  to  Stonington,  and  there  the 
son  lived  on  a farm  for  four  years,  when  the  family 
removed  to  Quonocontaug  for  three  years,  later  re- 
siding two  years  at  Avondale,  and  several  years  at 
Cross's  Mills,  running  gristmills.  He  returned  to  the 
old  homestead  for  a time.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one 
vears  he  had  gone  to  sea  on  fishing  and  coasting 


vessels,  and  continued  in  that  line  for  twelve  years 
and  more.  In  1862  he  engaged  in  mercantile  busi- 
ness in  Niantic,  R.  I.,  and  has  ever  since  carried 
on  that  business.  On  July  23,  1859,  he  moved  to 
his  present  home,  building  the  house  himself. 

On  Nov.  2,  1851,  Mr.  Vars  was  married  in  Ni- 
antic, to  Jane  P.  Harvey,  and  they  have  had  seven 
children,  four  of  whom  lived  to  adult  age:  John 
A.,  a resident  of  Niantic,  is  an  engineer  at  Crumbs’ 
Quarry ; he  married  Mrs.  Cordner  Sherman.  Emma 
Jane,  of  Ashaway,  is  the  wife  of  Oscar  Wells. 
Carrie  Medora  is  unmarried.  Everett  L.,  died  at 
the  age  of  nineteen  years.  Mr.  Vars  has  been  a 
lifelong  Whig  and  Republican.  He  is  a member  of 
the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Church  at  Niantic. 

(\  I)  Nelson  Byron  Vars,  son  of  Isaac  (3), 
born  May  6,  1831,  in  Stonington,  Conn.,  married 
May  6,  1856,  Lucy  Ann,  born  April  15,  1830, 
daughter  of  William  West,  of  Westerly,  R.  I.  Mr. 
Vars  is  a photographer  by  profession,  and  is  now* 
a resident  of  East  Greenwich,  R.  I.  During  the 
years  1852-53  he  was  a resident  of  Newr  York  City; 
of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  1854-55 ; and  of  Norwich,  Conn., 
1861-68. 

MOSES  POLLARD,  president  of  the  Eagle 
Dye  Works,  of  Pawtucket,  is  one  of  that  city’s  pros- 
perous and  highly  honored  citizens,  a self-made 
man,  who  has  achieved  his  success  unaided.  He 
was  born  in  Cheshire,  England,  Jan.  1,  1853,  son 
of  Moses  Pollard. 

Moses  Pollard,  Sr.,  followed  the  trade  of  a pa- 
per-maker in  England  nearly  all  his  life.  His  wife, 
Sybil  (Wright)  Pollard,  died  in  that  country  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five,  and  after  her  death  Mr.  Pol- 
lard decided  to  come  to  America.  He  was  advanced 
in  years,  and  after  arriving  in  this  country  did  not 
attempt  to  resume  work,  but  settled  down  to  a re- 
tired life  with  his  son  in  Pawtucket.  There  he  died 
in  1894,  aged  seventy-five.  Of  his  nine  children 
his  son  Moses  was  the  only  one  to  leave  England. 

Moses  Pollard,  Jr.,  received  few  educational  ad- 
vantages in  his  boyhood,  for  he  was  obliged  to 
leave  home  when  only  ten  years  old,  but  he  was 
determined  to  improve  himself  and  for  a long  time 
devoted  most  of  his  evenings  and  other  spare  mo- 
ments to  study,  so  that  he  became  a well  informed 
man.  When  ten  years  old  Moses  Pollard  entered 
the  Millbank  Paper  Mills,  at  Partington,  Cheshire, 
and  remained  there  as  an  apprentice  until  he  was 
twenty;  in  that  period  he  acquired  a thorough 
knowledge  of  every  detail  of  the  business.  After 
thus  learning  his  trade  he  stayed  on  with  the  same 
firm  as  an  employee  a number  of  years  longer,  but 
finally,  in  1885,  determined  to  leave  them  in  order 
to  try  life  in  the  New  World.  Arriving  in  June  of 
that  year,  he  located  in  Pawtucket,  as  that  seemed 
a favorable  field  for  his  efforts.  He  very  soon 
found  employment  in  the  Eagle  Dve  Works,  but 
was  obliged  to  start  with  the  very  modest  recom- 
pense of  $8  per  week.  However,  his  earlier  expe- 


964 


RHODE  ISLAND 


rience  in  the  mills  rendered  it  easier  for  him  to  grasp 
his  new  work,  and  as  he  was  also  naturally  capa- 
ble, quick  and  reliable,  his  ability  was  soon  recog- 
nized and  steady  promotion  followed.  He  became 
assistant  superintendent,  then  superintendent,  and 
as  such  continued  until  1903- 

In  June,  1903,  Mr.  Pollard  formed  a partner- 
ship with  W.  A.  McCormick  and  Earle  Brown  and 
this  new  firm  purchased  the  business  of  the  Eagle 
Dve  Works,  which  they  are  now  conducting  with 
most  gratifying  results.  Mr.  Pollard  is  president 
of  the  company,  at  the  same  time  acting  as  general 
manager.  They  engage  in  the  dyeing  of  raw  cot- 
ton and  have  about  thirty  employees. 

Since  becoming  a citizen  of  his  adopted  country 
Air.  Pollard  has  given  his  support  to  the  Republi- 
can party,  but  has  not  mingled  to  any  extent  in  po- 
litical life.  He  early  became  interested  in  the  work 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  was  a charter  mem- 
ber of  Charles  E.  Chickering  Lodge,  No.  20,  of 
Pawtucket,  of  which  he  is  still  a loyal  adherent. 
He  has  also  been  active  in  church  work,  belonging 
to  the  Free  Baptist  Church,  of  Pawtucket,  which 
he  has  served  several  years  as  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday-school : and  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  being 
a director  of  the  Pawtucket  Association. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Pollard  occurred  some 
time  before  he  left  England,  the  date  of  the  event 
being  May  20,  1872.  His  wife  bore  the  maiden 
name  of  Ellen  Hale,  and  she  was  a daughter  of 
William  Hale,  of  Cheshire.  They  had  five  chil- 
dren, all  except  Edith  May  born  previous  to  their 
departure  from  England ; Salina  died  in  Pawtucket, 
unmarried,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine ; Hannah  died 
there  at  the  age  of  twenty-two ; Edith  Annie  died 
in  England  when  only  three  months  old ; Martha 
is  the  wife  of  William  Reid,  of  Pawtucket,  super- 
intendent of  the  Eagle  Dye  Works,  and  they  have 
one  son,  William  Irving;  Edith  May  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Pollard  is  a man  of  high  standing  in  Paw- 
tucket, where  his  many  fine  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart  have  been  fully  recognized.  In  his  own  bus- 
iness he  has  displayed  marked  ability,  not  alone  in 
executive  lines  but  in  its  practical  workings.  He 
was  the  inventor  of  the  first  revolving  dyeing  ma- 
chine, which  was  in  general  use  until  superseded 
by  mote  recent  improvements. 

JOSEPH  HAIRE,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
plumbing  business  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  which  bus- 
iness he  has  been  carrying  on  successfully  for  a 
number  of  years,  is  one  of  that  city’s  substantial 
and  representative  citizens. 

William  Haire,  his  father,  was  born  April 
12,  1816,  in  County  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  and  in 
his  native  land  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits, also  carrying  on  a mercantlie  business. 
He  continued  in  these  vocations  until  coming 
to  America,  in  1866,  finally  settling  at  Newport, 
R.  I.,  where  he  passed  away  April  28,  1868.  He 


married  in  May.  1848.  Elizabeth  Hoey,  daughter 
of  John  Hoey,  and  Mrs.  Haire  survived  her  hus- 
band until  Sept.  27,  1905,  when  she  passed  away 
in  Middletown,  R.  I.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haire 
were  born  the  following  children:  James,  who 
is  a detective  in  the  White  Chapel  district,  Lon- 
don, England;  William,  who  was  drowned  at 
Vineyard  Haven,  Mass.;  Joseph,  the  subject  of 
this  article ; Alargaret  Anna,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Rev.  John  Reynolds  Mackay,  pastor  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Glens  Falls,  N.  Y. ; Sam- 
uel, who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Middletown, 
R.  I. ; John  Thomas,  mentioned  elsewhere  in 
these  volumes ; and  Robert,  who  is  engaged  in 
the  plumbing  business  in  Newport. 

Joseph  Haire  was  born  Feb.  6,  1857,  in 

County  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  and  he  received  his 
early  educational  training  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  country,  continuing  his  studies  in  the 
schools  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  after  coming  to  the 
United  States.  He  attended  night  school  until 
twelve  vears  of  age,  being  engaged  in  gardening 
during  the  days.  The  death  of  his  father  when 
he  was  but  a mere  lad  compelled  him  to  early 
seek  his  own  livelihood,  and  at  the  age  of  twelve- 
years  he  went  to  New  York,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged as  a boy  round  the  house  of  George  Tif- 
fany, continuing  in  this  capacity  for  about  three 
years.  Returning  to  Newport  he  became  ap- 
prenticed to  the  plumber’s  trade  with  the  firm  of 
McAdam  & Openshaw,  in  whose  employ  he  re- 
mained about  fifteen  years.  In  1887  Mr.  Haire 
established  himself'  in  the  plumbing  business, 
and  from  a small  beginning  his  business  has 
grown  steadily  until  it  is  now  one  of  the  most 
extensive  in  the  city,  giving  employment  during 
the  busy  seasons  to  from  twelve  to  twenty  men. 
Mr.  Haire’s  work  has  not  been  entirely  confined 
to  Newport,  he  having  had  several  very  large 
contracts  in  other  localities. 

Mr.  Haire  is  a member  of  various  fraternal 
societies  and  social  clubs,  among  them  being: 
St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  1,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Newport 
Chapter,  No.  2,  R.  A.  M. ; DeBlois  Council,  No. 
5,  R.  & S.  M. ; Washington  Commandery,  No. 
4,  Knights  Templar,  of  Newport,  of  which  he  is 
a past  eminent  commander,  and  Palestine  Tem- 
ple, Order  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Providence. 
He  has  also  been  one  of  the  members  of  the 
Newport  County  Club  since  its  organization, 
and  has  served  as  president  of  the  same.  In 
political  sentiment  Mr.  Haire  is  a stanch  Repub- 
lican, has  served  his  adopted  city  as  a member 
of  the  common  council,  and  for  two  years  was 
also  a member  of  the  board  of  aldermen  ; again 
in  1906,  at  the  first  election  held  under  the  new 
charter  granted  the  city  of  Newport,  Air.  Haire 
was  elected  a member  of  the  representative  coun- 
cil for  the  two-year  term  from  the  Third  ward. 
In  1907  he  was  also  elected  a member  of  the 


RHODE  ISLAND 


965 


board  of  health  of  the  city  for  the  five-year  term, 
and  in  the  same  year  he  was  elected  president 
of  the  board  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Mr.  Haire  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Newport,  he  be- 
ing chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the 
church. 

On  April  27,  1886,  Mr.  Haire  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Margaret  Jessie  McDearmid, 
daughter  of  August  McDearmid,  of  Pictou,  N. 
S.,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  four  daugh- 
ters, as  follows : Elizabeth  Morrison,  Marian, 
Margaret  Mackay  and  Ruth  Findley  Haire. 

Mr.  Haire  is  essentially  a self-made  man, 
his  success  in  life  being  due  to  his  own  energy 
and  exertions,  combined  with  natural  business 
acumen.  He  has  a host  of  stanch  friends  who 
hold  him  in  high  esteem  and  respect  for  his 
many  sterling  traits  of  character. 

HAZARD.  The  Rhode  Island  Hazards  were 
among  the  founders  of  the  Colony  of  Rhode  Island 
two  hundred  and  fifty  and  more  years  ago,  and 
active  in  the  development  of  the  subsequent  Com- 
monwealth. They  have  been  largely  a Southern 
Rhode  Island  family — long  one  of  the  most  wealthy 
and  influential  of  the  many  strong,  forceful  fami- 
lies of  the  old  South  County.  The  name  Hazard  is 
one  conspicuous  in  Rhode  Island  annals.  Several  of 
the  earlier  generations  were  among  the  largest  land- 
holders of  their  section,  and  as  farmers,  manu- 
facturers, professional  men,  men  of  letters  and 
literature  and  science,  they  have  left  the  impress  of 
their  strong  personalities  and  achievement  upon  the 
State.  Of  more  recent  generations  such  names  as 
Hon.  Rowland  Gibson  Hazard,  LL.  D.,  Hon.  Isaac 
Peace  Hazard,  Thomas  Robinson  Hazard,  Hon. 
Benjamin  Hazard,  Gen.  John  G.  Hazard,  the  late 
Hon.  Rowland  Hazard,  who  “stood  among  the  lead- 
ing organizers  of  industry  in  America,”  Rowland 
Gibson  Hazard,  and  Miss  Caroline  Hazard,  presi- 
dent of  Wellesley  College,  with  scores'  of  others 
have  an  enduring  place  in  Rhode  Island  history. 

In  the  genealogy  and  family  history  following 
the  order  is  chronological,  the  Roman  numerals  in- 
dicating generations  from  the  American  ancestor. 

(I)  Thomas  Hazard,  born  in  1610,  appears 
first  of  record  in  America  in  Boston  in  1635 ; was 
admitted  a freeman  there  in  1638,  and  two  years 
later  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders  and  first  town  officers  of  Newport,  along 
with  Coddington,  Easton,  Coggeshall,  Brenton,  the 
Clarkes,  Bull  and  Dyre.  Mr.  Hazard  was  made  a 
freeman  of  Newport  in  1639,  and  in  1640  was  ap- 
pointed a member  of  the  General  Court  of  Elections. 
His  first  wife  Martha  died  in  1669,  and  he  married 
(second)  Martha,  widow  of  Thomas  Sheriff.  His 
children  were:  Robert,  born  in  1635,  in  England  or 
Ireland  ; Elizabeth  ; Hannah  ; and  Martha. 

(II)  Robert,  Hazard,  born  in  1635,  married 
Mary,  born  in  1639,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Anne 


Brownell,  who  lived  to  be  one  hundred  years  old, 
dying  Jan.  28,  1739,  her  obituary  setting  forth 
that  she  was  accounted  a very  useful  gentlewoman, 
etc.  Robert  Hazard  was  admitted  a freeman  of 
Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  in  1665,  and  from  that  time 
until  1698  his  name  often  appears  in  the  Colonial 
records  as  chosen  to  fill  some  important  position. 
In  1671  he  bought  500  acres  of  land  in  Kings  Town, 
and  in  1687  he  was  taxed  in  that  town ; and  not 
long  thereafter  built  his  house  there.  This  house 
was  still  standing  in  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth 
century.  In  1695  he  gave  to  his  son  George  the 
larger  part  of  the  Kings  Town  purchase.  In  1710, 
a short  time  before  his  death,  Robert  sold  to  his  son 
Robert  the  remaining  part  of  his  farm,  with  “my 
manor  house  where  I now  live,”  and  the  latter,  in 
1718,  gave  it  by  will  to  his  son  Robert,  after  his 
mother’s  death,  making  three  Roberts  who  had  suc- 
cessively owned  and  occupied  the  old  house.  The 
last,  upon  the  death  of  his  mother  in  1739,  sold 
to  his  uncle  George  the  remaining  part  of  the  farm ; 
it  went  next  by  will  in  1743  to  George’s  son,  Col. 
Thomas,  who  in  1748  sold  it  to  John  Rose.  In 
1695  Robert  Hazard  gave  to  his  son  Jeremiah  200 
acres  of  land  in  Tiverton.  Robert  Hazard  died  in 
1710.  His  children  were:  Thomas,  born  in  1660; 
George;  Stephen;  Martha;  Marv ; Robert;  Jere- 
miah, born  March  26,  1675  ; and  Nannah. 

(Ill)  Thomas  Hazard,  born  in  1660,  married, 
it  is  supposed,  Susannah  Nichols.  The  land  records 
show  his  name  more  often  than  that  of  any  other  of 
the  old  planters  as  purchaser  of  large  tracts  of  land 
of  the  original  purchasers  and  at  good  prices.  Pre- 
vious to  1746,  a shipyard,  “Great  Pier”  and  ware- 
houses, were  on  the  farm  that  he  gave  in  1739  to 
his  son  Jonathan.  This  farm,  situated  on  Boston 
Neck,  is  now  known  as  the  Governor  Brown  Farm 
and  John  J.  Watson  farm.  About  1746,  or  some 
time  previous,  Jonathan  Hazard  sold  to  his  brother 
George  one-half  of  the  pier  and  one-half  of  the 
warehouses  and  shipyard.  Thomas  Hazard  was  ad- 
mitted a freeman  from  Portsmouth  in  1684;  after 
this  date  his  name  appears  only  twice  in  the  Co- 
lonial records,  viz.:  in  1696  as  freeman  from 
Kings  Town,  and  in  1717,  as  appellant  in  a law 
suit.  He  made  the  first  purchase  of  land  in  Narra- 
gansett  previous  to  1698,  buying  of  Samuel  Sewell 
900  acres  for  700  pounds.  In  1710  he  also  bought 
of  Mr.  Sewell  300  acres  for  500  pounds,  and  other 
land.  In  1703  and  in  1708  he  bought  two  parcels  of 
land  from  Benedict  Arnold,  one  containing  160  acres 
and  the  other  twenty-six  acres.  This  last  purchase 
was  what  is  called  Little  Neck  Farm,  and  was  af- 
terward given  to  his  son  George.  In  1727*  he  bought 
of  Samuel  Vial  660  acres  in  Boston  Neck,  and  in 
1738,  800  acres  of  Francis  Brinley,  adjoining  the 
above  purchase.  He  also  purchased  other  lands 
in  the  town  until  he  owned  something  less  than 
4,000  acres.  The  greater  part  of  his  land  he  gave 
to  his  sons  before  his  death ; and  as  each  son  at- 
tained his  majority  he  was  given  a farm  of  several 


966 


RHODE  ISLAND 


hundred  acres.  Mr.  Hazard  died  in  1746,  and  his 
wife  previously.  Their  children  were : Mary,  born 
Oct.  3,  1683;  Hannah,  April  11,  1685;  Sarah,  July 
5,  1687;  Robert,  May  23,  1689;  Thomas,  May  11, 
1691;  Stephen,  June  13,  1693;  Jeremiah,  June  5, 
1697;  George,  Jan.  18,  1699;  Benjamin,  Nov.  2, 
1702;  and  Jonathan,  Oct.  1,  1704. 

(IV)  Robert  Hazard  (2),  son  of  Thomas  (2), 
born  May  3 (or  23) , 1689.  married  Sarah,  born  July 
31,  1694,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Innocent  Borden. 
Like  nearly  all  of  the  Hazard  family  of  this  genera- 
tion, Mr.  Hazard  was  a large  landholder.  A part 
of  his  land  was  given  to  him  before  his  father’s 
death,  but  the  greater  portion  he  obtained  by  pur- 
chase. In  1721,  he  was  given  by  his  father  150 
acres  on  Tower  Hill,  known  now  as  the  Nichols 
farm.  In  1739  he  received  from  his  father  by  deed 
200  acres  of  his  Boston  Neck  land.  Mr.  Hazard  died 
May  20,  1762.  His  children  were:  Mary,  born 
Feb.  23,  1716;  Thomas,  May  9,  1718;  Thomas  (2), 
Sept.  15,  1720;  Jonathan,  August,  1726;  Richard, 
Dec.  31,  1730;  and  Sarah,  June  27,  1734. 

(V)  Thomas  Hazard  (3),  known  as  “College 
Tom,”  son  of  Robert,  born  Sept.  15,  1720,  married 
March  27,  1742,  Elizabeth,  born  June  16,  1724, 
daughter  of  Gov.  William  and  Martha  (Potter) 
Robinson,  and  their  children  were : Sarah,  born 
Nov.  10,  1747;  Robert,  Nov.  17,  1753;  Thomas, 
Nov.  13,  1755;  Thomas  (2),  Nov.  15,  1758;  and 
Rowland,  April  4,  1763. 

(VI)  Rowland  Hazard,  son  of  “College  Tom,” 
born  April  4,  1763,  married  in  1793,  at  Charleston, 
S.  C.,  Mary  Peace,  daughter  of  Isaac  Peace  and  his 
wife,  Elizabeth  Gibson,  and  lived  in  South  Kings- 
town, R.  I.,  where  he  set  the  first  carding  machines 
in  the  town — at  Peace  Dale,  which  village  was 
named  for  his  wife,  and  as  early  as  1800  the  industry 
was  established  which  has  since  developed  into  the 
Peace  Dale  Manufacturing  Company.  Mr.  Hazard 
also  had  shipping  interests,  first  at  Charleston,  S. 
C.,  and  afterward  in  Narragansett.  After  the  de- 
struction of  the  Pier  there  in  1815,  Mrs.  Hazard 
writes  him,  she  hopes  he  will  not  rebuild  it,  as  it 
has  always  proved  a troublesome  piece  of  property, 
quoting  his  grandfather,  Governor  Robinson,  as 
having  desired  that  none  of  his  children  would  try 
to  maintain  it.  Late  in  life  Mr.  Hazard  removed 
to  Pleasant  Valley,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died.  His  chil- 
dren were  : Isaac  Peace,  born  Oct.  3,  1794 ; Thomas 
Robinson,  Jan.  3,  17971  Eliza  Gibson,  March  17, 
1799;  Rowland  Gibson,  Oct.  9,  1801  ; V illiam  Rob- 
inson, Dec.  15,  1803;  Joseph  Peace,  Feb.  17,  1807; 
Isabella  Wakefield,  Aug.  3,  1809 ; Mary  Peace,  Aug. 
15,  1814;  and  Anna,  Oct.  27,  1820. 

(VII)  Isaac  Peace  Hazard,  son  of  Rowland, 
born  Oct.  3,  1794,  at  the  home  of  his  grandfather, 
Thomas  Hazard,  in  South  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  died 
March  2,  1879,  unmarried. 

Mr.  Hazard  was  educated  at  the  Friends’  School 
at  West  Town,  near  Philadelphia.  On  leaving 
school,  about  1810,  he  returned  to  South  Kings- 


town, R.  I.,  and  at  once  began  to  assist  his  father 
in  business,  passing  the  greater  part  of  his  life  at 
Peace  Dale.  He  took  a most  kindly  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  his  neighbors  there.  He  was  constantly 
appealed  to  for  advice  and  assistance,  and  no  one 
whom  he  could  aid  ever  applied  to  him  in  vain. 
He  possessed  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who 
knew  him.  He  never  sought  political  power  or 
office,  but  in  response  to  the  earnest  solicitations 
of  his  townsmen,  he  on  six  occasions  represented 
the  town  of  South  Kingstown  in  the  General  As- 
sembly. From  the  organization  of  the  Peace  Dale 
Manufacturing  Company,  in  1848,  he  was  president 
of  the  company,  until  he  retired  in  1864.  His 
brother  Rowland  G.  Hazard  was  the  treasurer,  but 
the  names  of  the  officers  do  not  indicate,  with  any 
exactness,  the  duties  which  each  discharged.  They 
divided  the  conduct  of  the  business  between  them. 
After  his  retirement  from  active  business,  in  1864, 
he  went  to  live  with  his  sisters  at  Newport,  R.  I., 
where  he  died  as  stated  above,  in  1879.  He  lies 
buried  in  the  Oak  Dale  Cemetery,  at  Peace  Dale, 
amid  scenes  with  which  he  was  so  familiar,  and 
among  the  people  whose  welfare  he  had  so  much  at 
heart. 

(VII)  Thomas  Robinson  Hazard,  son  of 
Rowland,  born  Jan.  3,  1797,  at  Tower  Hill,  in 
South  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  married  Oct.  12,  1838, 

Frances,  daughter  of  Jonas  Minturn,  of  New  York. 

Mr.  Hazard  was  trained  from  early  years  to  the 
business  of  woolen  manufacturing,  which  his  father 
had  established  at  Peace  Dale  in  the  same  town,  and, 
at  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  engaged  in  the  same  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account.  In  this  he  continued, 
through  all  the  vicissitudes  incident  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  an  infant  industry  on  a firm  basis,  un- 
til 1842,  when,  having  a few  years  before  pur- 
chased the  fine  old  country  seat  “Vancluse,”  in  the 
town  of  Portsmouth,  he  retired  from  active  busi- 
ness, and  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  of  which  he  had  always  been  extremely 
fond.  In  his  farming  operations  Air.  Hazard  gave 
especial  attention  to  the  raising  and  keeping  of  fine 
sheep,  his  flocks  sometimes  numbering  no  less  than 
1,200,  from  which  fact  he  acquired  the  sobriquet 
of  “Shepherd  Tom,”  to  distinguish  him  from  a score 
or  more  members  of  the  Hazard  family  of  the  same 
Christian  name. 

Although  never  holding  political  office  of  any 
kind,  Mr.  Hazard  always  took  a deep  interest  in 
every  movement  in  the  direction  of  reform  and  im- 
provement of  the  conditions  of  life,  and  was  ever 
ready  to  use  his  pen,  without  fear  or  favor,  in  aid 
of  any  cause  which  he  believed  to  be  just.  He  was 
the  first  in  the  State  to  establish  an  evening  school, 
in  1821,  in  his  factory,  and  he  built,  largely  at  his 
own  expense,  in  Portsmouth,  the  first  school  house 
on  the  improved  plan  in  any  country  town  in  Rhode 
Island.  He  also  joined  in  writing  the  call  for  the 
first  large  meeting  ever  held  in  behalf  of  educational  , 
interests  in  Providence,  or  the  State,  at  which  the 


RHODE  ISLAND 


967 


Rhode  Island  Institute  of  Instruction  was  organized. 
He  visited  every  public  poorhouse  in  the  State,  ex- 
cept on  Block  Island,  and  succeeded  in  bringing 
about  a thorough  reform  in  their  management.  He 
began  an  agitation  in  behalf  of  the  insane  poor,  and 
did  not  abandon  the  cause  until  after  Butler  hos- 
pital was  in  successful  operation.  It  was  through 
his  application  to  the  General  Assembly  that  fixed 
appropriations  were  made  for  the  maintenance  of 
the  insane,  and  for  the  education  of  the  deaf  and 
dumb  and  the  blind.  It  was  through  his  untiring 
efforts  and  the  influence  of  a report  compiled  and 
written  by  him  that  the  Legislature  abolished  capital 
punishment  in  Rhode  Island  by  a majority  of  four 
in  the  Senate,  and  afterwards  by  more  than  two  to 
one  in  the  House. 

Mr.  Hazard  also  took  an  active  interest  in  the 
work  of  the  African  Colonization  Society,  and  al- 
ways maintained  that  if  the  aims  of  this  organiza- 
tion had  been  adequately  aided  by  the  general  gov- 
ernment, the  great  question  of  slavery  would  in  all 
probability  have  been  settled  without  bloodshed.  In 
politics  he  was  an  ardent  Whig  and  an  earnest 
supporter  of  Henry  Clay  and  his  American  system 
of  protection  to  home  industry ; and  in  'the  wisdom 
and  beneficence  of  this  principle  he  was,  to  the  day 
of  his  death,  an  unfaltering  believer.  In  aid  of  the 
Whig  campaign  of  1840  he  wrote  and  published  in 
the  Newport  papers  of  the  time  a series  of  articles 
entitled,  “Facts  for  the  Laboring  Man,”  which  the 
New  York  Courier  and  Enquirer,  then  the  recog- 
nized organ  of  commercial  and  financial  interests, 
referred  to  as  being  “the  best  exposition  of  the 
financial  policy  of  the  present  [Van  Buren]  ad- 
ministration that  has  appeared.” 

During  the  later  years  of  his  life  Mr.  Hazard 
spent  much  of  his  time  in  compiling  a very  thorough 
genealogical  record  of  the  Hazard  and  Robinson 
families,  and  he  also  published  in  the  newspapers 
a series  of  articles  entitled  “Johnny  Cake  Papers,” 
relating  to  the  early  customs  and  traditions  of  the 
State.  These  were  afterward  printed  in  book  form, 
and,  together  with  his  volume  of  “Miscellaneous 
Essays  and  Letters,”  make  a valuable  contribution 
to  the  historical  literature  of  the  State  and  time. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hazard  were  born  children  as 
follows:  Mary  Robinson,  born  in  1839;  Frances 
Minturn,  in  1841  ; Gertrude  Minturn,  in  1843  > Anna 
Peace,  in  1845  > Esther  Robinson,  in  1848  (married 
Edward  J.  Dunning)  ; and  Barclay,  Dec.  4,  1852 
(married  Alida  G.  Blake).  Mrs.  Hazard  was  a 
woman  of  high  culture  and  of  great  personal  beauty. 
She  died  at  “Vancluse,”  Newport,  R.  I.,  April  10, 
1854,  aged  forty-two  years. 

(VII)  Rowland  Gibson  Hazard,  LL.  D.,  son 
of  Rowland,  was  born  Oct.  9,  1801,  in  the  house  of 
his  grandfather  on  Tower  Hill,  South  Kingstown, 
R.  I.  In  early  childhood,  he  was  taken  to  Bristol, 
Pa.,  to  the  home  of  his  maternal  grandfather,  Isaac 
Peace.  He  attended  school  in  Burlington,  N.  J. 
(across  the  Delaware),  and  in  Bristol,  and  in  1813 


he  was  sent  to  West  Town  School.  Flere  he  re- 
mained five  years,  and  developed  a strong  taste  for 
mathematics,  discovering  some  new  modes  of  dem- 
onstration in  conic  sections.  This  school  gave  him 
a thorough  training  in  the  branches  it  taught,  and 
though  he  lamented  his  want  of  a classical  education, 
yet  by  reading  he  early  acquired  a knowledge  of 
classical  history.  In  1819  Mr.  Hazard  returned  to 
Rhode  Island,  and,  with  his  brother,  Isaac  Peace, 
took  charge  of  the  manufacturing  business  at  Peace 
Dale,  in  which  their  father  was  engaged.  Under 
the  management  of  the  brothers  the  business  largely 
increased. 

Mr.  Hazard  early  became  identified  with  all 
public  movements.  In  connection  with  a litiga- 
tion over  the  Lmion  Pacific  railroad  he  wrote  a 
number  of  articles.  During  the  Civil  war  he  did 
much  to  sustain  our  national  credit  at  home  and 
abroad.  His  newspaper  articles  on  the  public  finan- 
ces were  collected  and  published  in  pamphlet  form, 
mainly  by  bankers  in  New  York  for  foreign  readers. 
Collections  of  them  were  published  in  London,  and 
epitomes  were  translated  and  published  in  Amster- 
dam and  had  much  influence  there  and  at  Frankfort- 
on-the-Main,  and  through  these  and  Mr.  Hazard’s 
personal  interviews,  European  bankers  who  at  that 
crisis  were  becoming  distrustful  were  induced  to 
hold  and  increase  their  investments  in  United  States 
bonds.  This  action  was  taken  after  conference 
with  President  Lincoln  and  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  in  which  an  official  position  was  suggested' 
but  he  preferred  to  act  unofficially.  He  also  opposed 
a suggestion  made  at  the  time  of  the  war  to  in- 
crease the  circulation  of  paper  money.  His  argu- 
ments on  this  subject  were  published  in  the  New 
York  Evening  Post,  and  other  newspapers,  and 
were  subsequently  reprinted  in  a pamphlet  with 
other  articles  under  the  title  of  “Our  Resources.” 

From  1833  to  1843  Mr.  Hazard  made  yearly 
visits  to  the  South,  and  had  an  opportunity  to  see 
the  workings’ of  slavery,  an  institution  he  abhorred. 
In  New  Orleans,  through  his  efforts,  many  free 
negroes  unjustly  detained  in  the  chain-gang  were 
released.  His  speech  on  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law, 
in  the  Rhode  Island  Legislature,  in  1850,  while 
generous  and  appreciative  of  the  slave  owners  po- 
sition, is  a powerful  denunciation  of  the  institution. 
In  politics  Mr.  Hazard  never  exhibited  fondness 
for  the  arts  of  the  selfish  politician,  but  his  whole 
course  was  marked  as  one  of  philanthropy  and  well- 
founded  moral  principles.  He  was  early  identified 
with  the  Free  Soil  and  Anti-Slavery  party,  and  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  Republican  party.  With 
Edward  Harris,  of  Woonsocket,  he  attended  its 
first  convention,  which  met  in  Pittsburg,  and  was 
on  the  Committee  on  Platform  and  Resolutions.  He 
was  a delegate  to  the  Philadelphia  Convention  of 
1856,  and  in  that  campaign  many  of  the  Resolutions 
and  Addresses  published  in  Rhode  Island  were  from 
his  pen.  Mr.  Hazard  was  also  a member  of  the 
Chicago  Convention  in  i860,  which  nominated  Abra- 


968 


RHODE  ISLAND 


ham  Lincoln,  and  he  participated  in  forming  the 
platform  of  that  convention.  In  1864  he  was  in 
Europe,  but  in  1868  he  was  again  a delegate  to  the 
convention  at  Chicago,  which  nominated  General 
Grant,  where  he  was  on  the  Committee  on  Plat- 
form, and  was  the  author  of  the  financial  portion. 
In  1851-52,  in  1854-55,  and  in  1880-81  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Rhode  Island  House  of  Representa- 
tives, and  in  1866-67  was  a member  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Senate. 

The  citizens  of  his  town  acknowledge  Mr.  Haz- 
ard's benefactions  in  the  support  of  their  schools 
and  churches,  and  in  the  erection  of  their  valuable 
town-house.  Mr.  Hazard’s  Professorship  of  Phy- 
sics in  Brown  University  was  founded  by  his  en- 
dowment of  $40,000.  He  three  times  visited  Europe, 
where  he  was  personally  intimate  with  the  philoso- 
pher, John  Stuart  Mill.  Dr.  Channing,  referring  to 
Mr.  Hazard’s  “Essay  on  Language”  said,  “I  have 
known  a man  of  vigorous  intellect,  whose  mind  was 
almost  engrossed  by  the  details  of  an  extensive  busi- 
ness, but  who  composed  a book  of  much  original 
thought,  in  steamboats  and  on  horseback,  while 
visiting  distant  customers.” 

Mr.  Hazard’s  chief  works  are:  “Essay  on 

Language”  (1834);  “The  Adaptation  of  the  Uni- 
verse to  the  Cultivation  of  the  Mind”  ( 1840)  ; 
“Causes  of  Decline  of  Political  Morality”  (1841), 
a treatise  that  had  a great  influence  in  abolishing 
lotteries  from  Rhode  Island ; “Fourth  of  July  Ora- 
tion on  Temperance”  (1843);  “The  Philosophical 
Character  of  Channing”  (1844);  “The  Character 
and  Works  of  the  Late  Chief  Justice  Durfee,  LL. 
D.,  of  Rhode  Island”  (1845)  ; “The  Relations  of 
Railroad  Corporations  to  the  Public"  (1849)  1 “Hie 
Duty  of  Individuals  to  Support  Science  and  Litera- 
ture” (1855)  ; “The  Resources  of  the  United 
States”  (1864);  “The  Freedom  of  the  Mind  in 
Willing”  (1866).  In  1869  he  published  his  “Causa- 
tion and  Freedom  in  Willing.”  The  degree  of  LL. 
D.  was  conferred  upon  Mr.  Hazard  in  1845  by 
Brown  University. 

On  Sept.  28,  1828,  Mr.  Hazard  was  married 
to  Caroline,  daughter  of  John  Newbold,  of  Blooms- 
dale,  Pa.,  and  their  two  children  were:  Rowland, 
born  Aug.  16,  1829,  in  Newport,  R.  I.;  and  John 
Newbold,  born  Sept,  n,  1836,  in  Peace  Dale,  R.  I. 
Mr.  Hazard  died  at  Peace  Dale,  R.  I.,  June  24, 
1888. 

(VII)  William  Robinson  Hazard,  son  of 
Rowland,  born  Dec.  15,  1803,  married  Oct.  2,  1828, 
Mary,  daughter  of  John  and  Lydia  Wilbur,  of 
Hopkinton,  R.  I.  Their  children  were:  John  Wil- 
bur, born  in  1830;  Mary  G.,  born  in  1833,  married 
Samuel  G.  Cook;  Lydia  C.,  born  in  1835,  married 
Franklin  E.  Hoag;  Elizabeth,  born  in  1837;  Row- 
land, born  in  1839,  married  Phoebe  Ann  Moore ; 
Anna,  born  in  1841,  married  Thomas  Tierney;  Wil- 
liam Wilbur,  born  in  1843;  and  Isaac  Peace,  born 
in  1847.  married  in  1871,  Elizabeth  Howland. 

(VII)  Joseph  Peace  Hazard,  son  of  Row- 


land, was  born  Feb.  17,  1807,  in  Burlington,  N.  J., 
whence  his  parents  removed  to  Bristol,  Pa.,  in  his 
thirteenth  year,  when  Peace  Dale,  R.  I.,  became 
his  home.  In  1835  he  erected  a woolen  mill  at 
Peace  Dale,  which  was  operated  for  several  years, 
and  subsequently  leased,  after  which  he  abandoned 
business.  Having  a taste  for  travel,  Mr.  Hazard 
acquainted  himself  thoroughly  with  the  land  of  his 
birth,  and  in  1856  made  the  tour  of  Europe  spend- 
ing much  time  in  London  and  Rome.  For  many 
years  until  1879  much  of  his  time  was  spent  abroad, 
when  he  returned  to  his  native  land. 

Mr.  Hazard  was  among  the  first  to  foresee  the 
advantages  presented  by  Narragansett  Pier  as  a 
popular  watering-place,  and  at  an  early  day  fur- 
nished means  to  aid  in  its  development,  and  pro- 
mote its  growth.  He  was  a considerable  holder  of 
land  at  that  point,  and  in  1846  began  the  erection 
of  what  is  known  as  the  “Castle,”  a picturesque 
structure  surmounted  by  two  towers.  Mr.  Hazard 
died  at  the  residence  of  his  brother,  Rowland  G. 
Hazard,  in  Peace  Dale,  Rhode  Island. 

(VIII)  Rowland  Hazard,  son  of  Rowland 
Gibson,  born  Aug.  16,  1829,  in  Newport,  R.  I., 
married  March  29,  1854,  Margaret  Anna  Rood,  of 
Philadelphia,  daughter  of  Rev.  Anson  and  Alida 
Gouverneur  (Ogden)  Rood. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Hazard  removed  to  Peace 
Dale,  R.  I.,  in  1833,  and  this  place  was  always 
Rowland’s  home  from  that  time.  He  was  prepared 
for  college  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Vernon  (B.  U., 
1816).  He  was  also  for  a time  at  Haverford  School 
(Haverford  College  since  1856),  and  came  thence  r 
to  Brown  University,  entering  the  Sophomore  class  • 
in  everything  except  Greek  which  he  took  up  for 
the  first  time.  In  mathematics  he  was  far  in  ad- 
vance of  his  class,  and  in  this  way  he  gained 
time  for  Greek.  In  his  Sophomore  year,  and  again 
in  his  junior  year,  he  won  the  first  University 
premium  in  Mathematics;  when  a junior  he  also 
won  the  second  University  premium  in  Mathe- 
matical Philosophy  and  the  first  University  premium 
in  Astronomy.  After  his  graduation  in  1849,  with 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  he  spent  a year  in 
foreign  travel.  In  1851  he  began  his  career  at 
Peace  Dale  as  a manufacturer  of  woolens,  in  the 
Peace  Dale  Manufacturing  Company,  in  connection 
with  his  father.  There  he  continued  to  reside. 
From  1868  to  1884  his  winters  were  passed  in 
Providence,  and  from  1884-85  to  1898  in  Santa 
Barbara,  Cal.,  with  the  exception  of  the  winters 
of  1889-90  and  1893-94,  which  were  passed  in 
Europe. 

In  1875  Mr.  Hazard  became  owner  of  a large 
tract  of  24,000  acres  of  land  in  southeastern  Mis- 
souri, known  as  the  Mine  La  Motte  lead  mine.  Into 
this  mine,  worked  in  a primitive  manner  since 
1717,  he  introduced  the  most  approved  methods 
of  mining,  dressing  and  smelting  ore.  The  “An- 
chor Brand”  of  lead  (so  named  from  the  shield 
of  Rhode  Island)  produced  under  his  control,  soon 


RHODE  ISLAND 


969 


acquired  a high  reputation.  In  1881  he  was  in- 
strumental in  organizing  the  Solvay  Process  Com- 
pany, of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  and  became  its  president. 
He  thus  introduced  into  this  country  from  Belgium 
the  production  of  soda-ash.  He  was  president  of 
several  other  industrial  companies.  He  stood  among 
the  leading  organizers  of  industry  in  America.  He 
owned  much  real  estate  in  South  Kingstown ; he 
had  lands  in  the  State  of  New  York  and  the  far 
West.  One  of  his  chief  recreations  was  the  conduct 
of  a large  dairy  farm. 

Mr.  Hazard  received  his  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts  in  course  from  Brown  University.  Among 
the  offices  which  he  held  these  may  be  named : 
He  was  a trustee  of  Brown  University  from  1875 
to  1889;  fellow  from  1889  until  his  death  (his 
father  was  a trustee  from  1869  to  1875,  and  fellow 
from  1875  to  1888)  ; corporate  member  of  the 
American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions ; trustee  of  Butler  Hospital ; president  of 
Washington  County  Agricultural  Society  from  1875 
until  his  death ; president  of  the  What  Cheer  In- 
surance Company.  In  his  own  business  at  Peace 
Dale  he  became  president  of  the  Peace  Dale  Manu- 
facturing Company  in  1864,  ar,d  was  president  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  He  served  the  town  of  South 
Kingstown  as  moderator  for  several  years.  In  1863- 
64  he  was  a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  House  of 
Representatives,  and  from  1867  to  1869  a member 
of  the  State  Senate.  In  1875  he  was  the  Independ- 
ent candidate  for  Governor  of  the  State  and  re- 
ceived a plurality  of  votes,  but  failed  of  election  by 
the  Assembly. 

Mr.  Hazard  was  a man  of  large  ideas  and  of 
varied  interests.  After  studying  profoundly  the 
distribution  of  profits  and  the  relation  of  capital 
and  labor,  and  after  personal  inspection  of  the 
co-operative  establishments  of  Rochdale,  England, 
and  elsewhere,  he  introduced  the  system  of  profit 
sharing  into  the  Peace  Dale  mills.  His  generous 
treatment  of  those  whom  he  employed  made  labor 
troubles  a thing  unknown  among  them.  By  the 
improvements  which  he  introduced  into  Mine  La 
Motte  the  whole  place  became  transformed  for  the 
better  in  its  material  and  spiritual  condition.  He 
also  organized  his  great  works  at  Syracuse,  N. 
Y.,  with  the  most  careful  regard  for  the  comfort 
and  welfare  of  the  workmen.  He  was  interested 
in  agriculture  and  in  the  improvements  of  breeds  of 
cattle.  As  president  of  the  Washington  County 
Agricultural  Society  he  annually  gave  an  address 
which  was  of  great  interest  and  practical  value. 

Mr.  Hazard  was  always  active  in  village  and 
town  affairs.  In  1854  he  organized  a Sunday- 
school  in  the  school  house.  In  1837  the  Second 
Congregational  Church  of  South  Kingstown  was 
organized  in  his  house,  and  from  that  time  he  was 
a deacon  in  that  church.  In  1872  he  built  the  pres- 
ent stone  church  at  the  cost  of  about  $25,000.  In 
1895  he  added  to  it  the  Margaret  Chapel,  in  memory 
of  his  beloved  wife,  who  died  in  that  year.  He  was 


largely  instrumental  in  establishing  the  Narragan- 
sett  Library  in  1855  and  in  the  organization  of  the 
high  school,  giving  the  land  for  the  building  and 
assisting  in  its  maintenance.  He  did  much  for 
the  improvement  of  the  village. 

With  his  father  Mr.  Hazard  established  the 
Hazard  professorship  of  physics  at  Brown  Univer- 
sity, and  he  bequeathed  to  Brown  University 
$100,000. 

Mr.  Hazard  was  fond  of  architecture  and  had 
much  ability  in  the  actual  practice  of  that  art.  He 
drew  the  plans  for  the  Congregational  Church  just 
mentioned.  The  large  worsted  mill  of  his  company 
was  built  after  his  plans  in  1872.  The  weaving  shed 
at  a later  date,  and  the  picturesque  stone  bridges  of 
Peace  Dale  are  all  of  his  building.  One  bridge  of 
a single  stone  arch,  with  a span  of  40  feet,  is  said 
to  be  the  largest  single  arch  in  the  State.  He  was 
chairman  of  the  building  committee  under  whose 
direction  was  built  the  John  Carter  Brown  Library 
of  Brown  University. 

Mr.  Hazard  wrote  much.  His  annual  addresses 
at  the  South  County  Fair  have  been  mentioned.  He 
wrote  a paper  on  the  Credit  Mobilier  of  America, 
published  in  1881 ; review  articles  on  economic  sub- 
jects; papers  on  scientific  and  philosophic  themes; 
and  the  memorable  address  at  the  laying  of  the 
corner  stone  of  the  Capitol  of  Rhode  Island.  He 
also  wrote  graceful  verse,  metrical  translations  from 
German  lyrics  and  exquisite  sonnets  for  his  own 
pleasure,  but  never  published. 

Mr.  Hazard  was  a man  of  simple  religious  faith, 
of  a faith  which  was  wrought  -by  love  for  the  better- 
ment of  his  fellow  men.  His  strength  of  character, 
his  firm  resolve,  made  him  a power  in  the  world. 
This  power  he  used  wisely,  kindly,  beneficently.  He 
was  generous  with  his  wealth  and  freely  gave  his 
valuable  services  to  good  causes.  He  was  revered 
by  all  who  knew  him,  tenderly  loved  by  those  who 
were  brought  into  personal  relations  with  him.  His 
death  was  deeply  lamented.  Men  recognized  in 
him  one  whose  noble  life  had  reflected  honor  on 
America. 

Mr.  Hazard  died  Aug.  16,  1898,  and  Mrs. 
Hazard  passed  away  Aug.  7,  1895.  The  children 
of  Rowland  and  Margaret  Anna  (Rood)  Hazard 
were : 

(IX)'  Hon.  Rowland  Gibson  Hazard,  one  of 
the  most  prominent  men  of  Rhode  Island,  was  born 
at  Peace  Dale,  R.  I.,  Jan.  22,  1855.  He  was  gradu- 
ated from  Brown  University  with  the  class  of  1876, 
and  immediately  entered  the  Peace  Dale  Manufac- 
turing Company,  of  which  he  is  president.  He  is 
also  president  of  the  Narragansett  Pier  Railroad 
Company,  and  besides  being  an  official  in  numerous 
other  corporations,  has  been  at  various  times  an  ac- 
tive participant  in  State  affairs.  Outside  of  his 
own  State  he  is  vice-president  of  the  Solvay  Pro- 
cess Company,  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  He  is  active  in 
all  town  improvements ; was  elected  a trustee  of 
Brown  University  in  1893;  was  a member  of  the 


9/0 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Rhode  Island  State  House  commission ; a member 
of  the  Linnaean  Society  of  New  York;  the  Geo- 
graphical Society  of  Washington;  the  American 
Economical  Association;  the  Society  of  Colonial 
\\  ars  of  Rhode  Island ; the  Royal  Economical  So- 
ciety of  Great  Britain ; the  American  Social  Science 
Association ; the  American  Forestry  Association ; 
and  the  Ornithologist  Union.  In  1904  he  was  a 
presidential  elector,  and  was  also  a member  of  the 
executive  committee  of  the  Indianapolis  Monetary 
Convention.  He  belongs  to  several  clubs,  among 
them  being  the  Century  and  University  clubs  of 
New  York;  Graduates,  Country  and  Lawn  clubs 
of  New  Haven ; and  Hope  and  University  clubs  of 
Providence.  He  was  appointed  a member  of  the 
proxy  committee  of  the  New  York  Life  Insurance 
Company  to  receive  and  vote  proxies  for  the  ad- 
ministration ticket  Dec.  18,  1906.  In  his  religious 
belief  Mr.  Hazard  is  a Congregationalist,  and  for 
a quarter  of  a century  was  superintendent  of  the 
Sabbath-school,  and  is  a member  of  the  American 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  For  many  years  he  has 
been  president  of  the  Washington  County  Agricul- 
tural Society,  succeeding  his  father  in  that  office, 
and  his  annual  addresses  to  that  Society,  at  the 
Fair  at  West  Kingston,  have  been  gems  of  thought, 
literary  style  and  delivery  long  remembered  by  those 
who  have  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  them,  and 
preserved  by  many  in  a printed  form  for  further 
consideration.  His  address  of  1905  on  “Individu- 
ality” was  a particularly  sound  and  pleasing  pro- 
duction. On  Nov.  16,  1880,  Mr.  Hazard  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Pierpont  Bushnell,  daughter  of  Rev. 
George  Bushnell  of  Beloit,  Wis.,  and  granddaughter 
of  Eli  \\  hitney  Blake,  of  New  Haven,  Conn. 
To  them  have  been  born  children  as  follows:  Row- 
land, born  Oct.  29,  1881  ; Elizabeth,  April  27,  1883; 
Margaret,  Jan.  25,  1886;  Mary,  April  11,  1890; 

and  Thomas  Pierpont,  Oct.  27,  1892. 

(IX)  Caroline  Hazard,  daughter  of  Rowland 
and  Margaret  A.  (Rood)  Hazard,  born  June 

10,  1856,  inherits  her  grandfather's  intellec- 
tual tastes.  She  is  the  editor  of  a col- 
lected edition  of  his  philosophical  and  eco- 

nomic writings  under  the  title  of  “Works  of 
Rowland  Gibson  Hazard,”  in  five  volumes,  and  is 
the  author  of  a biography  entitled  “Thomas  Hazard, 
son  of  Robert,  called  ‘College  Tom’  ” ; “ A Study 
of  Life  in  Narragansett  in  the  XVIIIth  Century,” 
a book  full  of  Narragansett  history;  of  a volume 
of  poems  called  “Narragansett  Poems ;”  of  “South 
County  Meeting,”  “Some  Ideas  on  the  Education 
of  Women” ; and  numerous  short  stories.  She  is 
the  author-editor  of  a volume  issued  as  a memorial 
of  J.  Lewis  Diman,  of  Brown  University.  Miss 
Hazard  is  full  of  knowledge  and  interest  in  what 
was  best  in  Old  Narragansett — helps  on  all  that  is 
best  in  the  new.  She  was  given  the  degree  of  A.  M. 
by  the  University  of  Michigan  in  1899;  and  the 
same  year  the  degree  of  Litt.  D.  by  Brown  Univer- 
sity. She  is  a life  member  of  the  Rhode  Island 


Historical  Society;  a member  of  the  New  England 
Historical  Society ; the  American  Historical  So- 
ciety ; historian  of  the  Colonial  Dames  of  Rhode 
Island ; member  of  the  Society  of  Colonial  Gov- 
ernors ; Massachusetts  State  Board  of  Education, 
1902;  and  since  1899  president  of  Wellesley  College. 

(IX)  Frederick  Rowland  Hazard,  son  of 
Rowland  and  Margaret  A.  (Rood)  Hazard, 
was  born  June  14,  1858.  He  graduated 

from  Brown  University  in  1881,  and  after 
a year  spent  in  studying  the  manufactur- 
ing of  woolen  goods  in  the  Peace  Dale 
Mills,  passed  the  years  of  1883-84  in  France,  Ger- 
many and  England,  studying  the  manufacture  of 
alkali.  In  1884  he  became  assistant  treasurer  of  ti.e 
Solvay  Process  Company,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  manu- 
facturers of  alkali  and  its  related  products.  In  1888 
he  became  treasurer,  and  in  1898  president  of  that 
same  company.  He  has  been  president  of  the  village 
of  Solvay  since  its  incorporation  in  1892.  He  is  a 
director  in  the  First  National  Bank,  Commercial 
National  Bank,  Onondaga  County  Savings  Bank ; 
president  of  the  Syracuse  Trust  Company;  and  vice- 
president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Tully,  N. 
Y.  He  has  been  president  of  the  Syracuse  Music 
Festival  Association  since  its  organization  in  1900. 
Since  1884  he  has  made  his  home  in  Syracuse.  On 
May  29,  1886,  Mr.  Hazard  married  Dora  Gannett 
Sedgwick,  of  Massachusetts  descent,  and  a daughter 
of  Judge  Charles  B.  and  Deborah  (Gannett)  Sedg- 
wick. To  this  marriage  have  been  born  children  as 
follows:  Dorothy,  May  21,  1887;  Sarah  Sedgwick, 
August,  1889;  Katharine  Sedgwick,  November, 
1890;  Frederick  Rowland,  Jr.,  Dec.  19,  1891;  Rob- 
ert Sedgwick,  Feb.  17,  1895  (died  Feb.  21,  1906). 

(IX)  Helen  Hazard,  daughter  of  Rowland 
and  Margaret  A.  (Rood)  Hazard,  was  born 
Jan.  15,  1862.  On  Oct.  6,  1885,  she  mar- 
ried Nathaniel  Terry  Bacon,  of  New  Haven, 
eldest  son  of  Leonard  Woolsey  and  Susan 
(Bacon)  Bacon,  and  they  make  their  home 
in  Peace  Dale  on  a part  of  the  old  Hazard 
homestead.  They  have  two  children : Leonard, 
born  May  26,  1887;  and  Susan,  born  Nov.  12,  1889. 
Since  1895  Mrs.  Bacon  has  been  a member  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Society  of  Colonial  Dames  of  America 
and  president  of  that  society  since  May  5,  1904. 
She  is  State  Chairman,  Society  of  Descendants  of 
Colonial  Governors,  and  is  National  Registrar  of  the 
National  Society  of  Colonial  Dames  of  America. 

(IX)  Margaret  Hazard,  daughter  of  Row- 
land and  Margaret  A.  (Rood)  Hazard,  born  May 
31,  1867,  was  married,  June  24,  1893,  to  Dr.  Irving 
Fisher,  of  Yale  University,  a native  of  Saugerties, 
N.  Y.,  and  a son  of  Rev.  George  W.  and  Ella 
(Wescott)  Fisher,  the  former  a Congregational 
clergyman.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Fisher  have  three  chil- 
dren, namely:  Margaret,  born  April  30,  1894; 
Caroline,  June  17,  1897;  and  Irving  Norton,  Nov. 
8,  1900. 

(VIII)  John  Newbold  Hazard,  youngest  son 


,RHODE  ISLAND 


97i 


of  Rowland  Gibson  Hazard, «was  born  in  Peace  Dale, 
R.  I.,  Sept.  11,  1836.  He  was  educated  at  Brown 
University,  where  he  was  a member  of  the  class  of 
1857.  He  went  abroad  to  complete  his  education, 
taking  up  special  lines  of  work,  some  of  them  in 
connection  with  the  woolen  manufacturing  business, 
which  afterward  became  his  life  work.  Returning 
he  assisted  his  father  and  brother  in  conducting  the 
business  of  the  Peace  Dale  Manufacturing  Company. 
His  father  retired  from  the  presidency  of  the  com- 
pany in  1865,  and  in  January,  1866,  John  N.  Hazard 
was  elected  to  succeed  him.  He  continued  in  that 
capacity  until  1892  when  he  resigned  after  a con- 
tinuous service  of  twenty-six  years,  continuing,  how- 
ever, as  a director  of  the  company  until  his  death 
June  7,  1900.  He  was  noted  for  his  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  most  minute  details  of  the  manu- 
facturing business.  He  was  twice  married.  His 
first  wife,  whom  he  wedded  in  France,  was  Hortense 
De  £Iuys,  who  bore  him  two  children : Marie  and 
Emil.  In  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  he  married  (second) 
Augusta  G.  Gerloff,  and  eight  children  were  born  of 
this  union:  Ernest  Newbold,  born  June  25,  1869, 
is  deceased;  Robert,  born  in  1871,  died  Nov.  18, 
1874;  Edith,  born  May  27,  1873;  Mary  Peace, 
born  July  8,  1874,  married  R.  R.  Robinson,  M.  D. ; 
Mabel,  born  Sept.  26,  1875,  died  Oct.  24,  1875; 
John  Gibson,  born  in  February,  1877,  married  Ada 
De  Kalb,  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y. ; Anna,  born  July  8, 
1880,  married  May  24,  1906,  Daniel  Hawes  Reese; 
and  Isaac  Peace,  born  in  1883. 

RUEL  S.  DARLING,  who  during  his  life  time 
was  a well  known  business  man  of  Pawtucket,  R. 
I.,  was  born  in  Bellingham,  Mass.,  May  2,  1830, 
one  of  the  eight  sons  born  to  the  union  of  Samuel 
and  Margaret  (Smith)  Darling. 

Mr.  Darling’s  opportunities  for  acquiring  an  ed- 
ucation were  limited,  as  he  was  obliged  to  make 
his  own  way  from  boyhood.  He  early  learned  the 
boat  makers’  trade,  but  later  engaged  in  the  meat 
business,  for  a time  retailing  meats  by  wagon 
through  the  country,  mainly  in  portions  of  the  town 
of  Cumberland  and  Smithfield,  R.  I.  Being  a man 
of  good  business  ability,  industrious  and  energetic, 
he  soon  sought  a larger  field  for  operation,  and  in 
the  middle  fifties  located  at  Pawtucket,  where  for 
a time  he  was  associated  in  that  same  line  of  busi- 
ness with  his  brother,  the  late  Hon.  Edwin  Darling. 
From  the  time  of  his  locating  in  Pawtucket  until 
his  death  he  was  prominently  and  successfully  iden- 
tified with  the  marketing  business.  His  first  bus- 
iness location  in  Pawtucket  was  in  the  old  brick  ho- 
tel building  on  Mill  street,  afterward  North  Main 
street,  removing  thence  to  the  Dexter  block  dn  Main 
street,  whither  he  had  gone  some  eight  years  be- 
fore his  death.  Some  years  prior  to  this  removal 
Mr.  Darling  associated  with  him  in  the  business 
his  two  sons,  Ruel  S.  and  Herbert  C.,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Darling  & Sons.  The  business  was 
continued  by  the  sons  for  some  years  after  their 


father’s  death,  at  this  last  location  on  Main  street, 
and  also  for  a time  at  a branch  market  under  the 
“Aumann  House”  on  Broad  street.  In  time  the  re- 
tail market  becoming  less  remunerative,  it  was 
finally  closed  in  1892,  and  the  wholesale  business 
having  steadily  increased,  the  latter  in  that  same 
year  was  transferred  to  New  York  City,  constitut- 
ing the  nucleus  of  the  business  which  became  in- 
corporated as  the  Metropolitan  Hotel  Supply  Com- 
pany. This  remained  until  1898,  when  it  was  incor- 
porated under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  New  York 
under  the  name  of  the  Darling  Brothers  Company, 
Ruel  Smith  Darling  being  made  president  of  the 
corporation,  and  Herbert  Cook  Darling,  the  secre- 
tary and  treasurer.  The  business  is  now  conducted 
at  West  Fourteenth  street,  New  York  City.  The 
two  sons  are  worthily  wearing  the  family  name,  and 
sustaining  the  reputation  of  their  father  and  of  his 
several  distinguished  brothers,  all  men  of  high 
honor  and  standing  and  success  in  the  business 
world. 

Possessing  those  qualities  that  win  and  retain 
the  respect  of  associates,  as  well  as  their  confi- 
dence, it  is  not  strange  that  Ruel  S.  Darling  was 
besought  to  represent  his  town  in  various  public 
ways,  but  he  was  not  desirous  of  position,  and  he 
steadily  declined  public  office  until  two  years 
before  he  died,  when  he  consented  to  serve  in  the 
town  council,  and  he  was  re-elected  to  that  body 
the  very  month  he  died.  This  was  in  the  town  of 
Lincoln.  His  political  affiliations  were  with  the  Re- 
publican party.  He  lived  in  Pawtucket  for  a num- 
ber of  years  until  some  fifteen  years  prior  to  his 
death,  having  then  purchased  a fine  estate  at  the 
head  of  Illinois  street  in  Central  Falls.  He  was 
a trustee  of  the  Pawtucket  Institution  for  Savings, 
and  a director  of  the  Slater  National  Bank,  having 
held  the  latter  position  for  twenty-three  consecutive 
years. 

Mr.  Darling  was  gifted  with  business  talent  and 
qualities  of  high  order,  and  he  operated  along  con- 
servative lines.  He  possessed  a sterling  character, 
and  was  of  a kiqdlv  disposition,  and  a generous 
supporter  of  all  good  works.  “He  lived  respected 
and  died  regretted  by  all  who  knew  him.”  Mr. 
Darling  passed  away  at  his  home  in  Central  Falls, 
R.  I.,  June  14,  1883,  and  on  this  occasion  the  local 
papers  were  liberal  in  their  kindly  expressions  of 
their  high  estimate  of  the  man.  “Everybody  knew 
him  as  a man  of  large  business  sagacity,  of  unsul- 
lied integrity,  of  downright  sincerity,  of  courtesy, 
magnanimity  and  large  humanity.” 

“Upright  in  all  his  dealings,  his  word  was  as 
good  as  his  bond,  and  his  life  was  one  in  all  its  bear- 
ings that  could  easily  be  taken  as  a guide  for  others. 
One  universal  feeling  is  noted  among  his  fellow 
citizens  and  one  thought  expresses  the  voice  of  the 
entire  community,  ‘a  thoroughly  good  man  has 
gone.’  None  knew  Ruel  S.  Darling  but  to  love  him 
for  his  inborn  goodness  and  to  admire  him  for  those 
traits  of  manliness  which  characterized  all  his  deeds, 


97  2 


RHODE  ISLAND 


and  it  is  because  knowing-  him  as  they  did,  that 
hundreds  of  citizens  of  Central  Falls  and  Pawtucket 
will  mourn  his  departure  and  remember  his  virtues 
with  a profound  feeling.”  He  was  a member  of  the 
Masonic  Order,  in  which  he  took  great  interest. 
His  funeral  was  largely  attended,  and  his  remains 
were  interred  in  Swan  Point  cemetery,  Providence. 

Air.  Darling  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife, 
Alma  E.  Cook,  daughter  of  Fenner  and  Maratida 
(Thayer)  Cook,  of  Bellingham,  Mass.,  died  Dec. 
31,  1872.  Of  the  nine  children  born  of  this  mar- 
riage, four — an  infant  son,  Frederick  W„  Emma  F. 
and  Florence  Myron — died  young.  The  others  were  : 
Ruel  Smith ; Herbert  Cook ; Ellen  M.,  who  married 
George  W.  Thurston,  of  Providence ; Sarah  Burr, 
who  married  Peter  H.  Fowler,  of  Orange,  N.  J. ; 
and  A.  Louise,  who  married  William  Quimby,  a 
prominent  lawyer  at  Boston.  Mr.  Darling  married 
(second)  Mrs.  Eliza  L.  Walker,  daughter  of  the  late 
Rev.  James  O.  Barney,  of  Seekonk,  Mass.  Mrs. 
Darling  survives  and  now  makes  her  home  in  Wor- 
cester, Massachusetts. 

Ruel  Smith  Darling,  president  of  the  Darling 
Brothers  Company,  was  born  in  Pawtucket,  and  in 
that  town  received  his  education.  He  early  en- 
gaged in  business  with  his  father  under  the  firm 
name  of  Darling  & Sons,  at  Pawtucket,  but  he  after- 
ward went  to  New  York  City,  and  was  in  business 
with  his  brother,  Herbert  Cook  Darling,  this  busi- 
ness being  incorporated  in  1898,  as  above  stated, 
into  the  Darling  Brothers  Company,  Ruel  Smith 
becoming  the  president.  He  is  a man  of  good  ex- 
ecutive ability,  and  he  thoroughly  understands  every 
detail  of  the  business,  its  success  under  his  manage- 
ment being  thus  assured.  At  Foxboro,  Mass.,  he 
married  Susan  E.  Nichols,  daughter  of  E.  O.  and 
Elizabeth  (Knight)  Nichols,  of  an  old  New  Eng- 
land family.  To  this  union  has  been  born  one  child, 
Ruel  Smith  III,  a graduate  of  New  York  Univer- 
sity, and  now  in  business  with  his  father  and  uncle. 

Herbert  Cook  Darling,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  the  Darling  Brothers  Company,  received  his 
education  in  Pawtucket.  R.  I.,  and  Foxboro.  Mass., 
and  in  Mowry  & Goff's  English  and  Classical 
School,  Providence.  On  leaving  school  he  entered 
his  father’s  business,  and  later  came  to  New  York, 
becoming  on  the  incorporation  of  the  business  the 
■secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  corporation.  He  is 
an  able  business  man,  far-seeing  and  progressive. 
His  fraternal  connections  are  with  the  Masons. 
The  Darling  Brothers  are  men  of  sterling  character 
and  of  square  business  dealings,  and  have  won  a 
high  reputation  in  the  commercial  world. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Burr  (Darling)  Fowler,  second 
daughter  of  the  late  Ruel  S.  Darling,  was  married 
Jan.  10,  1889,  to  Peter  H.  Fowler,  a well  known 
manufacturing  chemist  of  New  York  City.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fowler  make  their  home  in  Orange,  N. 
J.  They  spent  the  first  five  vears  after  their  marriage 
traveling  in  Europe,  devoting  much  time  to  London. 
Mrs.  Fowler  is  one  of  the  social  leaders  in  the  Or- 


anges. She  has  one  child,  Dudley  Fowler,  a student 
in  school. 

JOSEPH  FARLEY  BLOOD,  late  of  Provi- 
dence, member  of  the  well  known  firm  of  Flint, 
Blood  & Co.,  manufacturing  jewelers,  of  which  he 
was  one  of  the  founders,  was  a self-made  man  in  the 
fullest  sense  that  term  implies. 

Mr.  Blood  was  born  Sept.  5,  1834,  in  Ipswich, 
Mass.,  one  of  three  sons  born  to  Samuel  and  Eliza- 
beth (Baker)  Blood.  He  was  left  an  orphan  at  an 
early  age,  and  his  early  life  was  one  of  toil  and 
limited  advantage  for  education,  but  by  study  and 
observation  he  became  a well-informed  man.  He 
came  to  Providence  Sept.  13,  1851,  and  learned  the 
trade  of  jeweler  with  the  manufacturing  jewelers 
on  Canal  street.  After  learning  his  trade  he  worked 
as  a journeyman  for  different  jewelry  firms  in 
Providence,  among  them  being  Greene,  Mauran  & 
Co.,  G.  & S.  Owen,  and  Wilcox,  Batell  & Cheney. 
In  1869,  in  company  with  three  fellow  workmen 
from  the  latter  establishment,  William  W.  Flint, 
James  A.  Young  and  Benjamin  Holbrook,  Mr. 
Blood  formed  a co-partnership  which  took  the  name 
of  Flint,  Blood  & Co.  This  continued  until  1878, 
when  Mr.  Holbrook  retired,  and  the  firm  was  then 
known  as  Flint,  Blood  & Young  until  1888,  when 
Mr.  Young  died  and  the  firm  was  again  given  the 
old  name.  On  March  1,  1904,  the  business  was 
incorporated  as  Flint,  Blood  & Co.,  with  Mr.  Blood 
as  vice-president,  which  has  since  continued  to  be 
the  style  of  the  firm.  Air.  Blood  attended  to  the 
accounts  and  finances  of  the  concern,  his  partners 
devoting  their  attention  more  to  the  other  needs  of 
the  business,  but,  nevertheless,  it  was  he  who  in- 
vented the  famous  J.  F.  Blood  stud,  which  at  one 
time  had  a large  sale  and  contributed  much  to  the 
material  prosperity  of  the  firm.  Mr.  Blood  re- 
mained active  in  the  business  until  August,  1901, 
when  he  was  stricken  with  a paralytic  shock,  and 
from  that  time  until  his  death  he  was  an  invalid 
and  was  confined  to  the  house.  He  passed  away 
March  28,  1903,  and  was  buried  at  Swan  Point. 

.On  Jan.  1,  1863,  Mr.  Blood  was  married  in 
Providence,  to  Mary  E.  Jenks,  who  survives  him. 
Her  parents  were  George  and  Phebe  (Clapp)  Jenks. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blood  had  one  daughter,  Elizabeth 
Baker,  born  March  13,  1870,  who  was  married  in 
1893,  to  Frederick  S.  Potter,  of  Providence,  for 
many  years  connected  with  Blanding  & Blanding. 
Mrs.  Potter  died  Aug.  3,  1905. 

Mr.  Blood  was  a man  who  attended  to  his  busi- 
ness matters  very  closely,  and  never  took  much  in- 
terest in  affairs  beyond  his  business  and  domestic 
circle.  He  was  not  a member  of  any  societies  or 
organizations,  but  was  a home-loving  man,  the 
head  of  a singularly  happy  family,  being  much  de- 
voted to  his  wife  and  daughter,  who  warmly  re- 
turned his  affection.  He  was  ever  fond  of  making 
those  around  him  happy,  and  many  were  his  kind 
acts  that  never  came  to  light.  As  an  employer  he 
was  just  and  considerate,  and  was  popular  with 


RHODE  ISLAND 


973 


those  under  him.  In  his  business  relations  he  was  enlistments  through  the  years  of  the  struggle  of  pe- 
prompt  and  conscientious,  and  was  recognized  riods  of  from  eight  months  down  to  one  month 
everywhere  as  a man  of  exemplary  character.  His  first  enlistment  was  on  Aug.  i,  1776,  for  four 

months,  and  he  was  made  orderly  sergeant  and  was 
ALBERT  F.  KENYON.  Few  men  living  have  stationed  in  this  State.  Re-enlistments  were  as  fol- 
the  unique  distinction  of  being  original  Sons  of  the  lows:  December,  1776,  for  eight  months;  March, 
American  Revolution;  Rhode  Island  has  but  two  1778,  for  two  months;  July,  1778,  for  one  month’ 
original  sons  according  to  the  register,  and  the  March,  1779,  for  four  months.  There  were  other 
number  in  the  other  States  is  yearly  becoming  short  terms  of  service  in  the  years  1779  and  1780, 
thinned  out  rapidly  by  the  grim  and  merciless  des-  aggregating  three  months.  Throughout  his  entire 
troyer,  Death.  There  is  a large  army  of  those  who  service  Mr.  Kenyon  was  stationed  in  Rhode  Island 
can  trace  their  ancestry  back  to  active  participation  and  held  the  rank  of  orderly  sergeant.  There  is  no 
in  the  defense  of  the  struggle  for  Independence,  record  that  he  engaged  in  any  battles,  although  he 
but  those  who  can  look  back  through  one  generation  was  active  in  the  operations  about  Newport  and  at 
to  that  period  of  stress  in  the  nation’s  history  are  Warwick  Neck,  when  it  was  expected  that  the  Brit- 
very  few.  When  it  is  realized  that  the  war  of  the  ish  fleet  would  attempt  to  land  troops.  Following 
Revolution  was  begun  in  1775  and  that  the  world  the  declaration  of  peace,  Mr.  Kenyon  settled  down 
is  now  in  the  twentieth  century ; that  a period  of  in  his  home  town,  and  Sept.  25,  1825,  married 
over  130  years  has  elapsed  since  the  day  of  the  Mercy  Johnston.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-six 
flintlock  musket,  and  the  first  fight  for  the  freedom  years,  Sept.  26,  1841. 

of  the  United  States  from  British  thraldom,  it  be-  ' Albert  F.  Kenyon  has  heard  his  father  tell  many 
comes  immediately  apparent  that  an  original  son  is  stories  of  his  experiences  in  camp,  but  one  of  the 
in  a distinctive  class  by  himself.  In  considering  the  most  interesting  is  that  of  the  coronation  of  Queen 
years  that  have  elapsed  since  those  days,  and  also  Esther,  as  Queen  of  the  Niantic  tribe  of  Indians, 
the  usual  length  of  human  life,  the  statement  that  a branch  of  the  Narragansetts,  now  nearly  extinct, 
there  are  two  original  sons  in  this  State  would  be  but  once  the  ruling  tribe  in  the  South  county.  Re- 
apt  to  create  the  idea  that  those  men  must  neces-  ferring  to  the  coronation,  Mr.  Kenyon’s  father  has 
sarily  be  of  advanced  years.  But  when  it  is  known  said . “i  saw  her  crowned.  She  was  elevated  on  a 
that  one  of  the  two  men  in  this  State  who  can  refer  iarge  rock,  so  that  all  the  people  might  see  her ; the 
to  their  father’s  careers  in  the  war  of  the,Revolu-  council  surrounded  her.  There  were  present  about 
tion  is  even  to-day  engaged  in  active  work  in  this  twenty  Indian  soldiers  with  guns,  and  they  marched 
city,  holding  his  own  against  his  fellow-workmen  her  to  the  big  rock,  where  the  Indian  nearest  to 
in  the  present  generation,  in  a manner  showing  be-  the  royal  blood,  in  the  presence  of  her  counsellors 
yond  doubt  that  the  days  of  open-air  life  on  a large  put  the  crown  on  her  head.  This  crown  was  made 
farm  were  such  as  to  develop  the  strength  and  en-  Gf  cioth,  covered  with  blue  and  white  peage.”  The 
durance  necessary  for  long  life,  it  seems  as  if  time  coronation  took  place  on  the  King  Tom  farm,  so 
must  have  stood  still  for  him.  called,  near  Cross’  Mills,  Charlestown.  The  rock 

Albert  Franklin  Kenyon,  of  No.  113  Prairie  ave-  now  bears  an  inscription  recording  the  event  and 
nue,  Providence,  and  Capt.  William  Howe  Church,  ;s  commonly  known  as  “Coronation  Rock.”  It 
of  Bristol,  are  the  two  original  sons  of  the  American  stands  in  the  farm  yard  of  the  house  built  by  King 
Revolution  in  Rhode  Island.  Mr.  Kenyon  was  born  Tom  Ninigret,  and  'is  now  owned  by  James  S.  Ken- 
in  Richmond,  R.  I.,  Aug.  17,  1833,  being  now  in  his  yon>  of  Providence.  In  addition  to  that  historic  oc- 
seventy-fifth  year.  He  is  employed  at  the  meter  Currence,  William  Kenyon  also  took  part  in  the  in- 
department of  the  Providence  Gas  Company,  and  quest  on  the  body  of  George,  Sachem,  son  of  Queen 
works  steadily.  His  father,  the  Revolutionary  vet-  psther,  who  was  killed  bv  the  falling  of  a~  tree, 
eran,  was  seventy-seven  years  old  when  Albert  was  George  was  the  last  king  the  tribe  had. 
born,  and  it  is  to  that  fact  that  Mr.  Kenyon  owes  Albert  F.  Kenyon  spent  his  early  schooldays  in" 
his  distinction  as  an  original  son  of  the  American  Richmond,  R.  I.,  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age 
Revolution.  became  a clerk  in  William  Crandall’s  store  at  Shan- 

William  Kenyon,  father  of  Albert  Franklin,  was  nock<  r j por  tw0  years  be  sold  dry  goods  on 
born  Aug.  22,  1755,  at  Richmond,  R.  I.  The  name  the  r’oad)  was  station  agent  at  Shannock  for  fifteen 
in  those  days  was  spelled  Kinyon,  but  after  a long  months,  and  at  Kingston  .for  eight  years.  In  1864 
period  of  time  that  spelling  was  changed  he  came  to  Providence  as  clerk  and  agent  for  the 

to  the  present  form  of  the  name.  William  Neptune  Steamship  Company,  remaining  in  that  po- 

Kenyon  was  twenty  years  of  age  when  sition  four  years.  For  one  year  he  traveled  for  the 

the  spark  which  started  the  conflagration  of  Ringhampton  Oil  Company,'  for  two  years  was  en- 

war  against  Great  Britain  throughout  the  United  gaged  in  die  restaurant  business  on  Market  Square, 
American  Colonies  was  struck,  and  he  at  once  en-  and  for  s;xteen  years  was  cashier  and  agent  of  the 
listed.  Those  were  the  days  of  short  term  enlist-  freig-ht  department  of  the  old  Boston  and  Provi- 
ments  and  the  record  of  William  Kenyon,  as  filed  dence  line.  He  spent  about  ten  years  as  foreman  &f 
in  the  War  Department  at  Washington,  shows  re-  the  Highway  department  of  the  City  of  Providence. 


974 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Since  1896,  despite  his  years,  he  has  been  the  effi- 
cient foreman  and  inspector  of  the  Providence  Gas 
Co.  On  July  17,  1901,  he  became  a member  of  the 
Sons  of  the  American  Revolution,  and  the  certifi- 
cate of  membership  occupies  a conspicuous  place 
on  the  wall  of  the  sitting-room  of  his  home  on  Prai- 
rie avenue.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  United  Or- 
der of  American  Mechanics. 

On  June  14,  1854,  Mr.  Kenyon  married  at 
Kingston,  R.  I.,  Maria  Case  Gardiner,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Mahala  (Briggs)  Gardiner,  and  to  this 
union  were  born  two  children:  Cordelia  Howard, 
born  July  15,  1857,  died  Feb.  23,  1862;  and  Charles 
Henry,  born  April  16,  1864,  died  Dec.  19,  I9°5- 
For  a time  the  son  was  receiving  clerk  at  the  Prov- 
idence station,  then  station  agent  at  New  London, 
and  later  at  the  Henderson  street  depot  in  Provi- 
dence. For  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life  he  was 
advance  agent  for  a theatrical  company,  and  was 
highly  esteemed  by  his  associates. 

MAJOR  HERBERT  ALLYNE  CLARK 
(deceased),  of  Attleboro,  Mass.,  who  in  recent 
years  was  Regimental  Quartermaster  of  the 
United  States  Volunteer  Army,  and  a man 
widely  known,  was  the  only  surviving  son  of 
Samuel  W.  and  Charity  H.  (Cushman)  Clark, 
and  was  born  in  Middleboro,  Mass.,  Feb.  22, 
18^9.  He  was  descended  from  the  earliest  Puri- 
tan stock,  his  maternal  ancestor  being  Robert 
Cushman,  the  financial  agent  of  the  Plymouth 
Colony,  who  joined  the  Pilgrims  in  New  Eng- 
land in  1621.  His  paternal  ancestor,  John  Clark, 
came  to  Plymouth  about  1623,  and  besides  these 
he  was  related  by  ancestral  ties  to  several  of  the 
prominent  families  of  the  Massachusetts  settle- 
ments, including  that  of  Gov.  William  Bradford. 
His  grandfathers,  Abisha  T.  Clark  and  Elias 
Cushman,  were  both  respected  farmers  of  Mid- 
dleboro, where  his  father,  Samuel  W.  Clark,  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  carpenter  and  builder 
until  his  death,  in  1883,  when  he  was  aged  sixty- 
two  years.  His  mother,  Charity  H.  (Cushman), 
survived  her  husband  until  Jan.  28,  1905. 

Major  Clark  was  educated  in  the  Middleboro 
public  and  high  schools,  graduating  from  the 
latter  in  1876.  On  Jan.  31,  1877,  he  went  to  At- 
tleboro, Bristol  county,  and  entered  the  jewelry 
manufacturing  establishment  of  Horton,  Angell 
& Co.,  with  which  firm  he  was  ever  afterward 
connected,  d his  widely-known  firm  was  estab- 
lished in  1870  by  Edwin  J.  and  Gideon  M.  Hor- 
ton and  Benjamin  J.  Angell,  under  the  present 
style  of  Horton,  Angell  & Co.,  and  from  the  first 
has  been  successfully  engaged  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  men’s  and  women’s  gold-plated  goods, 
such  as  cuff  and  collar  buttons,  sets,  etc.,  from 
the  first  quality  rolled  gold  plate.  It  has  gained 
a national  reputation  for  the  high  standard 
workmanship  of  its  product.  As  an  apprentice 
during  the  period  of  a little  more  than  three  and 


one-half  years  Major  Clark  thoroughly  mastered 
every  detail  and  acquired  a practical  knowledge 
of  the  business,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1880  was 
made  superintendent.  He  filled  this  position  for 
several  years,  becoming  a partner  in  the  concern 
Jan.  1,  1886.  Edwin  J.  Horton  had  died,  and  had 
been  succeeded  by  Major  Everett  S.  Horton,  his 
brother,  a sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere. 
Mr.  Angell  and  Gideon  M.  Horton  died  in  1886 
and  Major  Clark  in  1903,  but  the  firm  name  has 
remained  unchanged. 

In  politics  Major  Clark  was  a stanch  Repub- 
lican* yet  he  never  sought  nor  accepted  public 
office.  He  was,  however,  one  of  the  most  ener- 
getic and  public-spirited  of  citizens,  taking  a 
deep  interest  in  all  matters  affecting  the  com- 
munity at  large,  and  liberally  supporting  every 
movement  which  promised  reasonable  benefit 
and  general  good.  As  a business  man  he  dis- 
played ability  and  sagacity  of  a high  order,  and 
was  a director  of  the  Attleboro  Savings  & Loan 
Association  and  of  the  Attleboro  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Company. 

Major  Clark  was  prominently  and  actively 
connected  with  military  affairs  during  the  last 
decade  and  a half  before  his  death.  He  became 
a member  and  sergeant  of  Company  I,  5th  Reg- 
iment, Massachusetts  Volunteer  Militia,  at  its 
organization  in  1887,  and  was  elected  second 
lieutenant  in  1889,  first  lieutenant  in  1892,  and 
captain  in  1895.  In  1897  he  was  appointed  in- 
spector of  rifle  practice  on  the  staff  of  Col.  J.  H. 
Whitney.  The  war  between  Spain  and  the 
United  States  brought  him  into  the  volunteer 
army  as  quartermaster  of  his  regiment,  which 
was  mustered  in  as  the  5th  Massachusetts  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  he  being  appointed  quartermas- 
ter and  mustered  into  service  June  23,  1898. 
When  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  ser- 
vice, and  Colonel  Whitney  was  made  general, 
Major  Clark  went  to  the  brigade  staff.  Only  a 
short  time  before  his  death  he  was  offered  a 
colonelcy  on  the  staff  of  Governor  Bates,  but 
declined.  Major  Clark  was  a thorough  soldier, 
an  excellent  disciplinarian,  and  popular  with  the 
officers  and  men.  He  was  a thirty-second  de- 
gree Mason,  holding  membership  in  Ezekiel 
Bates  Lodge,  King  Hiram  Chapter  and  Attle- 
boro Council,  of  Attleboro;  in  Bristol  Comman- 
der}', K.  T.,  of  North  Attleboro;  in  Aleppo  Tem- 
ple, Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Boston ; 
and  in  the  Scottish  Rite  bodies  to  and  including 
the  thirty-second  degree,  conferred  upon  him  at 
Providence,  R.  I.,  in  1896.  He  was  also  a mem- 
ber of  Orient  Lodge  and  Gideon  M.  Horton  En- 
campment, I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of  Pennington 
Lodge,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  all  of  Attleboro.  Major 
Clark  held  membership  in  a number  of  jewelers’ 
organizations,  and  was  a member  of  several 
leading  clubs  of  Providence,  among  them  the 
Pomham.  In  social  as  in  military  circles  he  held 


RHODE  ISLAND 


975 


the  highest  positions  and  throughout  New  Eng- 
land and  the  country  he  had  many  friends  and 

admirers.  . .. 

Major  Clark  was  never  married,  and  to  the 
close  of  his  days  was  thoroughly  devoted  to  his 
mother,  whose  comfort  was  his  first  considera- 
tion, and  whose  welfare  and  happiness  received 
his  most  loving  thought. 

Major  Clark  died  Feb.  i6,  1903,  and  was 
buried  at  Woodlawn  cemetery,  Attleboro.  The 
only  surviving  member  of  the  family  is  a sister, 
Mrs.  James  J.  Horton,  of  Attleboro. 

JOHN  F.  CLARK,  town  clerk  of  Cumberland, 
and' one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  public  and 
fraternal  circles  in  this  section  of  the  State,  was 
born  in  Cumberland,  son  of  John  Locke  and  Cor- 
delia (Titus)  Clark. 

The  great-grandfather  of  John  F.  Clark,  Seth 
Clark,  styled  Jr.,  was  born  in  1772,  and  married 
Dec.  5,  1797,  according  to- Salisbury,  Mass.,  record, 
Susanna  Noyes,  of  Seabrook,  N.  H.  Their  chil- 
dren, also  of'  Salisbury  record,  were : Sarah,  born 
July  30,  1798;  Seth,  March  25,  1801;  Edmund  N., 
Sept.  16,  1803;  Thomas  J.,  Jan.  24,  1806;  Joseph 
N.,  Oct.  1 7,  1808;  and  Susanna,  June  20,  1812. 
Mr.  Clark  was  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  the 
town.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  Sept.  24,  1850, 
he  was  postmaster  of  the  town  and  a bank  presi- 
dent. . 

Edmund  N.  Clark,  born  Sept.  16,  1803,  in  Salis- 
bury,  Mass.,  son  of  Seth,  Jr.,  died  in  Cumberland, 
R.  I.,  in  1880.  In  early  life  he  was  a tanner,  but 
later  came  to  Cumberland  as  agent  of  the  Flack- 
stone  Coal  Mining  Company.  He  was  a \\  hig, 
and  later  a Republican,  in  politics,  and  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Rhode  Island  Legislature  for  one  term. 
His  early  religious  connections  were  with  the  Paw- 
tucket Baptist  Church,  and  he  was  afterward 
identified  with  the  A alley  halls  Baptist  Church, 
of  which  he  was  deacon  for  many  years. 
Mr.  Clark  married  Sophronia  Locke,  of  Sea- 
brook,  Mass.,  daughter  of  James  Locke,  and 
she  died  in  Cumberland,  the  mother  of  these 
children : John  Locke ; Adeline,  who  married 

Jacob  M.  Haskell,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  where  she 
resides ; Edmund,  who  never  married,  and  who,  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  was  treasurer  of  the  Black- 
stone  Coal  Mining  Company ; and  Mary  S.,  who 
married  James  P.  Johnston,  of  New  London,  Con- 
necticut. 

John  Locke  Clark,  born  July  26,  1831,  in  Salis- 
bury, Mass.,  died  Feb.  26,  1876,  in  Cumberland,  R. 
I.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Salisbury,  and  when  a young  man  located  in 
Cumberland,  where  he  engaged  in  a grocery  busi- 
ness for  several  years,  and  then  became  secretary 
of  the  Blackstone  Coal  Mining  Company,  continuing 
with  that  firm  until  his  death.  He  was  active  in 
town  affairs,  being  a Republican  member  of  the 
State  Legislature,  and  was  highly  esteemed  by  all 


for  his  honesty  and  other  sterling  traits  of  character. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Valley  Falls  Baptist 
Church.  On  May  4,  1853,  Mr.  Clark  was  married 
to  Cordelia  Titus,  of  Cumberland,  daughter  of 
Hiram  and  Lucy  (Crocker)  Titus.  Mrs.  Clark, 
who  still  survives  her  husband,  resides  in  Cumber- 
land, the  mother  of  two  children:  John  Francis; 
and  Lucy,  who  married  Andrew  J.  Currier,  of  Cum- 
berland, where  she  died. 

Col.  John  Francis  Clark,  son  of  John  L.,  was 
born  Feb.  7,  1854,  in  Cumberland,  where  he  re- 
ceived his  early  education,  then  attending  the  Uni- 
versity Grammar  school,  Providence,  and  in  1871 
entered  Brown  University,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1875,  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  He 
then  took  the  business  course  at  Bryant  & Stratton’s 
Business  College,  Providence,  after  which  he  be- 
came secretary  of  the  Blackstone  Coal  Mining 
Company,  a position  he  held  until  the  firm  ceased 
operations  in  1900. 

In  politics  Mr.  Clark  is  a stanch  Republican. 
In  1882  he  was  appointed  stamp  clerk  at  the  Provi- 
dence postoffice,  where  he  remained  for  five  years, 
and  in  1888  was  elected  town  clerk  of  Cumberland, 
re-elected  in  1893,  and  since  that  time  has  held  this 
position.  From  1899-1903  he  was  deputy  collector 
of  Internal  Revenue  for  the  District  of  Connecticut. 
He  was  a representative  in  the  Rhode  Island  Gen- 
eral Assembly  from  1878  to  1884,  serving  on  the 
committees  on  Corporations,  State  Militia,  and 
others.  He  was  town  treasurer  for  several  years, 
tax  assessor  for  a like  period,  on  the  school  com- 
mittee for  six  years  and  superintendent  of  schools 
for  one  year,  having  held  a public  office  ever  since 
he  became  of  age.  Mr.  Clark  was  on  Gov.  Alfred 
H.  Littlefield’s  staff  as  aide-de-camp,  with  the  rank 
of  colonel,  for  three  years,  and  for  seven  years 
served  as  captain  on  General  Rhodes’  Brigade  staff. 

Mr.  Clark  is  a member  of  Union  Lodge  No. 
10,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Pawtucket  Chapter  No.  4,  R. 
A.  M. ; Pawtucket  Council  No.  2,  R.  & S.  M. ; 
Holy  Sepulchre  Commandery  No.  8,  K.  T. ; Pales- 
tine Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  Providence; 
Rhode  Island  Consistory,  thirty-second  degree 
of  Masonry,  and  a member  and  secretary  of  the 
board  of  managers  of  the  Masonic  Temple,  Paw- 
tucket. In  the  Scottish  Rite  he  has  been  at  the 
head  of  the  Lodge  of  Perfection.  He  is  past  Mas- 
ter of  the  Masonic  lodge,  and  has  passed  through 
the  chairs  of  all  the  Masonic  bodies  up  to  the 
Shrine.  He  is  also  a member  of  Canonchet  Tribe 
No.  10,  I.  O.  R.  M.,  Valley  Falls ; Charles  A.  Lee 
Lodge,  K.  P.,  Pawtucket.  He  is  past  great  sachem 
of  the  State  Lodge  of  Red  Men,  and  past  chancellor 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a member  of  the 
To-Kalon  Club  of  Pawtucket.  Mr.  Clark’s  religious 
affiliations  are  with  the  Episcopal  Church  of  Paw- 
tucket. He  is  a trustee  of  the  Pawtucket  Institution 
for  Savings. 

On  June  19,  1877,  Mr.  Clark  was  married  by 
Rev.  Emery  Porter,  to  Carrie  E.  Jencks,  daughter 


9/6 


RHODE  ISLAND 


of  Andrew  and  Almina  (Weatherhead)  Jencks,  of 
Pawtucket,  and  to  this  union  there  have  been  born 
children  as  follows : Lucy,  who  married  Byron  L. 
Waterman,  of  Cumberland,  treasurer  of  the  River 
Spinning  Company,  of  Woonsocket,  lives  in  Paw- 
tucket, and  has  two  children,  Helen  and  Richard; 
Louise  A.,  who  married  C.  Mason  Parker  of 
Saylesville,  now  a dentist  of  Cumberland,  has  one 
son,  Shelton;  Carmelita,  who  married  Byron  Miller, 
a milk  dealer  of  Cumberland,  has  one  son,  Robert ; 
and  John  L.  and  Wade  Jencks  are  at  school. 

MOWRY  (Woonsocket  family).  T^e*  Mowry 
family  of  Rhode  Island  is  one  of  the  oldest  of  the 
Commonwealth,  one  whose  coming  to  New  Eng- 
land reaches  back  to  within  eleven  years  of  the  ar- 
rival of  the  Pilgrim  fathers  themselves.  Its  his- 
tory began  in  old  Plymouth  Colony  with  the  year 
1631,  and  in  that  of  Rhode  Island  with  about  1643; 
and  here  in  both  Colony  and  Commonwealth  it  has 
been  among  the  substantial  and  prominent  fami- 
lies. This  article,  however,  deals  only  with  one 
branch  of  the  Mowrys,  that  of  the  family  of  the 
late  Hon.  Spencer  Mowry,  who  himself  was  long 
one  of  the  prominent  and  influential  citizens  of 
Woonsocket,  and,  too,  a man  of  wealth. 

There  follows  something  of  the  line  and  Mowry 
lineage  of  this  Woonsocket  family,  the  order  being 
chronological,  beginning  with  the  emigrant  settler. 

(I)  Roger  Mowry,  of  Plymouth,  was  made  a 
freeman  of  the  colony,  May  8,  1631.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  church  at  Salem  in  1636,  and  in  the 
following  year  had  fifty  acres  of  land  laid  out.  His 
family  in  this  year  comprised  five  persons.  He  re- 
moved to  Providence  about  1643,  and  was  made  a 
freeman  of  the  colony  in  1655.  He  served  as  com- 
missioner in  1658.  There  is  a tradition  in  the  fam- 
ily that  Roger  Williams  and  Mr.  Mowry  were  kins- 
men. Mr.  Mowry  died  Jan.  5,  1666.  His  widow 
Mary  remarried,  and  died  in  January,  1679.  His 
children  were:  Roger;  Jonathan,  born  in  1637; 
Bethiah,  born  in  1638;  Mary,  born  in  1640;  Eliza- 
beth, born  in  1643;  Nathaniel,  born  in  1644;  John; 
Mehetabel ; Joseph,  born  in  1647;  Benjamin,  born 
in  1649 ; Thomas,  born  in  1652 ; and  Hannah,  born 
in  1656. 

(II)  John  Mowry,  son  of  Roger,  was  a resident 
of  Providence,  R.  I.  He  and  Edward  Inman 
bought  in  1666  two  thousand  acres  of  land  lying 
from  Loquesit  northward,  bounding  partly  on  Paw- 
tucket river.  Mr.  Mowry  was  made  a freeman  in 
1672.  He  died  in  1690,  and  both  he  and  his  wife 
Mary,  were  buried  on  Sayles  Hill.  Their  children 
were  Mary,  John,  Experience  and  Sarah. 

(III)  John  Mowry  (2),  son  of  John,  married 

(first)  April  18,  1701,  Margery,  daughter  of 

Eleazer  and  Alice  (Auger)  Whipple,  and  (second) 
Hannah,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Packard.  Mr. 
Mowry  resided  in  Providence  and  Smithfield,  R.  I., 
being  a member  of  the  Smithfield  town  council  in 
1731  and  1732.  He  died  in  September,  1732.  His 


children,  all  born  to  the  first  marriage  excepting 
the  last  named,  were:  Mary,  born  May  2,  1702; 
Ananias,  born  in  May,  1705;  Philip:  John;  Abi- 
gail ; Margery ; Amey ; Meribah ; and  Ezekiel,  born 
Sept.  15,  1723. 

(IV)  Ananias  Mowry,  son  of  John  (2),  born 
in  May,  1705,  married  Zerviah  Angell,  and  their 
children  of  Smithfield  town  record  were : Philip, 
born  Oct.  30,  1738;  Ananias,  born  Feb.  21,  1740; 
John,  born  Jan.  1,  1742;  David,  born  Sept.  17, 
1744;  Gideon,  born  Feb.  9,  if 46;  Richard,  born 
April  18,  1748;  and  Zerviah,  born  Dec.  10,  1751. 

(V)  Philip  Mowry,  son  of  Ananias,  born  Oct. 
30,  1738,  married  Oct.  28,  1762,  Elizabeth  Newell, 
and  their  children  of  Smithfield  town  record  were : 
Jonathan,  born  April  16,  1763 ; Seth,  born  Dec.  8, 
1764;  Lydia,  born  Dec.  19,  1765;  Mary,  born  Feb. 
12,  1768;  Elizabeth,  born  March  5,  1769;  Philip, 
born  June  20,  1771 ; Zerviah,  born  July  14,  1772; 
John,  born  Oct.  5,  1774;  Sarah,  born  Sept.  8, 
17/8;  and  Moses,  born  Nov.  25,  1779. 

(VI)  Jonathan  Mowry,  son  of  Philip,  born 

April  16,  1763,  married,  Feb.  10,  1799,  Ruth, 

daughter  of  Simeon  Mclntire,  of  Glocester,  R.  I., 
and  their  children,  of  Smithfield  town  record,  were : 
Samuel,  born  June  20,  1800;  Spencer,  born  Nov. 
27,  1802;  Nelson,  born  June  20,  1804;  George  and 
Phillip. 

(VII)  Spencer  Mowry,  son  of  Jonathan  and 

Ruth  (Mclntire)  Mowry,  born  Nov.  27,  1802, 

in  the  town  of  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  was  reared  on  a 
farm  in  his  native  town.  He  received  such  educa- 
tion as  in  that  day  was  customary  for  the  boys 
of  the  general  farmer,  attending  for  a few  years  at 
the  neighborhood  school  through  the  winters.  At 
the  age  of  twenty  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the 
carpenter's  trade,  and  in  this  line  of  work  he  con- 
tinued, becoming  in  time  an  extensive  contractor 
and  builder,  with  headquarters  at  Woonsocket,  this 
State.  A man  careful  and  industrious,  and  con- 
servative in  his  investments,  as  the  years  passed  not 
indulging  in  speculation,  he  accumulated  large 
means,  and  at  his  death  left  about  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars. 

Having  successfully  managed  his  own  business 
affairs,  and  the  people  having  confidence  in  him 
as  a business  man,  one  honest  and  honorable,  Mr. 
Mowry’s  advice  was  often  sought  and  his  services 
solicited  for  this  or  that  position  in  the  affairs  of 
others  for  the  public.  He  was  extensively  em- 
ployed in  the  settlement  of  estates,  perhaps  no  citi- 
zen of  Woonsocket  having  probated  so  many  es- 
tates as  he.  He  served  his  town  for  upward  of 
forty  years  as  a justice  of  the  peace.  To  him  was 
intrusted  the  large  estate  of  the  late  George  C.  Bal- 
lou, which  involved  more  than  a million  of  money. 
He  was  chosen  a director  of  the  Smithfield  Union 
Bank,  and  May  3,  1844,  was  elected  president  of  the 
Globe  Bank,  and  the  wisdom  exhibited  by  him  as 
a financier  attracted  the  attention  of  bankers  at 
Woonsocket  and  elsewhere  throughout  this  section 


RHODE  ISLAND 


977 


of  the  country ; and  he  was  at  various  times  con- 
nected with  every  savings  bank  in  Woonsocket,  as 
one  of  the  board  of  investments.  He  was  officially 
connected  with  the  Mechanics  Bank  of  Woon- 
socket at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  also  president 
of  the  Globe  National  Bank.  He  was  one  of  the 
committee  appointed  to  settle  the  affairs  of  the  Citi- 
zen’s Savings  Bank,  when  that  institution  was  in 
trouble  some  years  prior  to  the  death  of  Mr. 
Mowry.  While  not  a politician  Mr.  Mowry  was 
ever  interested  in  public  questions,  and  as  a citizen 
shirked  no  duty  in  this  line.  He  was  several  times 
honored  by  his  fellow  citizens  with  a seat  in  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  State,  first  in  1865,  serv- 
ing by  re-election  for  three  consecutive  terms. 
From  the  enactment  of  the  law  until  its  repeal  he 
was  one  of  the  railroad  commissioners.  He  was 
prominent,  too,  in  Masonic  circles,  was  a member 
of  Morning  Star  Lodge,  of  Union  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  and  of  Woonsocket  Council,  Royal  and  Se- 
lect Masters. 

Mr.  Mowry  was  twice  married,  first  to  Mary, 
daughter  of  Caleb  Aldrich,  by  whom  he  had  four 
children,  Winsor,  Julie,  Henry  and  Daniel,  all  now 
deceased.  On  April  8,  1847,  married  (second) 
Abby,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Elsworth) 
Reynolds,  who  was  born  April  22,  1812,  in  North 
Kingstown,  R.  I.  Mrs.  Mowry  is  still  living  but 
her  husband  was  called  to  a better  world  Aug.  26, 
1887.  His  death  occurred  at  his  residence  on  South 
Main  street,  Woonsocket,  and  he  was  buried  in 
Union  cemetery.  In  religious  belief  he  was  a 
Friend. 

Mrs.  Abby  R.  Mowry  has  reached  the  advanced 
age  of  ninety-five  years,  and  is  the  oldest  person 
in  Woonsocket,  but  she  is  still  remarkably  active, 
has  a good  memory,  and  can  read  and  sew  without 
glasses.  She  has  always  been  skillful  with  her 
needle,  and  her  home  contains  many  pieces  of  artis- 
tic needlework,  which  she  has  made.  For  seventy- 
seven  years  she  has  been  a faithful  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church  and  her  life  has  been  filled  with 
deeds  of  truest  Christian  ministry. 

SPRAGUE.  The  Massachusetts-Rhode  Island 
Spragues  have  been  a continuous  family  in  turn  in 
the  two  States  for  two  hundred  and  seventy-five 
years  and  more — their  coming  dating  back  to  1628 
or  1629,  within  less  than  a decade  of  the  landing 
of  the  Pilgrim  fathers  themselves ; and  different 
branches  of  the  family,  too,  have  been  among  the 
conspicuous  public  men  and  substantial  citizens  of 
their  various  localities,  especially  so  in  the  several 
Rhode  Island  communities  where  they  early  cast 
their  lot.  Here  at  Providence  and  vicinity  were  the 
several  extensive  manufacturers  of  the  name,  a 
family  that  gave  to  the  State  two  United  States 
Senators  and  two  Governors ; and  another  branch 
of  which,  that  under  consideration — the  Connecti- 
cut-Rhode  Island  family — gave  to  the  city  the  late 
62 


Samuel  S.  Sprague,  of  Killingly,  Conn.,  origin,  but 
Providence  adoption,  whose  mature  life  work  here 
of  nearly  a half  a century  was  pne  of  large  useful- 
ness as  well  of  pecuniary  and  business  success. 
And  here,  too,  have  figured  the  latter’s  family. 
Reference  is  made  to  the  late  Charles  Hutchins 
Sprague  of  the  firm  of  C.  H.  & H.  S.  Sprague, 
bankers  and  brokers ; and  Henry  S.  Sprague,  now 
of  the  firm  of  Sprague-Cooke  & Co.,  wholesale  grain 
merchants. 

This  Killingly-Providence  branch  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Sprague  family  is  descended  from  the  old 
Sprague  family  of  Upway,  Dorsetshire,  England, 
where  lived  Edward  Sprague,  a fuller,  the  father 
of  several  sons  who  came  to  New  England,  one  of 
whom, 

(I)  Ralph  Sprague,  a native  of  England,  became 
one  of  the  earliest  inhabitants  of  Charlestown, 
j\Jass.,  1628-29,  and  with  his  wife  was  admitted  to 
the  Church  in  October,  1632.  He  married  Joan 
Corbin,  daughter  of  John  Corbin,  and  their  children 
were : John,  Richard,  Samuel,  Mary,  Phineas,  and 
Jonathan,  the  elder  two  coming  over  from  England. 
From  this  Ralph  Sprague  the  lineage  of  the  late 
Samuel  S.  Sprague  of  Providence,  is  through  Lieut. 
Samuel,  Samuel  (2),  John,  John  (2),  Daniel  and 
Elisha  Leavens  Sprague,  the  details  of  which  gen- 
erations follow : 

(II)  Lieut.  Samuel  Sprague,  of  Malden,  bap- 
tized in  Boston,  June  3,  1632,  married  Aug.  23, 
1655,  in  Boston,  Rebecca  Crawford.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Rebecca,  Samuel,  Samuel  (2),  Rebecca 
(2)  and  John. 

(III)  Samuel  Sprague  (2),  of  Malden,  born  in 
May,  1662,  married  Sarah,  and  had  children : Sa- 
rah, Sarah  (2),  Samuel,  Elizabeth,  Richard,  Mehet- 
abel,  Rebecca,  Mary,  Winefred,  Abigail  and  John. 

(IV)  John  Sprague,  of  Malden,  Mass.,  born  in 
1708,  married,  and  in  1652  removed  to  Killingly, 
Connecticut. 

(V)  John  Sprague  (2)  was  of  Killingly,  Con- 
necticut. 

(VI)  Daniel  Sprague  was  of  Killingly,  Connec- 
ticut. 

(VII)  Elisha  Leavens  Sprague,  of  Killingly, 
Conn.,  was  a well-to-do  farmer,  and  operated  a 
forge,  as  did  his  father  before  him.  He  inherited 
the  paternal  estate.  He  married  (first)  Clarissa, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Israel  Day,  a prominent  minister 
in  the  Congregational  Church  and  many  years  pas- 
tor of  the  Congregational  Church  at  South  Killing- 
ly, Conn.  She  died  Nov.  2,  1831,  and  Mr.  Sprague 
married  (second)  in  November,  1833,  Bathsheba 
Bliss.  Mr.  Sprague  died  in  1834,  and  his  widow 
passed  away  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  Oct.  23,  1884, 
aged  ninety-six  years.  Two  children  were  born  to 
the  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Sprague,  namely:  Elisha 
Rodolplms  and  Samuel  Stearns. 

(VIII)  Samuel  Stearns  Sprague,  son  of  Eli- 
sha L.  and  Clarissa  (Day)  Sprague,  was  born  July 


9/8 


RHODE  ISLAND 


3,  1819,  on  the  family  homestead  in  South  Killingly, 
Conn.,  and  in  the  public  schools  there  and  at  the 
Brooklyn  Academy,  in  a neighboring  town,  received 
his  education.  His  father  dying  when  he  was  but 
fourteen  years  of  age,  and  his  elder  and  only  brother 
being  then  in  preparation  for  college,  the  manage- 
ment of  the  farm  thus  early  devolved  upon  him. 
The  father  had  left  the  farm  and  other  property  to 
his  sons,  but  the  latter  was  soon  lost  in  the  financial 
crisis  of  1837.  Samuel  S.  Sprague  in  time  pur- 
chased his  brother's  interest  in  the  estate  in  order 
that  he  might  continue  his  college  education.  Sam- 
uel S.  continued  farming  until  the  spring  of  1852, 
when  desiring  to  better  his  prospects  in  life,  he  sold 
the  homestead  which  had  been  in  the  family  for 
more  than  an  hundred  years. 

Having  thus  disposed  of  the  farm  Mr.  Sprague 
built  a house  in  the  village  of  Danielson,  Conn., 
into  which  he  moved  his  family  and  in  September.of 
that  same  year,  1852,  commenced  business  opera- 
tions in  Providence,  R.  I.,  to  which  point  he  re- 
moved his  family  in  May,  1853.  At  Providence 
he  formed  a partnership  with  Daniel  E.  Day  in  the 
flour  and  grain  business  on  Peck's  wharf,  Dyer 
street.  After  two  years  the  firm  removed  to  South 
Water  and  Crawford  streets,  where  they  built  up 
an  extensive  business.  In  1866  they  purchased  the 
large  brick  store  on  Dyer  street,  formerly  owned 
by  Spellman  and  Metcalf. 

In  1876  Mr.  Sprague  sold  his  interest  in  the  real 
estate  to  his  partner  and  severed  his  connection  with 
the  firm,  to  form  the  well  known  house  of  S.  S. 
Sprague  & Co.,  his  partners  being  his  sons  Charles 
H.  and  Henry  S.  Sprague.  In  1877  they  built  and 
occupied  the  Columbia  Elevator  and  Grain  Mills  in 
Providence  and  had  several  elevators  in  the  West. 
At  the  time  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Sprague  the  ele- 
vators were  at  East  Deerfield,  Mass.,  also  three  in 
Illinois,  and  the  firm  occupied  offices  in  the  Indus- 
trial Trust  Building. 

In  1879  Mr.  Sprague  became  interested  in  valu- 
able real  estate  investments  in  Minneapolis,  Minn., 
and  elsewhere.  He  was  a large  builder  and  owner 
of  dwelling  houses  in  Providence,  and  was  inter- 
ested in  various  manufacturing  concerns,  among 
them  the  Gorham  Company,  which  he  with  others 
started  on  its  larger  career.  He  was  in  the  council, 
or  on  the  board  of  aldermen,  from  1868  to  1873. 
He  was  president  of  the  Rhode  Island  National- 
Bank,  and  a director  in  the  Rhode  Island  Hospital 
Trust  Company.  He  stood  forth,  for  many  years, 
a prominent  figure,  in  the  business  life  of  Provi- 
dence, and  in  the  administration  of  its  trusts.  He 
continued  until  the  very  last  his  active  connection 
with  the  firm,  and  with  the  social  and  corporate  life 
of  the  city. 

In  1870  Mr.  Sprague  purchased  the  house  at 
No.  128  Broad  street,  at  the  corner  of  Beacon  ave- 
nue, where  the  delightful  hospitality,  which  he  knew 
so  well  how  to  show,  was  enjoyed  by  many  of  his 
friends.  As  one  of  the  original  members  of  the 


Union  Congregational  Church,  from  the  Richmond 
Street  Church,  he  became  chairman  of  its  building 
committee  and  then  chairman  of  its  Society  com- 
mittee, in  which  capacity  he  gave  long  and  valuable 
service,  being  the  care  taker  of  the  church  property 
in  an  unusually  full  sense.  His  interest  in  benev- 
olent work  was  manifest  on  every  hand,  his  family 
having  official  connection  with  a number  of  chari- 
table institutions. 

In  the  home  Mr.  Sprague  was  gifted  with  a rare 
grace  of  manner  and  a winning  geniality.  His  do- 
mestic relations  were  so  kindly  and  tender  that  he 
furnished  a fine  example  of  the  old-time  gentleman, 
within  and  without  the  home.  His  business  suc- 
cess may  be  attributed  to  a large  natural  capacity, 
supplemented  by  indefatigable  industry,  and  in  his 
death,  the  community  lost  one  of  its  strongest  men 
and  the  Union  Congregational  Church  a prominent 
figure  throughout  its  entire  history.  Whoever 
knew  him  felt  the  ripening  of  his  character,  and  in 
the  later  years  as  his  strength  slightly  waned  no 
acquaintance  failed  to  observe  the  kindly,  almost 
pathetic  interest  he  manifested  in  the  friends  and 
institutions  that  enjoyed  his  society  or  his  bounty. 

Mr.  Sprague  was  twice  married,  marrying 
(first)  Nov.  8,  1842,  Esther  Pierce  Hutchins, 
daughter  of  Simon  and  Lydia  Hutchins,  of  Kill- 
ingly, Conn.,  the  family  to  which  she  belonged  be- 
ing one  of  prominence  in  that  section.  She  died 
June  29,  1865,  and  Oct.  22,  1866,  he  married  (sec- 
ond) Adeline  M.,  daughter  of  Deacon  Lucius  F. 
and  Lydia  E.  Thayer,  of  Westfield,  Mass.  Four 
children  were  born  to  the  first  marriage,  namely: 
Charles  Hutchins,  Henry  Shepard,  Frank  Elisha, 
and  Alida  Esther,  the  latter  of  whom  married  Dr. 
Henry  A.  Whitmarsh,  of  Providence,  and  has  two 
children,  Esther  Alida  (born  July  22,  1896)  and 
Martha  Sprague  (born  Aug.  21,  1902). 

Mr.  Sprague  died  at  his  home  in  Providence,  R. 
I.,  Nov.  11,  1896,  his  death  being  due  to  paralysis, 
with  which  he  was  stricken  some  two  weeks  pre- 
viously. Thus  passed  away  one  wlio  had  been  for 
many  years  a prominent  figure  in  Providence — one 
very  active  in  the  business,  social,  civil  and  religious 
life  of  the  community. 

(IX)  Charles  Hutchins  Sprague,  son  of 
Samuel  Stearns  and  Esther  P.  (Hutchins)  Sprague, 
was  born  Oct.  19,  1844,  in  Killingly,  Conn.,  where 
his  childhood  was  passed.  The  family  removing 
to  Providence  in  1853,  he  entered  the  public  schools 
of  the  city,  and  was  later  graduated  from  the  Prov- 
idence high  school.  After  this  event  he  began  a 
business  career  with  his  father,  who  was  engaged 
in  the  wholesale  grain  shipping  business.  He  subse- 
quently became  a partner  in  the  well-known  firm  of 
S.  S.  Sprague  & Co.  Soon  after  the  death  of  his 
father  in  1896,  the  concern  went  out  of  business, 
and  Mr.  Charles  H.  Sprague  formed  a partnership 
with  his  brother,  Henry  S.  Sprague,  in  the  banking 
business,  the  firm  style  being  C.  H.  & H.  S. 
Sprague,  bankers  and  brokers. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


981 


the  company  was  closed  up.  Mr.  Hall  began  his 
operations  in  real  estate  in  1866.  At  that  time  the 
real  estate  business  of  Providence  was  practically 
monopolized  by  one  or  two  firms  long  established 
and  influential,  and  his  success  in  this  line,  estab- 
lished in  the  face  of  competition  with  the  older  and 
more  powerful  operators,  is  but  little  short  of  phe- 
nomenal, and  can  only  be  attributed  to  his  per- 
sonal qualities  of  unbounded  energy,  strict  integ- 
rity, unflagging  persistency  and  rare  business  judg- 
ment. His  experience  in  the  lumber  trade  was  in- 
valuable to  him,  and  this,  combined  with  his  in- 
tuition and  natural  business  abilities  of  a high  order, 
enabled  him  in  due  time  to  establish  for  himself 
an  enviable  position  and  reputation  as  one  of  the 
leading  real  estate  dealers  and  brokers  in  Provi- 
dence. In  1873  Mr.  Hall  purchased  the  Joseph  W. 
Sweet  estate  in  Cranston,  now  Edgewood,  and  at 
great  expense  of  time,  labor  and  money,  trans- 
formed the  once  unpretentious  homestead  with  its 
spacious  grounds  into  an  imposing  and  elegant 
residence.  In  1876  he  erected  the  large  business 
block  in  Weybosset  street,  known  as  the  Hall 
Building.  In  1890  he  organized  the  Central  Real 
Estate  Company,  with  an  authorized  capital  of  two 
millions,  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  into  reach  of 
people  of  moderate  means  a class  of  investments 
hitherto  monopolized  by  the  wealthy.  Nothing, 
perhaps,  more  favorably  illustrates  Mr.  Hall's  busi- 
ness energy  and  sagacity  than  the  remarkable  suc- 
cess of  this  company ; having  been  its  president 
and  manager  since  its  organization,  he  has  been  the 
chief  factor  in  bringing  this  large  business  and  in- 
vestment enterprise  to  the  substantial  position  and 
high  standing  which  it  today  occupies. 

Mr.  Hall  has  been  active  and  influential  in  pub- 
lic life,  and  has  filled  many  elective  offices,  never 
having  been  defeated.  He  served  six  years  as  a 
member  of  the  town  council  of  Cranston,  and  was 
town  treasurer  one  year,  declining  a re-election. 
He  was  a representative  to  the  General  Assembly 
four  terms,  1880-1884,  and  for  two  years  succeed- 
ing was  a member  of  the  Senate,  being  the  first  Re- 
publican Senator  elected  from  the  town  of  Crans- 
ton ; he  was  again  nominated,  but  declined  a longer 
service.  While  in  the  Assembly  he  served  as  chair- 
man of  the  joint  committee  on  Accounts  and 
Claims,  and  second  on  the  Senate  committee  on 
Corporations,  and  established  a reputation  as  an 
excellent  debater  of  governmental  and  economic 
questions.  Although  now  well  advanced  in  years, 
Mr.  Hall  finds  his  favorite  relaxation  from  the 
cares  of  business  in  driving  fine  horses,  and  noth- 
ing gives  him  greater  pleasure  than  handling  the 
reins  over  his  high-spirited  four-in-haricf  team, 
while  taking  out  a party  of  friends  on  his  hand- 
some coach. 

On  Dec.  24,  1866,  Mr.  Hall  was  married  to  Miss 
Clara  Narzette,  daughter  of  William  L.  Hopkins, 
of  Providence.  Mr.  Hopkins  was  one  of  the  chief 


promoters  and  organizers  of  the  Sons  of  Temper- 
ance Society  in  Rhode  Island,  and  descended  from 
the  same  line  of  ancestors  that  gave  to  this  State 
Stephen  Hopkins,  one  of  the  early  governors  of 
Rhode  Island,  a member  of  the  United  States  Sen- 
ate and  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence ; and  that  noble  patriot  Esek  Hopkins,  the  fa- 
ther of  the  L nited  States  Navy,  and  its  first  Ad- 
miral. 

FARNSWORTH  (Pawtucket  family).  Since 
1844  for  a period  of  sixty  years — there  have  re- 
sided at  Pawtucket  several  generations  of  the  an- 
cient Massachusetts  Farnsworths,  a name  closely 
identified  with  New  England  annals  for  250  years. 
And  in  the  old  home  town  of  the  family — Groton, 
Mass., — the  family  was  well  represented  in  the  Rev- 
olution. Major  Amos  Farnsworth,  an  officer  of  one 
of  the  Massachusetts  commands,  and  for  a time  un- 
der Prescott,  saw  active  service  much  of  the  time 
throughout  the  war,  falling  wounded  at  Bunker 
Hill.  I he  head  of  the  Pawtucket  family  was 
the  late  Claudius  Buchanan  Farnsworth,  who 
was  long  a leading  member  of  the  Bar  there,  and 
as  well  an  officer  in  the  extensive  corporation  of  the 
Dunnell  Manufacturing  Company ; and  still  active 
and  prominent  in  the  city’s  professional  and  social 
life  is  Hon.  Claude  Joseph  Farnsworth,  a son  and 
long  the  business  associate  of  his  father  in  the  law 
firm  of  Farnsworth  & Farnsworth,  a former  repre- 
sentative in  the  Rhode  Island  Assembly,  etc. ; while 
another  son  of  the  elder  Farnsworth,  in  the  person 
of  John  Prescott  Farnsworth,  has  for  years  worthily 
sustained  the  family  name  and  reputation  at  Provi- 
dence. as  an  officer  in  the  extensive  corporation  of 
the  Providence  Dyeing,  Bleaching  & Calendering 
Company. 

This  article  relates  to  the  lives,  family  history 
and  Farnsworth  lineage  of  the  family  alluded  to, 
and  in  arrangement  the  matter  following  is  in  chro- 
nological order  from  the  earliest  known  American 
ancestor : 

(I)  The  Farnsworths  in  the  United  States  are  of 
English  origin,  and  without  doubt  derive  their 
name  from  one  of  two  places  in  Lancashire,  Eng- 
land, and  most  likely  from  Farnworth,  in  the  par- 
ish of  Dean,  not  far  from  Manchester,  in  Salford 
Hundred.  Matthias  Farnworth,  as  first  written, 
and  pronounced  “Farnoth,”  appears  first  in  Amer- 
ica in  1657,  at  Lynn,  Mass.,  but  he  is  believed  to 
have  been  at  Lynn  some  years  before  that.  He  was 
probably  married  twice,  second  to  Mary  Farr, 
daughter  of  George  Farr,  of  Lynn.  Mr.  Farn- 
worth later  removed  to  Groton,  Mass.  He  died 
Jan.  21,  1689,  at  which  time  he  was  about  seventy- 
seven  years  of  age.  His  widow  died  in  1717.  Mr. 
Farnworth  was  a member  of  the  church,  as  were 
all  his  children.  He  filled  many  town  offices,  among 
them  those  of  constable  and  selectman.  He  was  a 
weaver  by  occupation.  His  children  were : Eliza- 


982 


RHODE  ISLAND 


beth,  Matthias,  John,  Benjamin,  Joseph,  Mary,  Sa- 
rah, Samuel,  Abigail  and  Jonathan. 

(II)  Benjamin  Farnsworth,  born  about  1667, 
married  in  1695  Mary,  born  Feb.  3,  1674,  daughter 
of  Jonas  and  Mary  (Loker)  Prescott.  Mr.  Farns- 
worth owned  considerable  land  in  Groton.  He  held 
several  town  offices,  among  them  that  of  selectman. 
Both  himself  and  wife  were  members  of  the  church, 
in  which  their  children  were  all  baptized ; they 
were:  Mary,  Martha,  Benjamin,  Isaac,  Ezra,  Amos, 
Lydia,  Aaron,  Martha,  Jonas  and  Deborah.  The 
father  died  Aug.  15,  1733,  and  the  mother  passed 
away  Oct.  28,  1735. 

(III)  Amos  Farnsworth,  born  Nov.  27,  1704, 
married  Nov.  20,  1735,  Lydia  Longley,  born  June 
26,  1716,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Prescott) 
Longley,  the  latter  of  whom  witnessed  the  murder 
of  his  parents  and  several  of  their  children  by  the 
Indians,  and  lie  himself  was  captured,  taken  into 
Canada  and  retained  five  years.  Amos  Farnsworth 
was  a man  six  feet,  four  inches  in  height,  and  of 
striking  appearance.  He  was  possessed  of  much 
energy,  and  was  well  educated  for  a farmer  of  his 
time.  After  the  conquest  of  Canada,  when  the  lands 
opened  for  settlement,  he  went  thither,  engaged  in 
surveying  and  received  grants  of  land.  He  erected 
buildings  thereon  and  prepared  to  remove  his  fam- 
ily there.  He  placed  agents  on  the  property  and 
returned  for  his  wife  and  children,  and  took  them 
on,  but  during  his  absence  the  agents,  through  cer- 
tain misrepresentations  to  the  officials  of  the  Nova 
Scotia  government,  had  had  the  title  to  the  lands 
transferred  to  them.  He  was  crowded  out  and  he 
returned  to  Groton  in  1774,  with  a part  of  his  fam- 
ily. The  Revolutionary  war  soon  followed,  in 
which  he  took  great  interest,  but  on  Dec.  5,  1775, 
he  and  his  youngest  son,  Benjamin,  were  both 
drowned  by  the  upsetting  of  a boat  in  the  Nashua 
river.  His  widow  died  in  1810.  Their  children 
were : Sarah,  Rachel,  Lydia,  Susanna,  Lucy,  Amos, 
Jonas,  Mary,  Amos  (2)  and  Benjamin. 

(IV)  Major  Amos  Farnsworth,  born  April  28, 
1754,  in  Groton,  Mass.,  married  May  7,  1782,  Eliza- 
beth Rockwood,  born  April  17,  1757,  in  Groton, 
daughter  of  Elisha  and  Elizabeth  (Adams)  Rock- 
wood.  At  the  age  of  eleven  years,  Mr.  Farnsworth 
went  with  his  father  to  Nova  Scotia,  and  returned 
with  him  in  1774.  Directly  on  his  return  he  united 
himself  with  a company  of  “minute  men”  that  was 
organized  in  Groton  under  the  command  of  Capt. 
Henry  Farwell  for  the  defense  of  popular  rights. 
On  the  Lexington  alarm  young  Farnsworth 
marched  with  the  company  for  the  scene  of  action, 
but  arrived  too  late  to  participate  in  the  fight.  At 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  Mr.  Farnsworth  fought 
behind  the  breastworks  until  they  were  captured 
by  the  British  forces ; in  the  retreat  his  right  arm 
was  shattered  by  a ball.  In  1776  he  was  ensign  in 
Capt.  Shattuck’s  company  at  Ticonderoga.  The 
next  winter  he  was  in  New  Jersey.  In  1780  he 


helped  to  organize  the  artillery  company  in  Groton, 
with  which  he  remained  as  lieutenant,  captain  and 
major  until  1798.  Major  Farnsworth  had  the  rep- 
utation of  being  an  efficient  and  very  popular  officer. 
In  addition  to  his  military  services  he  was  for 
several  years  a deacon  of  the  church  in  Groton,  and 
he  served  the  church  in  many  business  ways  until 
old  age  diminished  his  powers.  He  died  Oct.  29, 
1847,  i'1  his  ninety-fourth  year,  and  his  widow 
passed  away  Dec.  nth,  of  that  same  year,  aged 
ninety  years.  Their  children,  all  born  in  Groton, 
were : Luke,  Amos,  Elizabeth,  Ralph  and  Walter. 

(V)  Luke  Farnsworth,  born  Sept.  16,  1785, 
married  April  16,  1814,  Sarah,  born  Jan.  6,  1795, 
in  Dummerston,  Vt.,  daughter  of  Oliver  and  Han- 
nah (Kelley)  Hartwell.  She  died  May  17,  1841, 
and  he  married  (second)  Nov.  25,  1841,  Mrs.  Han- 
nah Field,  who  died  July  28,  1867,  aged  fifty-seven 
years.  Mr.  Farnsworth  was  engaged  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits  in  the  town  of  Groton,  Mass.,  and 
died  there  May  17,  1876.  His  children  were: 
Claudius  Buchanan,  born  Jan.  8,  1815;  Susanna 
Augusta,  born  April  29,  1816,  died  Jan.  15,  1824; 
Mary,  born  Oct.  2,  1818,  died  Jan.  15,  1824;  Sarah, 
born  Nov.  3,  1821,  died  Sept.  6,  1825;  Mary  A.  S., 
born  Feb.  20,  1825,  died  Sept.  16,  1825 ; Susan 
Mary,  born  April  13,  1827  (all  born  to  the  first 
marriage);  George  Henry,  born  Sept.  5,  1842; 
Hannah  Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  1,  1845;  Sarah  Au- 
gusta, born  March  24,  1846;  Mary  Isabella,  born 
May  15,  1849;  and  Harriet  Frances. 

(VI)  Claudius  Buchanan  Farnsworth,  son  of 
Luke  and  Sarah  (Hartwell)  Farnsworth,  born 
Jan.  8,  1815,  in  the  Province  of  Quebec,  Canada, 
married  Feb.  2 7,  1851,  Marianna,  daughter  of  Jo- 
seph and  Ann  (Mayberry)  Mclntire,  of  Pawtucket, 
R.  I.  Mr.  Farnsworth  was  fitted  for  college  at  the 
Groton  (Mass.)  Academy,  entered  Harvard  Uni- 
versity and  was  graduated  therefrom  with  the  de- 
gree of  A.  B.,  in  1841.  He  then  for  a time  was 
in  attendance  at  the  Harvard  Law  School,  and 
furthered  his  preparation  for  the  law  under  the 
direction  of  Timothy  G.  Goffin,  Esq.,  of  New  Bed- 
ford, Mass.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Massachusetts 
Bar  at  Taunton,  Mass.,  in  March,  1844,  and  im- 
mediately thereafter  located  in  the  practice  of  the 
law  at  Pawtucket,  which  place  was  then  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts,  but  since  1862  a 
part  of  Rhode  Island.  This  city  was  thereafter 
his  place  of  residence  and  field  of  labor,  in 
which  his  death  occurred,  May  19,  1897,  and  his 
widow  followed  him  to  the  Great  Beyond,  dying 
Aug.  10,  1904,  in  Pawtucket,  Rhode  Island. 

In  1859  Mr.  Farnsworth  was  made  treasurer  of 
the  Dunnell  Manufacturing  Company  at  Pawtucket, 
a relation  he  sustained  to  it  until  1881.  He  resigned 
his  position  in  the  year  just  named  and  resumed 
the  practice  of  his  profession,  in  which  he  was  later 
joined  by  his  son  Claude  J.  Farnsworth,  the  two 
conducting  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Farns- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


worth  & Farnsworth,  and  building  up  an  extensive 
and  successful  practice. 

Mr.  Farnsworth  for  years  was  interested  in  his 
family  history  and  genealogy  and  from  his  re- 
searches prepared  and  issued  in  1891  the  “Mono- 
graph” of  Matthias  Farnworth  and  his  descendants 
in  America,  which  formed  the  basis  of  a later 
larger  work  by  another. 

The  children  of  Claudius  B.  Farnsworth  and 
wife  were:  John  Prescott,  born  Feb.  19,  i860; 
Claude  J.,  born  Dec.  15,  1862;  and  Abby  Mc- 
Intire,  born  Nov.  11,  1864. 

(VII)  John  Prescott  Farnsworth,  the  eldest 
son  of  the  late  Claudius  Buchanan  and  Marianna 
(Mclntire)  Farnsworth,  was  born  Feb.  19,  i860, 
in  Paw.tucket,  R.  I.,  and  received  his  early  educa- 
tional training  in  the  public  schools  of  Providence, 
in  which  city  he  also  attended  the  private  school 
taught  by  Rev.  Charles  H.  Wheeler.  In  1877  he 
entered  Harvard  University,  from  which  college 
he  was  graduated  in  1881  with  the  degree  of  A.  B. 
After  his  graduation  Mr.  Farnsworth  entered  the 
office  of  the  Lonsdale  Company,  at  Lonsdale,  R.  I., 
manufacturers  of  cotton  fabrics.  He  remained  in 
the  employ  of  this  well-known  concern  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  clerk  until  in  January,  1885,  at  which 
time  he  went  to  Great  Falls,  N.  H.,  where  he  took 
charge  of  the  construction  of  the  bleacheries  of  the 
Great  Falls  Manufacturing  Company.  He  re- 
mained with  this  company  until  in  July,  1885,  dur- 
ing which  time  he  superintended  the  construction 
of  these  mills,  which  were  built  under  his  personal 
supervision.  In  July,  1885,  Mr.  Farnsworth  re- 
turned to  his  native  State,  where  he  then  became 
agent  of  the  Providence  Dyeing,  Bleaching  & Cal- 
endering Company,  which  is  one  of  the  oldest 
business  corporations  in  Rhode  Island,  and  in  this 
capacity  he  has  since  continued.  In  1889  Mr. 
Farnsworth  was  also  elected  to  the  office  of  treasurer 
of  this  corporation,  in  which  official  capacity  he 
has  also  continued  since,  and  during  his  long  and 
continued  service  with  this  company  he  has  dis- 
played a marked  business  acumen,  and  shown  himself 
worthy  of  the  trust  that  has  been  imposed  in  him. 
In  politics  Mr.  Farnsworth  is  a stanch  Republican, 
and  as  such  has  served  the  City  of  Providence  as 
a member  of  the  city  council  from  the  Ninth  ward 
during  the  years  1888  and  1889. 

Socially  Mr.  Farnsworth  holds  membership  in 
various  fraternal  and  social  organizations,  among 
them  being  the  Masonic  order  in  which  he  holds 
membership  in  Orpheus  Lodge,  No.  36,  of  wlrch 
he  is  past  master;  Providence  Chapter,  No.  1 ; and 
Calvary  Commandery,  No.  13,  all  of  Providence. 
He  also  holds  membership  in  the  Squantum  Club, 
the  University  Club,  of  Providence,  and  the  Ark- 
wright Club,  of  New  York,  as  well  as  several 
others.  Mr.  Farnsworth  is  an  active  member  of 
St.  James’  Episcopal  Church,  of  Providence,  of 
which  he  has  served  as  vestrvman  and  clerk  for  a 


983 

number  of  years,  and  to  which  he  is  liberal  in  his 
support. 

On  Nov.  25,  1885,  Mr.  Farnsworth  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Cowan  Barbour, 
and  this  union  has  been  blessed  with  three  children, 
as  follows:  John  Prescott,  Jr.,  born  Feb.  8,  1888; 
William  Barbour,  born  Sept.  7,  1891 ; and  Claudius 
Ralph,  born  March  25,  1895. 

Mr.  harnsworth  is  a capable,  energetic  and  pro- 
gressive business  man,  and  by  close  application  and 
study  of  the  business  in  which  practically  all  of  his 
life  lias  been  spent,  has  so  thoroughly  familiarized 
himself  with  every  detail  of  the  business  that  he 
has  come  to  be  recognized  as  an  authority  in  his 
line  of  business.  He  is  affable  and  courteous  in 
manner,  which  has  won  for  him  many  friends. 

(VII)  Claude  Joseph  Farnsworth,  the  sec- 
ond son  of  the  late  Claudius  Buchanan  and  Mari- 
anna (Mclntire)  Farnsworth,  was  born  Dec.  15, 
1862,  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I.  Mr.  Farnsworth  was 
prepared  for  college  in  the  private  school  taught 
by  Rev.  Charles  H.  Wheeler,  at  Providence,  and  in 
the  University  Grammar  School  of  the  same  city. 
In  1880  he  entered  Brown  University,  where  he 
pursued  his  studies  in  the  senior  year  with  the  class 
of  1884,  when  owing  to  ill-health  he  was  compelled 
to  rest  from  his  arduous  studies  for  a time.  After 
recovering  his  impaired  health  Mr.  Farnsworth 
took  up  the  study  of  law  under  the  able  instruction 
of  his  father,  and  upon  his  admission  to  the  Rhode 
Island  Bar  in  1887,  became  associated  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  chosen  profession  with  the  latter,  under 
the  firm  style  of  Farnsworth  & Farnsworth,  their 
offices  being  located  in  the  Cole  Block,  Pawtucket, 
and  since  the  death  of  his  father,  Mr.  Farnsworth 
has  continued  in  active  practice. 

Mr.  Farnsworth’s  political  affiliations  have  been 
with  the  Democratic  party,  in  the  counsels  of  which 
party  he  has  been  somewhat  active  and  prominent. 
From  1887  to  1890  he  was  private  secretary  to  Gov. 
John  W.  Davis.  In  1893  he  represented  his  native 
city  in  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State.  Mr. 
Farnsworth  is  prominent  in  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
holding  membership  in  Barney  Merry  Lodge,  No. 
29;  Pawtucket  Chapter,  No.  4;  Pawtucket  Council, 
No.  2,  and  Holy  Sepulcher  Commandery,  No.  8, 
all  of  Pawtucket.  He  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  to  which  denomination  he  is  liberal  in  his 
support. 

On  April  29,  1894,  Air.  Farnsworth  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Barber  Dorler,  of 
New  York,  and  to  this  union  has  been  born  one  son, 
Claude  Joseph  Farnsworth,  Jr.,  who  was  born  June 
11,  1895.  Mr.  Farnsworth  has  gradually  developed 
into  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the  Rhode  Is- 
land Bar.  He  is  a fluent  speaker,  and  handles  his 
cases  with  prudence  and  good  judgment.  Through 
his  ability,  his  close  application  to  his  profession, 
and  the  care  given  to  those  entrusting  their  business 
to  his  care,  lie  has  made  for  himself  a reputation 


/ 


984 


RHODE  ISLAND 


as  a lawyer  and  man  such  as  has  been  rewarded 
with  an  extensive  general  practice.  The  successful 
conduct  of  a number  of  important  and  difficult 
cases  by  him  has  given  him,  as  stated,  high  rank 
in  the  profession  to  which  his  life  has  been  devoted. 

PHINEAS  A.  CONLEY,  one  of  Cranston's 
most  prominent  and  esteemed  citizens,  was  born 
Sept.  19,  1843,  at  Block  Island,  a son  of  George 
Washington  and  Lovice  Rogers  (Dodge)  Conley. 

Philander  Conley,  the  grandfather  of  Phineas 
A.,  was  a son  of  Edward  Conley,  who  was  a son 
of  the  founder  of  the  family  in  America.  This  an- 
cestor came  to  the  Colonies  from  Liverpool,  Eng- 
land, on  board  a British  man-of-war,  and  he  re- 
mained on  Block  Island.  Philander  Conley  mar- 
ried Niobe  Dodge,  and  their  children  were:  Ed- 
ward, .George  W.,  William,  Dolly,  Mary,  Irene  and 
Jerusha.  Niobe  Dodge  was  descended  from  John 
Dodge,  one  of  the  early  settlers  and  one  of  the  six- 
teen purchasers  of  New  Shoreham  (Block  Island) 
in  1660. 

The  children  of  John  Dodge  were : John,  born 
Jan.  6,  1680;  Mary,  born  April  18,  1682;  Nathan- 
iel, born  Nov.  3,  1684;  John  (2),  born  Jan.  3 or 
18,  1686;  Catherine,  born  March  17,  1687;  Eben- 
ezer,  born  Oct.  21,  1689;  Josiah,  born  Dec.  25, 
1690;  David,  born  Dec.  26,  1691;  Sarah,  born 
April  7,  1694;  Dorcas,  born  May  16,  1695;  Eliza- 
beth. born  Nov.  7,  1696,  and  Alexander,  born  June 
5,  1699. 

Nathaniel  Dodge,  son  of  John,  born  Nov.  3, 
1684,  married  March  3,  1706,  Margaret  Hulling, 
and  they  had  issue:  William,  born  May  1,  1707; 
Nathaniel,  May  11,  1710:  Nehemiah,  May  9,  1712; 
Anne,  Feb.  7,  1715;  Mark,  March  27,  1717;  Dor- 
cas, Feb.  11,  1722;  Gideon,  May  27,  1725;  and 
Mary,  Nov.  27,  1728. 

Mark  Dodge,  son  of  Nathaniel,  was  born  March 
27,  1717,  and  married  Oct.  15,  1740,  Lydia  Rath- 
bun,  born  July  31,  1721,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Lydia  (Mott)  Rathbun.  Thomas  Rathbun  was  a 
son  of  John  Rathbun,  born  Jan.  9,  1684,  and  a 
grandson  of  William  Rathbun,  the  settler  in  New 
Shoreham.  The  children  of  Mark  and  Lydia 
(Rathbun)  Dodge  were:  Simeon,  born  June  15, 
1741;  Dorcas,  Oct.  15,  1743;  Bathsheba,  May  13, 
1750;  and  Niobe,  April  3,  1754. 

George  W.  Conley,  father  of  Phineas  A.,  mar- 
ried Lovice  Rogers  Dodge,  daughter  of  Caleb  and 
Elizabeth  (Littlefield)  Dodge,  and  their  children 
were  : Lemuel  Hastings,  deceased  ; George  Wash- 
ington, a resident  of  Block  Island ; Anna  Parthe- 
nie,  who  married  Elam  P.  Littlefield,  of  Block 
Island;  Phineas  Augustus;  Louisa  Hazard,  who 
married  Frank  Cann  and  resides  in  Brooklyn,  N. 
Y. ; and  Wayland  C.,  deceased. 

Phineas  A.  Conley  received  a liberal  education 
in  the  schools  of  his  native  town,  where  he  re- 
mained until  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  His  tastes 
lay  in  the  direction  of  the  sea,  and  about  this  time 


he  was  afforded  an  opportunity  to  engage  in  his 
desired  mode  of  life.  His  ability,  ready  aptitude 
and  executive  ability  were  exemplified  from  the 
first,  and  his  promotion  was  unusually  rapid,  for 
by,  the  time  he  had  reached  his  twenty-third  year 
he  was  already  in  command  of  a schooner.  He  en- 
gaged in  the  inland  coast  trade  from  Maine  to 
Florida,  meeting  with  a great  deal  of  success,  which 
was  a natural  result  of  his  industry  and  persever- 
ance. At  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years  he  left  the 
sea,  and  in  1871  located  in  Cranston,  leasing  the 
Harris  farm,  which  property  was  at  that  time 
known  as  the  Cranston  Coal  Mines.  Here  he  soon 
established  a milk  business  and  for  nine  years  con- 
ducted a prosperous  route  in  the  city.  In  1881  he 
purchased  the  William  Elsberry  farm,  which  is 
situated  near  the  Rhode  Island  ore  bed  and  Four 
Corners.  It  was  from  this  mine  that  the  ore  was 
taken  for  the  manufacture  of  the  first  cannon  in  the 
United  States,  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  This 
farm  embraces  some  200  acres,  all  of  which  Mr. 
Conley  has  placed  under  thorough  cultivation. 
From  this  farm  he  conducted,  for  twelve  years, 
one  of  the  largest  milk  routes  in  Providence,  dis- 
posing of  600  quarts  of  milk  daily. 

In  1885  and  1886  Mr.  Conley  was  elected  high- 
way surveyor  of  Cranston,  and  continued  as  such 
until  1892,  when  he  was  appointed  by  the  council 
highway  commissioner,  an  office  he  has  held  con- 
tinuously ever  since.  This  is  a very  important  po- 
sition, as  he  has  under  his  jurisdiction  in  the  town 
of  Cranston  over  125  miles  of  roads,  a large  portion 
of  which  are  macadamized,  this  work  having  been 
gradually  pushed  forward  under  Mr.  Conley’s 
management  without  entailing  any  burdensome  in- 
crease in  taxation.  Charles  Sumner  once  said  that 
a good  road  and  the  schoolmaster  are  two  most  im- 
portant agents  in  advancing  civilization.  In  the 
building  of  good  roads  in  the  town  of  Cranston  Mr. 
Conley  has  thus  served  his  neighbors  and  fellow- 
townsmen  not  only  faithfully  and  well,  but  has  con- 
tributed in  no  small  degree  to  their  well-being. 
Good  roads  are  like  good  streets  and  make  habi- 
tation along  them  desirable.  The  town  of  Crans- 
ton is  today  modern,  and  furnishes  an  admirable 
object  lesson  in  the  building  of  good  roads  and  pub- 
lic highways,  with  the  result  that  there  has  been  a 
decided  increase  in  the  value  of  the  land  made  avail- 
able to  market  by  improved  modern  roadbeds.  As 
a highway  commissioner  Mr.  Conley  has  proved 
himself  one  of  the  most  efficient  in  the  State,  and 
experts  on  the  subject  are  loud  in  their  praise  and 
appreciation  of  his  system  of  road  construction. 
His  reputation  in  this  regard  has  become  national, 
through  the  medium  of  good  roads  and  automobile 
journals,  and  his  correspondence  with  distant  inter- 
ested parties  is  most  extensive. 

Mr.  Conley  is  a thorough  Republican  in  poli- 
tics. For  the  past  seventeen  years  he  has 
been  chairman  of  the  town  Republican  committee, 
and  during  that  time  his  party  has,  with  a single 


RHODE  ISLAND 


985 


exception,  elected  its  candidates  to  every  town  of- 
fice. Previous  to  Mr.  Conley’s  assuming  the  chair- 
manship Cranston  had  been  solidly  Democratic. 
For  six  years  Mr.  Conley  was  a member  of  the 
town  council,  and  in  1886  he  was  elected  to  the 
State  Legislature,  serving  throughout  that  and  the 
following  year.  His  fraternal  affiliations  consist 
of  membership  in  Doris  Lodge,  No.  38,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  r>f  Auburn,  in  Eagle  Lodge,  No.  2,  I.  O.  O. . 
F.,  and  dazeppa  Encampment,  No.  12. 

In  1867  Mr.  Conley  was  married  to  Miss  Jose- 
phine Maria  Littlefield,  a daughter  of  Nicholas,  Jr., 
and  Georgianna  (Sands)  Littlefield,  of  Block  Is- 
land. They  had  two  children : Georgianna  Sands, 
who  married  Myron  M.  Newton,  and  Lemuel  Hast- 
ings, deceased. 

Mr.  Conley  is  a man  of  quiet  and  reserved  man- 
ners, but  gives  the  impression  of  positiveness  and 
self-reliance.  He  has  a pleasing,  genial  cordiality 
about  him  which  serves  him  well  in  the  carrying  on 
of  his  large  business  operations.  His  long  term  of 
service  as  a public  official  gives  evidence  of  his  ef- 
ficiency. Perhaps  Cranston  has  no  more  popular 
public  citizen  and  it  is  doubtful  if  there  are  any 
others  who  have  done  more  to  bring  about  the  ma- 
terial prosperity  of  the  community. 

HOLDEN.  The  Woonsocket  family  of  this 
name,  while  not  an  old  one  in  that  community  or 
in  Rhode  Island,  is  one  of  ancient  and  honorable 
standing  in  the  neighboring  State  of  Massachusetts. 
For  a number  of  years,  however,  the  Woonsocket 
family — the  head  of  which  is  Hon.  Frank  Eugene 
Holden — has  been  identified  writh  the  business  and 
social  life  of  Woonsocket,  Mr.  Holden  having  been 
conspicuous  in  public  afifairs  for  the  last  decade  and 
a half,  representing  his  ward  in  the  common  coun- 
cil, and  his  city  in  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode 
Island,  occupying  for  a number  of  years  the  chair 
of  honor  as  Speaker  of  the  Lower  House. 

The  early  home  of  this  Holden  family,  here 
considered,  at  least  its  home  for  several  generations, 
was  at  Marblehead  and  Salem,  towns  in  Essex 
county,  Mass.  In  the  former  town  at  the  close 
of  the  eighteenth  century  was  living  John  Holden, 
who  was  there  married  July  28,  1799,  to  Mary  Ray- 
mond, and  their  children,  all  of  Marblehead  town 
record,  were:  Benjamin  White,  baptized  Aug. 
30,  1801;  Mary,  baptized  Nov.  5,  1804;  Martha, 
baptized  Sept.  20,  1807 ; Nathaniel,  baptized  Dec. 
14,  1809;  George  Washington,  baptized  May  2, 
1813;  and  perhaps  John.  Of  Mr.  Holden’s  ante- 
cedents nothing  is  known  to  us.  One  Richard  Hol- 
den, of  English  birth,  embarked  at  Ipswich  for 
America  in  the  ship  “Francis,”  in  May,  1634,  and 
after  arriving  in  the  land  of  his  adoption  is  known 
as  living  first  in  the  town  of  Ipswich,  in  Essex 
county,  Mass.  That  same  year  Justinian  Holden, 
a younger  brother  of  Richard,  came  to  America 
in  the  ship  “Elizabeth”  and  settled  at  Watertown. 
He  was  twice  married  and  had  seven  children. 


Richard  Holden  in  1640  removed  to  Watertown. 
He  left  Watertown  in  eight  or  nine  years,  and  in 
1655  his  name  appears  on  the  tax  list  of  Woburn. 
The  town  of  Groton  was  established  in  1656-57,  and 
not  far  from  this  time  Mr.  Holden  and  his  sons 
Justinian  and  Samuel  became  residents  of  the  new 
town  and  continued  there  the  rest  of  their  lives. 
Richard  Holden  was  a large  land-holder,  owning 
upwards  of  975  acres  and  in  time  was  considered 
a wealthy  man.  He  had,  perhaps,  eleven  children. 

Nathaniel  Holden,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Ray- 
mond) Holden,  was  born  in  Marblehead,  Mass., 
Dec.  14,  1809.  His  father  was  a man  of  limited 
means  and  in  the  early  boyhood  of  Nathaniel  was 
broken  in  health  from  long  imprisonment  and  ill 
usage  in  an  English  ship  as  an  impressed  American 
sailor  of  the  war  of  1812-15,  so  that  he  could  do 
but  little  toward  giving  his  son  a start  in  the  world. 
The  latter  left  the  paternal  roof  to  begin  life’s 
battle  alone ; but  he  had  not  gone  far  until  he  met 
with  good  luck  in  finding  employment  with  Mr. 
John  Howard,  of  Salem,  a nearby  town.  Mr.  How- 
ard was  a sailmaker  and  doing  a large  business. 
With  this  friend  young  Holden  apprenticed  himself 
to  learn  the  trade,  and  went  to  live  with  him — a 
part  of  the  agreement — in  his  family,  and  he  was 
also  to  have  school  privileges  through  the  winters. 
Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  young  man  had  in  five 
years  given  such  a good  account  of  himself  that 
he  married  into  the  family,  marrying  a grand- 
daughter of  his  employer.  After  completing  his 
trade,  with  a taste  for  the  water  he  shipped  on  an 
Indian  voyage  and  soon  rose  from  the  forecastle 
to  cabin,  and  through  the  grades  to  that  of  first 
mate  of  an  “Indian,”  and  was  offered  the  com- 
mand of  a ship,  but  declined  the  offer,  as  the  “ro- 
mance of  the  sea”  had  by  this  time  gone.  Quitting 
a seafaring  life  he  returned  in  1836  to  Marblehead, 
but  was  induced  to  make  one  more  voyage  on  the 
“Grand  Banks”  as  a fisherman.  He  then  formed 
a partnership  with  S.  A.  Porter,  the  two  opening  a 
sail-loft  there,  where  they  carried  on  the  business 
of  sailmaking  until  1843.  In  the  last  named  year, 
associated  with  one  of  his  former  fellow-appren- 
tices, Thomas  Oakes,  he  went  to  Salem  and  there 
carried  on  the  business  in  the  sail-loft  formerly 
operated  by  John  Howard,  Jr.  This  was  located 
on  Derby  Wharf,  and  the  business  was  here  carried 
on  by  these  gentlemen  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Hol- 
den in  1858. 

Mr.  Holden  was  a sincere  believer  in  the  Chris- 
tian religion  and  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  He,  too,  was  a strong  Anti-Slavery  man, 
and  at  a time  when  it  was  anything  but  popular  to 
be  one. 

Mr.  Holden  married,  at  Salem,  Mass.,  Mary 
Ann  Brown,  born  Oct.  30,  1805,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Howard)  Brown,  he  a 
son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Brown,  of  Hamilton, 
Mass.,  and  she  a direct  descendant  of  Abraham 
Howard,  a shipmaster  of  London,  England,  living 


986 


RHODE  ISLAND 


in  Stepney  parish  of  that  city,  in  the  early  part  of 
the  eighteenth  century,  engaged  in  the  Mediterran- 
ean trade,  and  who  came  to  America  as  early  as 
1724,  in  August  of  which  year  he  bought  a house 
and  lot  in  Marblehead,  Mass.,  from  whom  her 
descent  is  through  Joseph  and  John  Howard. 

Mr.  Holden  died  at  Salem,  Mass.,  Sept.  2,  1858, 
and  his  wife  passed  away  April  9,  1894.  The  chil- 
dren born  to  them,  the  first  two  in  Salem  and  the 
others  in  Marblehead,  were : Nathaniel  Jay,  born 
June  17,  1827;  Ann  Elizabeth,  born  Oct.  25,  1835, 
who  died  May  21,  1855  ; Thomas  Brown,  born  June 
18,  1837;  and  John  Charles,  born  Feb.  19,  1839, 
who  married,  June  13,  1872,  Harriet  Frances  Fogg, 
and  (second)  Lilly  L.  Fogg.  Of  these,  Nathaniel 
Jay  Holden,  a lawyer  by  profession,  has  long  been 
a prominent  public  man  and  citizen  of  Salem, 
Mass.,  a representative,  State  senator,  Master  in 
Chancery  for  the  county  of  Essex,  trial  justice  and 
special  justice  for  the  District  Court  of  Essex. 

Thomas  Brown  Holden,  son  of  Nathaniel  and 
Mary  Ann  (Brown)  Holden,  was  born  June  18, 
1837,  in  Marblehead,  Mass.,  and  on  Nov.  8,  1859, 
at  Salem,  was  married  to  Sarah  Eliza  Stone,  who 
was  born  Feb.  II,  1839,  at  Sullivan,  N.  H.  Mrs. 
Holden  died  Dec.  31,  1896,  at  Pittsfield,  Mass. 
Their  children  were:  Anne,  born  Sept.  I,  i860,  in 
Salem,  Mass.,  who  died  there  Aug.  11,  1861; 
Frank  Eugene,  born  Nov.  17,  1861,  in  Salem, 
Mass.;  Elizabeth  Train,  born  Oct.  28,  1866,  in 
Newton  Centre,  Mass. ; and  Adaline  May,  born 
Nov.  19,  1874,  in  Newton  Centre. 

Frank  Eugene  Holden,  son  of  Thomas 
Brown  and  Sarah  Eliza  (Stone)  Holden,  was  born 
Nov.  17,  1861,  in  Salem,  Mass.  He  attended  the 
common  and  high  schools  of  Newton,  Mass.,  then 
in  1880,  began  working  as  freight  clerk  for  the 
New  York  & New  England  Railroad  Company. 
He  rose  to  the  position  of  cashier,  which  in  1888  he 
resigned  to  engage  in  business  as  a retail  coal 
dealer.  In  1890  he  became  a director  in  the  Woon- 
socket Spool  & Bobbin  Company,  to  whom  he  sold 
his  coal  business.  In  May,  1894,  he  bought  back 
the  business,  and  in  partnership  with  Mr.  H.  C. 
Card,  Jr.,  conducted  it  under  the  name  of  the  New 
England  Coal  Company,  doing  a large  retail  and 
wholesale  business,  with  headquarters  in  Provi- 
dence, until  April,  1900,  when  he  became  one  of  the 
incorporators  and  treasurers  of  the  Inter-State  Coal 
Company  of  Providence,  with  Mayor  William  C. 
Baker  as  president,  and  James  A.  George  as  secre- 
tary. In  November,  1901,  the  Inter-State  Coal 
Company,  the  Pomroy  Coal  Company  and  the  R. 
B.  Little  Coal  Company  were  incorporated  under 
the  name  of  the  Eastern  Coal  Company,  in  which 
Air.  Holden  occupied  the  position  of  general  sales 
agent.  In  January,  1903,  Mr.  Holden  severed  his 
connection  with  the  Eastern  Coal  Company,  and 
shortly  afterward  became  connected  with  and  was 
elected  president  of  the  Boston  & Colorado  Com- 
pany, organized  with  a capital  of  $1,500,000.  This 


company  has  since  been  re-organized  into  the  South 
Canon  Coal  Company,  of  which  Mr.  Holden  is  now 
a director.  He  was  also  actively  identified  with 
the  building  of  the  Providence  & Burrillville  Elec- 
tric railway,  and  is  a director  in  the  company.  He 
is  also  president  of  the  Woonsocket  Gas  Company, 
and  a director  in  the  Woonsocket  Electric  Machine 
& Power  Company. 

With  a taste  and  inclination  for  social  and 
public  life,  and  as  well  by  nature  adapted  and  fitted 
for  it,  Mr.  Holden  has  taken  a conspicuous  part  in 
such  affairs,  both  in  the  city  and  in  the  State  of  his 
adoption,  and  has  been  from  the  start  an  intensely 
active  and  busy  man.  Immediately  on  his  entrance 
into  the  common  council  of  Woonsocket,  in  1890, 
he  was  chosen  its  president,  in  which  office  he, con- 
tinued during  1891.  Being  appointed  on  a special 
committee  to  investigate  and  report  as  to  the  best 
system  of  sewerage  for  the  city  of  Woonsocket,  he 
gave  to  the  work  his  characteristic  energy  and  appli- 
cation, and  upon  the  adoption  of  the  report  he  was, 
in  1893,  elected  chairman  of  the  board  of  sewer 
commissioners,  which  position  he  has  held  ever 
since.  A stanch  Republican,  Mr.  Holden  in  1894 
was  elected  a member  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  the  State  Assembly,  was  continually  re- 
elected up  to  1902,  and  was  again  elected  in  1903 
for  the  session  of  1904.  During  his  legislative 
terms  he  served  on  a number  of  important  com- 
mittees, was  three  years  a member  of  the  finance 
committee,  and  one  year  of  the  Judiciary  committee. 
In  1898  Mr.  Holden  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  and  was  several  times 
re-elected  to  that  distinguished  position,  and  while 
Speaker  and  afterward  he  was  the  leader  of  the 
House.  In  1899  he  received  the  appointment,  from 
Gov.  Elisha  Dyer,  of  State  commissioner  for  the 
Providence  & Worcester  Railroad  Company.  Mr. 
Holden  served  as  one  of  the  commissioners  to  re- 
district the  city  of  Providence,  appointed  in  1900 
by  Governor  Gregory,  and  he  was  also  one  of  the 
commissioners  for  the  re-districting  of  Pawtucket, 
appointed  by  Governor  Kimball.  In  1900,  upon  the 
creation  of  the  State  returning  board,  Mr.  Holden 
was  appointed  a member  of  it  by  Governor  Gregory 
and  elected  its  chairman,  which  position  he  held 
until  November,  1906.  In  July,  1903,  he  responded 
to  a unanimous  call  on  the  part  of  the  Republican 
party  and  became  chairman  of  the  Republican 
State  central  committee,  in  which  position  he  con- 
tinued until  November,  1906.  He  was  for  two 
years  president  of  the  Woonsocket  Choral  Associa- 
tion, and  for  a like  time  president  of  the  Woonsocket 
Business  Men’s  Association,  and  for  a number  of 
years  has  been  a director  in  the  Citizens  National 
Bank.  He  is  a member  of  the  Woonsocket  Baptist 
Church. and  was  secretary  of  the  building  committee, 
which  had  in  charge  the  erection  of  the  new  brick 
edifice.  He  is  a prominent  Mason,  being  a member  of 
Morning  Star  Lodge,  Union  Royal  Arch  Chapter 
and  Woonsocket  Commandery,  and  of  Palestine 


RHODE  ISLAND 


987 


Temple  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a mem- 
ber of  the  Odd  Fellows,  Royal  Arcanum,  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen,  United  Order  of  the 
Golden  Cross  and  the  Elks. 

On  Oct.  18,  1883,  Mr.  Holden  was  married  to 
Miss  Hattie  A.  DeVere,  of  Stephentown,  N.  Y., 
and  they  have  one  child,  a daughter,  Grace  Bea- 
trice Holden. 

JOSEPH  EDWIN  SPINK,  Judge  of  the 
Municipal  Court  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  is  a descend- 
ant of  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  the  State. 

Robert  Spink,  the  ancestral  head  of  the  fam- 
ily in  Rhode  Island,  in  the  spring  of  1635,  embarked 
at  London,  England,  in  the  ship  “Speedwell”  bound 
for  Virginia,  his  age  then  being  given  as  twenty 
years.  He  is  next  of  record  at  Newport  and  Ports- 
mouth, R.  I.,  from  1648  to  1665,  at  which  time  he 
settled  in  Quidnessett  Neck,  now  in  the  town  of 
North  Kingstown.  The  Christian  name  of  his  wife 
was  Alice.  He  died  in  1695,  and  his  will  was 
^proved  March  27th,  of  that  year.  His  children 
were:  Robert,  John,  Shibna,  Nicholas,  Samuel, 
Ishmael,  Benjamin,  Margaret,  Sarah  and  Eliza- 
beth. 

John  Spink,  a descendant  of  the  settler  and  a 
son  of  one  Robert,  was  born  Sept.  6,  1700. 
He  married  (first)  Sarah  Tibbitts,  and  they 
had  one  daughter,  Margaret,  born  Sept.  11, 
1725.  He  married  (second)  Hannah  Carpenter, 
and  by  her  had  eight  children : Samuel,  born  Dec. 
31,  1729;  Ishmael,  Feb.  12,  1731;  Oliver,  Dec.  23, 
U33;  John,  March  21,  1736;  Sarah,  Oct.  9,  1738; 
Nicholas,  Jan.  24,  1743,  died  in  April,  1807;  Silas, 
March  3,  1745 ; and  Hannah,  July  23,  1746. 

Ishmael  Spink,  son  of  John,  was  born  Feb. 
12,  1731,  and  on  Dec.  22,  1752,  he  married  Waity 
Spencer.  Their  children  were : Samuel,  born  in 
1763,  died  Sept.  19,  1831  ; Sarah  married  Thomas 
Eldred. 

Samuel  Spink,  son  of  Ishmael,  born  in 
1763,  married  Elizabeth  Arnold,  who  died  June  9, 
1806,  aged  thirty-six  years.  They  were  the  parents 
of  four  children:  Arnold,  born  June  19,  1791  ; Bet- 
sey, Nov.  15,  1796,  married  Caleb  Ladd;  Joseph, 
born  Sept.  29,  1799,  died  April  24,  1873;  and  Mary, 
born  Aug.  16,  1801,  married  first  a Mr.  Congdon 
and  (second)  David  Madden.  Samuel  Spink  was 
a farmer  and  lived  in  Quidnessett  Neck,  where  one 
of  his  descendants,  George  A.  Spink,  now  lives. 

Joseph  Spink,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born 
Sept.  29,  1799,  and  he  died  April  24,  1873.  He 
attended  school  winters,  going  to  a school  two 
miles  from  home  on  the  post  road.  He  married 
Mary  Ann  Spink,  born  Dec.  20,  1798  (died  March 
19,  1882),  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Allen) 
Spink,  descended  from  Robert  through  John  and 
Nicholas  [See  sketch  of  Nicholas  N.  Spink 
for  this  line].  They  had  children:  (1)  Elizabeth 
Arnold,  born  Nov.  1,  1825,  married  Albert  E.  Spink, 
and  had  children  : Emma  F.,  who  married  John  F. 


Pierce;  Mary,  who  married  Rollin  E.  Mason;  and 
Frank  A.  (2)  Samuel  Arnold,  born  March  28,  1828, 
married  Mercy  Ellen  Eldred,  and  has  two  children, 
Henry  M.  and  Herbert  B.  (3)  John  Harris  was 
born  Dec.  1,  1830.  (4)  Joseph  Edwin,  born  Dec. 

31,  1833,  died  young.  (5)  Joseph  Edwin  was  born 
July  27,  .1842.  (6)  George  Albert,  born  Nov.  6, 

1844,  married  Annie  A.  Reynolds,  and  has  five 
children:  Myra  B.,  Florence  R.,  George  Alfred,  Jo- 
seph Edwin  (2)  and  Robert. 

Judge  Joseph  Edwin  Spink  was  born  July 
27,  1842,  at  the  old  homestead  in  North  Kings- 
town. He  attended  district  school  in  his  home 
town,  the  East  Greenwich  Academy  and  the  Uni- 
versity Grammar  school  in  Providence,  R.  I.  In 
1865  he  graduated  from  Brown  University  with 
the  degree  of  A.  B.  After  reading  law  with  James 
Tillinghast  for  two  years,  he  was  admitted  to  the 
, Bar  in  1867,  and  at  once  began  practice  in  Wick- 
ford  and  Providence.  He  resided  in  North  Kings- 
town until  1874,  when  he  became  a resident  of 
Providence.  While  a resident  of  his  home  town 
he  was  town  moderator,  and  took  great  interest  in 
all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  the  town. 
He  has  steadily  advanced  in  his  profession,  his 
judicial  mind,  his  wisdom  and  his  equity  having  all 
combined  to  place  him  firmly  in  the  front  rank, 
winning  the  admiration  of  those  who  had  long 
esteemed  him  for  his  unassailable  integrity.  Since 
1884  he  has  faithfully  discharged  the  duties  of 
Judge  of  the  Municipal  Court  of  Providence. 

Judge  Spink  became  a member  of  Washington 
Lodge,  No.  5,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  at  Wickford.  and  is 
a member  of  Providence  Chapter,  and  Calvary 
Commandery;  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Alpha 
Delta  Phi  fraternity. 

On  Nov.  19,  1874,  Judge  Spink  was  married 
to  Emma  E.  Hudson,  daughter  of  Thomas  D. 
Hudson,  and  to  them  have  come  five  daughters : 
Mary,  Alice  G.,  Hope,  Martha  and  Agatha.  The 
family  home  is  at  No.  150  South  Angell  street,  in 
one  of  the  pleasant  residence  sections  of  the  city. 

THE  MINER  FAMILY,  of  the  town  of  East 
Greenwich,  is  a branch  of  the  ancient  family  of 
that  name  in  Stonington,  Conn.,  in  which  section 
of  the  country  generation  after  generation  have 
lived  and  flourished  for  upwards  of  260  years, 
while  back  in  old  England  the  family  lineage  is 
traced  to  the  period  of  the  13th  century.  The  mem- 
bers of  this  old  New  London-Stonington  family, 
marrying  as  they  did  into  the  first  families  of  that 
region,  have  been  and  continue  to  be  substantial 
men  and  women,  enterprising  and  progressive  in 
citizenship,  and  useful  members  of  society.  The 
representatives  of  the  family  in  this  section  are 
the  present  merchant  and  successful  business  man, 
Isaac  D.  Miner,  long  one  of  the  respected  men  of 
his  community ; his  two  sons  John  D.  and  Albert 
D.  are  prominent  men  of  their  communities,  the 
former  a graduate  from  Brown  L niversity.  Mr. 


988 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Isaac  D.  Miner  is  a descendant  in  the  eighth  gen- 

• c5  c5 

eration  from  Lieut.  Thomas  Miner,  the  immigrant 
New  England  settler. 

(I)  Lieut.  Thomas  Miner,  son  of  Clement,  of 
England,  and  a descendant  of  Henry  Miner,  who 
died  in  1359,  came  early  to  this  country  and  was  an 
inhabitant  of  Charlestown,  Mass.  He  married 
there  April  23,  1634,  Grace,  daughter  of  Walter 
Palmer,  and  of  their  children,  the  eldest  was  born 
in  Charlestown,  the  next  four  were  baptized  in 
Hingham,  Mass.,  and  the  remainder  were  born  in 
New  London,  Conn.  The  father  removed  his  fam- 
ily from  Hingham  to  New  London,  in  1646.  His 
children  were:  John,  Clement,  Thomas,  Ephraim, 
Joseph,  Manasseh,  Ann,  Maria,  Samuel  and 
Hannah. 

(II)  Deacon  Manasseh  Miner,  son  of  Thomas, 
was  born  April  23,  1647,  *n  New  London,  Conn., 
and  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  male  child  born  in 
the  town.  He  married  Sept.  26,  1670,  Lydia  Moore, 
and  lived  at  the  old  homestead  at  Quambaug,  and 
was  buried  at  Wequetequock.  Deacon  Miner  served 
in  King  Philip’s  war.  His  children  were  Elnathan, 
Samuel,  Hannah,  Thomas  and  Lydia. 

(III)  Deacon  Thomas  Miner,  son  of  Deacon 
Manasseh,  was  born  Sept.  20,  1683,  and  was  mar- 
ried Dec.  26,  1706,  to  Hannah  Avery.  Their  chil- 
dren were : Thomas,  Sylvanus,  Hannah,  Jonathan, 
Lvdia,  Prudence,  Manasseh,  Ephraim  and 
Lydia  (2). 

(IV)  Deacon  Thomas  Miner  (2),  son  of  Dea- 
con Thomas,  was  born  Oct.  4,  1707.  He  married 
Jan.  3,  1745,  Sarah,  daughter  of  William  Watson, 
of  Nantucket.  Deacon  Miner  died  Nov.  22,  1760. 
His  widow,  who  remarried,  died  May  12,  1803. 
Their  children  were:  Thomas,  Sarah,  Thomas  (2), 
William,  Manasseh  and  Prudence. 

(V)  Manasseh  Miner,  son  of  Deacon  Thomas 
(2),  born  June  13,  1755,  married  Feb.  14,  1779, 
Hannah  Haley,  and  their  children  were:  Amos, 
Isaac,  Manasseh,  Thomas  and  John. 

(VI)  Isaac  Miner  was  the  representative  of  the 
sixth  generation  in  direct  line. 

(VII)  Zebulon  Miner,  who  was  born  in  1803, 
married  Hulda  Maine,  of  North  Stonington,  Conn. 
His  children  were : Amos  Prentis,  who  married 
Susan  Wilkinson;  Phebe,  who  died  in  girlhood; 
Frances,  who  married  Nathan  Benjamin;  and 
Isaac  D. 

(VIII)  Isaac  D.  Miner,  father  of  Albert  D., 
was  born  Aug.  8,  1842.  He ‘married  Susan  Maine, 
who  was  born  on  Staten  Island,  N.  Y.,  June  14, 
1846.  Their  children  were  as  follows:  Albert  D., 
born  June  23,  1867;  and  John  D.,  born  Dec.  21, 
1869,  who  married  Oct.  30,  1902,  Miss  B.  Alice 
Owen,  of  East  Greenwich,  and  has  two  children : 
John  D.  Jr.  (born  Oct.  3,  1903),  and  Irving  O. 
(born  June  12,  1905). 

(IX)  Albert  D.  Miner,  born  June  23,  1867, 
in  North  Stonington,  Conn.,  at  an  early  age 
moved  with  his  father  to  East  Greenwich.  He  went 


to  school  a while  before  leaving  Connecticut  and 
completed  his  education  in  East  Greenwich  in  1885. 
He  was  for  a time  identified  with  the  wholesale 
grocery  business  of  Waldron,  Wightman  & Co.,  but 
in  1890  he  purchased  from  his  father  the  retail 
grocery  store  in  which  he  is  still  interested,  and 
where  he  has  built  up  a flourishing  trade.  He  also 
runs  a store  at  Apponaug,  and  two  in  Westerly, 
Rhode  Island. 

Mr.  Miner  was  married  Feb.  15,  1887,  to  Miss 
Mary  E.  Arnold,  of  Scituate,  R.  I.  She  was  born 
Aug.  7,  1867,  daughter  of  Simeon  C.  and  Alzada 
Arnold.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miner  have  the  following 
children:  Florence  M.,  born  Jan.  27,  1889;  Isaac 
D.,  May  24,  1890;  Harold  C.,  Sept.  8,  1893;  Ralph 
W.,  May  9,  1897;  and  Wilfred  A.,  Aug.  16,  1903. 
Mr.  Miner  is  a man  of  unquestionable  honesty  and 
true  worth.  He  is  and  deserves  to  be  one  of  the 
most  highly  respected  men  of  East  Greenwich. 

WILLIAM  SMITH  GRANGER,  now  living 
retired,  but  for  thirty-seven  years  engaged  in  the 
manufacturing  business  at  Providence,  is  one  of 
that  city’s  well  known  and  substantial  citizens.  Mr. 
Granger  in  paternal  and  maternal  lines  descends 
from  many  of  the  foremost  men  in  early  New  Eng- 
land history,  among  them  being  such  strong  char- 
acters as  the  Rev.  Peter  Bulkeley,  the  founder  of 
Concord,  Mass.;  Gershom  Bulkeley,  surgeon  in 
the  Colonial  army;  Charles  Chauncey,  President 
of  Harvard  University;  Jonathan  Prescott,  captain 
in  the  Colonial  army;  and  William  Aspinwall,  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  Colony. 
He  is  of  the  seventh  generation  in  descent  from 
Launcelot  Granger,  the  first  of  the  name  in  Amer- 
ica. 

(I)  Launcelot  Granger  came  to  America  and 
settled  first  in  Newbury,  Mass.,  was  later  of  Ips- 
wich, where  he  is  of  record  as  a tax  payer  in  1648. 
He  married  Jan.  4,  1653-54,  Joanna,  daughter  of 
Robert  Adams,  of  Newbury,  and  they  died  in  Suf- 
field,  Conn.,  he  Sept.  3,  1689,  and  she,  after  1701. 
Mr.  Granger  was  the  thirty-second  actual  settler  or 
proprietor  in  Suffield  in  1673.  Their  eleven  chil- 
dren were  all  born  in  Newbury. 

(II)  Thomas  Granger,  son  of  Launcelot,  mar- 
ried Mindwell,  daughter  of  Stephen  Taylor.  She 
was  born  Nov.  5,  1663.  Thomas  Granger  lived  at 
Suffield  where  he  was  a man  of  much  importance 
in  the  town,  was  selectman  and  held  other  town  of- 
fices. He  died  March  14,  1729-30.  Their  ten  chil- 
dren were  born  at  Suffield. 

(III)  Samuel  Granger,  born  Feb.  10,  1699,  died 
June  17,  1775.  He  married  Nov.  6,  1722,  Hannah, 
born  July  15,  1702,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Han- 
nah (Seymour)  Pomeroy,  of  Suffield,  and  he  him- 
self lived  in  that  town,  where  he  was  occupied  in 
farming.  Their  nine  children  were  born  in  Suf- 

(IV)  Simeon  Granger,  son  of  Samuel,  born 
Dec.  28,  1728,  in  Suffield,  Conn.,  married  Nov.  26, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1757,  Abigail  Dudley,  of  Saybrook,  Conn.,  born 
Sept.  17,  1737-  They  resided  in  Suffield,  Conn., 
West  Springfield,  Springfield,  Granville,  South- 
wick  and  Sunderland,  Mass.  Mr.  Granger  was  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolution,  serving  with  the  Mas- 
sachusetts troops.  Their  children,  all  born  in  West 
Springfield,  Mass.,  were:  Anna,  Sept.  25,  1758; 
Huldah,  Nov.  4,  1760;  Hannah,  Feb.  12,  1763; 
Thaddeus,  Oct.  9,  1765;  William,  Dec.  13,  1768; 
Simeon,  March  17,  1770;  Persis,  in  1773;  and 
Asher,  Oct.  9,  1776.  The  father  of  these  children 
died  in  May,  1815,  at  Sandisfield,  Massachusetts. 

(V)  Simeon  Granger  (2),  son  of  Simeon,  born 
March  17,  1770,  in  West  Springfield,  Mass.,  mar- 
ried in  1791,  Phebe  Couch,  of  Sandisfield,  Mass., 
born  Sept.  17,  1774.  Mr.  Granger  resided  in  San- 
disfield, Mass.,  until  1801,  when  he  removed  to 
Salisbury,  Conn.,  remaining  there  until  1822,  and 
in  that  year  he  removed  to  Grangerville,  town  of 
Pittsford,  Vt.,  purchasing  from  Andrew  Leach  a 
blast  furnace  for  manufacturing  pig  iron  and 
stoves.  With  his  sons,  Lyman  and  Chester,  he 
commenced  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Si- 
meon Granger  & Sons.  This  blast-furnace,  it  is 
said,  was  the  second  in  the  United  States,  being 
built  in  1791.  The  first  furnace  was  built  in  Berk- 
shire county,  Mass.,  in  1776. 

Mr.  Granger  was  a man  of  great  energy  and 
self-reliance.  He  died  Nov.  19,  1834,  after  a suc- 
cessful business  career,  leaving  a large  family  and 
many  sincere  friends  to  mourn  his  loss.  His  widow 
Phebe  died  in  1840.  Their  children  were : Lyman, 
born  Dec.  22,  1794;  Chester,  July  5,  1797;  Rens- 
selaer D.,  June  3,  1803;  Edward  L.,  April  3,  1808; 
and  Mary  A.,  Sept.  19,  1812. 

(VI)  Chester  Granger,  son  of  Simeon  (2), 
born  July  5,  1797,  in  Sandisfield,  Mass.,  married 
Dec.  5,  1827,  Mary  Page,  born  June  3,  1805,  at 
Rutland,  Vt.,  daughter  of  Cephas,  Jr.,  and  Polly 
(Gove)  Smith,  of  Pittsford.  Cephas  Smith  was 
a lineal  descendant  of  Rev.  Henry  Smith,  the  first 
clergyman  at  Wethersfield,  Conn.,  in  1636.  Mr. 
Granger  resided  in  Sandisfield,  Mass.,  until  his  fa- 
ther moved  to  Salisbury,  Conn.,  where  his  youth 
and  early  manhood  were  passed.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-nine  he  became  a member  of  the  firm  of 
Simeon  Granger  & Sons,  removing  to  Grangerville, 
town  of  Pittsford,  Vt.,  at  that  time.  He  was  one 
of  the  projectors  and  original  directors  in  the  Rut- 
land & Burlington  Railroad,  also  the  Western  Ver- 
mont Railroad,  and  for  many  years  was  a director 
in  the  Bank  of  Rutland.  After  the  death  of  his  fa- 
ther his  portion  of  the  furnace  property  was  pur- 
chased from  the  heirs  by  Chester  and  his  brother 
Edward  L.,  and  the  business  was  conducted  under 
the  firm  name  of  C.  & E.  L.  Granger,  until  1846, 
when,  at  the  death  of  the  younger  member  of  the 
firm,  the  name  was  again  changed,  to  Granger, 
Hodges  & Co.  Later  on  the  concern  was  incor- 
porated under  the  name  of  the  Pittsford  Iron  Com- 
pany. 


989 

Mr.  Granger  represented  the  town  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  in  i860  and  1861,  and  also  held  other 
offices  of  responsibility  and  trust.  From  1862  to 
1865  he  was  engaged  in  the  iron  business  in  Penn- 
sylvania, after  which  he  retired  to  Pittsford,  to  en- 
joy the  fruits  of  his  industrious  life,  dying  there 
in  his  eighty-first  year.  Mr.  Granger  was  a man 
of  energy,  public-spirit,  and  sterling  integrity,  and 
many  a poor  person  can  testify  as  to  his  private 
charity  and  benevolence. 

The  children  of  Chester  and  Mary  Granger,  all 
born  at  Grangerville,  were  five  in  number:  (1) 
Egbert  S.,  born  Dec.  2,  1828,  died  May  20,  1829. 
(2)  Charles  S.,  born  Aug.  16,  1830,  died  Dec.  28, 
1830.  (3)  Lyman  C,  born  Jan.  12,  1832,  grad- 

uated from  Norwich  University,  Norwich,  Vt.,  and 
from  Castleton  Medical  College  at  Castleton,  Vt., 
and  was  in  practice  with  Dr.  Valentine  Mott  in 
New  York.  He  became  an  assistant  surgeon  in 
the  Lmited  States  Navy,  and  saw  service  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  New  Orleans,  being  on  Farragut’s  fleet. 
He  later  was  discharged  because  of  poor  health, 
and  died  Sept.  26,  1864,  at  Whitehall,  N.  Y.,  cut- 
ting short  a most  promising  career.  (4)  William 
Smith  was  born  Sept.  19,  1834.  (5)  Henry  Ches- 

ter, born  Sept.  17,  1835,  died  Feb.  14,  1836. 

(VII)  William  Smith  Granger,  son  of  Ches- 
ter, was  born  in  Grangerville,  town  of  Pittsford, 
Vt.,  Sept.  19,  1834,  and  his  early  education  was 
acquired  at  Salem,  New  York,  and  in  Burr  Semi- 
nary at  Manchester,  Vt.,  supplemented  by  one 
year’s  study,  at  Lyon  & Frieze’s  school  in  Provi- 
dence previous  to  entering  Brown  University  in 
1854.  There  he  pursued  a two  years’  course.  In 
1890  he  received  from  that  institution  the  degree 
of  A.  M.  in  connection  with  his  class. 

Mr.  Granger’s  practical  training  for  active  life 
was  received  at  Augusta,  Maine,  where  he  spent 
about  one  and  one-half  years  in  a hardware  store. 
Returning  to  Pittsford,  he  was  employed  with  his 
father  until  1866,  when  he  came  to  Providence  and 
became  treasurer  of  the  Cove  Foundry  and  Ma- 
chine Company,  which  was,  in  1878,  succeeded  by 
the  Granger  Foundry  and  Machine  Company,  Mr. 
Granger  becoming  president  of  the  latter  firm.  In 
that  capacity  he  served  until  it  was  merged  to- 
gether with  three  other  corporations,  in  1903,  into 
the  Textile  Finishing  Machine  Company.  In  that 
year  Mr.  Granger  was  in  poor  health,  and  retired 
"from  active  business.  The  Granger  Foundry  and 
Machine  Company  manufactured  machinery  for 
bleaching,  dyeing,  drying  and  finishing  cotton  goods 
together  with  machinery  for  the  finishing  of  sur- 
face coated  and  ledger  and  letter  papers.  Mr. 
Granger  was  the  first  to  introduce  and  manufac- 
ture the  cotton  roll  for  finishing  fine  grades  of  pa- 
per, which  revolutionized  the  business  in  this  line 
and  opened  up  a large  home  and  foreign  trade  for 
the  company  and  its  successor.  He  also  invented 
a calender  roll  composed  of  a mixture  of  corn 
husks  and  cotton  which  is  in  use  in  over  150 


990 


RHODE  ISLAND 


( 


bleach,  dye  and  print  works  in  the  United  States 
and  Canada. 

Mr.  Granger  is  a Republican  in  his  political 
views,  but  has  never  cared  for  office.  He  is  a 
Knight  Templar  Mason,  being  a member  of  Cal- 
vary Commandery,  No.  13.  For  many  years  he 
was  a director  in  the  Second  National  Bank,  until 
it  was  merged  with  the  United  National  Bank, 
where  he  served  as  director  for  two  years,  resign- 
ing on  account  of  illness.  He  is  a director  of  the 
American  vVringer  Company;  the  Davol  Mills,  at 
Fall  River,  and  of  the  Franklin,  Textile,  Narra- 
gansett  and  Mercantile  Fire  Insurance  companies, 
being  president  of  the  Textile  and  Narragansett 
companies.  Socially  he  belongs  to  the  Society  of 
Sons  of  the  American  Revolution ; the  Rhode  Is- 
land Historical  Society ; Society  of  the  Colonial 
Wars ; and  the  Hope,  Squantum  and  University 
Clubs.  When  a young  man  he  united  with  the 
Congregational  Church  in  his  native  town. 

On  June  12,  1871,  Mr.  Granger  was  married  in 
Providence  to  Miss  Caroline  Richmond  Pitman, 
born  July  4,  1846,  in  Providence,  daughter  of  John 
T.  and  Caroline  (Richmond)  Pitman.  To  this 
union  two  children  have  been  born : Mary  Alice, 
July  27,  1873  5 and  Helen  Richmond,  Dec.  9,  1874, 
who  married  Allen  Herbert  Chase,  of  Providence, 
and  has  one  daughter,  Harriet  Granger,  born  Jan. 
1,  1903.  Mrs.  Granger  is  a member  of  the  Daugh- 
ters of  the  American  Revolution,  the  Mayflower 
Society  and  the  Society  of  Colonial  Dames.  Miss 
Mary  A.  Granger  is  a member  of  the  latter  or- 
ganization, and  Mrs.  Chase  is  a member  of  the 
Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 

< 

ALDRICH.  From  the  ancient  Aldrich  family 
of  Massachusetts,  the  head  of  which  was  George, 
who  came  to  the  old  Colony  in  1631,  descended  the 
Providence-Smithfield  branch  of  the  family,  and 
from  the  latter  town  came  into  the  town  of  Scituate 
at  the  opening  of  the  Revolution  one  James  Aldrich 
who  remained  through  many  years  one  of  the 
town’s  first  citizens,  filling  a number  of  positions 
of  honor  and  trust,  among  them  that  of  representa- 
tive in  the  General  Court  and  Assembly  for  nine- 
teen consecutive  years;  and  in  later  years  Wilmarth 
A.  and  George  Aldrich  for  some  years  successively 
occupied  a seat  in  that  body  from  the  town. 

(I)  George  Aldrich,  of  Derbyshire,  England, 
came  to  America  in  the  fall  of  1631.  He  was  made 
a freeman  at  Dorchester  in  1636,  was  granted  land 
at  Boston  in  1640,  and  was  of  Braintree,  1644-1663. 
He  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  Mendon  in  1663, 
and  there  resided  the  remainder  of  his  life  with  the 
exception  of  one  or  two  years,  1669-1670,  in  Swan- 
sea, and  a brief  stay  at  Braintree,  perhaps  during 
the  Indian  war  in  1676.  On  March  16,  1629,  he 
married  Catherine  Seald,  and  died  March  1,  1683. 
His  children  were:  Abel,  born  in  1633;  Joseph, 
born  June  4,  1635 ; Miriam,  born  in  1639  ■ Ex- 
perience, born  in  1641  ; John,  born  in  1644;  Sarah, 


born  in  1646;  Peter,  born  in  1648;  Mercy,  born  in 
1650;  Jacob,  born  Feb.  28,  1652. 

(II)  Joseph  Aldrich,  son  of  George,  born  June 
4,  1635,  married  Feb.  26,  1662,  Patience  Osborne, 
of  Braintree,  Mass.  He  came  to  Mendon  with  his 
father  and  remained  with  him  until  about  the  time 
the  latter  died,  when  he  removed  to  Providence, 
R.  I.,  now  Smithfield.  He  died  April  24,  1701,  in 
Smithfield,  and  his  wife  passed  away  after  1705. 
Their  children  were:  Joseph,  born  July  14,  1663; 
Samuel;  John;  Ephraim;  Sarah,  born  Oct.  27, 
1677 ; and  Mercy. 

(II)  Jacob  Aldrich,  son  of  George,  born  Feb. 
28,  1652,  in  Braintree,  Mass.,  married  Nov.  3,  1675, 
Huldah,  born  June  16,  1657,  daughter  of  Ferdi- 
nando  and  Huldah  (Hayward)  Thayer.  Mr.  Al- 
drich accompanied  his  father  to  Mendon,  Mass., 
of  which  town  he  was  assessor  in  1694,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  he  was  styled  “husbandman.” 
During  King  Philip’s  war  in  1676,  he  went  back  to 
Braintree,  but  on  the  restoration  of  peace  he  re- 
turned to  Mendon.  His  children  were:  Jacob, 
born  in  1678;  Seth,  born  in  1679;  Huldah,  bdrn  in 
1680;  Rachel,  born  in  1682;  Sarah,  born  in  1683; 
David,  born  in  1685;  Peter,  born  in  1686;  John 
born  in  1688;  Moses,  born  April  1,  1690;  Mercy, 
born  in  1692;  and  Rachel;  born  in  1694. 

(III)  Moses  Aldrich,  son  of  Jacob,  born  April 

I,  1690,  married,  April  23,  1711,  Hannah  White, 
born  Dec.  9,  1691.  Their  children  were:  Abigail, 
born  Sept.  18,  1712;  Mary,  Feb.  15,  1714;  George, 
Jan.  13,  1716;  Mercy,  Nov.  28,  1717;  Robert,  Dec. 

II,  1719;  Lydia,  Oct.  28,  1721;  Thomas,  Feb.  24, 
1724;  Caleb,  Jan.  14,  1726;  Luke,  Feb.  22,  1727; 
Alice,  May  2,  1730;  Moses,  April  19,  1732;  and 
Aaron,  Jan.  3,  1734. 

(IV)  Luke  Aldrich,  son  of  Moses  and  Hannah 
(W'hite)  Aldrich,  born  Feb.  22,  1727,  married 
Anna  French.  He  died  Oct.  15,  1805.  To  Luke 
and  Anna  (French)  Aldrich  were  born  four  chil- 
dren: Esek,  born  Sept.  9,  1753,  died  March  2, 
1830;  Catharine,  born  Feb.  14,  1755,  died  Feb.  22, 
1829;  Seneca,  born  Nov.  18,  1766;  and  Watee,  born 
Aug.  9,  1770. 

(V)  Esek  Aldrich,  son  of  Luke  and  Anna,  born 
Sept.  9,  1753,  was  first  of  Mendon,  Mass.,  and  after- 
ward of  Providence.  He  married  Amey  Whipple, 
daughter  of  Stephen  Whipple,  of  Smithfield,  R.  I. 
Their  first  two  children  were  born  before  the  re- 
moval to  Providence.  The  children  of  this  union 
were:  Cynthia,  born  Nov.  27,  1778,  died  Feb.  11, 
1779;  Robert,  born  Feb.  1,  1780;  Whipple,  born 
March  21,  1782;  Simon,  born  May  21,  1784,  died 
Sept.  1,  1802;  Amey,  born  July  4,  1790,  died  Sept. 
23,  1812:  Sophia,  born  Oct.  2,  1792,  died  March  9, 
1795.  The  wife  and  mother  died  July  17,  1793, 
and  Mr.  Aldrich  married  (second)  Susanna  Mann, 
by  whom  he  had  children  as  follows : Susan,  born 
April  6,  1795,  died  Oct.  20,  1818;  Esek,  born  Jan. 
16,  1798,  died  May  24,  1869;  Edward,  born  Dec. 
18,  1800,  died  May  5,  1828;  Eliza,  born  Oct.  30, 


# 


RHODE  ISLAND 


991 


1802,  married  Stephen  Waterman,  and  died  Nov. 
26,  1881 ; and  Thomas,  born  June  3,  1805,  died  Feb. 

15,  1883. 

(VI)  Whipple  Aldrich,  son  of  Esek  and  Amey, 
born  March  21,  1782,  was  married  in  St.  Marys, 
Ga.,  in  1810,  to  Letitia  Sherman,  daughter  of  Ed- 
ward Sherman,  the  latter  a nephew  of  Roger  Sher- 
man, one  of  the  framers  and  signers  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence.  To  Whipple  and  Letitia  Al- 
drich came  children  as  follows : Edward  S.,  born 
in  1811,  was  one  of  the  “forty-niners”  to  California, 
where  he  belonged  to  the  famous  vigilant  commit- 
tee, and  died  in  1870  (He  was  a physician  and 
served  as  sergeon  in  the  Confederate  army)  ; Rob- 
ert, born  in  March,  1813,  died  May  24,  1880; 
James,  born  in  1815,  died  in  1817;  George  William- 
son, born  in  March,  1817,  served  in  the  Confederate 
army  during  the  Civil  war;  Amey,  born  in  1819, 
died  in  1821 ; Louis,  born  in  June,  1821,  became  a 
Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  California;  Letitia, 
born  Feb.  23,  1823,  married  a Mr.  Stevens;  Whip- 
ple, born  in  1825,  was  a soldier  in  the  Confederate 
army,  and  died  in  1903  ; William,  born  July  3,  1827, 
was  killed  in  1863,  while  serving  in  the  Confederate 
army;  and  Eliza  Waterman,  born  in  October,  1829, 
married  a Mr.  Statsburg.  For  his  second  wife 
Whipple  Aldrich  married  Jane  Johnson,  who  bore 
him  three  children : Albert,  who  died  during  the 
Civil  war;  Clarence,  who  lost  an  arm  in  service 
during  the  Civil  war;  and  Julia. 

(VII)  Robert  Aldrich,  son  of  Whipple  and 
Letitia,  born  in  March,  1813,  came  to  Providence 
at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and  began  the  study  of  law 
in  the  office  of  lawyer  Carpenter.  After  his  admis- 
sion to  the  Bar,  he  practiced  his  profession  alone 
for  a time.  He  then  became  trustee  of  the  estate 
of  his  father-in-law,  Capt.  John  Andrews,  and  as 
such  was  engaged  for  the  balance  of  his  life.  He 
also  became  interested  in  the  West  Indian  trade, 
having  a Mr.  Cady  for  a partner  for  a number  of 
years,  the  firm  being  Cady  & Aldrich.  He  was  a 
good  business  man,  yet  a man  of  literary  tastes, 
and  in  his  disposition  he  was  very  domestic  and 
somewhat  of  a recluse.  He  was  a director  of  the 
Commercial  National  Bank  for  a great  many  years. 
On  May  31,  1841,  Mr.  Aldrich  married  Sarah 
Ann  Andrews,  born  Oct.  7,  1820,  daughter  of  Capt. 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Whipple)  Andrews;  she  died 
in  1857.  Captain  Andrews  was  born  in  Providence, 
Jan.  3,  1786,  and  was  married  to  Betsey  (Eliza- 
beth) Whipple,  daughter  of  Stephen  Whipple,  of 
Cumberland,  R.  I.,  and  niece  of  Noah  Whipple, 
father  of  Commodore  Abram  Whipple.  To  Robert 
and  Sarah  Ann  Aldrich  were  born  four  children : 
Edward  S.,  born  Oct.  18,  1843  I William  Fosdick, 
born  May  31,  1846;  Henry  Rankin,  born  March  7. 
1852,  died  March  5,  1854;  Lizzie  Letitia,  born  May 

16,  1854,  died  Oct.  27,  1855. 

(VIII)  Edward  Sherman  Aldrich,  son  of  Rob- 
ert and  Sarah  A.,  born  Oct.  18,  1843,  married  Em- 
ily L.  Howland,  daughter  of  John  A.  Howland, 


and  they  have  children : Elizabeth  A.,  born  Aug. 
30,  1877;  Edward  S.,  born  Nov.  20,  1879;  Robert, 
born  Aug.  20,  1881  ; and  Emily  B.,  born  March  13, 
i883- 

(\  HI)  William  F.  Aldrich,  son  of  Robert 
and  Sarah  Ann  (Andrews)  Aldrich,  born  May  31, 
1846,  was  married  in  Marion,  Pa.,  Oct.  10,  1878, 
to  Amy  B.  Hoppin,  daughter  of  Henry  Hoppin. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  three  children : Amey 
Hoppin,  born  Nov.  10,  1879,  married  Oct.  2,  1902, 
James  Franklin  Dyer,  of  Portland,  Maine;  Wil- 
liam F.,  Jr.,  born  Oct.  21,  1883;  and  Henry  Hop- 
pin, born  June  1,  1889. 

(III)  John  Aldrich,  son  of  Joseph  and  Patience 
(Osborne)  Aldrich,  married  Susannah  Smith,  of 
Smithfield,  who  died  Nov.  29,  1740.  He  married 
(second)  Elizabeth  Stevens.  To  the  first  marriage 
were  born:  Hannah,  born  Jan.  13,  1728;  Daniel, 
born  Oct.  25,  1730;  Samuel,  born  Aug.  16,  1732; 
Job,  born  June  25,  1734;  Joseph,  born  June  29, 
1738;  Jethro,  born  March  19,  1740.  To  the  second 
marriage  came:  Hannah,  born  Jan.  16,  1742;  John, 
born  Feb.  5,  1743;  Susanna,  born  Nov.  25,  1745; 
James,  born  Nov.  7,  1747;  Jane,  born  Nov.  4,  1749; 
Anne,  born  Dec.  23,  1751;  Samuel,  born  Dec.  16, 
1 753 ; Amie,  born  March  9,  1756;  and  Caleb,  born 
Feb.  28,  1758. 

(IV)  John  Aldrich,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Stevens),  born  Feb.  5,  1743,  married,  March  10, 
1766,  Mary  Smith,  of  Glocester,  R.  I.  Two  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  namely : Welcome,  who 
married  Abigail  Kimball;  and  Amarancy,  who  mar- 
ried Nicholas  Bussey.  John  Aldrich  married  (sec- 
ond) Elizabeth  Manse,  who  bore  him  three  chil- 
,dren:  Betsey,  who  married  Cronan  Bowen;  Moses, 
born  Oct.  10,  1779,  who  married  Ann  Scammell 
Jones;  and  Isaac,  who  married  Mary  Jones,  sister 
of  Ann. 

(V)  Welcome  Aldrich,  son  of  John,  Jr.,  and 
Mary  (Smith)  Aldrich,  born  in  1768,  married 
Abigail  Kimball,  born  June  15,  1772.  He  died 
March  9,  1808,  and  she  Dec.  22,  1837.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Alfred,  born  in  1791,  married  Betsey 
Horton  ; Lydia  married  Colwell  Irons,  and  had  chil- 
dren, Thomas  (who  married  a Miss  Baker)  and 
Stephen ; Richard  married  Mary  Blackman,  and 
died  in  June,  1841  ; Esther,  born  in  1799,  married 
William  Atwood,  and  died  March  19,  i860,  the 
mother  of  Silas,  George,  James,  William  K.,  Abbv 
Ann,  Hannah,  Elizabeth,  Esther,  John,  Emory  P. 
(born  Aug.  11,  1828,  died  Dec.  8,  1829),  and  one 
that  died  in  infancy  in  1830;  Lyman  married  Sally 
Stone;  and  Tamah  married  Otis  Potter,  and  had 
children  Jonathan,  Stephen,  Ezra  and  a daughter. 

(VI)  Alfred  Aldrich,  son  of  Welcome  and  Abi- 
gail (Kimball)  Aldrich,  born  in  1791,  in  Scituate, 
married  Dec.  22,  1811,  Betsey  Horton,  daughter  of 
Nathaniel  Horton,  Jr.  He  died  May  10,  1829,  and 
she  passed  away  Nov.  28,  1842.  Their  children 
were:  (1)  Anson  Whipple  Aldrich,  born  Sept. 
16,  1821,  is  mentioned  below.  (2)  Welcome,  born 


992 


RHODE  ISLAND 


in  July,  1814,  died  Jan.  8,  1858.  He  married  Eliza 
Pratt,  of  Providence,  born  in  April,  1815,  died 
March  14,  1891.  Their  children  were:  Charles  H., 
born  Feb.  22,  1837,  died  Jan.  5,  1894,  married 
Amarantha  Knight;  Welcome,  Jr.,  born  Aug-.  17, 
1843,  hied  March  2,  1881,  married  Ellen  Adams; 
Abigail  E.  married  William  H.  Vandeusen,  of 
Worcester,  Mass.;  Emma,  born  Nov.  12,  1851, 
died  April  15,  1878,  married  Oscar  A.  feffers.  (3) 
Abigail  died  Feb.  15,  1834.  (4)  Alfred  Kimball, 

born  in  1818,  married  Desire  L.  Hawkins,  March 

15,  1840,  and  died  June  1,  1855.  (5)  Andrew, 

born  Feb.  22,  1819,  died  unmarried  April  19,  1887. 

(VII)  Anson  Whipple  Aldrich,  born  Sept. 

16,  1821,  son  of  Alfred  and  Betsey  (or  Elizabeth), 
married  in  Rehoboth,  May  15,  1843,  Hannah  Baker 
Horton,  daughter  of  George  Leonard  and  Ann 
(Baker)  Horton,  of  that  town.  He  died  Nov.  7, 
1889.  His  children  were : Albert  Whipple,  born 
Dec.  25,  1844,  died  in  April,  1868;  Thomas  Walter, 
born  in  Providence,  Oct.  25,  1846,  married  April 
Io,  1895,  Clara  Belle  Harvey;  Edward  Kimball; 
and  George  Anson,  born  in  Providence,  died  Jan. 
1,  1868,  aged  nine  years. 

Anson  W.  Aldrich  was  born  in  Scituate  and  the 
circumstances  and  conditions  of  his  childhood  de- 
prived him  of  the  privileges  incident  to  boyhood, 
as  at  the  tender  age  of  six  years  he  was  obliged  to 
shift  for  himself,  beginning  his  career  as  a lad 
about  a cotton  mill,  and  later  becoming  an  operator. 
As  time  passed  he  decided  upon  a trade,  and  served, 
as  was  then  the  custom,  a seven  years’  apprentice- 
ship at  the  blacksmith’s  trade.  In  these  years  of 
preparation  though  but  a lad  and  youth  he’  evinced 
that  tenacity  of  purpose  which  subsequently  char- 
acterized him  through  life,  and  which  enabled  him 
to  attain  success.  After  the  expiration  of  his  term 
of  apprenticeship  young  Aldrich  at  once  set  up  in 
business  for  himself,  and  soon  acquired  the  reputa- 
tion of  a capable  and  honest  blacksmith,  and  he  con- 
tinued in  business  for  himself  for  a number  of 
years,  making  it  a great  success.  He  then  became 
a liveryman  at  the  present  site  of  the  City  Hall  in 
Providence,  where  he  kept  one  of  the  best-known 
and  best-equipped  stables  in  the  city.  Here  he  re- 
mained conducting  an  extensive  business  until  after 
the  time  he  conceived  the  plan  of  building  the 
“Aldrich  House,”  which  was  begun  in  the  spring 
of  1859.  Of  this  building  during  its  construction 
he  was  his  own  superintendent.  This  structure 
was  completed  and  opened  Jan.  2,  i860,  and  was 
then  regarded  as  a most  commendable  effort  on  the 
part  of  its  builder  to  improve,  benefit  and  beautify 
that  section  of  the  city  surrounding  its  location. 
It  was  the  largest  hotel  in  Providence  until  the 
“Narragansett”  was  built.  In  the  great  fire  of  Feb. 
16,  1888,  the  “Aldrich  House”  was  destroyed,  and 
at  the  time  its  builder  and  owner  was  in  failing 
health,  having  contracted  the  disease  of  which  he 
died.  Notwithstanding  his  constant  and  at  times 
terrible  suffering,  his  shoulders  were  again  put  to 


the  wheel  and  under  his  personal  supervision  within 
seven  months  from  the  date  of  the  fire  he  caused  to 
be  erected  the  beautiful  and  substantial  business 
block  that  now  adorns  the  site  of  his  early  pride — 
the  "Aldrich  House.” 

Just  in  all  of  his  dealings  with  his  fellowmen 
and  exact  in  all  things  Mr.  Aldrich  insisted  that 
others  should  also  be  so  to  him.  This  quality  in 
his  nature  at  times  stimulated  opposition  in  • his 
business  relations  and  ma^  nave  made  him  enemies, 
but  his  word  was  as  good  as  his  bond.  He  had  within 
a warm  heart,  was  generous  to  a fault  and  hospit- 
able to  the  needy  and  suffering.  He  was  a sincere 
friend  and  an  open  opponent.  Educated  in  the 
school  of  adversity  and  experience,  he  looked  with 
pride  upon  the  efforts  that  were  put  forth  by  (at 
the  time)  Ex-Mavor  Doyle  toward  perfecting  the 
school  system  of  Providence.  Mr.  Aldrich  was  a 
Democrat  of  the  old  school,  and  at  one  time  a 
Dorrite  and  for  the  People’s  Constitution. 

(VIII)  Edward  Kimball  Aldrich,  born  in 
Providence,  Oct.  6,  1849,  son  of  Anson  W.  and 
Hannah  B.,  married  May  15,  1878,  Georgianna 
Sayles,  born  in  Millbury,  Mass.,  April  21,  1857, 
daughter  of  James  Monroe  and  Ann  Eliza  (Marsh) 
Sayles,  of  Providence.  They  have  one  son,  Ed- 
ward K.,  Jr.,  born  June  16,  1879,  who  graduated 
from  Brown  University  with  the  Class  of  1902, 
and  is  now  an  attorney-at-law. 

REUBEN  SCOTT  ROUSE,  a successful  mer- 
chant and  well-known  business  man  of  Providence 
in  his  day,  was  a native  of  Danielson,  Conn.,  born 
Dec.  1,  1825,  son  of  William  Sweet  and  Lydia 
(Scott)  Rouse,  whose  children  were  as  follows: 
Louisa,  who  married  a Mr.  Hall ; Susan,  Mrs.  Chaf- 
fee; William;  James  Burrell;  Mary,  Mrs.  God- 
dard ; Maria,  who  married  Daniel  Loomis,  of  Kil- 
lingly,  Conn. ; and  Reuben  Scott. 

Reuben  Scott  Rouse  was  an  old-time  business 
man  in  Olneyville,  and  in  the  more  active  years  of 
his  life,  during  the  last  quarter  of  the  last  century, 
was  largely  interested  in  numerous  business  enter- 
prises in  Providence.  The  early  years  of  his  life 
were  spent  in  the  vicinity  of  Thompson,  Conn.,  and 
Webster,  Mass.,  and  he  received  an  ojd-fashioned 
common-school  education.  In  his  youth  he  en- 
gaged in  the  trade  of  cotton  spinner,  operating  the 
old-fashioned  spinning  mules.  In  1849  he  married 
Lucy  Covell,  daughter  of  Willis  and  Lydia  (Per- 
rin) Coveil,  and  three  years  later  became  the  pro- 
prietor of  a twine  mill  in  Woodstock,  Conn.  This 
establishment  he  was  operating  very  successfully 
when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire,  in  1852.  In  1854 
he  came  to  Providence  and  established  his  home  on 
Tobey  street. 

For  about  three  years  Mr.  Rouse  was  engaged 
in  the  watch  and  jewelry  business,  traveling  with 
a trunkful  of  goods,  but  this  he  abandoned  in 
1858.  purchasing  from  William  H.  Wightman  the 
grocery  business  located  at  the  corner  of  Matiton 


RHODE  ISLAND 


993 


avenue  and  Delaine  street,  in  Olneyville.  There 
he  remained  for  a score  of  years,  meantime  being 
joined  in  that  enterprise  in  1866  by  William  H. 
Coveil,  his  brother-in-law.  They  disposed  of  the 
grocery  business  in  1870,  but  remained  together  in 
the  real  estate  business  until  1878.  Mr.  Rouse  be- 
came the  owner  of  the  property  at  the  corner  of 
Manton  avenue  and  Delaine  street  and  largely  in- 
creased his  holdings  of  real  estate  in  that  vicinity, 
greatly  improving  the  property  he  acquired.  He 
became  associated  with  the  dry-goods  firm  of  D.  & 
M.  Salsbury,  in  Butler  Exchange,  in  about  1880, 
and  was  also  interested  in  a number  of  other  con- 
cerns at  various  times.  Throughout  his  career 
Mr.  Rouse  proved  himself  a keen  and  able  business 
man.  He  was  also  a great  lover  of  horses,  owning 
several  fine  animals,  of  which  he  was  very  proud, 
among  them  being  one  well-known  to  old  horsemen 
as  “Lady  Balch.”  Due  to  a most  unfortunate  ac- 
cident, some  fifteen  years  before  his  death,  from 
driving  a spirited  colt,  Mr.  Rouse  sustained  severe 
injuries  to  his  head,  from  which  he  never  fully  re- 
covered. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Rouse  connected 
himself  with  the  Republican  party,  but  although 
his  interest  was  keen  in  the  success  of  that  party  he 
never  took  an  active  part  in  the  political  affairs  of 
the  city,  his  time  and  attention  being  demanded  by 
his  large  business  interests.  He  was  a constant 
attendant  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
gave  that  body  his  liberal  support.  Mr.  Rouse  was 
a man  of  domestic  tastes  and  was  very  fond  of  his 
home,  his  spare  time  being  invariably  spent  there. 
He  was  a self-made  man,  and  one  who  had  recog- 
nized in  early  youth  that  the  road  to  success  and  to 
wealth  and  to  all  of  the  good  things  of  life  was  the 
hard  road,  but  he  never  hesitated  in  his  choosing. 
Mr.  Rouse  was  very  greatly  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him,  and  his  death,  which  occurred  March  15, 
1900,  Providence  lost  one  of  its  most  popular  citi- 
zens and  energetic  business  men.  He  left  no  chil- 
dren. 

EARLE.  (Providence  family).  (I)  Ralph 
Earle  was  early  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  and  was  ad- 
mitted an  inhabitant  of  the  island  of  Aquidneck  in 
1638.  He  was  treasurer  in  1639  and  was  again 
elected  to  that  position  in  1651,  was  overseer  of 
the  poor  in  1649,  and  elected  a freeman  in  1655. 
He  married  Joann,  and  their  children  were : 
Ralph,  William,  Mar}',  Martha  and  Sarah.  The 
father  of  these  children  died  in  1678. 

(II)  Ralph  Earle  (2),  son  of  Ralph,  married 
Dorcas,  daughter  of  Francis  and  Lvdia  Sprague, 
and  resided  in  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  and  Dartmouth, 
Mass.  He  was  made  a freeman  in  1658,  and  his 
death  occurred  in  1716.  His  children  were:  John, 
Ralph,  William  and  Joseph. 

(III)  John  Earle,  Ton  of  Ralph  (2),  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Cook) 
Wilcox.  Mr.  Earle  took  the  oath  of  fidelity,  a 

63 


freeman  s cat:.,  in  Dartmouth,  Mass.,  before 
March  24,  1686,  but  the  following  October  re- 
moved to  Tiverton.  He  died  in  1728,  his  widow 
surviving  him  until  1735.  Their  children  were: 
John,  born  Aug.  7,  1687;  Daniel,  Oct.  8,  1688; 
Benjamin,  May  25,  1691;  Mary,  June  r,  1693;  Re- 
becca, Dec.  17,  1695,  and  Elizabeth,  Sept.  26,  1699. 

( I\  ) Benjamin  Earle,  son  of  John,  born  May 
25,  1691,  married  May  28,  1726,  Rebecca,  born 
Jan.  8,  1697,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Sarah  West- 
gate,  of  Warwick,  R.  I.  Mr.  Earle  was  a farmer, 
and  resided  in  Warwick,  and  died  June  15,  1770. 
His  widow  passed  away  Nov.  17,  1779.  Their 
children  were:  William,  born  Feb.  12,  1727;  John, 
Jan.  27,  1729;  Sarah,  Feb.  8,  1731  ; and  Benjamin, 
Nov.  25,  1733. 

(\  ) William  Earle,  son  of  Benjamin,  born 
Feb.  12,  1727,  married  Dec.  10,  17^2,  Mary,  born 
Jan.  21,  1733,  daughter  of  George  Brown,  of  Do- 
ver, England,  and  Providence.  R.  I.,  and  they  re- 
sided in  Providence.  Mr.  Earle  died  Dec.  30,. 
1804,  and  his  wife  passed  away  Aug.  20, 
1800.  Their  children  were:  Mary,  born 

Oct.  11,  1753;  John,  Jan.  27,  1756;  William,. 
Feb.  17,  1758;  Benjamin,  June  30,  1760;  George, 
Dec.  27,  1762;  Sarah,  March  11,  1767;  Oliver, 
June  8,  1770;  and  Sarah,  July  27,  1772. 

(VI)  William  Earle  (2),  son  of  William,  born 

Feb.  17,  1758,  in  Providence,  married  Til- 

linghast,  and  they  were  residents  of  Providence. 
Their  children  were:  John;  William;  Sarah,  born 
in  1799;  George;  Martha;  Fannie,  and  Maria. 

(VII)  William  Earle  (3),  son  of  William  (2), 
born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  married  in  1804,  Abby 
Greene,  daughter  of  Benjamin  G.  and  Mary  (Dex- 
ter) Greene,  of  Providence,  where  she  was  born. 
Their  children  were:  Benjamin,  born  March  9, 
1809;  George  B.,  born  Jan.  28,  1811  ; and1  Martha 
T.,  born  in  1813,  who  married  (first)  a Mr.  Til- 
linghast  and  (second)  William  Simmons. 

(VIII)  George  Brown  Earle,  son  of  William 
(3),  was  with  his  brother  Benjamin  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  express  business  in  New  England. 
He  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  Jan.  28,  1811. 
At  an  early  age  he  was  employed  on  the  steam 
propeller  from  4 Providence  to  New  York,  and 
afterward  with  his  brother  engaged  in  the  busi- 
ness of  a ship  chandler  in  Providence.  He  also 
acted  as  bank  messenger  between  Boston  and  Prov- 
idence for  the  Merchants’  Bank  of  the  latter  city 
and  the  Suffolk  Bank  of  Boston.  The  trips  be- 
tween Providence  and  Boston  were  made  by  stage 
until  the  opening  of  the  railroad  between  those 
two  cities  in  1835.  Mr.  Earle  and  his  brother  per- 
formed any  errands  that  were  intrusted  to  them 
and  gave  special  attention  to  the  delivery  of  pack- 
ages, thus  laying  the  foundation  for  that  method 
of  transportation  now  carried  on  so  extensively  by 
the  various  express  companies.  The  business 
proving  so  profitable,  Mr.  Earle  and  his  brother 
sold  (heir  store  in  Providence,  and  gave  their  en- 


994 


RHODE  ISLAND 


tire  attention  to  this  new  enterprise,  and  on  the 
death  of  his  brother  George  B.  Earle  continued  the 
business  alone  until,  with  Freeman  M.  Cobb,  Wil- 
liam B.  Lawton  and  others,  he  organized  the  Earle 
Express  Company,  which  was  succeeded  by  the 
Merchants’  Union  Express  Company,  and  finally 
William  H.  Earle,  son  of  George  B.,  formed  a co- 
partnership with  Henry  Prew,  March  i,  1868,  and 
established  the  Earle  & Prew  Express,  now  doing 
an  extensive  business.  Mr.  Earle’s  sons,  John  D. 
and  George  W.,  also  became  partners  in  the  bus- 
iness, later.  Mr.  Earle  was  a director  of  the  old 
National  Bank,  and  was  otherwise  identified  with 
the  business  interests  of  Providence.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  common  council  from  1866  to  1868, 
and  an  alderman  from  the  latter  year  until  1875. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Marine  Society  of  Prov- 
idence, a Freemason,  and  a Knight  Templar.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Central  Congregational 
Church  for  about  forty  years. 

Mr.  Earle  married  June  14,  1836,  Cornelia  Ar- 
nold Rhodes,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Nancy 
Rhodes,  and  they  had  these  children : John  D. 
married  Emily  Wilbur,  and  had  children — Emily 
W.  and  John  D.,  Jr.;  George  W.  married  Belle  S. 
White;  William  H.  was  born  July  14,.  1842; 
Charles  R.  married  Susan  C.  Cook,  and  has  chil- 
dren— Cortland  C.,  Mortimer  and  Cornelia  (they 
live  at  Northwood  Narrows,  N.  H.)  ; Cornelia  A., 
born  Oct.  26,  1847,  ’s  deceased;  Hope  A.  was  born 
Sept.  14,  1849;  Benjamin  D.  was  born  Sept.  9, 
1851.  The  father  of  these  children  died  Julv  10, 
1878. 

(IX)  William  Harrison  Earle,  son  of 
George  B.  and  Cornelia  A.  (Rhodes)  Earle,  was 
born  in  Providence  July  14,  1842.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  place, 
after  leaving-  which  he  became  associated  with  his 
father,  his  uncle  Benjamin,  and  later  his  two 
brothers,  in  the  express  business.  Later  this  bus- 
iness was  sold  to  the  Adams  Express  Company, 
and  Mr.  George  B.  Earle  retired  from  active  bus- 
iness life.  Mr.  William  H.  Earle  then  became  a 
messenger  in  the  Adams  Express  Company,  and  on 
March  1,  1868,  with  another  employe  of  that  com- 
pany, Henry  Prew,  Mr.  Earle  effected  a partner- 
ship, and  continued  in  the  express  business  for  the 
remainder  of  his  active  life,  under  the  firm  name  of 
the  Earle  & Prew  Express.  He  had  been  engaged 
in  the  business  since  the  early  sixties,  but  retired 
from  the  firm  in  1893.  This  latter  firm,  it  will  be 
seen,  was  not  an  inheritance  of  his  father’s,  but 
an  entirely  new  business  organized  and  developed 
by  Messrs.  Earle  and  Prew,  both  hard  workers 
and  keen  business  men,  partners  who  were  needed 
to  make  a business  in  the  face  of  such  competition 
as  they  were  compelled  to  meet.  Mr.  Earle 
was  at  one  time  a director  in  the  Standard  Button 
Company.  In  political  affairs  he  was  a Republican, 
but  although  very  prominent  in  the  business  cir- 
cles of  the  city  never  held  public  office  or  engaged 


in  politics.  He  was  known  among  his  friends  as 
a man  of  genial  nature  and  general  readiness  to  aid 
in  an  unostentatious  way  those  who  applied  to  him 
for  relief.  He  was  a member  of  What  Cheer 
Lodge  of  Masons,  the  Pomham  Club,  and  the 
Providence  Whist  Club.  Mr.  Earle  died  June  14, 
1901. 

\\  illiam  H.  Earle  was  married  May  30,  1864, 
to  Cecilia  Ann  Baker,  who  was  born  Nov.  17,  1846, 
daughter  of  Elijah  C.  and  Clymentiah  Baker,  of 
Providence,  and  died  March  28,  1881.  Five  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  union : George  B.,  born 
July  28,  1866,  who  died  Nov.  19,  1882;  Ralph  B., 
born  Nov.  12,  1867;  M.  Louise,  born  Oct.  17, 
1869  ; William  H.,  Jr.,  born  March  20,  1871,  who 
is  with  the  Earle  & Prew  Express ; and  Henry  A., 
born  Dec.  2,  1875,  who  married  Caroline  A.  Win- 
ter, and  has  one  son,  Kenneth  H.,  born  April  30, 
I9°3- 

(X)  Ralph  B.  Earle  after  leaving  school  was 
employed  in  his  father’s  office,  and  when  twenty- 
two  years  of  age  became  connected  with  the  Rhode 
Island  National  Bank.  When  that  was  absorbed 
by  the  United  National  he  became  teller  of  the  lat- 
ter institution,  in  which  position  he  continued  un- 
til Jan.  1,  1906,  when  he  severed  his  connection 
with  the  bank.  He  is  treasurer  of  the  Standard 
Carburetor  Company.  A Republican  in  politics 
Mr.  Earle  was,  in  1906,  elected  a member  of  the 
common  council  from  the  First  ward  and  in  1907 
was  re-elected  to  that  body. 

JAMES  A.  PERRY,  manager  of  the  well- 
known  firm  of  D.  Goff  & Sons,  Pawtucket,  is  one 
of  the  well-known  citizens  of  that  place.  He  was 
born  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  June  26,  1854,  and  is  a 
descendant  of  one  of  the  most  distinguished  fam- 
ilies of  New  England. 

Anthony  Perry  is  of  record  in  Rehoboth.  He 
and  his  wife  had  children  as  follows:  Samuel, 
born  Dec.  16,  1648;  Elizabeth,  Oct.  25,  1650; 
Jahaziel,  Oct.  18,  1652;  Mary,  Dec.  9,  1654;  Me- 
hittabell,  Sept.  23,  1657;  and  Nathaniel,  Oct.  8, 
1660. 

Samuel  Perry,  son  of  Anthony,  born  Dec.  16, 
1648,  married  Dec.  12,  1678,  Mary  Miller,  and  they 
had  children  as  follows : Mehittabell,  born  April 
30,  1680;  Jahaziel,  May  6,  1682;  Mary,  Aug.  17, 
1684;  Elizabeth,  Jan.  7,  1686;  Samuel,  Feb.  14, 
1688;  Rebecca,  Jan.  24,  1691;  and  Sarah,  July  30, 
1693. 

Jahaziel  Perry,  son  of  Samuel,  born  May  6, 
1682,  married  Jan.  3,  1706,  Rebecca  Willmarth, 
and  their  children  were : Mary,  born  April  19, 
1708;  Daniel,  May  7,  1710;  Mehittabell,  April  25, 
1713;  Jahaziel,  Aug.  15,  1715;  Rebecca,  May  27, 
1717;  David,  Aug.  16,  1719;  Ichabod,  April  3, 
1722;  and  Keziah,  Aug.  7,  1724. 

Daniel  Perry,  son  of  Jahaziel,  born  in  Rehoboth, 
Mass.,  May  7,  1710,  married  March  9,  1737-8, 
Mary  Walker,  and  their  eight  children  were : 


RHODE  ISLAND 


995 


Daniel,  born  Jan.  5,  1738-9;  Ezra,  Mav  22,  1741; 
Noah,  Oct.  3,  1743;  Mary,  Aug.  5,  1745;  Daniel 
(2),  April  3,  1748;  Lydia,  April  30,  1750;  Elijah, 
Nov.  19,  1752;  and  Samuel,  Sept.  18,  1756. 

Ezra  Perry,  son  of  Daniel,  born  in  Rehoboth 
May  22,  1741,  married  in  1762,  Jemima  Titus. 
Their  children  were:  Mary,  born  Aug.  22,  1763; 
Jemima,  Nov.  29,  1764;  Ezra,  Jan.  15,  1767;  Abel, 
May  20,  1770;  Molly,  April  11,  1772;  Esther,  Feb. 
21/1774;  Lydia,  June  24,  1776;  Oliver,  Aug.  13, 
1779;  Elias,  May  18,  1781;  and  Thursia,  July  11, 

1783- 

Ezra  Perry,  son  of  Ezra,  born  Jan.  15,  1767, 
married  Dec.  10,  1786,  Betsy  Bliss.  They  became 
the  parents  of  the  following  children : Ezra,  born 
April  11,  1788;  Betsey,  June  26,  1790;  Hezekiah, 
Jan.  29,  1793;  Sarah,  March  16,  1795;  James, 
June  15,  1798;  Otis  Thomas,  Oct.  22,  1800;  Daniel 
Bliss,  Dec.  17,  1802;  Mima,  Jan.  31,  1805;  Otis, 
Feb.  17,  1807;  Nancy  Bliss,  Aug.  31,  1809;  and 
William,  Dec.  22,  1811. 

James  Perry,  son  of  Ezra  and  Betsy,  born  in 
Rehoboth  June  15,  1798,  married  in  August,  1826, 
Rosella  Carpenter,  who  was  born  Jan.  30,  1807, 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Nancy  Carpenter.  To  this 
union  were  born  two  children,  namely:  James 
Henry,  born  June  16,  1827;  and  Rosella  Adelia, 
Sept.  28,  1829. 

James  Henry  Perry,  son  of  James,  born  June 
16,  1827,  married  Elizabeth  Bullock  Goff,  the  cere- 
mony being  performed  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  Jan. 
6,  1850,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jameson.  Mrs.  Perry 
was  born  June  18,  1828,  daughter  of  Richard  and 
Elizabeth  (Lee)  Goff.  To  bless  this  marriage  came 
children  as  follows:  Emma  E.,  born  June  7,  1852; 
James  A.,  June  26,  1854;  one  that  died  in  infancy, 
Aug.  23,  1856;  Harriet  A.,  Aug.  26,  1858;  Fred- 
erick Henry,  Sept.  8,  1861 ; and  Walter  Carpenter, 
Feb.  21,  1875. 

James  A.  Perry,  son  of  James  Henry,  attended 
the  public  schools  of  Rehoboth,  and  then  took  a 
course  at  Bryant  & Stratton’s  Business  College  in 
Providence.  After  leaving  school  he  became  a 
bookkeeper  in  the  grocery  house  of  Perry  & Hardy, 
of  Providence,  where  he  remained  three  years,  in 
1879  entering  the  employ  of  D.  Goff  & Sons,  as 
a clerk.  He  has  continued  with  this  house  for  the 
past  twenty-eight  years,  during  which  period  he  has 
worked  himself  up  to  the  responsible  position  of 
manager  for  that  well-known  firm,  having  served 
as  such  for  the  past  eight  years.  In  his  political 
principles  Mr.  Perry  is  a Republican  of  the  stanch- 
est kind,  but  he  is  not  a politician  in  any  sense.  He 
is  very  domestic  in  his  tastes  and  temperate  in  his 
habits,  and  is  devoted  to  his  home  and  family. 

On  Jan.  29,  1889,  Mr.  Perry  was  married,  in 
Pawtucket,  to  Miss  Annie  F.  Hay,  daughter  of 
James  H.  Hay,  mentioned  below,  and  to  this 
union  have  come  four  children  : James  Wheaton, 
born  Oct.  27,  1889,  at  present  a student  in  the 


Moses  Brown  school,  Providence;  Gladys  Eliza- 
beth, born  March  22,  1891  ; Ruth  Agnes,  born  July 
25,  1894;  and  Roger  Ashton,  born  Oct.  4,  1905.* 

JAMES  H.  HAY  (deceased),  Pawtucket.  In 
the  death  of  the  late  James  H.  Hay,  citizen,  soldier 
and  manufacturer,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
James  H.  Hay  & Co.,  which  occurred  at  Pawtucket, 
this  State,  Dec.  22,  1898,  suddenly  of  apoplexy, 
that  community  lost  a skilled  machinist,  an  honor- 
able business  man  and  upright  citizen,  one  of  the 
substantial  men  of  his  adopted  city  who  in  every 
respect  was  self-made,  having  risen  through  the 
force  of  his  make-up  from  a poor  boy  to  a man  of 
affairs,  who  for  some  years  had  been  at  the  head 
of  one  of  Pawtucket’s  busy  industries. 

Born  beb.  9,  1840,  in  the  city  of  Glasgow,  Scot- 
land, Mr.  Hay  was  the  son  of  David  and  Ann 
(Shields)  Hay,  and  when  but  two  years  of  age 
was  brought  to  Providence  by  his  parents  who  had 
previously  come  to  America.  There  the  family 
remained  until  1850,  then  moved  to  Pawtucket, 
where  James  H.  ever  afterward  resided  and 
achieved  success  in  the  business  life  of  that  city. 
His  educational  privileges  were  limited  to  a few 
years’  attendance  at  the  public  schools  of  Provi- 
dence and  Pawtucket.  Leaving  school  at  an  early 
age  he  found  employment  in  one  of  the  cotton  mills 
of  that  locality,  from  which  in  i860  he  entered  the 
service  of  the  late  William  H.  Haskell,  who  sub- 
sequently became  the  head  of  the  William  H.  Has- 
kell Company.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil 
war,  in  1861,  he  was  one  of  the  many  young  men 
who  so  willingly  went  to  the  front  in  defense  of 
their  country,  enlisting  as  a private  soldier  in  May, 
1861,  in  Company  F,  2d  Rhode  Island  Volunteers, 
in  which  he  served  with  an  honorable  war  record 
until  in  December,  1862.  In  the  year  following, 
1863,  he  became  an  employe  of  the  Providence 
Tool  Company,  on  work  for  the  government.  Later 
he  was  in  the  employ  of  Messrs.  Fales  & Jenks, 
whom  he  served  from  1865  to  1867.  His  next  em- 
ployment was  with  Mr.  N.  P.  Hicks,  who  was 
manufacturing  ring  travelers  in  the  Old  Slater 
Mill,  whose  service  he  entered  in  1867.  It  was 
with  this  gentleman  in  whose  employ  he  was  from 
1867  to  1893  that  he  became  so  well  equipped  for 
carrying  on  that  line  of  business  on  his  own  ac- 
count, and  in  which  he  gradually  became  so  profi- 
cient and  successful.  Beginning  business  in  1893 
for  himself,  and  under  the  name  of  James  H.  Hay 
& Co.,  Mr.  Hay  continued  in  the  business  of  manu- 
facturing ring  travelers  on  until  the  sudden  close 
of  his  career,  the  concern  at  the  time  of  his  death 
making  United  States  standard  ring  travelers,  its 
location  being  on  Leather  avenue. 

On  August  26,  1865,  Mr.  Hay  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  A.  Burton,  of  Blackburn,  England. 
Seven  children  blessed  this  marriage,  namely : 
Annie  F.,  now  Mrs.  James  A.  Perry;  Mary,  wife  of 


996 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Mr.  Fred  H.  Chatterton ; James  E. ; Margaret, 
now  Mrs.  Herbert  N.  Swift;  Maude  G. ; Mabel  L. ; 
and  John  Burton. 

The  funeral  of  Mr.  Hay  occurred  on  Sunday 
afternoon  following  bis  death,  at  his  late  residence 
on  Main  street,  Pawtucket,  and  was  attended  by 
a large  assembly  of  friends  and  relatives,  including 
many  of  the  prominent  business  men,  who  had  been 
associated  with  Mr.  Hay  in  his  lifetime.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  Good  Samaritan  Lodge,  No.  8,  and 
Manchester  Encampment,  No.  4,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of 
which  order  Mr.  Hay  was  for  many  years  a mem- 
ber, attended  in  a body,  nearly  100  members  in 
command  of  Noble  Grand  Frederick  Ratcliffe,  es- 
corting the  procession.  There  was  also  a delegation 
representing  Company  F,  2d  Rhode  Island  Regi- 
ment, with  which  command  Mr.  Hay  went  to  the 
front  during  the  Civil  war.  The  officiating  clergy- 
men were  the  Reverends  D.  W.  Faunce,  D.  D., 
pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  and  Ed- 
ward L.  Houghton,  pastor  of  the  High  street  Lni- 
versalist  Church,  the  sermon  being  delivered  by 
the  latter.  The  interment  was  in  Oak  Grove  Ceme- 
tery, and  the  bearers  were : Luther  A.  Eldridge, 
Henry  Morris  and  George  D.  Chappell,  represent- 
ing the  lodge,  and  Timothy  C.  Curran,  Tisdale  C. 
Day  and  Alexander  Kinney,  representing  the  en- 
campment. 

JOHN  PECK  CASE,  a veteran  of  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion,  and  one  of  the  oldest  and  most 
highly  esteemed  business  men  of  the  town  of  South 
Kingstown,  is  a worthy  descendant  of  one  of  the 
oldest  families  of  Rhode  Island. 

(I)  At  the  General  Court  of  Elections,  held  in 
Providence  May  22,  1655,  Mr.  Roger  Williams, 
Moderator,  the  name  of  William  Case  appears 
among  others  as  being  a freeman  of  the 
Colony.  His  name  also  appears  in  the  list  of  free- 
men of  Newport,  1655.  [Bartlett’s  Rhode  Island 
Colonial  Records,  Vol.  I,  folios  302-303.] 

(II)  Joseph  Case,  son  of  William,  and  his 
wife,  Hannah,,  are  recorded  in  the  Kingstown  rec- 
ords— 1696-1700 — as  having  children,  to-wit: 
Joseph,  born  July  16,  1678;  William,  born  May 
27,  1681  ; Mary,  born  Dec.  2,  1682;  Hannah,  born 
July  6,  1687;  Margaret,  born  Aug.  20,  1690;  John, 
born  Nov.  20,  1692;  and  Emanuel,  born  Nov.  2, 
1699.  Joseph  Case  lived  to  a ripe  old  age,  dying 
in  1738.  His  wife,  Hannah,  died  in  1712. 

(III)  Emanuel  Case  was  born  Nov.  2,  1699. 

(IV)  Emanuel  Case,  born  in  1739,  married 
Oct.  4,  1761,  Ann  H.  Rathbone,  who  died  March  9, 
1778. 

(V)  Capt.  John  B.  Case,  born  Dec.  18,  1774, 
died  in  1828.  He  was  a sea  captain  in  early  life  and 
later  kept  a store  on  Kingston  Hill,  and  was  an 
able  financier,  acquiring  the  ownership  of  a large 
tract  of  land.  Captain  Case  first  married,  March 
1 7,  1799,  Celinda  Bullock,  of  Wickford,  and  they 


had  two  children:  Eliza  (who  married  John  H. 
Clarke)  and  William  Helme.  By  his  second  mar- 
riage, to  Harriet  Hollaway,  there  were  two  daugh- 
ters: Lydia,  who  married  Capt.  William  Holla- 
way  and  had  a son  Christopher;  and  Annie,  who 
married  Dr.  William  H.  Shaw,  of  Wickford,  and 
bad  two  children,  Elizabeth  Brenton  Shaw  and 
John  P.  Case  Shaw. 

(VI)  William  Helme  Case  was  born  on  Kings- 
ton Hill,  where  he  spent  his  school  days.  He  learned 
the  cabinetmakers’  trade  with  his  uncle,  Jabez  Bul- 
lock, in  Wickford,  and  located  at  Kingston.  He 
married  Sept.  10,  1829,  Eliza  Mumford,  daughter 
of  Nathaniel  and  Mercy  (Helme)  Mumford.  She 
was  born  in  South  Kingstown,  and  they  both  died  on 
Kingston  Hill,  and  were  buried  in  the  Case  bury- 
ing ground  in  Kingstown.  She  was  an  Episcopalian. 
In  politics  be  was  a Democrat.  He  was  a captain  of 
militia.  The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Case 
were  as  follows:  John  Peck,  born  Jan.  5,  1831,  is 
mentioned  below.  James  and  Nathaniel  were  twins;, 
the  former  died  while  serving  in  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion,  and  was  buried  in  Arlington  cemetery, 
Washington,  D.  C.,  and  the  latter,  of  the  3d  R.  I. 
Heavy  Artillery,  served  three  years  and  then  re- 
enlisted and  was  killed  the  first  night  on  duty  of 
his  second  term,  by  a sharpshooter,  at  Pulaski. 
Mary  died  in  infancy. 

(VII)  John  Peck  Case  was  born  in  the  Helme 
house  on  Kingston  Hill,  Jan.  5,  1831,  and  there 
lived  until  his  fifteenth  year,  when,  after  attending 
the  academy  kept  by  Mr.  Comstock  and 
Mr.  Noyes,  he  went  to  Providence  to  learn 
the  printer’s  trade,  which  he  followed  for 
three  years.  Because  of  ill  health  he  went 
to  work  on  a farm  in  Franklin,  Conn., 
for  four  years,  and  then  took  a position  in 
the  wholesale  and  retail  grocery  house  of  Isaac 
Johnson,  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  where  he  remained  a 
period  of  seven  years.  In  April,  1861,  he  left  the 
store  and  enlisted  in  Company  B,  2d  Conn.  Vol. 
Inf.,  for  three  months,  and  received  his  bap- 
tism of  fire  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run.  Sub- 
sequently he  re-enlisted,  in  Company  B,  26th  Conn. 
Vol.  Inf.,  for  nine  months  service  and  was  with 
that  regiment  in  the  battle  of  Port  Hudson.  On 
Aug.  17,  1863,  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  service 
at  Norwich,  Conn.  For  a time  he  worked  in  the 
store  and  then  returned  to  Franklin.  After  spend- 
ing some  time  on  the  farm,  in  1869  he  returned  to 
Kingston,  and  in  1871  engaged  in  the  undertaking 
and  marble  business  in  the  Armstrong  building  in 
Wakefield,  in  1872  locating  in  the  Columbia  build- 
ing, where  he  was  afterward  burned  out.  He  then 
located  in  his  present  place,  on  Prospect  street, 
where  he  continued  in  business  until  Feb.  1,  1904, 
when  he  retired. 

In  national  politics  Mr.  Case  has  been  a Whig 
and  Republican.  He  is  a member  of  Sedgwick 
Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  is  past  commander ; 


RHODE  ISLAND 


997 


and  of  Hope  Lodge,  No.  25,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of 
■which  he  was  master  in  1893  and  1894.  For  thirty 
years  he  has  been  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
at  Wakefield.  He  has  served  as  health  officer  of 
South  Kingstown. 

Mr.  Case  married  (first)  in  Franklin,  Conn., 
Julia  A.  Mason,  who  died  the  same  year.  Subse- 
quently he  married  (second)  Mary  (Read)  Slocum, 
daughter  of  Jason  Read,  and  widow  of  James  Har- 
rison Slocum.  They  had  two  children:  Frank, 
who  died  aged  seventeen  years ; and  Annie,  who 
died  when  twenty-one  years  old.  Mr.  Case's  third 
marriage  was  to  Annie  E.  (Nichols)  Porter, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Taylor  Nichols. 

Annie  E.  (Nichols-Porter)  Case,  wife  of  John 
P.  Case,  was  born  July  23,  1850,  and  married 
(first)  May  26,  1869,  Charles  A.  Porter,  of  Wes- 
terly, R.  I.,  by  whom  she  had  children:  James 
Edward,  a manufacturing  chemist  of  Syracuse,  N. 
Y. ; Harriet  Nichols,  assistant  paymaster  of  the  In- 
ternational Pump  Company,  Harrison.  N.  J. ; and 
Mariette,  who  was  married  Oct.  28,  1904,  to  Wil- 
liam J.  Henry,  chief  engineer  of  the  Sea  View 
Railroad  Company,  Wickford,  Rhode  Island. 

Joseph  Taylor  Nichols,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Case, 
was  born  March  27,  1822,  and  married  Jan.  11, 
1849,  Marietta  Hazard,  daughter  of  Bradwin  and 
Teresa  (Clark)  Hazard.  Joseph  Taylor  Nichols 
was  blind  for  many  years.  When  a young  man  he 
followed  the  occupation  of  blacksmith,  and  was 
the  owner  of  a fine  farm  on  Tower  Hill. 

John  Nichols,  the  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Case, 
was  born  May  13,  1777,  and  died  Jan.  27,  1855. 
He  married  Jan.  27,  1803,  Ann  Taylor,  who  was 
born  Feb.  22,  1782,  and  died  Dec.  10,  1859,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Card)  Taylor.  [For 
Revolutionary  service  see  Taylor  records  else- 
where.] Their  children  were  as  follows:  Benja- 
min, born  May  10,  1804,  married  Mary  Hutt,  and 
died  Sept.  18,  1843;  Mary  R.,  born  Aug.  8,  1806, 
married  William  Brown,  and  died  July  11,  1831; 
John  was  born  March  24.  1810;  William  T.,  born 
May  28,  1813,  married  (first)  Elizabeth  Watson 
and  (second)  Mary  Watson;  Isaac,  born  Oct.  19, 
1815,  married  Elizabeth  Bonn;  Phoebe  A.,  born 
Jan.  11,  1819,  married  Oliver  Watson,  and  died 
Nov.  30,  1904;  Joseph  Taylor  has  been  mentioned  ; 
Elizabeth,  born  June  19,  1824.  married  William 
Watson  in  March,  1858. 

John  Nichols,  great-grandfather  of  Mrs.  Case, 
married  Phebe  Reynolds,  and  had  John,  who  mar- 
ried Ann  (Nancy)  Taylor. 

Andrew  Nichols,  great-great-grandfather  of 
Mrs.  Case,  was  born  in  Ireland,  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica, and  settled  in  South  Kingstown.  He  married 
Rachel  Putell,  of  French  birth,  and  they  had  chil- 
dren: ' Andrew,  wno  married  Ann  Taylor;  John, 
who  married  Phebe  Reynolds ; Martha,  married  to 
Daniel  Dyer ; Eunice,  who  married  James  Corydon, 
and  Elizabeth. 


KNOWLES.  Three  generations  of  the 
Knowles  family — Horace  Browning  Knowles,  Ell- 
mer  F.  Knowles  and  Horace  E.  Knowles,  father, 
son  and  grandson— have  been  prominent  as  under- 
takers and  funeral  directors,  and  by  the  force  of 
pleasing  yet  sympathetic  and  dignified  personality 
have  done  much  for  the  profession  they  have  fol- 
lowed. In  no  other  calling  is  success  so  largely 
dependent  upon  personal  characteristics.  In  bear- 
ing, in  speech  and  in  appearance  the  funeral  di- 
rector must  be  a gentleman,  and  more  than  that 
he  must  be  a man  of  sympathetic  heart,  of  tact,  and 
of  deep  and  abiding  reverence  for  the  “things  not 
known  of  man.” 

The  American  progenitor  of  the  Knowles  fam- 
ily was  of  English  origin,  and  the  name  has  been 
of  record  in  Rhode  Island  since  1635.  Henry 
Knowles  emigrated  from  London,  England,  April 
I5-  1635,  and  settled  at  Portsmouth,  Rhode  Island, 
where  he  was  a freeholder  in  1644.  He  removed 
to  Warwick  in  1645,  and  that  town  married  a 
daughter  of  Robert  Potter.  Full  genealogical  rec- 
ord of  the  family  may  be  found  elsewhere  in  this 
work. 

Horace  Browning  Knowles,  son  of  John  and 
Hannah  Knowles,  was  born  in  Hopkinton,  R.  I., 
Jan.  27,  1824,  and  died  May  28,  1902,  in  Provi- 
dence. His  education  was  obtained  in  the  district 
school  in  his  native  town,  where  in  1842  he  began 
his  apprenticeship  at  the  cabinet-maker's  trade. 
In  1854  he  took  charge  of  the  undertaking  depart- 
ment of  the  firm  of  Cleveland  Brothers,  in  Provi- 
dence, and  in  1867  formed  a partnership  with  Mr. 
Boyce,  to  engage  in  the  business  on  his  own  ac- 
count. This  was  dissolved  in  1874,  but  Mr. 
Knowles  continued  in  the  business  himself  up  to 
the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  the  first  to  introduce 
embalming  in  Providence,  and  no  other  man  was 
ever  so  active  in  bringing  about  the  progressive  re- 
forms in  his  profession.  He  advocated  the  educa- 
tion and  enlightenment  of  those  who  entered  upon 
the  work,  and  worked  tirelessly  for  the  advance  of 
modern  practices.  In  1880  he  was  made  the  first 
president  of  the  New  England  (now  merged  into 
the  Massachusetts)  Undertakers'  Association,  the 
second  organization  of  the  kind  in  the  world,  and 
it  was  conceded  by  all  that  he  was  one  of  the  most 
efficient  and  most  intelligent  men  in  the  profession 
in  the  whole  country.  "He  was  a public-spirited 
citizen,  and  ever  ready  to  lend  his  influence  to  aid 
in  the  advancement  of  his  town  or  State.  He  was 
modest  without  timidity,  generous  without  extrav- 
agance, brave  without  rashness,  grave  without 
sternness.  He  was  firm  in  his  judgment  and  bold 
in  achievement — one  “who  fortune's  buffets  and 
rewards  has  ta’en  with  equal  thanks. 

Ellmer  F.  Knowles,  son  and  successor  of  Hor- 
ace Browning  Knowles,  occupies  a conspicuous 
place  in  the  foremost  ranks  of  the  National  Underta- 
kers. He  received  a liberal  education  in  the  schools 


998 


RHODE  ISLAND 


of  Providence,  and  was  graduated  from  Schol- 
field's  Commercial  College.  After  leaving  school 
he  entered  his  father's  establishment,  subsequently 
taking  a scientific  course  of  studies  at  the  United 
States  College  of  Embalming,  and  graduating 
therefrom.  On  his  return  he  again  entered  his 
father's  office,  and  assumed  the  duties  of  a funeral 
director.  He  is  a member  of  a score  or  more  of 
social,  military,  business  or  fraternal  organiza- 
tions, among  which  may  be  mentioned  Nested 
Lodge,  No.  37,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Providence  Royal 
Arch  Chapter,  No.  I ; Providence  Council,  No.  I, 
R.  & S.  M. ; Calvary  Commandery,  No.  13,  K.  T. ; 
Rhode  Island  Consistory;  Palestine  Temple,  A.  A. 
O.  N.  M.  S. ; Swarts  Lodge,  No.  18,  I.  O.  O.  F. ; 
and  Moshassuck  Encampment,  No.  2;  First  Light 
Infantry  Veterans’  Association  (of  which  he  was 
for  twelve  years  an  active  member).  He  seldom 
indulges  in  club  life,  preferring  the  charm  of  the 
deep  woods  or  the  quietude  of  an  hour  or  so  in 
his  launch  on  Highland  Lake,  bordering  his  sum- 
mer home  at  Bridgton,  Maine.  Mr.  Knowles  has 
never  aspired  to  political  honors,  but  has  always 
taken  a lively  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to 
the  welfare  of  the  city,  State  or  nation. 

Mr.  Knowles  married  Ella  Frances  Evans, 
daughter  of  Charles  Evans,  a Nantucket  whaler, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  two  children : 
Alice  Ella,  born  July  21,  1875,  now  the  wife  of 
Harold  F.  Sanderson,  of  Providence ; and  Horace 
Ellmer. 

Horace  Ellmer  Knowles,  of  the  third  genera- 
tion of  this  interesting  family  engaged  in 
the  same  line  of  business,  was  born  in  Provi- 
dence Oct.  6,  1878.  His  education  was  received 
in  the  public  schools,  and  his  record  for  scholar- 
ship was  always  remarkably  high.  He  received  the 
-Anthony  Medal  at  the  Thayer  street  school.  From 
the  schoolroom  he  stepped  direct  into  his  father's 
office,  where  he  soon  showed  remarkable  ability 
for  one  of  his  years,  and  under  the  guidance  of  his 
father  and  grandfather  his  progress  was  indeed 
rapid.  At  an  early  age  he  had  acquired  an  inti- 
mate knowledge  of  the  essential  details  of  the 
work,  and  he  is  now  the  junior  member  of  the 
firm.  Business,  however,  even  of  such  magnitude 
has  not  monopolized  his  attention,  but  he  has  trav- 
eled much,  and  is  exceedingly  fond  of  out-door 
amusements  and  of  social  life.  He  is  a member  of 
Corinthian  Lodge,  No.  27,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Provi- 
dence Royal  Arch  Chapter,  No.  1 ; Providence 
Council,  No.  1,  R.  & S.  M. ; Calvary  Commandery, 
No.  13,  K.  T. ; Rhode  Island  Consistory;  Palestine 
Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S. ; the  Central  Club, 
and  the  West  Side  Club. 

Mr.  Knowles  was  married  Jan.  22,  1908,  to 
Ann  Martin  Parker,  of  Providence. 

WELCH  (Warren-Providence  family).  For 
an  hundred  and  more  years  the  towns  of  Bristol, 
Warren,  Barrington  and  the  City  of  Providence 


have  been  in  turn  the  home  of  a branch  of  the  old 
Boston  (Mass.)  family  of  Welches,  in  which  com- 
munities the  name  has  long  stood  as  a synonym 
of  a true  and  useful  type  of  manhood.  Reference 
is  especially  made  to  the  late  Deacon  and  Hon. 
Stillman  Welch,  long  active  in  the  religious  life 
of  Barrington  and  Warren,  who  used  his  means 
liberally  for  the  promotion  of  good,  and  a public 
official  of  high  standing ; and  to  his  son,  the  late 
George  Welch,  long  one  among  the  leading  and 
successful  business  men  of  Providence,  where 
several  of  his  children  now  reside,  one  of  whom, 
Dr.  Stephen  A.  Welch,  is  worthily  representing 
his  family  as  a physician  and  surgeon. 

This  Warren-Providence  Welch  family  is  a 
branch  of  the  Boston  family  bearing  the  name, 
where  it  has  been  a continuous  family  since  the 
early  Colonial  period. 

Among  the  early  residents  of  Charlestown, 
there  were  three  bearing  the  surname  of  Welch, 
all  having  the  Christian  name  of  Thomas.  Ser- 
geant Thomas  Welch  was  admitted  to  the  Church 
April  12,  1650,  and  was  admitted  a freeman  the  next 
month.  He  married  Elizabeth  Upham,  who  was 
admitted  to  the  Church  Aug.  9,  1656,  and  who 
died  Jan.  12,  1705-06,  aged  seventy-four  years 
(record).  Issue:  John,  born  Sept.  16,  1651;  De- 
borah, who  married  Jonathan  Caine,  1674; 
Thomas,  born  July  7,  1655;  John,  born  July  8, 
j657  ; John,  born  Sept.  26,  1658,  and  died  Jan.  23, 
1:659 ; Jonathan,  baptized  Aug.  9,  1659;  Jonathan, 
baptized  Aug.  4,  1662,  and  died  April  22,  1663; 
Dorcas,  born  Sept.  8,  1663,  who  married  (first) 
Anthony  Gretian,  and  (second)  William  Eagleton ; 
Nathaniel,  born  Sept.  9,  1665,  who  graduated  at 
Harvard  College  1687,  and  died  at  Enfield  July  10, 
1689;  Jonathan,  born  Sept.  15  (16),  1666;  El- 
kanah,  born  Jan.  5 (19,  1667-68;  Jonathan,  born 
Dec.  23  (25),  1670;  Ebenezer,  born  April  9 (14), 
1672,  who  had  a seat  in  the  meeting-house  (liberty 
to  build)  1671. 

Another  Thomas  Welch,  of  Charlestown,  as 
his  gravestone  tells,  died  April  10,  1701,  aged 
seventy-nine,  and  by  the  same  testimony  we  may 
believe  another  Thomas  there  died  June  15,  1703, 
aged  fifty  years. 

Thomas  Welch  of  the  old  Boston  stock,  himself 
a resident  there  and  married  to  Lovica  Hastings, 
was  the  ancestor  of  the  Warren-Providence  Welch 
family  to  which  this  article  is  devoted.  Mr.  Welch 
was  a stern  man  of  the  old  school  and  trained  his 
five  sons  with  a somewhat  rigorous  hand,  requir- 
ing their  services  upon  his  lands  until  the  age  of 
twenty-one  or  otherwise  demanding  a suitable  com- 
pensation. 

Deacon  Stillman  Welch,  son  of  Thomas  and 
Lovica  (Hastings)  Welch,  born  on  Oct.  23,  1796, 
in  Bolton,  Mass.,  married  in  1825,  in  Warren.  R.  I., 
Betsey  Haile,  who  was  born  there,  daughter  of 
Barnard  Haile,  of  that  town  and  of  Colonial  an- 
cestry. 


* 


RHODE  ISLAND 


999 


Deacon  Stillman  Welch  passed  his  youth  upon 
the  farm  of  his  father,  alternating  between  attend- 
ance in  the  neighborhood  school  in  winter  and 
work  upon  the  farm  in  season.  His  father  being 
a rigid  disciplinarian  young  Stillman  learned  what 
it  was  to  be  active  and  busy,  and  as  well  syste- 
matical and  methodical,  receiving  such  training  as 
is  the  making  of  sturdy  manhood  and  womanhood. 
Reared  in  such  a school  he  developed  a good 
physique,  and  such  character  and  moral  courage 
as  actuated  his  after  life.  Six  months  before  reach- 
ing his  majority  he  arranged  with  his  father  for 
his  time,  and  left  the  parental  roof  to  begin  his 
career.  He  first  learned  a trade,  and  there  followed 
employment  in  the  forests  of  the  South  and  in 
voyaging  to  and  from  the  West  Indies.  Frugal, 
industrious  and  saving  he  returned  to  the  town  of 
Warren,  R.  I.,  where  he  settled  as  a mechanic,  in 
time  becoming  a master  mechanic,  and  it  was  at 
about  this  period  he  was  there  married.  With 
the  passing  of  the  years  he  gradually  accumulated 
property,  and,  what  was  more  inportant,  gained  in 
wealth  of  soul  and  lofty  purpose,  securing  the  con- 
fidence of  the  community,  and  as  well  its  esteem 
and  respect.  From  1844  to  1851  he  was  a resident 
and  citizen  of  the  town  of  Barrington. 

Deacon  Welch  was  reared  a strict  Presbyterian, 
but  about  the  time  of  his  marriage  his  religious 
convictions  led  him  to  unite  with  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  such  was  his  religious  zeal  and  activ- 
ity that  he  became  a leader  in  the  local  church,  and 
one  of  the  most  earnest  advocates  of  the  principles 
of  the  Baptist  denomination  of  his  section.  A man 
of  strong  conceptions,  with  him  principle  was 
never  sacrificed  to  policy  either  religiously  or  po- 
litically. His  business  prosperity  began,  perhaps, 
when  in  middle  life,  and  in  this  he  was  greatly 
blessed  as  the  years  passed  by,  and  most  well,  too, 
did  he  use  these  temporal  blessings.  His  heart 
was  large,  abounding  in  sympathy  and  love  for 
his  fellow  men,  but  his  love  of  acquisition,  always 
strong,  could  not  control  him,  and  his  means  were 
constantly  used  to  further  good  ends.  He  gave 
liberally  to  churches,  to  educational  institutions, 
and  often  to  worthy  individuals.  He  seemingly 
bestowed  upon  all  with  a princely  hand,  almost 
regardless  as  to  the  sum  remaining ; the  extent  of 
these  benefactions,  which  marked  the  last  twenty 
years  of  his  life,  cannot  really  be  estimated. 

As  a citizen  of  Barrington  Deacon  Welch  was 
frequently  called  to  serve  his  fellow  townsmen  in 
public  positions  of  honor,  trust  and  responsibility, 
and  in  them  all  he  ever  acquitted  himself  with 
honor  and  credit  to  himself  and  his  community. 
He  entered  into  public  affairs  with  that  enthusiasm 
and  spirit  that  was  characteristic  of  the  man. 
From  1840  to  1850  he  was  a member  of  the  Bar- 
rington Town  Council.  In  1847  and  1848  he  repre- 
sented Barrington  in  the  General  Assembly  of 
Rhode  Island. 


Deacon  Welch  had  a commanding  personality. 
He  stood  6 feet,  2 inches,  and  his  moral  strength 
was  in  keeping  with  his  stature,  and  it  was  often 
remarked  that  in  point  of  moral  strength  and  in- 
tellectual acumen  he  was  the  peer  in  service  to 
God  and  mankind  of  many  of  much  more  liberal 
education  and  culture.  He  was  possessed  of  a 
genial  nature,  was  well  read  and  possessed  a fund 
of  knowledge  that  made  him  most  companionable. 
1 he  last  decade  of  his  life  was  passed  in  Provi- 
dence, where  he  died  full  of  years  and  usefulness, 
Dec.  19,  1878.  Mrs.  Welch  died  in  May,  1876. 

1 o Deacon  Stillman  Welch  and  his  wife,  Betsey 
(Haile)  Welch,  were  born  children  as  follows: 
George,  James,  Charles,  Mary  L.,  Elizabeth  B.. 
(who  died  March  10,  1907)  and  John. 

George  Welch,  son  of  Stillman  and  Betsey 
(Haile)  Welch,  born  Jan.  8,  1826,  in  Bristol  Neck, 
now  the  town  of  Warren,  R.  I.,  married  Lydia  A. 
J.  Gladding,  daughter  of  George  W.  Gladding,  and 
sister  of  the  late  Benjamin  H.  Gladding,  respect- 
ively founder  and  successor  of  the  extensive  dry 
goods  business  of  the  B.  H.  Gladding  Company. 

Mr.  Welch  was  reared  on  the  farm  of  his  father, 
receiving  the  customary  education  given  in  his  day 
to  the  sons  of  the  general  farmer,  which  was  at- 
tendance in  the  neighborhood  schools  at  such 
periods  when  not  needed  in  the  work  of  the  farm. 
When  sixteen  years  of  age,  in  1842,  young  Welch 
came  to  Providence  and  became  a clerk  in  the 
grocery  store  of  his  uncle  George  Haile,  which 
was  located  on  what  was  then  designated  as 
“Cheap  Side,”  that  part  of  Main  street  between 
Market  Square  and  Steeple  street.  After  four 
years  of  business  experience  and  training  under 
Mr.  Haile  and  after  serving  as  clerk  with  Mr. 
Lorenzo  Dow  Anthony  for  some  time,  he  was  taken 
in  as  a partner  by  the  latter,  their  business  being  in 
the  line  of  small  wares,  and  their  location  also  being 
on  “Cheap  Side.”  Here  they  remained  until  about 
1850,  until  the  building  by  the  grandfather  of 
Governor  Elisha  Dyer  of  the  block  on  Westminster 
street  next  east  of  the  Brownell  building,  when 
they  removed  to  it,  where  they  carried  on  for  many 
years  quite  an  extensive  and  successful  business, 
as  both  were  good  business  men,  careful  and  con- 
servative. Along  in  1879  after  long  years  of  pros- 
perity, Mr.  Welch  desiring  to  retire  from  active 
business  the  firm  as  a means  of  closing  up  their 
business  affairs  went  into  liquidation,  and  there- 
after Mr.  Welch  devoted  his  time  to  looking  after 
his  investments  and  private  affairs,  he  holding  in- 
terests in  a number  of  corporations. 

Through  life  Mr.  Welch  never  lost  his  love  for 
and  interest  in  the  home  of  his  boyhood,  its  associ- 
ations ever  remaining  dear  to  him,  and  he  rhain- 
tained  a summer  home  there.  Many  of  his  finan- 
cial interests  were  in  Warren.  For  perhaps  twenty 
and  more  years  he  was  a director  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank,  at  Warren,  and  for  several  years  was 


I ooo 


RHODE  ISLAND 


the  bank's  chief  executive  officer.  He  was  also  a 
director  in  the  Warren  Institution  for  Savings,  and 
a director  in  the  Warren  Manufacturing  Company. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Veteran  Historical  Asso- 
ciation, and  did  much  to  further  its  progress,  ever 
taking  interest  in  local  historical  matters. 

As  a business  man  and  citizen  Mr.  Welch  was 
held  in  high  regard  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was 
a man  of  character — one  of  the  highest  integrity 
and  honor  in  all  business  transactions,  whose  word 
was  considered  as  good  as  his  bond.  He  was  of 
genial,  social  disposition  and  had  a large  circle  of 
acquaintances  and  friends.  His  church  connec- 
tions were  with  the  Central  Congregational  Church 
at  Providence. 

In  the  late  years  of  his  life  Mr.  Welch  made  his 
home  with  his  son,  Dr.  Stephen  A.  Welch,  of 
Providence,  and  here  he  died  Jan.  7,  1904.  One 
other  child,  a daughter,  Emma  G.  Welch,  survives 
at  the  old  homestead  at  Warren,  Rhode  Island. 

Stephen  A.  Welch,  M.  D.,  son  of  George  and 
Lydia  A.  J.  (Gladding)  Welch,  was  born  in  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  Dec.  16,  1857.  His  early  education 
was  secured  in  the  public  schools  and  the  high 
school  of  his  native  city,  he  being  graduated  from 
the  latter  in  1857.  He  entered  Brown  University  in 
the  same  year,  and  pursued  a full  classical  course, 
graduating  from  that  institution  in  1879  (of  this 
class  he  has  been  class  secretary  for  about  fifteen 
years).  He  subsequently  became  a student  at  the 
Harvard  Medical  School,  graduating  therefrom  in 
1884,  and  from  the  Boston  City  Hospital,  receiving 
a degree  of  M.  D.  from  each.  He  began  his  pro- 
fessional career  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1885,  when  he  removed  to  Provi- 
dence, where  he  has  since  remained,  engaged  in 
a large  and  successful  practice.  Dr.  Welch  is  a 
member  of  numerous  medical  societies,  and  has 
held  various  positions  in  the  Rhode  Island  Hos- 
pital. He  is  a member,  and  was  for  the  years  1887- 
90  secretary,  of  the  Providence  Medical  Associa- 
tion, and  its  president  in  1902 ; member  and  secre- 
tary (1902  to  date)  of  the  Rhode  Island  Medical 
Society;  member  of  the  Harvard  Medical  Alumni 
Association,  and  of  the  Boston  City  Hospital  Club; 
member  of  the  Clinical  Club  of  Providence,  of  the 
American  Medical  Association,  and  of  the  Ameri- 
can Academy  of  Medicine.  From  1885  to  1902  he 
was  physician  to  out-patients  of  the  Rhode  Island 
Hospital,  and  in  1902-03  and  '04  Visiting  Physician 
to  the  same  institution  and  has  been  consulting 
physician  since  that  time.  He  belongs  to  the  Con- 
gregational Church,  and  to  the  Congregational 
Club.  Dr.  Welch  is  a thorough  physician  and  dur- 
ing his  whole  medical  career  has  concentrated  his 
whole  thought  and  energy  along  lines  which  make 
for  efficiency  in  the  profession.  On  April  3,  1895, 
he  married  Hattie  Stannard  Townsend,  born 
March  19,  1868,  daughter  of  Charles  M.  Townsend, 
of  Lansingburg  (now  Troy),  N.  Y.  Four  children 


have  blessed  this  union : Grace,  born  May  16, 
1896,  died  Dec.  29,  1900;  George  Townsend,  born 
Sept.  29,  1897;  Philip  Albro,  born  May  3,  1902; 
and  Ruth  Harriet,  born  Oct.  10,  1903. 

SAMUEL  L.  PECK  (Warren  family).  The 
Pecks  are  an  ancient  New  England  family,  promi- 
nent and  influential  through  the  Colonial  period 
and  as  well  through  the  history  of  a number  of  the 
Commonwealths  which  have  come  out  of  the  older 
Colonies.  They,  too,  have  been  a numerous  family. 
Here  in  Rhode  Island  and  in  that  part  of  Massa- 
chusetts nearby — the  town  of  Rehoboth — they  have 
been  a continuous  family  for  two  hundred  and  fifty 
and  more  years,  and  for  two  hundred  and  more 
years  the  Bristol  (R.  I.)  branch  of  that  stock  have 
been  among  the  large  land  holders  and  wealthy 
men  of  their  town. 

From  Joseph  Peck,  the  American  ancestor  of 
this  branch  of  the  New  England  Pecks,  the  children 
of  the  late  James  Monroe  Peck,  of  Warren — 
among  whom  is  the  present  Hon.  Samuel  Luther 
Peck,  of  that  town,  former  merchant  of  Providence, 
a representative  in  the  State  Assembly  from  War- 
ren, former  vice-president  of  the  Hope  National 
Bank,  and  former  and  last  president  of  the  War- 
ren Institution  for  Savings — are  descendants  in 
the  eighth  generation,  their  lineage  being  through 
Capt.  Nicholas,  Jonathan,  Deacon  Thomas,  Jona- 
than (2),  Sylvanus  and  James  Monroe  Peck. 
These  generations  in  detail  and  in  the  order  given 
follow. 

(I)  Joseph  Peck,  baptized  in  Beccles,  County  of 
Suffolk,  England,  April  30,  1587,  a son  of  Robert 
and  a descendant  in  the  twenty-first  generation 
from  John  Peck,  of  Belton,  Yorkshire,  England, 
settled  in  Hingham,  County  of  Norfolk,  England. 
He  married  (first)  May  31,  1617,  Rebecca  Clark. 
His  children  were:  Anna,  baptized  March  12, 
1618;  Rebecca,  May  25,  1620;  Joseph,  Aug.  23, 
1623;  John,  about  1626;  Nicholas,  April  9,  1630 
(all  baptized  in  Hingham,  England)  ; Samuel,  bap- 
tized in  Hingham,  Mass.,  Feb.  3,  1638-39;  Nathan- 
iel, Oct.  31.  1641  ; and  Israel,  March  4,  1644.  The 
first  Mrs.  Peck  died  in  October,  1637,  and  Mr. 
Peck  remarried.  He  died  on  Seekonk  Plain  Dec. 
23,  1663. 

(II)  Captain  Nicholas  Peck,  baptized  in  Hing- 
ham, England,  April  9,  1630,  came  to  New  Eng- 
land in  1638.  He  married  (first)  Mary  Winches- 
ter, who  died  Nov.  6,  1657,  and  his  second  wife, 
Rebeccah,  died  Nov.  2,  1704.  He  died  May  27, 
1710.  His  children  were:  Joseph,  born  Oct.  27, 
1650;  John,  Aug.  8,  1660;  Hezekiah,  April  1, 
1662;  Mary,  Sept.  15,  1664;  Jonathan,  Nov.  5, 
1666;  Nicholas,  June  6,  1669;  and  Elisha,  April  n, 

1673- 

(III)  Jonathan  Peck,  born  Nov.  5,  1666,  set- 
tled upon  Peck's  Hill.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Throop.  Their  children  were:  Jonathan,  born 


RHODE  ISLAND 


IOOI 


Sept.  12,  1698;  Nicholas,  Nov.  11,  1700;  William, 
in  November,  1702;  Isaac,  in  1703;  Elizabeth,  in 
1707;  and  Thomas,  in  1711. 

(IV)  Deacon  Thomas  Peck,  born  in  1711,  mar- 
ried Mary  Kinsley,  only  daughter  of  Jonathan 
Kinsley,  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  and  settled  in  Swan- 
sea, Mass.  Mr.  Peck  died  Feb.  9,  1770,  and  Mrs. 
Peck  passed  away  May  27,  1804,  in  her  ninety- 
second  year.  She  was  a very  noted  and  celebrated 
midwife,  to  which  profession  she  devoted  many 
years.  Her  practice  was  very  extensive.  Their 
children  were:  Jonathan,  born  Jan.  17,  1734;  Peleg, 
born  March  6,  1736;  Mary,  born  Oct.  20,  1738; 
Thomas,  born  March  21,  1740-41  ; Aaron,  born  Jan. 
20,  1743-44;  Ambrose,  born  Nov.  17,  1747;  and 
Elizabeth. 

(V)  Jonathan  Peck,  born  Jan.  17,  1734,  mar- 
ried Feb.  22,  1759,  Ruth  Wheeler,  and  resided  in 
the  south  part  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  where  he  kept 
a public  house  for  many  years.  Their  children 
were:  Jonathan,  born  Sept.  19,  1759;  Rufus,  born 
Nov.  11,  1761;  Candice,  born  March  25,  1764; 
Gideon,  born  Aug.  2,  1766;  Ambrose,  born  Jan. 
.31,  1769;  Philip,  born  .Oct.  3,  1771  ; Ruth,  born 
Dec.  10,  1776  (died  Nov.  3,  1778)  ; Noah,  born 
April  27,  1774  (and  at  sea)  ; Ruth  (2),  born  Sept. 
15,  1778;  William,  born  Dec.  31,  1780;  and  Syl- 
vanus,  born  April  21,  1784. 

(VI)  Sylvanus  Peck,  born  April  21,  1784.  mar- 
ried Charlotte  Wright,  daughter  of  Joseph  Wright, 
and  resided  not  far  from  what  was  called  Orleans 
Factory,  in  the  town  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.  Mr. 
Peck  died  Nov.  13,  1853,  in  his  seventieth  year 
•and  Mrs.  Peck  died  July  24,  1878,  in  the  ninety- 
first  year  of  her  age.  Their  children  were : Albert 
G.,  born  Oct.  29,  1805 ; Charlotte  W.,  born  March 
15,  1808;  Cyrus,  born  Nov.  24,  1809:  Ruth  W., 
born  Feb.  25,  1815;  James  Monroe,  born  July  11, 
1818;  Sylvanus  L.,  born  March  18,  1822;  and 
Frances  A.,  born  in  September,  1832. 

(VII)  James  Monroe  Peck,  born  July  11,  1818, 
married  in  November,  1841,  Elizabeth  Luther, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Luther,  the  latter  born  Aug. 
24,  1788.  Mr.  Peck  resided  in  the  town  of  Warren, 
R.  I.  To  this  marriage  came  the  following  chil- 
dren: Samuel  L.,  born  Dec.  17,  1845;  James  C., 
born  Tan.  29,  1850;  and  a daughter,  born  Feb.  22, 
1857,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Lu- 
ther) Peck  was  descended  from 

(I)  Capt.  John  Luther,  whose  two  children 
were:  Samuel,  born  in  Yocumtown,  in  1638;  and 
Hezekiah,  born  in  1640.  In  1635  two  Dutch  ves- 
sels arrived  in  Boston  bringing  a number  of  Flem- 
ish mares,  cattle,  and  some  passengers,  among 
whom  was  John  Luther.  He  was  a native  of  Ger- 
many and  a direct  descendant  of  the  mother  of  the 
great  Martin  Luther.  In  1637  he  became  associ- 
ated with  Elizabeth  Poole's  Company  in  the  pur- 
chase of  Taunton,  Mass.  In  1644  a charter  was 
granted  to  certain  merchants  of  Boston  authoriz- 


ing them  to  trade  with  a colony  of  Dutch  and 
Swedes  on  Delaware  bay.  John  Luther  was  sent 
as  captain  of  the  ship  and  interpreter,  while  Wil- 
liam Aspinwall  went  to  prosecute  the  trade.  A few 
years  after,  1658,  he  joined  with  Samuel  Millitt 
and  others  in  the  purchase  of  Attleboro,  Mass., 
but  he  soon  sold  out  his  interest  to  Boston  parties, 
and  in  1667  joined  with  Millitt  and  others  in  the 
purchase  of  Swansea,  Mass.,  where  he  took  up  his 
permanent  residence.  He  was  captain  of  the 
Swansea  militia  in  1682. 

(II)  Samuel  Luther,  son  of  Capt.  John  bv  his 
wife  Mary,  had  the  following  children : Samuel, 
born  Oct.  25,  1663 ; Theophilus,  born  Oct.  9,  1665  ; 
Mary,  born  July  20,  1668;  Joshua,  born  Nov.' 25, 
1670;  Elizabeth,  born  Feb.  2,  1672;  Experience, 
born  March  3,  1674;  Mehetable,  born  Aug.  26, 
1676;  Ebenezer,  born  Dec.  27,  1678;  Martha,  born 
Dec.  9,  1681;  Susanna;  and  Joanna. 

(III)  Samuel  Luther  (2),  son  of  Samuel,  mar- 
ried Sarah  (Chaffee),  and  they  had  children,  all 
born  in  Swansea:  Samuel,  born  Nov.  20,  1689; 
Caleb,  born  in  1692,  who  married  Mary  Cole ; 
James,  born  March  8,  1693;  Benjamin;  Consider; 
Elizabeth,  born  June  22,  1702;  Eleazer,  born  Feb. 

28,  1704;  Jabez;  and  Sarah,  born  Dec.  25,  1707. 
Samuel  Luther  (2)  went  in  the  expedition  against 
Quebec  in  1690  under  Phipps. 

(IV)  Caleb  Luther,  son  of  Samuel  (2),  was 
town  clerk  of  Swansea  from  1736  to  1745.  On 
March  18,  1713,  he  married  Mary  Cole,  also  of 
Swansea,  and  they  had  seven  children  :•  Freelove, 
born  Jan.  15,  1715;  Susannah,  born  Aug.  20,  1717; 
Hannah,  born  Sept.  22,  1720;  Caleb,  born  April  22, 
1723;  Jabez,  born  July  8,  1725;  Samuel,  born  in 
1727;  and  Frederick,  born  Feb.  15,  1730,  who  mar- 
ried Joanna  Luther. 

(V)  Frederick  and  Joanna  (Luther)  Luther 
were  married  in  Swansea,  Feb.  16,  1 75 1 - They 
had  eight  children,  five  born  in  Swansea,  and  the 
other  three  in  Warren,  R.  I.:  Freelove,  born  Sept. 
26,  1752;  Lvdia,  July  31,  1754;  Hannah,  Dec.  10, 
1756;  Sarah,  Dec.  7,  1758;  Martin,  April  19,  1761; 
Frederick,  June  8,  1763;  Rebecca,  April  17,  1765; 
and  Samuel,  born  April  11,  1768. 

(VI)  Martin  Luther,  son  of  Frederick,  married 
July  9,  1785.  Rachel,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Amey 
(Bowen)  Cole,  and  they  had  children:  Polly, 
born  Nov.  30,  1786;  Samuel,  Aug.  24,  1788; 
Nancy,  May  25,  1791;  Hannah,  May  6,  1793; 
Jeremiah,  March  2,  1796;  Amey,  Feb.  24,  1799; 
Martin,  April  21,  1802;  Alfred,  March  20,  1805; 
Ellery  Spencer,  Dec.  16,  1808;  and  Elizabeth,  Jan. 

29,  18 1 1 (married  Benjamin  Miller  Bosworth). 
In  1797  Martin  Luther  built  the  house  on  Birch 
Swamp  road,  Wind  Mill  Hill,  which  is  now  occu- 
pied by  his  descendants.  He  was  a Revolutionary 
soldier. 

(VII)  Samuel  Luther,  son  of  Martin,  born 
Aug.  24,  1788.  married  July  7,  1811,  Elizabeth 


1002 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Peck,  of  Swansea.  Their  children  were : Sophrona, 
born  June  14,  1812,  and  Elizabeth,  born  Sept.  8, 
1818. 

(VIII)  Samuel  Luther  Peck,  born  Dec.  17, 
1845,  in  Warren,  R.  I.,  married  June  23,  1870, 
Esther  Alice  Gardner,  and  to  them  came  one  child, 
a son,  Howard  Gardner,  who  died  when  in  the 
fourth  year  of  his  age. 

Mr.  Peck  attended  the  public  and  high  schools 
of  his  native  town,  then  fitted  himself  for  business 
at  the  Commercial  College  of  Bryant,  Stratton  & 
Mason.  In  1864  he  began  his  business  career  as  a 
clerk  in  the  establishment  of  Charles  E.  Boon  & 
Co.,  in  which  capacity  for  that  house  he  remained 
until  1869.  From  1869  to  1872  he  was  bookkeeper 
for  the  mercantile  house  of  Messrs.  B.  B.  & R. 
Knight,  and  from  1872  to  1874  he  was  salesman 
for  Messrs.  Butts  & Mason.  In  1874  he  became  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Mason,  Chopin  & Co.,  im- 
porters, jobbers  and  commission  merchants  in 
chemicals,  drugs  and  dye-stuffs,  Providence,  New 
York  and  Boston.  Mr.  Peck  retired  from  this  firm 
at  the  end  of  1895,  and  for  three  years  thereafter 
was  a member  of  the  firm  of  Arnold,  Peck  & Co., 
wholesale  chemicals  and  dye-stuffs,  on  Dec.  31, 
1898,  retiring  from  this  firm  and  from  business 
altogether. 

Mr.  Peck,  though  engaged  in  business  in  Provi- 
dence, has  kept  his  residence  in  his  native  town, 
Warren,  where  he  has  taken  an  active  part  in 
citizenship  and  public  affairs,  figuring  prominently 
in  both.  His  political  affiliations  have  been  with 
the  Republican  party,  in  the  councils  of  which  he 
has  been  a leader.  He  served  for  three  years  as 
assessor  of  taxes  for  the  town  and  has  for  eleven 
times  represented  it  in  the  General  Assembly  of 
Rhode  Island.  In  the  House  Mr.  Peck  was  ap- 
pointed a member  of  the  Finance  committee,  and 
he  continued  in  such  position  for  eight  years  and 
was  its  chairman  for  three  years.  He  was  also 
ex-officio  chairman  of  the  joint  Finance  committee 
of  the  House  and  Senate  when  in  session.  After 
eight  consecutive  years  as  member  of  the  Assembly 
he  was  defeated,  and  on  his  re-election,  in  1903, 
was  appointed  on  the  committee  on  Judiciary, 
which  position  he  now  holds.  Mr.  Peck's  record 
of  eight  consecutive  years’  service  in  the  Lower 
House  is  equalled  at  present  by  only  one  member, 
a Mr.  T.  E.  Holden,  who  was  chairman  of  the 
State  Republican  Central  Committee.  Mr.  Peck 
was  a delegate  to  the  Republican  National  Conven- 
tion in  Chicago,  in  June,  1904,  and  an  alternate 
delegate  to  Philadelphia  in  1900.  In  1904  he  was 
the  Rhode  Island  member  of  the  committee,  chosen 
by  the  convention  at  large,  to  notify  the  vice-presi- 
dential nominee,  Charles  W.  Fairbanks,  of  bis 
nomination.  Mr.  Peck  was  the  first  chairman  of 
the  Standing  Committee  of  the  George  Hail  Free 
Library,  of  Warren. 

Mr.  Peck's  religious  connections  are  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Warren,  and  for 


ten  years  he  served  the  Sunday-school  of  that 
church  as  its  superintendent.  He  is  identified  with 
a number  of  clubs  and  societies,  among  which  are 
the  Union  Club  and  Rhode  Island  Yacht  Club.  He 
is  a prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
holding  membership  with  Washington  Lodge,  No. 
3,  of  which  he  has  been  master.  He  has  been  vice- 
president  of  the  New  England  Paint  and  Oil  Club. 
He  was  vice-president  of  the  Hope  National  Bank 
at  Warren  and  was  president  of  the  Warren  In- 
stitution for  Savings,  succeeding  John  Waterman, 
and  he  was  a director  and  member  of  the  Invest- 
ment committee  of  the  Warren  Trust  Company, 
and  a director  in  the  First  National  Bank,  and  is 
now  one  of  the  local  board  of  directors  of  the  War- 
ren Branch  of  the  Industrial  Trust  Company.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Providence  Board  of  Trade. 

Mr.  Peck  has  been  a great  traveler,  and  has 
visited  up  to  the  present  time  eighteen  different 
foreign  countries,  and,  as  he  expresses  it,  he  is 
“not  through  yet.”  He  is  a man  of  pleasant  and 
agreeable  manners,  is  thoughtful  and  deliberate  in 
conversation,  conservative  and  careful  in  his  busi- 
ness, and  yet  progressive.  He  is  an  up-to-date 
man  of  the  twentieth  century  type.  Starting  as 
Mr.  Peck  did,  empty-handed  and  without  influence, 
he  furnishes  to  the  youth  of  to-day  a splendid  ex- 
ample of  what  industry  and  honesty,  combined  with 
a fixed  purpose  and  high  aims,  can  accomplish. 

GEORGE  BRADFORD  DRAPER,  secretary 
and  general  manager  of  the  J.  O.  Draper  Company, 
who  is  prominent  in  business  and  fraternal  circles 
of  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  is  a member  of  one  of  the  old 
and  honored  families  of  Rhode  Island,  being  a de- 
scendant in  the  seventh  generation  from  James- 
Draper,  the  immigrant  progenitor. 

(I)  James  Draper,  fourth  son  and  child  of 

Thomas  Draper,  of  the  Priory  of  Heptonstall,  Vic- 
arage of  Halifax,  Yorkshire,  England,  born  in  1618 
in  Heptonstall,  married  there  April  21,  1646, 

Miriam,  born  Nov.  27,  1625,  at  the  same  place,, 
daughter  of  Gideon  and  Grace  (Eastwood)  Stans- 
field,  she  of  Wadsworth,  Yorkshire.  Mr.  Draper 
came  to  New  England  and  settled  at  Roxbury,  his 
first  place  of  residence.  For  a time  he  lived  at  Ded- 
ham, but  again  returned  to  Roxbury,  where  he  and 
his  wife  were  buried.  He  was  also  for  a time  in- 
Charlestown.  His  death  occurred  July  9,  1694, 
and  his  widow,  Miriam,  passed  away  in  January, 
1697.  Their’ children  were:  Miriam,  born  Feb. 
7,  1646-7,  in  Heptonstall,  England  ; Susanna,  about 
1650;  Sarah,  in  1652;  James,  in  1654  (all  in  Rox- 
bury)  ; John,  April  29,  1656;  Moses,  Sept.  26, 
1663;  Daniel,  May  30,  1665  (all  in  Dedham); 
Patience,  Aug.  17,  1668;  and  Jonathan,  March  10, 
1670  (both  in  Roxbury.) 

(II)  James  Draper  (2),  son  of  James,  born  in- 
1654,  in  Roxbury,  Mass.,  married  Feb.  18,  1681, 
Abigail,  born  June  7,  1663,  in  Roxbury,  and  died 
there  Oct.  25,  1721,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


ipo^ 


Hannah  (Dwight)  Whiting  of  Dedham,  and  grand- 
daughter of  John  Dwight,  from  whom  President 
Dwight  of  Y ale  and  other  prominent  men  are  de- 
scended. Mr.  Draper  had  received  from  his  father 
a part  of  the  latter’s  Roxbury  farm,  which,  how- 
ever, he  subsequently  sold.  He  then  bought  the 
estate  below  Baker  street,  where  he,  and  after  his 
death,  his  widow,  kept  an  ordinary.  Mr.  Draper 
was  a soldier  during  King  Philip’s  war  in 
1675.  He  died  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  he  and  his 
widow  were  buried  in  the  First  Parish  cemetery  at 
Dedham,  Mass.  Their  children  were:  Abigail, 
born  Dec.  29,  1681  ; Nathaniel,  April  2,  1684;  Wil- 
liam, May  15,.  1686;  Eunice,  June  5,  1689;  James, 
in  1691  ; Gideon,  in  1694;  Ebenezer,  April  27,  1698, 
all  in  Roxbury. 

(III)  Ebenezer  Draper,  son  of  James  (2),  born 
April  27,  1698,  in  Roxbury,  died  June  3,  1784,  in 
Attleboro,  Mass.  He  married  (first)  May  2,  1723, 
Dorothy,  born  May  25,  1701,  and  died  Aug.  2, 
1748,  daughter, of  Joshua  and  Elizabeth  (Morris) 
Child,  of  Brookfield,  Mass.  He  married  (second) 
Nov.  16,  1749,  Sibyl,  born  Jan.  3,  1720,  and  died 
Feb.  16,  1816,  daughter  of  William  and  Esther 
Avery,  of  Dedham,  Mass.  Mr.  Draper  and  his 
first  wife  were  admitted  to  full  communion  at  the 
first  church  in  Roxbury,  Jan.  26,  1724.  He  was 
dismissed  to  the  church  in  Dedham,  Nov.  14,  1734. 
He  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  and  after  leaving 
his  wife’s  home  at  Roxbury  pursued  his  subsequent 
life  at  the  family  place,  Green  Lodge,  near  Ded- 
ham. His  children  were:  Dorothy,  born  Feb.  1, 
1724;  Anna,  May  16,  1725;  Keziah,  Sept.  25,  1726; 
Ebenezer,  March  23,  1729;  Anna  (2),  Sept.  12, 
1731;  Prudence,  April  13,  1734;  Isaac,  July  27, 
1736;  Miriam,  March  26,  1739;  Stephen,  Feb.  23, 
1742,  all  to  the  first  marriage  ; Sibyl,  Sept.  21,  1750; 
Rebecca,  Sept.  17,  1751;  William,  Sept.  23,  1752; 
Rebecca  (2),  Aug.  19,  1754;  Jemima,  Nov.  7,  1756; 
Mary,  April  5,  1760;  Catherine,  Dec.  16,  1761  ; and 
Anna  (3),  June  15,  1764. 

(IV)  Stephen  Draper,  son  of  Ebenezer,  born 
Feb.  23,  1742,  at  Green  Lodge,  near  Dedham,  mar- 
ried April  4,  1764,  Elizabeth,  born  Sept.  11,  1740, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  (Fisher)  of  Ded- 
ham, Mass.  Mr.  Draper  went  from  Dedham  to 
Attleboro,  and  purchased  land  upon  which  he  built 
his  house  and  tannery,  the  date  of  the  deed  of  pur- 
chase being  April  17,  1772.  His  tannery  was  one 
of  the  largest  in  the  country,  and  he  was  very  suc- 
cessful in  his  business,  that  of  building  other  tan- 
neries in  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island.  He  also 
wove  cloth  and  had  nail  machinery.  He  was  a 
man  of  uncommon  energy  and  integrity,  and  was 
a very  straight-laced  Puritan.  The  home  that  he 
built  is  still  occupied  by  his  descendants,  although 
the  house  was  taken  down  and  another  built  on  its 
site  in  1885  ; and  to  this  day  through  all  the  years 
the  family  have  met  there  to  celebrate  Thanks- 
giving in  large  numbers.  The  children  born  to 
Stephen  and  Elizabeth  Draper  were : Fisher,  born 


March  29,  1765;  Paul,  Sept.  19,  1767;  Anna,  July 
11,  1770;  Betty,  Dec.  31,  1772;  Stephen,  April  29,. 
1775;  Mary,  Aug.  11,  1777;  Catherine,  Jan.  14, 
1780;  Joseph,  July  24,  1782;  Ebenezer,  Jan.  14, 
1784;  and  Miriam,  Dec.  31,  1790. 

(V)  Ebenezer  Draper  (2),  son  of  Stephen,, 
born  Jan.  14,  1784,  married  Beulah,  born  Jan.  20,. 
1790,  daughter  of  Joel  and  Alsey  (Mosier)  Brad- 
ford, of  Smithfield,  R.  I.  Mr.  Draper  died  May  23, 
1852,  and  his  wife  Sept.  20,  1868,  in  Attleboro, 
Mass.  Their  children,  all  born  in  Attleboro,  were : 
Alsey  Almenia,  born  Oct.  6,  1807,  died  April  25, 
1821  ; Joseph,  born  Oct.  25,  1808,  married  Lucilda 
Makepeace ; Arnold,  born  April  27,  1810,  died  at 
Salem,  April  7,  i860;  Paul,  born  Dec.  31,  1811; 
William  Henry,  born  April  17,  1813;  Cornelia, 
born  Oct.  9,  1816;  James  Otis,  born  June  29,  1818; 
Celia  Augusta,  born  Aug.  13,  1820;  Louisa,  born 
July  22,  1822,  became  Mrs.  Cushman;  Charles 
Francis,  born  Nov.  6,  1824,  died  March  6,  1839; 
Elizabeth,  born  April  9,  1826,  died  May  16,  1826; 
Lydia  Ann,  born  Sept.  22,  1827 ; Gamaliel  Brad- 
ford, born  May  16,  1831,  never  married;  and  Han- 
nah Maria,  born  Sept.  4,  1833. 

(VI)  James  Otis  Draper,  son  of  Ebenezer  (2), 
born  June  29,  1818,  in  Attleboro,  Mass.,  married 
there  Nov.  18,  1840,  Mary  G.,  daughter  of  Galen 
C.  and  Mary  (George)  Carpenter.  She  was  born 
Nov.  18,  1817,  at  Wrentham,  Mass.,  and  died  in 
Central  Falls,  R.  I.,  April  10,  1866.  He  married 
(second)  May  1,  1867,  Emeline  Babbitt,  of  Taun- 
ton, who  died  Dec.  1,  1875.  He  married  (third) 
Mrs.  Belinda  (Salla)  Mowry,  daughter  of  Alfred 
Salla  and  Prudence  A.  Alexander. 

Mr.  Draper  received  such  limited  education  as 
the  country  districts  afforded  and  worked  on  his 
father’s  farm  until  he  went  to  Abingdon,  when  a 
youth,  where  he  learned  shoemaking.  At  the  age 
of  twenty  he  went  to  Mobile  and  was  in  the  produce 
business,"  and  then  returned  home  and  worked  at 
his  trade  in  Wrentham.  In  April.  1849,  lie  started 
for  California,  via  Cape  Horn  in  the  ship  “Aretus,  ’ 
Capt.  James  Woolley,  and  was  six  months  in  mak- 
ing the  voyage.  He  returned  in  1850,  and  went 
back  in  1852,  remaining  until  about  1855,  when  he 
again  came  home.  He  met  with  success  in  mining, 
paid  all  his  indebtedness,  and  had  sufficient  to 
make  a start  in  life.  He  went  to  Foxboro,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  soap,  and  in  1858, 
in  company  with  his  brother-in-law,  Abner  Atwood, 
of.  Pawtucket,  engaged  in  that  business  in  Bedford, 
Mass.  They  removed  to  Pawtucket  in  1861,  where 
the  business  was  carried  on  under  the  firm  name  of 
Draper  & Atwood  until  1867,  when  his  nephew, 
Arthur  W.  Stanley,  was  admitted  as  a partner, 
under  the  firm  name  of  J.  O.  Draper  & Co.  The  es- 
tablishment is  one  of  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  this 
country,  and  the  varieties  of  soaps  manufactured 
include  textile  soaps  of  the  highest  grades.  Mr. 
Draper  was  a public-spirited  citizen,  and  contri- 
buted willingly  to  all  worthy  enterprises.  In  politics 


1004 


RHODE  ISLAND 


he  was  a strong  Republican,  with  temperance  pro- 
clivities. He  died  Oct.  14,  1891,  at  his  home  in 
Pawtucket,  Rhode  Island. 

Th  children  of  Mr.  Draper  were:  Bradford, 
born  Sept.  18,  1841,  died  in  infancy;  Mary  Eliza- 
beth, born  April  25,  1843,  married  John  W.  Clarke, 
of  Roxbury,  Mass.,  and  died  at  that  place,  leaving 
five  children — William,  Alice,  Beulah,  Susan  and 
Mary  George;  Miss  Anna  A.,  born  Oct.  26,  1844, 
lives  in  Cambridge,  Mass.;  James  A.,  born  July 
5,  1855,  a soap  manufacturer,  now  deceased,  mar- 
ried Harriet  Randall,  and  had  nine  children,  three 
of  whom  are  still  living — Florence,  Ida  and  LeRoy ; 
Galen  C.,  born  Feb.  10,  1858.  a soap  manufacturer, 
died  in  Pawtucket,  unmarried,  aged  twenty-four 
years ; and  George  Bradford,  born  Dec.  29,  1859. 

(VII)  George  Bradford  Draper,  youngest  child 
of  James  O.  and  Mary  G.  (Carpenter)  Draper,  was 
born  Dec.  29,  1859,  in  Bedford,  Mass.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Pawtucket, 
R.  I.,  whither  his  parents  had  removed  when  he  was 
an  infant.  Leaving  the  grammar  school  when  six- 
teen years  of  age.  young  Draper  began  an  appren- 
ticeship as  a wood  engraver  with  John  C.  Thomp- 
son, of  Providence,  in  whose  employ  he  remained 
for  four  years,  and  he  then  opened  a wood  engrav- 
ing establishment  on  his  own  account  on  Westmin- 
ster street,  in  which  business  he  continued  for  three 
or  four  years,  or  until  the  electroplate  supplanted 
the  wood  engraving.  In  1882  Mr.  Draper  entered 
the  employ  of  the  J.  O.  Draper  Company,  and  by 
close  application  learned  thoroughly  all  the  details' 
of  the  business.  In  1904,  when  the  firm  was  in- 
corporated, Mr.  Draper  became  secretary  and  gen- 
eral manager  of  the  company,  a position  he  has 
since  held. 

Mr.  Draper  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  organi- 
zation, holding  membership  in  Union  Lodge  No.  10, 
A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Pawtucket  Chapter  No.  4,  R.  A. 
M. ; and  Pawtucket  Council  No.  2,  R.  & S.  M.  He 
is  also  a member  of  Enterprise  Lodge  No.  22,  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  of  Pawtucket.  Mr.  Draper  is  connected 
with  the  Business  Men’s  Association  of  Pawtucket, 
and  in  his  political  views  is  a Republican,  although 
he  has  never  been  an  office  seeker. 

On  Nov.  30,  1882,  Mr.  Draper  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  M.  Phinney,  of  Paw- 
tucket, daughter  of  Squire  Z.  and  Sarah  Niles 
(Gray)  Phinney,  of  Pawtucket,  and  to  this  union 
there  have  been  born  children  as  follows : George 
Bradford,  Jr.,  born  Oct.  29,  1884,  began  his  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  his  native  city,  Pawtucket, 
supplemented  by  a two  years  course  at  Brown  Uni- 
versity,  Providence,  giving  particular  attention  to 
chemistry,  and  he  is  now  associated  with  the  J.  O. 
Draper  Company;  and  Frederick  Z.,  born  March 
21,  1886,  in  Pawtucket,  passed  through  the  public 
and  high  schools  and  made  a study  of  optics,  but 
preferring  an  occupation  out  of  doors,  he  engaged 
in  scientific  poultry  raising  and  located  on  the 


Draper  homestead  farm  at  North  Attleboro,  Massa- 
chusetts. 

CHARLES  WILLIAM  BOWEN,  of  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  is  a descendant  in  the  eighth  genera- 
tion from  Richard  Bowen,  who  emigrated  from 
near  Swansea,  in  Wales,  in  1639,  landing  in  Wey- 
mouth in  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  with  his 
wife,  Ann,  and  seven  children : William,  Obadiah, 
Alice,  Richard,  Thomas,  Sarah  and  Ruth. 

(I)  Richard  Bowen,  in  1643,  with  his  as  one  of 
the  forty  families  under  the  leadership  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Newman,  left  Weymouth.  They  founded 
a new  settlement  which  they  named  Rehoboth. 
His  wife  Ann  died  there  soon  after,  and  he  married 
in  1648  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Marsh,  widow  of  George 
Marsh,  of  Hingham.  He  died  at  Rehoboth  Feb. 
4.  1674,  and  his  widow  died  in  1676  and  was  buried 
at  Rehoboth.  In  his  will,  which  may  be  found  in 
the  Colonial  records  of  Plymouth,  probated  June 
4,  1675,  he  bequeathed  to  his  wife  Elizabeth,  and 
children,  William,  Obadiah,  Richard,  Alice 
Wheaton,  Sarah  Fuller  and  Ruth  Leverich. 

Richard  Bowen  was  one  of  the  first  purchasers 
of  the  lands  of  the  town  in  1643,  and  an  inhabitant, 
the  value  of  his  allotment  being  £270.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  board  of  selectmen,  chosen  on  the 
9th  of  10th  month  (December),  1644.  His  name 
appears  on  the  register  as  a land  owner  in  1645, 
and  on  the  freeman’s  list  of  1651.  He  was  a large 
proprietor  of  lands  along  the  fresh-water  tributary 
of  the  river  flowing  south  from  Seekonk,  later 
known  as  Runens  river.  Bowen's  bridge  across 
this  stream  is  referred  to  in  the  records.  Here  on 
both  sides  of  the  river  and  about  Hundred  Acre 
Cove  were  extensive  fresh  and  salt  water  meadows 
which  were  largely  sought  by  the  early  settlers 
of  Rehoboth  to  furnish  food  for  the  cattle  and 
horses  in  the  winter.  His  name  and  others  of  Re- 
hoboth, and  with  Myles  Standish  and  others  repre- 
senting the  Sowams  lands,  are  associated  together 
in  a conference  regarding  the  boundary  line  be- 
tween Rehoboth  and  Sowams. 

Richard  Bowen  was  a man  of  high  character, 
thrifty  habits,  and  one  of  the  most  prominent  and 
highly  esteemed  citizens  of  his  community.  He 
filled  many  important  positions  of  honor  and  trust 
in  the  affairs  of  Rehoboth.  He  represented  the 
town  in  1651  as  a deputy  to  the  Plymouth  Colony, 
and  from  1654  to  1658  held  the  office  of  town  clerk. 
He  was  elected  grand  juror  and  constable  and 
served  the  town  in  other  responsible  positions  from 
1658  to  1670.  Although  too  old  at  the  outbreak  of 
King  Philip’s  war  against  the  white  settlers  to  take 
up  arms  in  their  defense,  he  gave  freely  of  his 
means  for  the  support  of  the  sufferers  in  that 
bloodv  war. 

(II)  Obadiah  Bowen,  son  of  Richard,  was  born 
in  Wales  Sept.  1,  1627,  and  died  in  Swansea,  Mass., 
Sept.  10.  1710.  He  married  about  1649  Mary 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Clifton,  who  died  Feb.  18,  1697.  (She  was  prob- 
ably a daughter  of  Thomas  Clifton  of  Weymouth, 
Mass.,  afterward  of  Newport,  R,  I.).  Their  chil- 
dren were:  (1)  Obadiah,  born  Sept.  18,  1651, 
died  July  11,  1699,  married  July  11,  1673,  Abigail 
Bullock.  (2)  Mary,  born  June  18,  1653,  died  Aug. 
20,  1678,  married  Isaac  Allen.  (3)  Sarah,  born 
Nov.  6,  1654,  married  (first)  John  Savage  and 
(second)  Joseph  Brayman.  (4)  Samuel,  born  July 
16,  1659,  married  May  26,  1684,  Elizabeth  Wood 
Wheaton.  (5)  Joseph,  born  June  16,  1662,  died 
Dec.  28,  1737,  married  Elizabeth  Round.  (6) 
Thomas,  born  Aug.  3,  1664,  is  mentioned  further 
on.  (7)  Hannah,  born  May  3,  1665,  married  Nov. 
10,  1685,  Timothy  Brooks,  jr.  (8)  Lydia,  born 
April  23,  1666,  died  March  25,  1758,  married  Sept. 
4,  1686,  Joseph  Mason.  (9)  Mercy  was  born 
March  18,  1672.  (10)  Isaac  was  born  Sept.  30, 

l674. 

Obadiah  Bowen  was  a deputy  to  the  Colonial 
Assembly  in  1681-82.  He  was  one  of  the  dissent- 
ing company  who  caused  Parson  Newman  and  his 
church  much  discomfort  on  account  of  their  oppo- 
sition to  infant  baptism.  These  dissenters  finally 
succeeded  in  having  a portion  of  the  town  of  Re- 
hoboth  set  off  and  organized  into  a new  town, 
which  they  named  Swansea  after  Swansea,  Wales, 
whence  the  Bowens  and  some  others  had  emigrated. 
He  was  prominent  in  the  new  town  of  Swansea, 
one  of  the  founders  and  active  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church  said  to  be  the  first  of  this  name 
established  in  Massachusetts.  He  was  one  of  the 
signers  (Feb.  22,  1669)  of  the  “Willett  proposals.” 

(III)  Thomas  Bowen,  son  of  Obadiah,  was 

born  Aug.  3,  1664,  and  died  in  1743.  He  married 
June  17,  1689,  Thankful,  daughter  of  Sampson  and 
Mary  (Butterworth)  Mason,  and  she  survived  him. 
Their  children  were:  (1)  Josiah,  born  Oct.  1, 
1691,  married  Dec.  4,  1718,  Margaret  Child.  (2) 
Isaac,  born  Nov.  ,3,  1695,  married  March  7,  1721, 
Hannah  Wheaton.  (3)  Stephen,  born  Jan.  16,  1697, 
married,  Oct.  17,  1723,  Phebe  Slade.  (4)  Marcy, 
born  in  1700,  married,  in  1727,  Nathan  Luther. 
(5)  Samuel,  born  Feb.  28,  1702,  married  (first) 
Sarah  Smith  and  (second)  May  11,  1749,  Widow 
Martha  Fowler.  (6)  Nathaniel,  born  Jan.  1,  1703, 
married  Esther  Bardine.  (7)  Richard  was  born 
Jan.  21,  1705.  (8)  Mary,  born  Aug.  11,  1708,  mar- 
ried July  13,  1730,  Gilbert  Seaman.  (9)  Catharine 
married  Sept.  18,  1728,  Samuel  Curtis.  (10)  Han- 
nah, born  Feb.  1,  1710,  married  Feb.  14,  1730, 
Charles  Seaman.  (11)  Constant  was  born  Oct.  10, 
1712.  (12)  John,  born  Feb.  22,  1717,  married 

May  6,  1745,  Abigail  Wood. 

(IV)  Stephen  Bowen,  son  of  Thomas  and 
Thankful  (Mason)  Bowen,  wras  born  Jan.  16,  1697, 
and  died  Oct.  4,  1778.  On  Oct.  17,  1723,  he  mar- 
ried Phebe  Slade,  and  their  children  were:  (1)" 
Sybil,  born  Sept.  8,  1725,  married  Oct.  24,  1745, 
Samuel  Reed.  (2)  Phebe  was  born  Feb.  7,  1727. 
(3)  Stephen,  Jr.,  born  July  15,  1729,  married  De- 


1005 

linda.  (Vital  records  of  Warren  say  that  he  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Mary  Lee,  of  Rehoboth,  April  1,  1762). 
(4)  Sarah,  born  April  n,  1731,  married  Dec.  19, 
I74&,  Benjamin  Cranston.  (5)  Martha  was  born 
Dec.  3,  1733.  (6)  Jonathan,  born  Dec.  18,  1736, 

married  Nov.  7,  1759,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Monroe.  (7) 
Lydia,  born  Sept.  3,  1739,  married  Feb.  7,  1762, 
Oliver  Saulsbury. 

(V)  Jonathan  Bowen,  son  of  Stephen  and  Phebe 

(Slade)  Bowen,  was  born  Dec.  18,  1736,. and  died 
Oct.  4,  1778.  On  Nov.  7,  1759,  he  married  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Monroe,  who  died  April  19,  1816,  aged 
seventy-seven  years.  Their  children  were  : ( 1 ) 
Jonathan,  Jr.,  born  Nov.  14,  1760,  died  May  17, 
1800,  married  Oct.  7,  1787,  Betsy  Taylor.  (2) 
Haile,  born  Dec.  30,  1762,  died  Sept.  7,  1799.  (3) 

Pardon,  born  June  7,  1764,  died  Aug.  17,  1797, 
married  Mary  Tlnirber.  (4)  Mary,  born  Sept.  20, 
1768,  married  Nov.  30,  1788,  William  Hoar.  (5) 
Sally  was  born  May  ( ?)  28,  1769. 

(VI)  Haile  Bowen,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Eliza- 

beth (Monroe)  Bowen,  was  born  Dec.  30,  1762, 
and  died  Sept.  7,  1799.  On  Oct.  16,  1790,  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Tyler,  born  Feb.  18,  1768,  died  Aug.  16, 
1802,  daughter  of  Moses  and  Elizabeth  Tyler. 
Their  children  were:  (1)  Jonathan,  born  Aug.  7, 
1792,  who  died  Aug.  1,  1817,  at  Matanzas,  Cuba. 
(2)  Haile,  Jr.,  born  April  7,  1794,  who  died  Aug. 
4,  1876.  (3)  Mary  T.,  born  Oct.  25,  1795,  who 

died  Feb.  13,  1809.  (4)  Pardon,  born  Oct.  io, 

1797;  and  (5)  Aloses,  born  in  1799.  With  his 
brothers  he  was  a large  owner  of  land  and  shore 
lots  in  Warren,  and  they  also  owned  a wharf  and 
pursued  the  coasting  trade  from  the  town  of  War- 
ren for  many  years. 

(VII)  Haile  Bowen,  Jr.,  son  of  Haile  and  Mary 
(Tyler)  Bowen,  was  born  in  Warren,  R.  I.,  April 
7,  1794,  and  died  Aug.  4,  1876.  He  married  (first) 
Dec.  2,  1817,  Elizabeth  Johonnot,  who  was  born 
Jan.  9,  1796,  and  died  March  28,  1853,  daughter  of 
Daniel  Johonnot,  a direct  descendant  of  Daniel 
Johonnot,  a Huguenot,  who  fled  from  La  Rochelle, 
France,  in  1686,  landing  in  Boston,  later  residing 
At  Oxford,  Mass.,  but  because  of  serious  Indian 
troubles  affecting  that  settlement,  he  returned  in 
1695  to  Boston,  where  he  died.  Mr.  Bowen  mar- 
ried (second)  Mrs.  Hannah  Beebe,  daughter  of 
William  Hubbard,  of  Warren.  To  the  first  mar- 
riage came  the  following  children:  (1)  Laura 
Maria,  born  Sept.  14,  1818,  died  Feb.  15,  1863, 
married  Sept.  11,  1842,  John  C.  Hall;  (2)  Henry 
Augustus,  born  Oct.  14,  1820,  died  Sept.  6,  1889, 
married  June  15,  1845,  Deborah  L.  Bushee ; (3) 
Mary  Tyler,  born  July  7,  1823,  died  Jan.  29,  1861, 
married  March  9,  1842,  Capt.  John  Jay  Allin;  (4) 
John  Haile,  born  April  6,  1826,  died  May  12,  1874, 
married  Dec.  13,  1856,  Betsy  G.  Peck;  (5)  Charles 
Edward,  born  Oct.  10,  1828,  died  Dec.  13,  1831 ; 
(6)  George  Saunders,  born  Jan.  17,  1831,  married 
(first)  Jan.  5,  1852,  Betsy  Franklin,  and  (second) 
March  23,  1868,  Elizabeth  D.  Thomas;  (7)  Betsy 


ioo6 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Johonnot,  born  March  26,  1833,  died  May  .27,  1902, 
married  Dec.  22,  1868,  Roland  T.  G.  Russell;  (8) 
Charles  William,  born  June  18,  1836,  married  Jan. 
3.  1861,  Mary  T.  Richardson;  (9)  Albert  Hall, 
born  Nov.  15,  1838,  died  Sept.  4,  1895,  married 
Nov.  6,  1870,  Alice  R.  Collamore. 

In  1812,  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  Haile 
Bowen  volunteered  in  the  war  of  1812  enlisting 
under  the  State.  Before  his  enlistment  he  had  pur- 
sued the  coasting  trade  in  the  employ  of  his  father 
and  uncles.  In  1818,  soon  after  his  marriage  to 
Elizabeth  Johonnot,  he  built  the  home  in  Warren 
in  which  all  of  his  children  were  born.  In  this 
house  he  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life  and  there 
died  in  1876.  In  his  latter  years  he  was  employed 
bv  the  shipping  merchants  of  Warren  as  a steve- 
dore, having  charge  of  the  loading  of  many  ves- 
sels leaving  that  harbor.  He  subsequently  retired. 
He  had  no  active  part  in  public  affairs,  either  in 
the  church  or  in  civil  matters,  but  he  lived  an  hon- 
orable and  upright  life,  reared  and  educated  quite 
a large  family,  and  was  most  highly  respected  and 
esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  a man  of 
most  excellent  education  for  his  time,  a wide  reader 
and  an  exemplary  penman.  His  esteemed  wife, 
Elizabeth  Johonnot,  was  a woman  of  culture  and 
refinement,  a Huguenot  descended  from  Daniel 
Tohonnot,  of  France.  She  was  a most  efficient  co- 
laborer  of  her  husband  in  the  rearing  and  educat- 
ing of  their  family,  and  a superior  woman  of  Chris- 
tian character. 

(VIII)  Charles  William  Bowen,  born  June 
18,  1836,  and  one  of  the  most  successful  men  who 
has  gone  from  the  little  town  of  V arren  to  Provi- 
dence, received  from  his  parents  in  a large  measure, 
bv  inheritance  and  instruction,  those  qualities  which 
early  manifested  themselves  in  his  business  life  and 
which  provided  the  foundations  for  the  superstruc- 
ture of  a more  than  usually  successful  business  life. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  V arren. 
receiving,  however,  much  of  private  instruction  and 
assistance  from  his  father  and  mother.  C pon  leav- 
ing school  he  came  to  Providence,  in  1856,  when 
twenty  years  of  age,  and  took  a position  with  the 
wholesale  dry-goods  firm  of  L.  D.  Anthony  & Co. 
In  this  firm  he  worked  industriously  and  persist- 
ently for  twenty-two  years,  taking  up  the  work  of 
a boy  in  such  an  establishment  and  working  up 
through  all  the  different  grades,  becoming  so  val- 
uable to  his  firm  that  he  was  taken  into  partner- 
ship and  given  an  interest  in  the  business.  He  re- 
mained until  1878,  when  he  retired  to  engage  in 
the  cotton  goods  business,  which  he  followed  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  in  which  he  enjoyed  a large 
degree  of  success.  He  has  now  lived  retired  for 
some  years,  looking  only  after  his  real  estate  inter- 
ests. He  has  held  no  political  offices,  though  urged 
to  do  so  from  time  to  time.  On  national  questions 
he  has  always  been  a stanch  Republican,  although 
independent  in  local  politics.  Air.  Bowen  has  al- 
ways taken  great  interest  in  the  institutions  that 


administer  to  the  needs  of  the  aged.  For  many 
years  he  has  served  on  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
“Home  for  Aged  Men”  in  Providence,  one  of  the 
best  institutions  of  the  kind  in  New  England.  He 
is  a well-read  man,  quick . and  keen  to  grasp  the 
fundamental  truths  in  the  problems  of  life,  and  to 
apply  them  wisely  to  the  task  in  hand.  A man  of 
good  judgment  and  foresight,  he  has  been  able  to 
accomplish  much  for  himself  and  to  assist  others 
who  have  been  less  fortunate.  His  life,  public  and 
private,  has  been  above  reproach.  He  is  an  attend- 
ant of  the  First  Congregational  Church  of  Provi- 
dence. 

Mr.  Bowen  married  Jan.  3,  1861,  Mary  Thomas 
Richardson,  only  daughter  of  George  Richardson, 
a manufacturing  jeweler  of  Providence.  They 
have  two  surviving  daughters : Florence  Haile, 
who  married  Francis  E.  Brownell,  of  Atlanta,  Ga. ; 
and  Leila  Pearson.  Two  children  died  in  early  child- 
hood : Minnie  Louise,  born  March  15,  1872,  who 
died  April  6,  1873;  and  Howard  Russell,  born 
June  17,  1878,  who  died  March  7,  1879. 

GLADDING  (Line  of  Jonathan  of  Provi- 
dence). The  Claddings  are,  perhaps,  properly 
speaking,  a Bristol  family,  that  town  being  the 
home  of  the  earlier  generations  and  the  continuous 
home  of  many  of  the  descendants  of  John  Glad- 
ding, one  of  the  founders  of  that  ancient  town,  two 
hundred  and  more  years  ago.  Many  bearing  the 
name  in  that  town  and  also  in  the  city  of  Provi- 
dence have  been  among  the  most  substantial  men 
and  women  and  successful  business  men  of  those 
communities ; and  they,  too,  have  allied  themselves 
by  marriage  to  many  others  of  the  first  families 
of  the  State. 

It  is  the  purpose  of  this  article,  however, 
to  treat  particularly  of  some  of  the  posterity  of 
the  late  Timothy  Gladding,  whose  'father  early  lo- 
cated in  Providence,  among  whom  were  several  of 
the  sons  of  George  W.  and  the  latter’s  brother 
Timothy  Gladding  (2)  ; the  late  Henry  B.  Glad- 
ding, and  his  brother  Royal  P.  Gladding,  who 
were  associated  as  the  heads  of  what  was  perhaps 
the  leading  bookstore  of  the  city.  These  gentle- 
men were  descendants  in  the  sixth  generation  from 
the  emigrant  New  England  settler.  The  succes- 
sive generations  follow,  the  Roman  characters  in- 
dicating each  generation  from  the  settler. 

(I)  John  Gladding  (or  Glading)  is  of  record  at 
Newbury,  Mass.,  in  1666,  as  marrying  on  July 
17th  of  that  year  Elizabeth  Rogers,  and  their  chil- 
dren of  record  in  Newbury  were : Susanna,  born 
Oct.  6,  1668;  John,  Oct.  11,  1670;  William,  July 
25,  1673;  Elizabeth,  Sept.  15,  1676;  Mary,  Jan.  14, 
1679;  and  Hannah,  born  Nov.  8,  1681.  Additional 
children,  of  record  in  Bristol,  of  John  Gladding 
and  his  wife  were:  Joshua,  born  May  6,  1685; 
Daniel,  Nov.  8,  1687;  and  Sarah,  Nov.  20,  1691. 
According  to  family  manuscript  Mr.  Gladding 
died  April  27,  1726,  aged  eighty-four  years. 


\ 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1007 


(II)  John  Gladding  (2),  born  Oct.  11,  1670, 
married  Alice,  born  Oct.  31,  1663,  daughter  of 
Uzell  Wardwell.  Their  children  were.  Mary, 
born  Nov.  30,  1693;  John,  Sept.  8,  1694;  William, 
Oct.  13,  1698;  Jonathan,  Jan.  5,  1700-01 ; Ebene- 
zer,  Dec.  8,  1702;  Joseph,  Oct.  2,  1704;  Alice, 
March  24,  1705-06;  Elizabeth,  Sept.  13,  1708; 
Nathaniel,  Dec.  16,  1709;  Sarah  (died  May  27, 
1712,  aged  eight  days)  ; and  Sarah  (2),  born  May 

2,  1715.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  March 

3,  1720. 

(III)  Jonathan  Gladding,  born  Jan.  5,  1701,  of 
Bristol,  R.  I.,  married  in  1726  (intentions  pub- 
lished July  2,  1726)  Sarah  Carey,  and  to  the  mar- 
riage came  children  as  follows:  Sarah,  born  Sept. 
1,  1727;  Elizabeth,  Sept.  22,  1729;  Priscilla,  April 
29,  1 733;  Nathaniel,  Oct.  6,  1735;  Jonathan,  Oct. 
12,  1737;  Timothy,  Nov.  18,  1740;  Benjamin,  Jan. 
22,  1743.  The  father  of  these  lived  and  died  in 
Bristol,  his  death  occurring  Oct.  27,  1743.  The 
mother  died  Dec.  26,  1786,  aged'  eighty-three  years. 

(IV)  Timothy  Gladding,  born  Nov.  18,  1740, 

was  a merchant  tailor  in  Providence.  His  shop 
was  probably  located  at  the  corner  of  Westminster 
and  Orange  streets.  On  Oct.  9,  1768,  he  married 
Anne  Jacobs,  and  to  them  were  born  children  as 
follows:  Nathaniel,  Nathaniel  (2),  Timothy, 

Nancy,  John,  Betsey  (married  D.  Pitts),  Sarah  G., 
Sylvinia,  Lydia  (married  Lowel  Adams),  George 
W.,  Nicholas,  Sylvinia  (2),  and  Harriet. 

(V)  George  W.  Gladding,  of  Providence,  born 
Sept.  9,  1787,  married  Sept.  20,  1814,  Rebecca  Hill, 
of  that  city,  born  Sept.  18,  1796,  died  July  21,  1884. 
Mr.  Gladding  was  for  years  a prosperous  and  sub- 
stantial man  of  Providence,  a merchant  in  North 
Main  street,  associated  in  business  with  Mr.  Wat- 
son, under  the  firm  name  of  Watson  & Gladding. 
Later  on  Mr.  Gladding  continued  the  business 
alone,  and  after  his  death,  Aug.  1,  1839,  the  bus- 
iness was  carried  on  by  two  of  his  sons.  The  old 
Gladding  homestead — the  estate  of  his  father — 
was  on  the  corner  of  Westminster  and  Orange 
streets.  The  children  of  George  W.  Gladding 
were:  George  F.,  Rebecca  A.,  Benjamin  H.,  Jane 
H.,  John  H.  (has  a son  Nelson  A.),  James  W., 
Lydia  Ann  J.  (born  Oct.  29,  1823,  died  April  21, 
1893),  Harriet  L.,  Nathaniel  I.,  Munroe  H.,  Mel- 
vin A.  (lives  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.)  and  Charles  W. 

(V)  Timothy  Gladding  (2),  of  Providence,  son 
of  Timothy  and  brother  of  George  W.,  married 
April  3,  1805,  Betsey  Perin,  and  to  them  came  chil- 
dren as  follows : Millicent  P.,  Mary  Ann,  Eliza- 
beth, Mary,  John  P.  (died  at  Constantine,  Mich.), 
Henry  B.,  Royal  P.,  Benjamin  O.,  Susan  P.,  Al- 
mira D.,  and  Olney  D.  (killed  at  the  first  battle  of 
Bull  Run). 

(VI) .  Henry  B.  Gladding,  of  Providence,  born 
Jan.  17,  1817,  son  of  Timothy  (2),  married  (first) 
in  1857  Mary  E.  (Ruggles)  Huntington,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Elethea  Ruggles,  of  Bolton,  Conn. 
She  died  Jan.  26,  1872,  and  on  April  15,  1874,  he 


married  (second)  Louise  C.,  daughter  of  John 
and  Sally  Deming,  of  Bolton,  Conn.  She  died 
beb.  7,  1900.  By  the  first  marriage  were  born 
children  as  follows : Elizabeth  E.,  born  July  5, 
1859;  Howard  Ruggles,  born  March  16,  i86r,  now 
a traveling  salesman,  of  Detroit,  Mich. ; Harriet 
Ruggles,  born  Feb.  1,  1863,  who  died  Jan.  26, 
1865  ; and  Royal  H.,  born  May  19,  1869.  To  the 
second  marriage  came  one  daughter,  Grace  Dem- 
ing, born  March  14,  1875,  who  is  now  deceased. 

Mr.  Gladding  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  at  Providence,  which  he  attended  until  he 
was  fifteen  years  of  age.  About  that  time  he  be- 
came a clerk  in  a grocery  store,  but  later  went  to 
Blackstone,  Mass.  After  a few  years  he  returned 
to  Providence,  and  with  his  brother  Royal  P.  es- 
tablished a book  store.  Of  this  firm  “King’s  Hand- 
book of  Providence”  has  the  following  to  say : 
“This  long  established  house  in  the  book  selling 
and  stationery  trade  occupied  a site  which  for  up- 
wards of  half  a century  had  been  occupied  by  the 
same  business.  Before  the  estuary  of  the  Narra- 
gansett  was  solidly  built  over,  at  the  present  Mar- 
ket Square,  a three-story  wooden  dwelling  stood 
on  the  site  of  the  Gladding  Bros,  store  at  No.  21 
Westminster  street  (now  No.  15)  near  Market 
Square.  In  1830  the  dwelling  began  to  be  utilized 
as  the  book  store,  printing  office  and  bindery  of 
William  Marshall  & Co.;  in  1837  Mr.  Marshall 
retired  and  was  succeeded  by  John  Edwin  Brown, 
who  in  1838  sold  out  to  Isaac  P.  Codv,  who  associ- 
ated with  him  Mr.  Brown’s  brother,  William 
Brown.  In  1842  the  building  came  into  the  pos- 
session of  Gladding  & Proud,  whose  successors 
were  successively  Gladding  Bros.,  Gladding  Bros. 
& Co.,  Gladding  Bros.  & Tibbitts,  Tibbitts  & Ran- 
dall, Tibbitts  & Shaw,  and  finally  Tibbitts,  Shaw 
& Co.”  This  is  now  the  Preston  & Rounds  Com- 
pany of  No.  64  Westminster  street.  No.  15,  spoken 
of  in  the  foregoing,  is  where  the  Rhode  Island 
Hospital  Trust  building  now  stands.  Mr.  Glad- 
ding was  a director  in  the  old  Jackson  National 
Bank.  In  his  church  relations  he  was  a member  of 
the  Beneficent  Congregational  Church.  In  his  po- 
litics he  was  always  a strong  Republican,  but  took 
no  active  part  in  such  matters.  He  was  fond  of 
his  books  and  possessed  an  excellent  library,  and 
was  much  attached  to  his  home. 

(VII)  Royal  H.  Gladding,  son  of  Henry  B. 
and  Mary  E.  (Ruggles)  Gladding,  was  born  May 
19,  1869.  He  received  his  primary  education  in 
the  Providence  public  schools,  graduating  from  the 
high  school  in  1888.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he 
entered  Brown  University,  and  graduated  there- 
from with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  in  1892.  In  his 
work  at  the  University  he  took  honors  in  German 
and  Rhetoric.  He  is  a member  of  the  Phi  Beta 
Kappa  fraternity.  He  began  his  legal  training  in 
Harvard  Law  School,  spending  one  year  there,  and 
then  entering  the  office  of  C.  Frank  Parkhurst, 
under  whose  guidance  he  continued  his  studies, 


ioo8 


RHODE  ISLAND 


and  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1894.  From 
that  time  he  was  associated  in  practice  with  his 
former  preceptor  until  1905,  since  when  he  has 
been  alone  in  practice.  In  1898  he  was  elected 
ninth  representative  from  the  city  of  Providence 
to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State.  Fraternally 
he  is  a member  of  St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  1.  A.  F. 
and  A.  M.  He  belongs  to  the  Beneficent  Congre- 
gational Church,  in  which  he  holds  the  office  of 
clerk. 

On  Oct.  18,  1904,  Mr.  Gladding  was  married 
to  Miss  Anna  Carpenter  Spicer,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam A.  and  Anna  Eliza  (Carpenter)  Spicer. 
They  have  a daughter,  Anna  Spicer  Gladding, 
born  Dec.  7,  1906. 

(VI)  Royal  P.  Gladding,  son  of  Timothy  (2), 
was  born  in  Providence  Feb.  9,  1820,  and  died  at 
Bolton,  Conn.,  Aug.  21,  1877.  He  also  obtained 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Providence, 
and  at  an  early  age  entered  business,  later,  with 
his  brother  Henry  B.  Gladding,  establishing  the 
firm  of  Gladding  Brothers,  booksellers.  The  his- 
tory of  that  firm  is  outlined  in  the  sketch  of  Henry 
B.  Gladding. 

On  Oct.  8,  1856,  he  married  Emily  M.  Bug- 
gies, daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elethea  Ruggles,  of 
Bolton,  Conn.,  a sister  of  the  first  wife  of  his 
brother  Henry.  She  died  June  24,  1894.  Their 
children  were:  M.  Louise,  born  March  18,  1865; 
Charles  R.,  born  July  11,  1867,  died  Nov.  19,  1873  ; 
and  William  A.,  born  Sept.  5,  1869,  died  Nov.  13, 
1871. 

Not  only  were  the  two  brothers  very  closely 
associated  in  business,  but  both  were  of  similar 
tastes  and  had  similar  interests.  Royal  P.  Glad- 
ding was  a “home  body,”  in  politics  a Republican 
but  never  holding  public  office.  In  his  church  re- 
lations he,  also,  was  a member  of  the  Beneficent 
Congregational  Church.  He  likewise  served  on  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Jackson  National  Bank. 

ALBRO.  The  Albros  are  one  of  this  Common- 
wealth’s ancient  families — one  of  approximately 
270  years’  standing  here.  Their  progenitor,  John 
Albro,  in  1634,  when  a boy  still  in  his  teens,  came 
to  New  England  in  the  ship  “Francis”  from  Ips- 
wich, England,  under  the  care  of  William  Free- 
born, whom  he  accompanied  to  Rhode  Island  in 
1638.  The  following  year,  being  an  inhabitant  of 
Portsmouth,  he  was  granted  a lot  provided  he 
would  build  within  a year.  Mr.  Albro  soon  be- 
came one  of  the  prominent  public  men  of  his  town. 
He  rose  from  a corporal  to  lieutenant,  captain  and 
major.  He  served  in  the  town  council  and  was 
often  moderator  of  town  meetings.  With 
little  exception,  he  was  assistant  from  1671  to  1686, 
and  his  name  is  of  record  as  serving  in  various 
other  public  capacities.  He  married  Dorothy  Pot- 
ter, who  was  born  in  the  same  year  as  he,  1617, 
and  she  died  in  1696,  he  passing  away  in  1712. 


Their  children  were : Samuel,  Elizabeth,  Mary, 
John  and  Susannah. 

Of  the  foregoing  children  Samuel  Albro  be- 
came a resident  of  North  Kingstown,  where  he 
held  a number  of  public  offices  of  trust  and  re- 
sponsibility, being  treasurer,  overseer  of  the  poor, 
selectman,  etc.  He  married  Isabel  Lawton,  and 
both  were  baptized  at  Trinity  Church,  Newport; 
Mr.  Albro  was  warden  of  the  Episcopal  Church  at 
Narragansett.  He  was  one  of  the  purchasers  of  a 
large  tract  of  land  in  Narragansett  and  as  well  in 
East  Greenwich.  His  only  son,  John  Albro,  was 
twice  married,  lived  in  North  Kingstown,  and  died 
leaving  quite  a numerous  posterity,  as  he  was  the 
father  of  thirteen  children. 

John  Albro,  the  second  son  of  the  immigrant, 
married  Mary  Stokes,  and  lived  in  Portsmouth. 
Of  his  two  sons,  John  married  Abigail  Ballou  and 
became  a resident  of  North  Kingstown,  and  some 
of  his  six  children  settled  in  the  town  of  Exeter ; 
and  the  other  son,  Samuel,  lived  in  Portsmouth. 
He  married  Ruth  Lawton,  and  their  children  were  r 
Samuel,  Mary,  John,  Daniel,  Jonathan,  David, 
James,  Ruth,  Elizabeth,  Josiah  and  Sarah. 

This  article  has  to  deal  especially  with  the  late 
James  Albro,  an  esteemed  citizen  of  Newport,  and 
his  children,  particularly  his  son,  the  late  Stephen 
Stedman  Albro,  also  of  that  city. 

James  Albro  was  married  to  Rhoda  Gladding, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Susan  Gladding,  who  died 
in  Newport,  May  22,  1873,  aged  ninety-three  years, 
two  months,  seven  days.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albro 
were  born  children  as  follows : Mary,  who  married 
Charles  Howard;  Susan,  who  married  (first)  Sher- 
man Barker  and  (second)  Joseph  Nason;  Julia, 
who  married  Henry  Barker ; Fannie,  who  married 
William  D.  Southwick ; Sarah,  who  married  Henry 
Hubbard;  Rhoda,  who  married  Whitman  Dawley ; 
Joseph  G.,  who  married  Eliza  Rundall,  was  a tailor 
by  trade,  and  died  in  Attleboro,  Mass. ; James  G., 
a boat  builder  bv  trade,  who  married  Ann  Spooner ; 
Benjamin,  a cooper  by  trade,  who  died  in  Warren, 
R.  I.,  and  who  married  Elizabeth  Barton ; Stephen 
Stedman ; and  David,  a carpenter,  who  married 
Phebe  Cooke,  and  died  in  Newport. 

Stephen  Stedman  Albro,  son  of  James  and 
Rhoda  (Gladding)  Albro,  was  born  Dec.  5,  1816, 
in  Newport,  and  received  his  early  training  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  city.  Upon  leaving 
school  he  became  apprenticed  to  the  mason’s  trade, 
and  after  gaining  a thorough  knowledge  of  same 
engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account  as  a ma- 
son contractor,  at  which  vocation  he  continued  all 
of  his  life.  He  was  recognized  as  a careful,  capa- 
ble business  man,  and  in  all  matters  pertaining  to 
his  work  was  upright  and  straightforward.  He 
was  quiet  and  unostentatious  in  his  manner,  but 
possessed  a sociable,  genial  nature  which  won  for 
him  hosts  of  true  friends. 

In  early  manhood  Mr.  Albro  allied  himself  with 


■ 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1009 


the  church,  being  first  a member  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist Church  and  later  of  the  Central  Baptist,  and 
throughout  life  was  active  in'  religious  and  chari- 
table movements.  He  served  as  deacon  for  a num- 
ber of  years,  and  for  many  years  was  superinten- 
dent of  the  Sunday-school.  He  was  a stanch  sup- 
porter of  the  cause  of  temperance.  I11  his  political 
views  he  was  a Republican,  and  as  such  served  his 
city  as  a member  of  the  board  of  aldermen  for  sev- 
eral years.  For  many  years  Deacon  Albro  was  a 
director  of  the  National  Exchange  Bank,  serving 
in  that  capacity  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

In  1838  Mr.  Albro  was  married  (first)  to  Caro- 
line Seatle,  who  died  in  1871,  the  mother  of  three 
children,  as  follows:  Stephen  Lovell,  a mason  by 
trade  and  associated  for  some  years  in  business  with 
his  father,  resides  in  Newport,  unmarried;  Mary 
C.  is  unmarried  and  resides  at  home  ; Ellen  Eliza- 
beth died  at  the  age  of  nine  months.  Deacon  Al- 
bro was  married  (second)  in  1872  to  Emma  Mc- 
Kennev,  of  Lewiston,  Maine,  who  died  in  1880, 
without  issue.  His  third  marriage,  which  occurred 
in  1881,  was  to  Julia  A.  Barker,  eldest  child  of  the 
late  Benajah  and  Mary  C.  (Barker)  Barker,  for- 
merly of  Middletown,  R.  I.,  but  later  of  Lebanon, 
Conn.  Mrs.  Albro  passed  away  at  her  home  in 
Newport  Nov.  22,  1907,  in  the  seventy-ninth  year 
of  her  age.  She  was  a direct  lineal  descendant  in 
the  seventh  generation— through  Benajah  (VI), 
Peleg  (V),  Peter  (IV),  Peter  (III)  and  William 
(II) — of  James  Barker  (I),  who  sailed  from  Har- 
wich, County  of  Essex,  England,  and  arrived  at 
Plymouth,  Mass.,  in  1626,  later  becoming  a promi- 
nent figure  in  the  settlement  of  Newport,  Rhode 
Island. 

In  business  circles  Mr.  Albro  was  regarded  as 
a man  of  good  judgment  and  clear  insight,  while 
as  a citizen  and  as  a neighbor  he  was  held  in  the 
highest  esteem.  He  died  in  Newport,  Sept.  9,  1895. 

BOWEN  (Providence  family).  The  Bowens 
of  Providence  and  of  the  neighboring.  Massachu- 
setts town  of  Rehoboth,  whence  came  the  Providence 
branch  of  the  family,  have  been  one  of  the  first 
families  of  the  city  from  the  Colonial  period. 
Since  1643,  a period  of  260  and  more  years,  the 
name  has  been  a continuous  one  in  the  section 
named.  The  forerunner  of  the  family  was  a large 
land  owner  in  Rehoboth,  a portion  at  least  of  his 
possessions  lying  in  what  is  now  Barrington,  R.  I. 
A grandson  of  the  settler,  a physician  bv  profes- 
sion, of  Seekonk,  extended  his  practice  into  Provi- 
dence in  the  latter  cpiarter  of  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury, and  continued  it  for  perhaps  twenty  years 
before  Providence  had  a settled  physician.  This 
was  the  beginning  of  the  long  line  of  physicians 
in  Providence  of  the  Bowen  name,  a number  of 
whom  have  risen  to  distinction  and  eminence  in  the 
profession.  There  was  Dr.  Thomas  Bowen,  of 
Rehoboth ; and  Dr.  Jabez,  of  Providence ; and  in 
the  succeeding  generation  was  Dr.  Ephraim 
64 


Bowen,  two  of  whose  sons,  Drs.  William  and  P’ar- 
don  Bowen,  like  their  father  gained  great  celeb- 
rity. In  the  next  generation  came  Dr.  William 
Corliss  Bowen,  who  has  been  credited  with  being 
the  most  thoroughly  educated  physician  of  his  time 
in  the  State.  As  is  here  foreshadowed,  some  of 
the  early  Providence  Bowens  were  liberally  edu- 
cated men — several  being  graduates  of  Yale — and 
by  talent  and  acquirement  occupied  high  and  com- 
manding stations  in  life;  a number,  too,  were  grad- 
uates from  Brown  University.  Few  characters  in 
the  State  of  his  time  were  more  influential  and 
commanding  figures  than  Colonel  and  Judge  Jabez 
Bowen,  LL.  D.,  an  officer  of  the  Revolution,  lieu- 
tenant-governor of  the  Colony,  and  chief  justice. 
Then  of  more  recent  generations  have  been  Hon. 
Henry  Bowen,  of  the  legal  profession,  attorney- 
general  of  Rhode  Island,  and  for  some  thirty  years 
secretary  of  State ; and  another  of  that  generation 
was  a professor  of  Brown  University.  Among  the 
Bowens  of  Providence,  too,  have  been  many  men 
of  commercial  importance.  The  Bowens  of  Prov- 
idence, too,  have  allied  themselves  by  marriage 
and  are  connected  with  many  of  the  first  and 
wealthy  families  of  the  State,  among  them  the 
Browns,  the  Corlisses,  the  Amorys,  the  Iveses,  the 
Howes,  the  Whipples,  the  Olneys,  the  Gammells, 
and  the  Potters. 

In  what  follows  the  Roman  characters  used 
designate  the  generations  remote  from  the  immi- 
grant settler  and  American  ancestor  of  the  family. 

(I)  Richard  Bowen,  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  1643, 
was  a large  land  proprietor  along  the  river  “run- 
ning under  the  bridge,”  called  Bowen’s  Bridge 
now,  the  fresh-water  tributary  of  Barrington  river 
south  from  Seekonk.  Mr.  Bowen  was  a town  offi- 
cer June  4,  1645.  He  was  admitted  a freeman  June 
5,  1651.  lie  married,  March  4,  1648,  Esther  Sut- 
ton, and  was  buried  Feb.  4,  1675.  In  his  will,  pro- 
bated June  4,  1675,  he  bequeathed  to  his  wife,  Eliz- 
abeth (or  Esther?),  and  children,  Thomas,  Obe- 
diah,  Richard,  William,  Alice  Wheaton,  Sarah 
Fuller  and  Ruth  Leverich. 

(II)  Thomas  Bowen,  of  Salem,  Mass.,  1648, 
and  of  New  London,  Conn.,  1657-60,  removed  to 
Rehoboth,  Mass.,  where  he  died  in  1663.  His  will 
of  April  nth,  of  that  year,  made  his  wife  Eliza- 
beth, who  in  1669  was  the  widow  of  Samuel  Fuller, 
of  Plymouth,  Mass.,  executrix,  and  in  the  will  he 
names  his  child,  Richard,  and  Brother,  Obediah. 

(III)  Dr.  Richard  Bowen  (2),  son  of  Thomas, 
born  in  1658,  married  Jan.  9,  1683,  Mercye  Titus. 
He  died  in  1736.  Their  children  were:  Elizabeth, 
born  Nov.  n,  1684:  Abiah,  April  10,  1687; 
Thomas,  Aug.  20,  1689;  Damaris,  April  26,  1692; 
Jabez,  Oct.'  19,  1696 ; Ebenezer,  Aug.  23,  1699 ; 
and  Urania,  Sept.  23,  1707.  Richard  Bowen  as 
early  as  1680  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine in  Seekonk,  Mass.,  within  two  miles  of  Provi- 
dence, whose  sick  he  attended  more  than  twenty 
years  before  it  had  any  settled  physician  within  its 


lOIO 


RHODE  ISLAND 


own  limits.  He  educated  two  sons  to  be  phjsi- 
cians,  Drs.  Thomas  and  Jabez. 

(IV)  Dr.  Thomas  Bowen,  son  of  Richard  (2), 
born  Aug.  20,  1689,  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  married 
Aug.  8,  1710,  Sarah  Hunt,  born  in  1690,  daughter 
of  Ephraim  Hunt  and  granddaughter  of  Peter 
Hunt.  Mr.  Bowen  was  a physician  of  Rehoboth, 
when  he  died  July  17,  1774-  His  widow  died  Aug. 
V.  1 777-  Their  children  were:  Sarah,  born  June 
26,  1711;  Huldah,  Feb.  16,  1712-13;  Thomas,  Oct. 
3,  1714;  Ephraim,  Oct.  3,  1716;  Oliver,  Feb.  3, 
1718-19;  Hannah,  April  30,  1721  ; Lucy,  July  3, 
1723;  Benjamin,  March  8,  1724;  Lydia,  June  18, 
1727;  Betty,  April  1,  1729;  and  Mollie,  Nov.  8, 
1731.'  Thomas  Bowen,  as  stated,  was  prepared 
by  his  father  for  the  medical  profession,  and  lo- 
cated with  his  father  in  Seekonk. 

(V)  Dr.  Ephraim  Bowen,  son  of  Dr. 

Thomas,  born  Oct.  3,  1716,  in  Rehoboth, 

married  Feb.  9,  I737>  Mary  Fenner,  daugh- 

ter of  Thomas,  and  a descendant  of  4 homas, 
through  Arthur  and  Thomas  Fenner,  and 
his  wife  Mary  (Abbott),  daughter  of  Dan- 
iel and  granddaughter  of  Daniel  Abbott.  She 
died  Aug.  16,  1744,  and  he  married  (second)  June 
10,  1746,  Lydia  Mawney,  daughter  of  Col.  Peter 
Mawney.  Three  children — Jabez,  born  June  2, 
1739,  Oliver,  born  Nov.  17,  1742,  and  Mary,  born 
in' July,  174—  (died  Aug.  23,  1844)—  came  to  the 
first  marriage ; and  the  following  named  children 
came  to  the  second:  William,  born  March  8,  1747 ; 
Mary,  Oct.  20,  1748;  Sarah,  July  26,  1750;  Lydia, 
Jan  3,  1752;  Ephraim,  Aug.  29,  17531  Benjamin, 
Oct.  17,  1755;  Pardon,  March  26,  1757 : Benjamin 
(2),  Nov.  9,  1759;  Nancy;  June  9,  1762;  Betsey, 
March  4,  1765;  and  Frances,  March  29,  1768. 
Ephraim  Bowen  lived  in  Providence  with  his  un- 
cle, Dr.  Jabez  Bowen,  from  the  the  age  of  nine 
years,  and  finally  studied  medicine  with  him.  He 
settled  on  the  site  of  the  “Franklin  House,”  where 
he  died  Oct.  26,  1812.  Two  of  his  seven  sons,  Wil- 
liam and  Pardon,  became  physicians.  Dr.  Wil- 
liam lived  opposite  his  father,  and  practiced  his 
profession  until  1832 ; he  died  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
six.  Dr.  Pardon  died  in  1826.  These  two  physi- 
cians, with  their  father,  gained  great  celebrity. 

(VI)  Jabez  Bowen,  LL.  D„  son  of  Dr.  Ephraim, 

born  June  2,  1739,  married  Dec.  19,  1762, 

Sarah  'Brown,  born  Sept.  24,  1742,  daughter  of 
Obediah  and  Mary  (Harris)  Brown,  the  former  a 
son  of  Tames  and  Mary  (Harris)  Brown  (she  a 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  granddaughter  of  Wil- 
liam Harris,  who  came  in  the  ship  “Lyon,  ’ from 
Bristol,  England,  to  Boston,  in  company  with  his 
brother  and  Roger  Williams,  in  1630),  grandson 
of  John  Brown  and  great-grandson  of  Chad 
Brown,  who  landed  in  Boston  from  the  ship  “Mar- 
tin,” in  1638;  and  the  latter— Mary  (Harris) 
Brown — a daughter  of  Toleration,  granddaughter 
of  Andrew  and  great-granddaughter  of  William 
Harris  (above).  Mrs.  Bowen  died  March  17, 


1800,  in  her  fifty-eighth  year,  and  he  married  (sec- 
ond) May  21,  1801,  Peddy,  daughter  of  Judge 
George  Leonard,  of'  Norton,  Mass.  She  died  in 
Norton  Sept.  17,  1850,  aged  ninety  years. 

Jabez  Bowen  was  prepared  for  college  in  his 
native  town,  entered  Yale,  and  was  graduated 
therefrom  in  1757.  He  settled  in  Providence, 
where  he  was  married  as  stated,  his  wife  being  a 
first  cousin  of  the  eminent  merchants  for  whom 
Brown  University  is  named.  During  his  earlier 
public  life  he  was  known  as  Jabez  Bowen,  Jr.,  in 
distinction  from  his  great-uncle,  Col.  and  Dr.  Ja- 
bez Bowen,  of  Providence,  who  died  in  August, 
1770;  a half-brother  was  graduated  at  Yale  in 
1766. 

Although  a devoted  Congregationalist  Mr. 
Bowen  was  an  early  friend  of  Brown  University, 
and  became  one  of  its  Fellows  in  1768,  and  in  1785 
he  was  promoted  to  the  place  of  Chancellor  (or 
presiding  officer  of  the  board  of  trustees),  which 
he  held  until  his  death.  He  was  one  of  the  largest 
donors  to  the  building  of  the  first  college,  and  a 
President’s  House,  in  1770.  The  honorary  degree 
of  Master  of  Arts  was  given  him  at  the 
first  commencement,  in  1769,  and  that  of  Doc- 
tor of  Laws  by  Dartmouth  College  in  1800. 
He  had  an  interest  in  science,  and  as- 
sisted in  observing  the  transit  of  Venus 
in  June,  1769;  a letter  from  him  with  ref- 
erence to  these  observations  is  preserved  in  Presi- 
dent Stiles’s  papers  in  Yale  library.  As  the  strug- 
gle with  Great  Britain  grew  on,  his  large  business 
interests  inclined  him  to  conservatism,  but  his  pa- 
triotism determined  him  to  put  forth  unsparingly 
all  his  commanding  influence  on  the  American  side. 
Mr.  Bowen  was  a member  of  the  town  council  in 
I773~75>  ar*d  a representative  in  the  General  As- 
sembly in  1777.  He  held  the  rank  of  major  in 
the  militia  in  1774,  was  made  lieutenant-colonel  in 
1 775,  and  in  May,  1776,  was  appointed  col- 
onel of  the  First  Regiment  of  Providence 
County  and  served  actively  with  that  regi- 
ment in  1777.  Meantime  he  had  been 
placed  on  the  Superior  Court  Bench,  in 
August,  1776,  of  which  court  he  became  chief 
justice  in  February,  1781.  He  was  also,  in  May, 
1778,  elected  deputy  governor,  and  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  year  1780-81  he  sdrvcd  in  that  capacity 
until  1786,  when  the  triumph  of  the  disgraceful 
paper  money  party,  which  he  had  strongly  opposed, 
relegated  him  to  private  life.  Throughout  the 
whole  of  the  Revolutionary  contest  Colonel  Bowen 
was  an  efficient  member  of  the  Council  of  War, 
and  he  repeatedly  represented  the  Colony  in  Con- 
gresses of  importance.  He  was  active  in  providing 
for  the  needs  of  the  French  allies  at  Newport  in 
1780,  and  came  into  intimate  social  relations  with 
the  principal  officers  among  them. 

In  1786  Judge  Bowen  was  appointed  a delegate 
to  the  convention  held  at  Annapolis  that  year  to  pro- 
mote a commercial  union  of  the  Colonies ; and  was 


RHODE  ISLAND 


IOI  i 


a member  of  the  State  Convention  which  adopted 
the  constitution  of  the  United  States  in  May,  1790. 
Under  President  Washington  he  held  the  office  of 
loan  commissioner  of  the  State.  He  died  in  Provi- 
dence, May  7,  1815,  in  his  seventy-sixth  year.  The 
children  of  Judge  Bowen,  all  born  to  his  first  mar- 
riage, were:  Obadiah,  born  Oct.  5,  1763;  Oliver, 
April  21,  1767;  Mary,  June  28,  1772;  Jabez,  Jan. 
29,  1774;  Henry,  Feb.  8,  1776;  Horatio  Gates,  June 
13,  l779'>  a son>  Sept.  10,  1782;  and  Henry  (2), 
Jan.  5,  1785.  Of  these  the  eldest  son  was  gradu- 
ated from  Yale  College  in  1782,  and  died  in  1793; 
two  died  in’ infancy;  the  daughter  died  in  1792; 
and  three  were  graduated  from  Brown  University 
in  1788,  1797  and  1802,  respectively;  one  was  pro- 
fessor and  librarian  there;  and  the  youngest  be- 
came secretary  of  State. 

(VI)  Dr.  William  Bowen,  son  of  Dr.  Ephraim, 
born  March  8,  1746-47,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  mar- 
ried Dec.  6,  1769,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Capt.  George 
Corliss,  of  Providence,  R.  I.  Mr.  Bowen  was  edu- 
cated at  Harvard  and  Yale  Colleges,  passing  one 
or  two  years  of  his  college  life  in  the  former  insti- 
tution. He  was  graduated  from  Yale  in  1766.  He 
was  familiarly  known  in  college,  as  appears  by  his 
classmate  Wadsworth’s  diary,  as  “Doctor  Bowen,” 
and  after  graduation  he  studied  medicine  with  his 
father,  and  also  attended  medical  lectures  in  the 
Medical  School  in  Philadelphia.  He  settled  in  his 
native  town,  where  he  became  a very  popular  and 
respected  physician.  Here  he  practised  his  pro- 
fession until  within  a short  time  previous  to  his 
death,  covering  a period  of  more  than  sixty  years. 
Dr.  Bowen  seemed  fitted  by  nature  for  the  profes- 
sion he  adopted.  His  very  presence  inspired  hope. 
He  combined  in  a remarkable  degree  affability  and 
dignity  in  his  intercourse  with  others.  He  was  a 
polished  gentleman  of  the  old  school,  of  most  aff- 
able and  winning  manners,  in  social  life  singu- 
larly easy  and  perfectly  at  home.  Possessing  the 
characteristics  which  distinguished  him,  he  was 
welcomed  as  a friend  full  of  tenderness  and  sym- 
pathy in  the  families  where  he  practised.  In  his 
religious  belief  Dr.  Bowen  was  a Congregational- 
ist,  and  one  of  the  original  corporators  of  the  First 
Congregational  Society  in  Providence,  in  1770. 
He  educated  a large  number  of  pupils,  among  them 
Drs.  Wheaton,  Fiske  and  Carpenter.  He  avoided 
surgical  practice,  but  in  diseases  of  women  and 
children  he  excelled ; and  he  was  particularly  skill- 
ful in  the  treatment  of  fevers,  and  a close  observer 
of  nature.  His  dress  was  a drab  coat,  vest  and 
shorts,  with  yellow  topped  boots ; his  hair  combed 
back  and  sometimes  powdered,  and  curled  on  the 
temples,  and  a queue  behind.  He  died  at  Provi- 
dence Jan.  17,  1832,  aged  nearly  eighty-five  years. 
To  Dr.  Bowen  and  his  wife  were  born  children  as 
follows : 

(1)  Elizabeth  married  in  1799  Thomas  Amory, 
and  to  them  came : Mary ; Harriet,  who  married 
Robert  H.  Ives;  John;  Julia,  who  married  Rt.  Rev. 


Bishop  Mark  Antony  De Wolfe  Howe;  Louise; 
Anna ; Helen,  who  married  William  Raymond  Lee ; 
and  Thomas. 

(2)  Sarah  married  in  1816  William  S.  Skinner. 

(3)  Maria  married  Hon.  John  Whipple,  and 
there  came  to  them : John ; Maria,  who  married 
Rev.  Dr.  Francis  Vinton ; Elizabeth,  who  married 
Prof.  William  Gammell,  of  Brown  University; 
Sarah  C.,  who  married  (first)  Robert  P.  Swann, 
of  Virginia,  and  (second)  William  H.  Potter,  of 
Kingston,  R.  I.;  Samuel,  who  died  young;  Harriet, 
wife  of  William  S.  Slater;  and  William. 

(4)  Harriet  married  in  1815  Commodore 
Charles  Morris,  U.  S.  N.,  whose  children  were : 
Charles;  Harriet,  who  married  Rev.  Dr.  Coolidge ; 
Louise,  who  married  Dr.  W.  W.  Corcoran,  of 
Washington;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Dr.  John  L. 
Fox;  Helen;  R.  Murray;  Dr.,  William  B. ; Maria, 
who  married  Rev.  Mr.  Duncan;  George;  Julia, 
who  married  Dr.  Addison. 

(5)  William  Corliss,  of  whom  more  presently. 

(VI)  Dr.  Pardon  Bowen,  son  of  Dr.  Ephraim, 

born  March  26,  1757,  in  Providence,  married  Dec. 
10,  1780,  Elizabeth  Ward.  Dr.  Bowen  was  gradu- 
ated from  Brown  University  in  1775.  After  the 
usual  preparatory  course  of  study  under  his 
brother,  Dr.  William  Bowen,  he  in  1779  embarked 
as  surgeon  of  a privateer,  fitted  out  for  the  de- 
struction of  British  commerce.  The  ship  was  soon 
captured  and  carried  into  Halifax,  where  during  an 
imprisonment  of  seven  months  he  endured  no  com- 
mon privations  and  suffering.  After  being  regu- 
larly exchanged  he  returned  home,  but  soon  after 
engaged  in  repeated  enterprises  of  the  kind,  with 
similar  results,  until,  after  a hard-fought  battle  of 
two  hours,  his  vessel  gained  a signal  victory  over 
the  enemy,  and  his  prize  money  made  some  amends 
for  his  suffering  and  privations. 

Resolved  to  establish  himself  in  his  native  town, 
he  in  the  year  1788  attended  lectures  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  subsequently  commenced  practice  in  the 
various  branches  of  his  profession.  His  progress, 
though  slow  at  fifrst,  gradually  acquired  speed, 
until  he  attained  the  highest  eminence,  both  as  a 
physician  and  surgeon,  in  the  State.  His  kind  and 
conciliatory  manner  and  warm-hearted  benevo- 
lence won  the  esteem  and  admiration  of  all  persons. 

Dr.  Bowen  contributed  occasionally  to  the  med- 
ical journals  of  the  day,  and  in  the  fourth  volume 
of  Hosack’s  and  Francis’s  Register  may  be  found 
an  account,  from  his  pen,  of  the  yellow  fever  as  it 
prevailed  in  Providence  in  the  year  1805.  Desirous 
to  keep  pace  with  the  progress  of  the  profession,  he 
was  diligent  in  reading  those  periodicals  which  were 
calculated  to  keep  one  informed  in  all  that  related 
to  discoveries  and  improvements. 

Dr.  Bowen  was  an  active  member  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Medical  Society,  and  for  seven  years  its 
presiding  officer.  He  was  also  a Fellow  of  the 
American  Antiquarian  Society,  and  a member  of 
the  board  of  trustees  of  Brown  University.  In 


1012 


RHODE  ISLAND 


the  winter  of  1820  the  professional  usefulness  of 
the  eminent  and  beloved  physician  was  terminated 
by  an  attack  of  hemiplegia,  which  seized  him  with- 
out premonition,  and  threatened  the  immediate  ex- 
tinction of  life.  The  worst  fears  of  his  friends  were 
not,  however,  thus  suddenly  realized.  He  partially 
recovered  the  use  of  his  limbs,  and  not  long  after- 
ward retired  to  tbe  residence  of  his  son-in-law, 
Franklin  Greene,  Escp,  of  Warwick,  R.  I.  It  was 
his  favorite  retreat  from  the  toils  of  professional 
life,  and  was  destined  to  receive  his  last  sigh  in  the 
bosom  of  an  affectionate  family  on  the  25th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1826. 

“By  his  friends  Dr.  Bowen  was  a man,  indeed, 
to  be  ardently  loved,  for  they  daily  witnessed  the 
benignity  of  bis  nature,  the  engaging  suavity  of 
his  manners,  the  variety  and  richness  and  clear  in- 
telligence of  his  conversation,  the  generous  ex- 
pansion of  his  sensibilities,  and  the  inflexible  recti- 
tude of  his  principles;  the  pressure  of  business 
never  made  him  careless  of  the  feelings  and  inter- 
ests of  others.  Indeed,  he  was  remarkable  for  that 
moral  cultivation  which  respects  the  rights  of  all ; 
and  few  showed  a nicer  discernment  of  the  essen- 
tial peculiarities  which  distinguish  one  being 
from  another,  and  a more  benevolent  and  delicate 
adjustment  of  all  in  every  class.  Notwithstanding 
his  elevated  reputation  as  a physician,  and  the  opu- 
lence of  his  intellectual  attainments,  he  was  on  ail 
occasions  a pattern  of  engaging  modesty,  seeking 
rather  to  support  the  happiness  of  others  than  to 
win  their  applause.  Singularly  exempt  from  the 
feverish  thirst  for  distinction  which  is  allayed  by 
the  cheap  honors  of  society,  he  was  happy  in  his 
walk  of  revered  but  unobtrusive  usefulness,  minis- 
tering to  the  comforts  of  his  fellow1  creatures,  when 
bereaved  of  health  or  oppressed  by  poverty,  or  sink- 
ing in  death.  Though  for  nearly  half  a century 
engaged  in  the  active  discharge  of  professional 
duty,  his  heart  retained  its  original  purity,  uncor- 
rup'ted  by  an  undue  attachment  to  wealth  or  fame. 
His  fortune  was  never  ample,  but  the  stream  of 
his  benevolence  flowed  with  an  equal  and  unchecked 
current.  Such  were  some  of  the  prominent  charac- 
teristics of  Dr.  Pardon  Bowen.  He  had  high 
capacities  and  he  exerted  them  for  the  good  of  his 
kind.  His  life,  in  all  its  stages,  was  a beautiful  ex- 
hibition of  the  virtues,  and,  at  its  close,  an  example 
of  Christian  holiness.  His  pure  spirit  while  on 
earth  took  a wide  and  lofty  range,  and  now  that 
it  has  ascended  to  its  Maker  the  belief  is  not  pre- 
sumptuous that  it  is  gladdened  by  the  joys  of 
Pleaven,  and  sublimed  by  the  contemplation  of  im- 
mortality.” 

(VII)  Hon.  Henry  Bowen,  son  of  Hon.  Jabez, 
born  Jan.  5,  1785,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  married  in 
1808  Harriet  Amanda  Munro,  daughter  of  Captain 
Munro,  of  Providence,  who  died  in  1857.  Mr. 
.Bowen  was  prepared  for  college  in  the  schools  of 
Providence,  and  entered  Brown  University,  from 


which  he  was  graduated  in  1802.  After  his  gradu- 
ation he  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  Schenec- 
tady, N.  Y.,  and  completed  his  preparation  for  the 
profession  under  the  direction  of  Hon.  Levi  Lin- 
coln, at  Worcester,  Mass.,  then  attorney-general 
of  Massachusetts.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar 
and  in  1806  located  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  in  the 
practice  of  law. 

Mr.  Bowen  was  elected  as  an  anti-Pederalist  at- 
torney-general of  Rhode  Island  in  1817,  and  in 
1819  he  became  secretary  of  State.  After  a service 
of  thirty  years  in  that  relation  to  the  State  he  re- 
tired from  office,  in  1849,  this  owing*  to  defective 
hearing.  “His  term  of  office  with  two  exceptions 
is  the  longest  in  the  annals  of  Rhode  Island  [1880] 
and  his  influence  was  very  largely  felt  in  shaping 
the  forms  of  legislation  in  the  State.”  Mr.  Bowen 
died  April  26,  1867.  To  the  marriage  of  Mr. 
Bowen  and  Miss  Munro  were  born  children  as  fol- 
lows : Harriet,  who  married  Charles  Cheney,  of 
South  Manchester,  Conn. ; Henry  L.,  who  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Whiting  Gordon,  of  Norwich,  and 
has  Caroline  and  Charlotte  W. ; William  H. ; and 
Charles,  who  married  Miss  Gilman,  daughter  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Gilman,  of  Charleston,  S.  C.,  and  has. 
two  children,  Lillian  and  Gilman  Bowen,  of  Tiver- 
ton, Rhode  Island. 

(VII)  Dr.  William  Corliss  Bowen,  son  of  Dr. 
William,  married  March  25,  1812,  Rebecca  Olney,. 
born  in  1788,  daughter  of  Col.  Christopher  and 
Jemima  (Potter)  Olney,  he  a descendant  of 
Thomas  Olney,  who  came  from  England  in  the  ship 
"Planter,”  in  1635,  to  Salem,  through  Epenetus,. 
James  and  Jonathan.  Col.  Christopher  Olney  was 
a manufacturer,  the  village  of  Olneyville  taking 
its  name  from  him,  his  mills  being  located  at  that 
point.  During  the  Revolution  he  was  a patriot,, 
held  a colonelcy  and  was  in  command  at  the  island 
of  Rhode  Island  in  1781.  The  only  child  born  to 
Dr.  William  Corliss  Bowen  and  his  wife  was  Wil- 
liam Corliss. 

Dr.  Bowen  studied  in  Brown  University,  then 
in  Union  College,  at  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  from 
which  latter  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1803. 
Lor  three  years  following  his  graduation  he  studied 
medicine  under  the  direction  of  his  uncle,  Dr.  Par- 
don Bowen,  at  Providence,  R.  I.  He  went  abroad 
in  1806,  and  furthered  his  medical  studies  at  Edin- 
burgh. He  received  his  degree  in  1807,  and  for 
four  years  thereafter  continued  to  perfect  himself 
by  study  in  Europe.  He  passed  some  time  in  Hol- 
land and  Paris,  and  for  nearly  three  years  was  a 
private  pupil  of  Sir  Astley  Cooper,  in  London. 
Returning  to  the  United  States  in  1811,  he  located 
in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Providence.  For 
some  two  years  he  wras  professor  of  chemistry  in 
Brown  University,  and  while  there  he  engaged  in 
making  a course  of  experiments  from  the  inhal- 
ation of  noxious  vapors  and  gas.  He  died  April 
23,  1815.  Dr.  Bowen  was  perhaps  the  most 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1013 


thoroughly  educated  physician  of  his  time  in  the 
State.  In  his  death  the  profession  lost  a most 
promising  member. 

(VIII)  William  Horatio  Bowen,  son  of 
Hon.  Henry,  born  Jan.  7,  1824,  on  College  street, 
Providence,  married  (first)  Oct.  13,  1847,  Edna  B. 
Goodhue,  and  (second)  April  30,  1857,  Cordelia 
James,  daughter  of  Gen.  Charles  T.  James.  Mr. 
Bowen  in  boyhood  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Providence,  and  for  a time  pursued  a course  in 
Brown  University,  not  graduating  however.  He 
began  a business  career  as  an  agent  for  sailing  ves- 
sels carrying  freight  between  Providence  and  New 
York.  Following  this  work  the  became  a flour 
merchant  on  South  Water  street.  Providence.  Still 
later  he  became  identified  with  the  manufacturing- 
business,  as  agent  for  the  mills  at  Lymanville,  and 
as  such  continued  throughout  the  remainder  of  his 
active  business  life. 

Mr.  Bowen  took  an  active  interest  in  the  public 
affairs  of  his  native  city,  and  served  it  officially  in 
a number  of  capacities,  and  for  a long  period  of 
years.  For  twelve  years  he  was  an  efficient  aider- 
man  from  the  Second  ward,  and  for  nearly  as  long 
he  served  the  city  as  license  commissioner.  He 
passed  away  at  the  old  home,  No.  70  College  street, 
May  6,  1897.  His  widow  and  four  children  sur- 
vive, three  of  them  born  to  the  first  marriage.  The 
first  Mrs.  Bowen  passed  away  Dec.  26,  1855,  aged 
twenty-seven  years.  The  children  are  : (1)  Henry 

Bowen  was  born  Aug.  5,  1852.  (2)  Edna  G.  was 

born  Nov.  30,  1849.  (3)  Joseph  Tilton,  born  April 

1,  1854,  lives  in  Chicago.  He  married  Louisa  Had- 
dock de  Coven  June  1,  1886,  and  has  children: 
John  de  Coven,  born  June  16,  1.887:  Joseph  Tilton, 
born  Sept.  19,  1888;  Helen  Haddock,  born  June 
24,  1890;  Louise  de  Coven,  born  June  7,  1892.  (4) 
Frank,  born  Nov.  6,  1864,  is  unmarried.  William 
H.  Bowen  was  a man  of  the  old  school,  with  court- 
eous manner  and  genial  way,  and  he  was  much 
loved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

(IV)  Dr.  Jabez  Bowen,  son  of  Dr.  Richard, 
born  Oct.  19,  1696,  married  Dec.  27,  1727  (perhaps 
his  second  wife),  Jeanna  Salisbury,  and  his  chil- 
dren were:  Dr.  Benjamin;  Nathan,  who  died  in 
1814;  Obediah  ; Levi,  who  was  drowned;  Merriam, 
who  married  Samuel  Goff;  Jemima,  who  married 
Stephen  Bowen  and  Johanna,  who  married  Nathan 
Bliss. 

(V)  Dr.  Benjamin  Bowen,  son  of  Dr.  Jabez, 
born  Sept.  17,  1727,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  married 
the  widow  of  Peter  Simons,  of  Newport,  R.  I. 
Dr.  Bowen  succeeded  to  his  father’s  practice. 

(VI)  Dr.  Joseph  Bowen,  son  of  Dr.  Benjamin, 
born  in  1755  or  1756,  in  Providence,  married  Dec. 
8,  1782,  Hannah  Simons.  Dr.  Bowen  lived  to  ad- 
vanced age,  dying  in  Glocester,  R.  I.,  Aug.  12, 
1832.  He  served  as  a surgeon  in  the  Revolution 
on  the  privateer  “Chance.”  In  1835  Congress 
ordered  published  a list  of  all  the  soldiers  of  the 


Revolution  who  were  on  the  pension  roll,  with  full 
particulars  of  the  service  rendered.  The  list  was 
furnished,  and  on  it  appears  the  name  of  “Joseph 
Bowen,  surgeon,  mate,  Providence  county,  allow- 
ance per  year,  $368.66 ; total  so  far  received, 
$542.99 ; R.  I.  Navy,  placed  on  the  roll  Oct.  27, 
1832;  commencement  of  pension  March  4,  1832; 
age  77;  died  Aug.  12,  1832.” 

(VII)  Clovis  Hildovis  Bowen,  son  of  Dr. 
Joseph,  born  May  9,  1801,  at  the  old  Bowen  home- 
stead, corner  of  North  * Main  and  Bowen  streets, 
Providence,  married  (first)  April  30,  1840,  Sarah 
S.  Congdon.  She  died  March  2,  1842,  and  he 
married  (second)  Aug.  1,  1849,  at  Killingly, 

Conn.,  Nancy  W.  Steere,  she  a descendant  of  John 
Steere,  of  Providence,  1660,  whose  wife  was  Han- 
nah, daughter  of  Rev.  William  Wickenden,  and 
they  the  founders  of  the  Steere  family  of  Rhode 
Island,  from  whom  her  descent  is  through  Samuel 
and  Hannah  (Field),  Anthony  (1716-1802)  and 
Rachel  Comstock  (1711-1816),  and  Enoch  (1748- 
1826)  and  Zerviah  (Mowry). 

Clovis  H.  Bowen  was  for  thirty-two  consecutive 
years  town  clerk  of  the  town  of  Glocester,  R.  I. 
His  death  occurred  Jan.  15,  1875,  when  he  was 
aged  seventy-three  years.  His  widow  passed  away 
Dec.  3,  1902.  One  child  was  born  to  the  first  mar- 
riage, Hannah  Robinson,  April  16,  1841,  who  died 
April  16,  1842.  The  children  born  to  the  second 
marriage  were : Edward  Steere,  born  May  9, 
1850;  Clovis  Henry,  April  23,  1853;  Helen  Norton, 
Nov.  21,  1854;  Hannah  Simon,  Aug.  7,  1857;  and 
Herbert  Anthony,  Aug.  25,  1861. 

(VIII)  Edward  S.  Bowen,  son  of  Clovis  H., 
born  May  9,  1850,  in  the  village  of  Chepachet, 
town  of  Glocester,  R.  I.,  married  in  September, 
1887,  Elma  S.  Brown,  daughter  of  Joseph  F. 
Brown,  of  Providence.  Their  children,  Edith,  Jo- 
seph Brown,  Faith  and  Harold  Clovis,  are  all  at 
home. 

Mr.  Bowen  was  liberally  educated,  pursuing  his 
studies  first  in  the  public  schools,  then  took  a 
partial  course  at  the  noted  Connecticut  Literary  In- 
stitute, at  Suffield,  Conn.  He  began  his  business 
career  in  the  capacity  of  bookkeeper  in  the  Glen 
River  Woolen  Mills  at  Pascoag,  R.  I.  After  two 
years’  service  with  this  company  he  went  to  Paw- 
tucket. where  he  entered  the  employ  of  Smith 
Grant  & Co.,  and  has  ever  since  continued  with  that 
concern  and  its  successor,  the  Newell  Coal  & 
Lumber  Co.,  of  which  corporation  he  has  been 
treasurer  since  its  incorporation,  in  1888.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Bowen  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Franklin  Society  of  Providence.  He  is  a 
director  in  the  Slater  Cotton  Company  and  the 
Slater  Trust  Company,  and  was  of  its  predecessor, 
the  old  Slater  National  Bank.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Pawtucket  Congregational  Church. 

(VIII)  To  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Clovis  Henry 
Bowen,  son  of  Clovis  Hildovis,  born  in  Glocester, 
R.  I.,  April  23,  1853,  married  Sept.  6,  1877,  Mary 


ioi4 


RHODE  ISLAND 


E.,  daughter  of  Samuel  S.  Collyer,'  of  Pawtucket, 
R.  I.,  came  one  child,  Edward  C.,  born  Dec.  5, 
1884. 

Mr.  Bowen  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Franklin,  Mass.,  and  at  the  Military  Academy  at 
West  Point.  He  began  his  business  career  as  a 
clerk  for  Smith  Grant  & Co.,  of  Pawtucket,  and 
after  a year’s  service  with  that  establishment  en- 
tered the  employ  of  C.  H.  George  & Co.,  of  Provi- 
dence. Subsequently  he  was  a bookkeeper  for  the 
Barstow  Stove  Company,*  resigning  this  position 
to  take  charge  of  the  affairs  of  N.  S.  Collyer  & Co. 
This  company  was  later  reorganized  as  the  Collyer 
Machine  Company,  of  which  Mr.  Bowen  became 
general  manager  and  treasurer,  and  still  sustains 
such  relations  to  it.  Mr.  Clovis  Henry  Bowen  was 
the  organizer  of  the  Collyer  Insulated  Wire  Co., 
of  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  in  1890,  has  been  its  treasurer 
and  general  manager  since  that  time  and  has  built 
up  a flourishing  institution.  He  is  one  of  the  direc- 
tors of  the  Slater  Trust  Company  and  a director  of 
the  United  Wire  & Supply  Company,  of  Provi- 
dence, Rhode  Island. 

Mr.  Bowen's  political  affiliations  are  with  the 
Republican  party.  He  is  a member  of  the  Paw- 
tucket Business  Men’s  Association  and  is  both  ac- 
tive and  prominent  in  Masonic  circles,  being  a 
Mason  of  the  thirty-second  degree.  Mr.  Bowen 
has  been  a member  of  the  order  of  the  Royal 
Arcanum  for  twenty-five  years  and  has  taken  an 
active  and  special  interest  in  its  insurance  features. 
He  has  been  for  the  last  seven  years  a member  of 
the  National  Body  of  this  order,  being  now  the 
elective  member  of  the  Executive  Council,  this 
position  being  the  fourth  highest  office  in  the  na- 
tional-organization. He  is  also  past  grand  regent 
of  the  Royal  Arcanum  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Is- 
land. The  national  organization  has  over  300,000 
members,  and  has  paid  out  to  its  policy-holders  on 
death  losses  over  $90,000,000.  He  is  a member  of 
the  Pawtucket  Congregational  Church. 

BRAYTON  (Cranston-Providence  families  in 
line  of  Lodowick  1st).  The  Brayton  family  has 
been  one  of  the  strong,  forceful  families  of  Rhode 
Island  since  along  in  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth 
century,  and  some  branches  of  it  especially  con- 
spicuous in  public  affairs,  Hon.  Francis  Brayton, 
the  ancestor,  of  Portsmouth,  serving  several  years 
as  commissioner  and  a number  of  years  as  deputy 
in  the  Colonial  Assembly.  His  grandson,  Hon. 
Thomas  Brayton,  of  Portsmouth  and  East  Green- 
wich, also  was  a member  of  the  Assembly  from 
each  town.  Then  in  still  a later  generation  and  all 
in  the  same  line,  that  indicated  in  the  foregoing, 
is  the  present  Hon.  Walter  Francis  Brayton,  an  ag- 
riculturist and  horticulturist,  of  Cranston,  who  for 
many  years  has  represented  his  town  in  the  lower 
branch  of  the  Assembly  and  as  well  in  the  Senate, 
and  is  vet  most  active  and  useful  in  citizenship,  and 
only  a little  beyond  the  prime  of  life. 


Again  in  this  same  line,  that  of  Lodowick  Bray- 
ton (1),  of  Cranston,  and  in  an  earlier  generation, 
was  the  late  Hon.  Lodowick  Brayton,  of  Cranston 
and  Providence,  long  one  among  the  most  promi- 
nent business  men  of  Providence  and  largely  in- 
terested in  enterprises  in  various  parts  of  the  State,, 
and  a most  successful  and  capable  business  man 
who  figured  in  and  about  the  capital  city  for  ap- 
proximately forty  years,  one  who  rose  to  positions 
of  large  responsibility  both  in  municipal  govern- 
ment and  in  corporations,  bank  president,  street 
railway  president,  etc.  And  two  of  the  latter’s 
sons,  one  but  recently  deceased  and  the  other  still 
active  in  business  life,  have  worthily  sustained  the 
father’s  reputation.  Reference  is  made  to  the  late 
Robert  E.  Brayton  of  Riverpoint  and  Provi- 
dence, who  for  years  was  associated  with  his  father 
and  brother,  the  present  William  E.  Brayton,  now 
active  and  prominent  in  the  business  life  of  Prov- 
idence, Riverpoint  and  the  State.  These  brothers 
were  associated  together  in  the  foundry  business  at 
Riverpoint  and  interested  in  other  enterprises. 

The  family  history  and  genealogy  in  the  line 
indicated  in  the  foregoing,  beginning  with  the 
American  progenitor  of  the  family  and  in  chrono- 
logical order,  follows : 

(I)  Francis  Brayton  was  early  at  Portsmouth, 
R.  I.,  where  he  was  received  as  an  inhabitant,  gave 
his  engagement  unto  the  government  and  pro- 
pounded for  a lot  of  land.  He  was  made  a free- 
man in  1655,  was  a commissioner  in  1662-63,  and 
deputy  in  1669,  1670,  1671,  1679  and  1684.  Mr. 
Brayton  was  born  in  1612,  and  died  in  1692.  The 
Christian  name  of  his  wife  was  Mary.  The  chil- 
dren of  this  Mr.  Brayton  were:  Francis,  Mary 
and  Stephen. 

(II)  Francis  Brayton  (2),  son  of  Francis,  was 
also  of  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  where  he 
was  made  a freeman  in  1672.  He  married  March 
18,  1671,  Mary,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
Fish.  The  death  of  Mr.  Brayton  occurred  Jan.  30, 
1718,  and  that  of  his  widow  April  4,  1747.  His 
children  were:  Mary,  bom  Jan.  1,  1676:  Thomas, 
born  June  14,  1681  ; Francis,  born  March  17,  1684; 
Martha  ; Elizabeth  ; and  Sarah. 

(III)  Thomas  Brayton,  son  of  Francis  (2), 
born  June  14,  1681,  married  Aug.  23,  1704,  Mary 
Freeborn,  born  Aug.  24,  1679,  daughter  of  Gideon 
and  Mary  (Bromer)  Freeborn.  Mr.  Brayton  was 
of  Portsmouth  and  East  Greenwich,  R.  I.  He  was 
deputy  in  1719  and  1721  from  Portsmouth,  and 
from  East  Greenwich  in  1725  and  1727.  He  died 
in  1728,  and  his  widow  passed  away  in  1761.  His 
will  was  proved  in  1728.  His  children  were:  Mary, 
born  July  1,  1708,  Hannah,  born  March  28,  1 7 1 1 7 
Thomas,  born  July  21,  1713;  Francis,  born  Sept. 
21,  1715;  Gideon,  born  Jan.  27,  1718;  and  Francis 
(2),  born  March  30,  1721. 

(IV)  Thomas  Brayton  (2),  son  of  Thomas, 
born  July  21,  1713,  married  Jan.  17,  1732,  Mary 
Phillips,  of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  and  they  were  res- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


idents  of  Washington  village  in  the  town  of  Cov- 
entry, R.  I.,  where  he  owned  a large  waterpowdr 
which  he  improved,  erecting  mills.  Mrs.  Brayton 
died  Dec.  18,  1771.  Their  children  were : Thomas, 
born  Feb.  17,  1733;  Rebeckah,  March  16,  1734-35; 
David,  May  31,  1737;  William,  Jan.  24,  1738; 
Mary,  Feb.  24,  1739  (died  Feb.  28,  1739)  ; Gideon, 
May  26,  1742;  Jonathan,  Oct.  9,  1745. 

(V)  Jonathan  Brayton*  son  of  Thomas  (2)  and 
Marv  (Phillips)  Brayton,  born  Oct.  9,  1745,  mar- 
ried Nov.  20,  1763,  Freelove  Brayton,  born  June 
29.  1743.  and  their  children  were:  Rufus,  born 
Jan.  18,  1765:  Samuel,  Oct.  16,  1766;  Lodowick, 
May  25,  1770;  Rebecca,  Aug.  30,  1772;  Phebe, 
March  14,  1775;  and  Elizabeth,  Dec.  21,  1780.  Mr. 
Brayton  came  into  possession  of  a large  part  of  his 
father's  estate.  His  death  occurred  in  1816.  He 
resided  the  latter  part  of  his  life  with  his  son,  Sam- 
uel Brayton,  at  Nicholas  Corner,  near  Wickford. 

(VI)  Lodowick  Brayton,  son  of  Jonathan,  born 

May  25,  1770,  in  Washington  village,  married 
(first)  Nov.  21,  1793,  Hannah  Burton, 'daughter  of 
George  Burton,  of  Cranston,  and  sister  of  Judge 
.Burton,  of  that  same  town.  One  son,  William, 
was  born  to  this  marriage,  March  23,  1795,  and 
died  May  10,  1848.  Mr.  Brayton  married  (sec- 
ond) Elizabeth  Knight,  daughter  of  Deacon 
Stephen  Knight,  of  Scituate.  Their  children  were : 
Robert,  born  May  5,  1800,  died  Oct.  19,  1802 ; 
Robert  (2),  born  July  27,  1802,  went  to  western 
New  York;  Alfred  K.,  born  Sept.  8,  1804,  died  in 
i860;  Hannah,  born  Aug.  21,  1806,  died  in  1871; 
Philip  F.,  born  Aug.  23,  1809,  died  in  1850;  Jona- 
than and  Stephen,  twins,  born  June  12,  1811  (the 
latter  deceased  in  infancy)  ; Stephen  (2),  born 
Nov.  6,  1813,  died  in  1833;  Lodowick,  born 

Sept.  28,  1815;  Samuel  H.,  born  Oct.  13,  1817, 
has  children),  Augusta,  Lillis  (married  George  O. 
Gorton),  Hebert  and  Henrietta  M. ; Nehemiah, 
born  April  21,  1820;  Edward,  born  July  9,  1822, 
died  in  infancy ; Edward  W.  and  Francis  E.,  twins, 
born  Dec.  10,  1823,  the  latter  deceased  in  1843, 
while  the  former  went  to  California,  lived  around 
and  at  San  Jose,  and  died  there.  The  father  of 
these  children  resided  in  Washington  village,  then 
took  up  his  residence  in  Cranston,  near  what  is  now 
Oak  Lawn. 

(VII)  Lodowick  Brayton  (2),  son  of  Lodo- 
wick. born  in  1815  in  Cranston,  R.  I.,  married 
(first)  Ruth  Sweet,  daughter  of  Matthew  Sweet, 
and  (second)  Laura  N.  Turner,  daughter  of  Stuk- 
ley  Turner,  a well  known  citizen  of  Cranston,  R.  I. 
Six  children  were  born  to  the  first  marriage  and 
two  to  the  second,  as  follows:  William  E.,  born 
Feb.  17,  1841,  is  mentioned  below;  Robert  E.,  born 
June  11,  1843,  *s  also  mentioned  further  on:  Mary 
Elizabeth  died  young;  Emma  F.  married  Herbert 
N.  Fenner,  president  of  the  New  England  Butt 
Company  of  Providence,  and  has  had  two  sons, 
Harry  Brayton  (born  June  3,  1871),  deceased,  and 
Herbert  Lodowick  (born  Feb.  14,  1891)  ; Clara 


IO15 

Leroy;  and  Julia.  By  the  second  marriage:  Clara 
T.,  who  married  G.  Richmond  Parsons ; and  Laura, 
who  married  Gardner  C.  Sims. 

Mr.  Lodowick  Brayton  was  one  of  the  very 
prominent  and  successful  men  of  Providence  and 
of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island.  He  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  his  father  being  a well-to-do  farmer  of  Crans- 
ton, this  State.  Along  in  the  middle  fifties,  or  a 
little  earlier,  Mr.  Brayton  became  identified  with  the 
interests  of  the  city  of  Providence,  of  which  and 
its  vicinity  he  was  ever  afterward  a prominent 
character.  As  the  years  passed  his  business  was 
enlarged  and  his  interests  increased  until  he  became 
financially  one  of  the  solid  and  substantial  men 
of  tne  city;  he,  too,  was  ever  alive  to  the  city’s 
interests,  enterprising  and  progressive.  In  1868 
he  was  elected  an  alderman  from  his  ward — the 
Eighth — and  he  was  re-elected  to  that  body  in  1870, 
1871  and  1872.  From  October,  1876,  to  November, 
1880,  he  was  water  commissioner.  He  was  trustee 
under  the  mortgage  of  the  Providence  & Spring- 
field  railroad  from  August,  1872,  until  the  time  of 
his  death.  Mr.  Brayton  was  also  one  of  the  com- 
missioners appointed  in  December,  1883,  for  build- 
ing the  bridge  over  the  Seekonk  river.  He  had 
holdings  in  the  New  England  Butt  Company,  of 
which  corporation  he  was  president  at  the  time  of 
his  death.  He  also  dealt  largely  in  real  estate.  lie 
was  second  president  of  the  Union  Horse  Railway 
Company,  Providence.  He,  too,  was  one  of  the 
firm  of  S.  Colvin  & Co.,  machinists,  at  Riverpoint, 
R.  I.  He  was  the  principal  stockholder  in  the  L. 
Brayton  Company,  also  located  at  Riverpoint.  He 
was  elected  a director  of  the  Union  Railway  Com- 
pany March  5,  1874,  and  president  May  1,  1876. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  pur- 
chased the  old  Quaker  Meeting  House  in  Oak 
Lawn  and  gave  it  to  the  Baptists. 

It  goes  without  saying  that  Mr.  Brayton  was 
a most  capable  business  man,  one  of  far-sighted  and 
sound  judgment.  He  was  a commanding  figure, 
tall  and  large,  possessing  a genial  nature.  His  loss 
to  the  city  and  State  was  keenly  felt.  His  death 
occurred  at  his  home  on  High  street,  Providence, 
June  21,  1884. 

(VIII)  William  E.  Brayton,  son  of  Lodowick 
(2),  born  in  Warwick,  married  May  17,  1864,  El- 
len M.  Brown,  daughter  of  Nelson  Brown.  They 
have  two  children : Nellie  E.,  born  Aug.  5,  18 66, 
married  Frank  C.  Blake,  of  Providence;  and  Ruth, 
born  June  6,  1876,  married  Walter  C.  Nve,  of 
Providence. 

(VIII)  Robert  E. Brayton,  son  of  Lodowick 
(2),  born  in  Cranston,  R.  I.,  June  11,  1843,  mar- 
ried Dec.  12,  1866,  Lavina  Elsbree,  daughter  of 
William  Elsbree,  Jr.  They  have  no  children. 

Robert  E.  Brayton  was  sent  to  the  East  Green- 
wich Academy  as  soon  as  he  was  able  as  a boy  to 
leave  home.  He  was  a pupil  in  that  most  excellent 
school  for  several  terms,  and  then  took  a course  in 
bookkeeping  and  penmanship  at  Scholfield’s  Busi- 


ioi6 


RHODE  ISLAND 


ness  College  in  Providence.  Thus  well  equipped 
and  his  school  days  over,  he  became  identified  with 
his  father  in  many  of  the  latter's  business  enter- 
prises in  and  about  Providence.  He  took  entire 
charge  of  the  foundry  at  Riverpoint  in  about  1864, 
assuming  the  duties  of  supervision  and  manage- 
ment which  had  heretofore  rested  on  his  father’s 
shoulders.  In  all  his  business  relations  with  his 
father  and  vice  versa,  there  was  always  a strong  in- 
terdependence, and  throughout  their  lives  a rare 
comradeship  of  father  and  son  existed.  Prior  to 
the  removal  of  the  machine  shop  to  Riverpoint  he 
and  his  father  were  sole  owmers  of  the  foundry,  but 
after  that  he  became  interested  in  the  machine  shop 
and  his  brother  William  acquired  an  interest  in 
the  foundry.  The  machine  shop  was  owned  by  the 
corporation  of  Stephen  Colvin  & Co.,  the  other  ac- 
tively interested  parties  being  his  brother,  William 
E.,  Stephen  Colvin  and  Horatio  N.  Remington. 
Mr.  Brayton  was  a good  business  man,  and  wras 
known  as  a man  possessed  of  the  best  of  business 
judgment,  and  his  counsel  was  much  sought  after 
by  his  friends  and  associates  at  Riverpoint.  He 
was  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  Providence,  in 
which  city  he  had  made  his  place  of  residence  for 
fifteen  or  twenty  years  before  his  death,  his  home 
being  on  Broadway.  He  had  previously  lived  for 
a number  of  years  in  the  handsome  residence  ad- 
joining that  of  Henry  L.  Greene,  at  Riverpoint,  and 
which  on  his  removal  to  Providence  he  sold  to 
Stephen  A.  Colvin.  His  whole  business  life  of 
twenty-two  years  was  spent  in  the  interest  of  River- 
point, and  no  single  individual,  his  father  excepted, 
did  more  to  promote  its  welfare.  After  the  death 
of  his  father  he  became  largely  interested  in  real 
estate.  He  was  formerly  a director  of  the  Globe 
Bank  of  Providence,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
and  for  many  years  prior  a director  of  the  Cen- 
treville  Bank.  He  wras  of  a retiring  disposition, 
but  genial  and  social  to  those  \vho  knew  him  well. 
He  was  a great  reader,  especially  of  French  his- 
tory and  of  biography.  In  politics  he  was  a strong 
Republican.  He  was  essentially  a domestic  man, 
and  a great  lover  of  gootl  horses.  His  death, 
March  4,  1902,  was  the  result  of  an  accident ; he  was 
struck  by  a train  on  the  Consolidated  railroad 
tracks  a short  distance  from  his  foundry,  between 
that  and  the  station  at  Riverpoint.  He  was  on  a 
business  errand  and  was  taking  a short  cut,  as  he 
had  many  times  before,  and  was  instantly  killed 
by  a passenger  train.  He  was  a man  highly  re- 
spected and  esteemed  for  his  many  public  and  pri- 
vate virtues.  Descending  from  an  excellent  an- 
cestry and  inheriting  those  qualities  which  made 
the  performance  of  a duty  a primary  and  binding 
obligation,  Mr.  Brayton’s  life  was  in  all  its  rela- 
tions most  exemplary. 

William  Elsbree,  father  of  Mrs.  Brayton,  was 
born  in  Blackstone,  Mass.,  Dec.  12,  1823,  son  of 
Will  iam  and  Lavina  (Place)  Elsbree,  and  grand- 
son of  Ephraim  and  Ruth  (Boomer)  Elsbree,  of 


Fall  River,  Mass.  William  Elsbree  married  Han- 
nah P.  Cudworth,  daughter  of  Barnabas  Cudworth, 
a soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  granddaughter  of 
■ Cudworth,  also  a soldier  in  the  Revolution- 

ary army. 

William  Elsbree  was  reared  in  Blackstone, 
Mass.,  and  he  lived  some  years  in  Albion.  When 
about  twenty-five  years  of  age  he  removed  to  Prov- 
idence, and  there  made  his  home  until  after  the 
Civil  war,  when  he  moved  to  Cranston,  and  pur- 
chased what  was  known  as  the  Dr.  Greene  farm, 
and  there  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He 
was  a contractor,  and  one  of  the  largest  in  Prov- 
idence, where  he  carried  on  his  business.  He  built 
a section  of  the  Providence  & Worcester  Railroad 
and  finished  others.  In  his  business  he  used  from 
forty  to  sixty  horses,  and  gave  employment  at  times 
to  an  hundred  men.  He  widened  Broadway,  and 
planted  the  shade  trees  winch  are  now  standing  on 
either  side  of  it.  With  Governor  Sprague  he  or- 
ganized the  First  Rhode  Island  Battery,  furnishing 
all  the  horses  necessary  for  its  equipment.  From 
this  time  on  it  became  his  work  to  organize  the 
batteries  sent  out  from  the  State,  and  in  this  work 
he  did  most  efficient  service.  In  politics  he  was 
a Democrat,  and  he  was  a natural  leader  of  men. 
For  ten  years  he  was  a member  of  the  town  council 
of  Cranston,  and  was  such  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
For  a number  of  years  he  w’as  a member  of  the 
school  committee,  and  he  took  a deep  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  the  schools.  He  represented  Crans- 
ton for  a number  of  years  in  both  the  Senate  and 
the  House  of  the  Rhode  Island  General  Assembly. 
Large-hearted  and  generous  to  a fault,  he  re- 
sponded to  the  call  of  need  from  whatever  source 
it  came,  but  particularly  was  he  kind  to  his  own 
employes  when  in  need.  In  his  unselfish  devotion 
to  the  best  interests  of  the  town  and  in  his  patriotic 
devotion  to  his  country  in  the  Civil  wrar,  when, 
though  not  in  the  enlisted  service,  he  gave  unspar- 
ingly of  his  means  and  time,  he  left  a heritage  to 
his  children,  the  memory  of  a well  spent  life  and 
of  duty  well  done.  He  died  in  1880,  at -the  age  of 
fifty-seven  years.  His  two  children  wrere : La- 
vina, who  married  Robert  E.  Brayton ; and  Wil- 
liam S. 

ANDREWS  (Providence  family,  line  of  Capt. 
Ebenezer).  Through  the  greater  part  of  the  last 
one  hundred  years  there  have  figured  quite  promi- 
nently in  the  business  of  Providence  several  genera- 
tions of  the  Andrews  family,  descendants  of  John 
Andrews,  of  Boston,  Mass.  We  refer  especially  to 
Capt.  Ebenezer  Andrews  and  some  of  his  descend- 
ants, among  whom  was  the  late  Stephen  Decatur 
Andrews  and  the  latter’s  son,  the  late  Clarence 
Carroll  Andrews,  all  of  whom,  either  together  or 
in  turn,  were  largely  and  successfully  engaged  in 
the  hay,  grain  and  salt  business,  becoming  men  of 
means,  substantial  and  influential  citizens  of 
Providence. 


Illlllilllllllllllllllllllll 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1017 


There  had  been  here  at  Providence,  however, 
•earlier  members  of  this  same  Massachusetts  An- 
drews family,  one  Zephaniah  Andrews  settling  here 
in  1756  and  living  here  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
There  follows  in  chronological  order  from  the 
earliest  known  American  ancestor  the  antecedents 
of  this  Providence  race  of  Andrews  and  something 
of  the  lives  of  those  active  in  the  business  and  so- 
cial world  of  Providence. 

(I)  John  Andrews  appears  in  Boston  as  early 
as  1656,  a cooper  by  occupation.  A family  Bible 
has  recorded  in  it  that  he  was  “a  sea-cooper,  and 
came  from  Wales  to  America.”  Mr.  Andrew's  mar- 
ried Hannah,  daughter  of  Edmond  Jackson,  of 
Boston,  and  their  children  were:  John,  born  Nov. 
21,  1656  (died  when  young)  ; Hannah,  born  Feb. 
20,  1658;  Susanna,  born  Aug.  12,  1659;  Martha, 
born  Dec.  5,  1660;  Mary,  baptized  Feb.  4,  1661; 
John,  born  Sept.  20,  1662;  James,  born  Dec.  1. 
1664,  (died  w'hen  young)  ; Edmond,  born  Nov.  4, 
1665;  James,  born  March  17,  1667:  and  Samuel, 
born  May  18,  1668.  The  father  died  June  25,  1679, 
at  Boston. 

(II)  Capt.  John  Andrew's,  son  of  John,  the 
settler,  born  Sept.  20,  1662,  in  Boston,  married 
(first)  Alice,  born  July  6,  1666,  daughter  of  John 
and  Alice  Shaw,  of  Weymouth;  she  died  Feb.  1, 
I735,  and  he  married  (second)  Mary,  widow  of 
Jacob  Barney  and  daughter  of  Rev.  Samuel  Dan- 
fortb,  fourth  minister  of  Taunton,  Massachusetts. 

Captain  Andrews  was  a housew'right.  He  pur- 
chased in  1692  several  tracts  of  land  and  a dwelling- 
house  in  what  is  now  Bristol,  R.  I.,  then  “New 
Bristol,”  Mass.,  and  resided  there  for  a period.  In 
1701  he  sold  this  property  and  purchased  a farm  in 
Taunton,  Mass.,  including  a water  privilege,  on  the 
bank  of  Tbree-Mile  river,  where,  with  Nathaniel 
Linkon,  he  built  a gristmill  and  sawmill,  the  loca- 
tion then  taking  the  name  of  Andrews’  Mills,  which 
it  retained  about  one  hundred  years,  and  is  now 
Westville.  Here  Captain  Andrews  resided  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life,  a man  highly  esteemed.  He 
held  various  town  offices,  wTas  chairman  of  the  board 
of  selectmen  four  years,  and  also  deputy  sheriff. 
He  died  July  25,  1742,  aged  eighty  years.  The 
children  born  to  Captain  Andrews  and  his  wife 
Alice  were:  Alice;  John,  born  in  1686;  Edmond; 
Samuel ; Seth ; Hannah ; Martha,  and  Susanna. 

(III)  Samuel  Andrews,  son  of  John,  married 
(first)  ElizabefFT  Emerson ; she  died  March  14, 
1724,  and  he  married  (second)  Mary,  daughter  of 
Ebenezer  Pitts,  of  Dighton,  Mass.  It  appears  by 
Bible  record  his  children  born  to  Elizabeth  w'ere : 
Samuel,  Elizabeth  and  Ruth.  His  children  born 
to  his  wife  Mary,  all  in  Dighton,  were : Ebenezer, 
born  Jan.  10,  1726;  John,  born  March  13,  1729; 
Elkanah,  born  March  4,  1 73 1 ; Stephen,  born  Dec. 
Dec.  22,  1734;  Mary,  born  Nov.  30,  1736;  Zephan- 
iah, born  Feb.  9,  1738;  Mary,  born  Aug.  2,  1741: 
and  Job,  born  April  2,  1744. 


(IV)  Ebenezer  Andrew's,  born  Jan.  10,  1726, 
in  Dighton,  Mass.,  settled  in  Bristol,  N.  Y.,  in  1795. 
and  died  there  May  21,  1808.  He  married  (first) 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Anna  Shaw, 
of  Dighton,  who  w'as  born  Sept.  15,  1726,  and  who 
died  May  3,  1767.  On  Dec.  24,  1768,  he  married 
(second)  Mary  Francis,  of  Dighton,  who  died  in 
1808.  His  children  were:  Ebenezer,  born  June  4, 
1752;  Melicent,  born  April  5,  1754;  Stephen,  born 
April  4,  1756  (died  Oct.  5,  1756)  ; Stephen  (2), 
born  Aug.  26,  1757;  Lydia,  born  Sept.  3,  1759; 
Sabrina,  born  Feb.  4,  1762:  Caroline,  born  March 
14,  1765.  To  the  second  marriage  wrere  born: 
Samuel,  born  July  12,  1 77 1 ; Benjamin,  born  Feb. 
28,  1775;  Mary;  Sally,  born  in  October,  1781  ; Bet- 
sey, born  in  Dighton ; and  Joseph. 

(V)  Stephen  Andrews,  born  in  Digbton, 
Mass.,  Aug.  26,  1757,  son  of  Ebenezer,  died  there 
April  10,  1805.  He  married  (first),  Sept.  30,  1782, 
Deborah  Williams,  of  Dighton,  who  died  in  1787, 
and  (second)  Hannah  Williams,  sister  of  his  first 
wife.  She  died  Sept.  8,  1848.  To  the  first  mar- 
riage w'ere  born : Stephen,  born  at  Dighton,  Aug. 
11,  1783,  and  Capt.  Ebenezer  born  May  30,  1785. 
To  the  second  marriage  three  children  were  born: 
Nancy,  born  April  9,  1793;  Joseph,  born  Jan.  22, 
1795  ; and  Polly  Williams,  born  Aug.  12,  1798. 

(VI)  Capt.  Ebenezer  Andrews,  son  of 
Stephen,  born  May  30,  1785,  was  of  Dighton,  Mass. 
He  was  an  old  East  India  sea  captain  and  in  com- 
pany with  John  and  Jesse  Eddy,  of  hall  River,  had 
built  the  brig  “Columbia  ” near  Berkeley  bridge, 
whence  it  w'as  launched  in  1830,  his  son,  the  late 
Stephen  D.  Andrews,  of  Providence  and  Dighton, 
being  on  her  at  the  launching.  Captain  Andrews 
was  also  commissioned  to  purchase  the  whaleship 
“Gold  Hunter,”  in  1832,  the  first  whaling  craft  to 
be  sent  from  Fall  River,  which  vessel  was  then 
known  as  the  “Troy.”  He  moved  his  family  to 
Providence  in  1837,  and  established  there  the  hay, 
grain  and  salt  business  which  he,  his  son  and  grand- 
son in  turn  so  successfully  conducted.  Captain 
Andrews  retired  from  this  business  in  1848.  ne 
then  moved  to  Dighton,  Mass.,  where  he  continued 
to  reside  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1858. 
On  March  10,  1814,  he  married  Susan,  daughter  of 
Ephraim  Hathaway,  of  Dighton. 

(VII)  Stephen  Decatur  Andrews,  son  of 
Capt.  Ebenezer,  w'as  born  Feb.  23.  1822.  He  mar- 
ried Rebecca  W.  Stone,  of  Philadelphia,  born  March 
11,  1824.  His  primary  education  was  received  in 
the  Broad  Cove  school,  and  in  a building  which 
stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  school-house  in 
Dighton.  His  parents  removing  when  he  was  a 
small  boy  to  Fall  River,  be  attended  the  public 
schools  of  that  city.  He  later  furthered  his 
studies  in  the  Kingston  (R.  I.)  Academy,  and  in 
the  Middleboro  (Mass.)  Academy,  spending  three 
years  in  the  former  and  one  in  the  latter  institution. 
Still  later  he  was  for  a period  a student  in  a private 


ioi8 


RHODE  ISLAND 


school  on  Greene  street,  Providence,  R.  I.,  of  which 
Mr.  Hiram  Fuller  was  principal  and  Miss  Mar- 
garet Fuller,  afterward  Countess  D’Ossoli,  was  as- 
sistant. At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  young  An- 
drews entered  the  office  of  Manton  & Fisher,  cot- 
ton merchants,  as  clerk,  where  lie  remained  for 
ten  years,  and  on  the  retirement  of  his  father,  in 
■1848,  succeeded  him  in  the  business  above  described. 
In  time  he  became  one  of  the  largest  importers  of 
salt  in  New  England,  and  he  went  into  the  hay  busi- 
ness extensively,  and  was  very  successful.  At  that 
time  the  business  was  located  on  Long  Wharf, 
where  the  Vaughn  building  now  stands.  The  site 
of  Custom  House  street  was  then  Water.  Later 
the  business  was  removed  to  a building  at  the  corner 
of  Dyer  and  Custom  House  streets,  and  after  that 
to  the  building  now  occupied  on  Dyer  street. 

Mr.  Andrews  became  agent  for  a line  of  sailing 
vessels  running  to  Philadelphia ; afterward  agent 
for  the  Keystone  Line  of  steamers,  and  then  for  the 
Clyde  Line,  running  between  Providence  and  Phila- 
delphia. He  retired  from  active  business  Jan.  1, 
1894,  and  then  took  up  his  residence  in  Dighton, 
making  frequent  visits  to  his  children  in  Provi- 
dence and  in  the  West.  On  his  retirement  he  was 
succeeded  in  business  by  his  son,  Clarence  C.  An- 
drews, the  firm  name  being  S.  D.  Andrews’  Son. 

Stephen  D.  Andrews  belonged  to  the  Providence 
Marine  Society  for  many  years,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  was  its  oldest  member.  He  traveled  ex- 
tensively, his  business  taking  him  to  several  of  the 
West  Indies.  In  1885  he  went  to  Idaho,  visiting 
several  cattle  ranches,  afterward  continuing  to  San 
Francisco  and  southern  California.  In  1886  busi- 
ness called  him  to  Caracas,  Venezuela,  La  Guayra, 
Trinidad,  and  several  of  the  Windward  Islands.  In 
1888  he  took  a trip  to  St.  Croix,  one  of  the  Danish 
West  Indies,  spending  three  months  there,  and 
visiting  a number  of  other  islands.  In  1894  he 
visited  New  Orleans  and  Florida,  and  in  1896  made 
another  trip  to  the  latter  State,  where  he  purchased 
an  orange  grove.  He  made  numerous  trips  South 
and  West,  and  attended  the  Crystal  Palace,  Cen- 
tennial, Columbian  and  Atlanta  Expositions. 

While  still  employed  as  a cotton  broker’s  clerk 
Mr.  Andrews  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  A. 
Stone,  of  Hollidaysburg,  Pa.,  who  died  in  1898. 
Their  five  children  were:  Ada  Alice  (Mrs.  Charles 
L.  Stafford),  Helen  MacFarland  (Mrs.  George  A. 
Dodge),  and  Clarence  Carroll  (the  latter  now  de- 
ceased), all  of  Providence;  Marion  S.,  Mrs.  Fred 
P>.  Spelman,  of  Duluth,  Minn.,  and  Fannie,  Mrs. 
Harry  W.  Emerson,  of  Lafayette,  Indiana. 

For  thirty-one  years  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrews  re- 
sided in  a house  on  Angell  street  which  Mr.  An- 
drews built  in  1862.  After  his  retirement  from 
business  this  home  was  given  up  and  they  spent 
much  time  visiting  their  daughters.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Andrews  in  1895  celebrated  their  golden  wedding 
at  the  home  of  their  eldest  daughter,  Mrs.  Stafford, 


when  all  the  children  ami  grandchildren,  numbering 
thirty-one,  were  present. 

(VIII)  Cl-arence  Carroll  Andrews,  only 
son  of  Stephen  D.,  was  born  Dec.  10,  1852,  in 
Providence,  R.  I.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
University  Grammar  School  and  at  Brown  Univer- 
sity, entering  the  latter  institution  with  the  class  of 
1873.  He  did  not  graduate,  however,  as  after  pur- 
suing his  studies  in  the  University  for  two  years  he 
decided  upon  a commercial  career  and  with  this  end 
in  view  dropped  out  of  school  and  became  associated 
with  his  father,  who  was  then  conducting  an  ex- 
tensive business  in  the  hay,  grain  and  salt  line. 
The  senior  member  of  the  firm  retired  Jan.  1,  1894,. 
and  the  business  was  thereafter  carried  on  by  the 
son  under  the  name  of  S.  D.  Andrews’  Son.  This 
was  one  of  the  best  known  business  houses  in  Provi- 
dence, it  having  been  established  by  the  grandfather 
in  1842.  In  February,  1905,  it  was  incorporated  as 
the  Andrews  & Spelman  Company,  under  which 
name  it  is  now  conducted.  Mr.  Andrews  was  a 
man  of  quiet  disposition,  very  domestic  in  his 
habits,  caring  little  for  club  or  political  life.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

On  Oct.  31,  1883,  Mr.  Andrews  was  married  to 
Adelaide  L.,  daughter  of  the  late  Edwin  B.  and 
Lydia  Ann  (Hardy)  Miller,  of  Woonsocket,  R.  L 
Mr.  Andrews  died  at  his  residence  on  Keene  street, 
Providence,  June  2,  1904,  and  was  buried  in  Swan 
Point  cemetery. 

BARKER.  The  Barker  family  of  Tiverton, 
represented  in  Newport  county  by  many  prominent 
citizens,  is  one  of  the  earliest  settled  families  of 
New  England.  The  first  of  the  name  of  whom 
there  is  authentic  record  was  Robert  Barker,  born 
in  1616',  who  came  to  New  England  at  a very  early 
date  with  John  Thorp.  In  1641,  with  others,  he 
bought  from  Jonathan  Brewster,  son  of  Elder 
Brewster,  a ferry  and  100  acres  of  land  at  Marsh- 
field. Later  he  located  at  Duxbury,  where  for  sev- 
eral years  he  served  as  a surveyor.  His  death  oc- 
curred about  1691.  He  married  Lucy  Williams, 
who  died  March  7,  1681  or  1682.  Their  children 
were:  Robert,  born  Feb.  27,  1630,  died  Sept.  25, 
1729;  Francis,  died  in  1720;  Isaac;  Abigail  died  in 
May,  1718  ; and  Rebecca,  died  in  1697. 

Isaac  Barker,  third  son  of  Robert,  was  a sur- 
veyor of  Duxbury  in  1674,  and  a constable  in  1687. 
On  Dec.  8,  1685,  he  married  Judith,  daughter  of 
Gov.  Thomas  and  Mary  (Collier)  Prince.  After 
the  death  of  Mr.  Barker,  in  1710,  his  widow  married 
William  Tubbs,  of  Pembroke.  To  Isaac  Barker  and 
wife  were  born:  Samuel  (born  Sept.  2,  1667,  died 
Feb.  1,  1738-9),  Isaac  (2),  Robert  (born  in  1673,. 
died  Sept.  6,  1765),  Jabez,  Francis,  Rebecca,  Mary, 
Lydia,  Judith,  Martha  and  Bathsheba. 

Isaac  Barker  (2),  son  of  Isaac,  seems  to  have 
been  a man  of  great  business  ability  as  he  was  inter- 
ested in  numerous  enterprises,  owning  a grist  mill 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1019 


on  the  Herring  Brook,  engaging  in  merchandising, 
also  in  farming,  and  in  laying  out  of  roads,  and 
erecting  waterworks.  He  was  also  a great  student 
for  his  day.  He  was  a member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends.  His  death  occurred  May  7,  1754.  On 
Oct.  23,  1707,  he  married  Elizabeth  Slocum,  of 
Dartmouth,  born  Feb.  12,  1689,  daughter  of  Peleg 
and  Mary  (Holden)  Slocum.  She  died  Aug.  18, 
1774,  the  mother  of  children  as  follows:  Mary, 
born  Aug.  1,  1708,  died  in  1788;  Sylvester,  born 
in  May,  1710,  died  March  5,  1801 ; Peleg,  born  in 
August,  1712,  died  about  1788;  Prince,  born  Feb. 

9,  1716;  Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  9,  1719,  died  April 

10,  1780;  and  Lydia,  who  died  Aug.  13,'  1754. 

Prince  Barker,  born  Feb.  9,  1716,  son  of  Isaac, 

was  married  Nov.  6,  1746,  to  Abigail  Keen,  of 
Pembroke,  born  Feb.  6,  1721,  daughter  of  Benja- 
min and  Deborah  (Barker)  Keen;  she  died  Sept. 
2,  1790.  Prince  Barker  was  a man  who  lived  up 
to  his  name,  being  noted  for  his  honesty  and  his 
great  hospitality.  His  children  were : Prince, 
born  Oct.  26,  1747,  died  June  24,  1781 ; Isaac,  born 
May  1,  1749,  died  in  December,  1825 ; Abigail, 
born  Jan.  29,  1751,  died  Jan.  7,  1788;  Deborah, 
born  Jan.  29,  1753;  and  Benjamin,  born  Nov.  30, 
1756.  Prince  Barker  died  Jan.  27,  1784. 

Benjamin  Barker,  born  Nov.  30,  1756,  son  of 
Prince,  was  a man  of  prominence  and  wealth.  In 
1773  he  took  half  of  the  Barker  Fulling  Mill  near 
the  homestead,  and  later  in  life  he  bought  the  home- 
stead and  farm  in  Scituate.  In  addition  he  ac- 
quired considerable  property  in  the  town  of  Tiver- 
ton, and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  June  19,  1837, 
he  was  a wealthy  man.  On  Jan.  31,  1785,  he  mar- 
ried (first)  Ann  Barker,  born  Aug.  29,  1750, 

daughter  of  Abraham  and  Susannah  (Anthony) 
Barker,  of  Tiverton.  She  died  Aug.  16,  1789,  and 
on  June  23,  1791,  he  wedded  (second)  Rebecca 
Partridge,  of  Boston,  born  in  1752,  who  died  Aug. 

11,  1835,  daughter  of  Capt.  Samuel  Partridge.  Of 
his  children  Abraham  (born  Nov.  16,  1786,  died 
Feb.  24,  1855)  and  Susan  Ann  (born  April  27, 
1788,  died  March  5,  1861),  were  both  by  the  first 
marriage,  while  Samuel  Partridge  (born  Aug.  2, 
1792,  died  in  the  far  West)  was  born  to  the 
second. 

Abraham  Barker,  born  Nov.  16,  1786,  son  of 
Benjamin,  was  married  Jan.  7,  1819,  to  Margaret 
Bufifum,  born  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  Aug.  27,  1785, 
daughter  of  David  and  H'epsibah  (Mitchell)  Buf- 
fum.  She  died  Nov.  4,  1839,  while  he  survived 
until  Feb.  24,  1855.  Their  children  were:  Eleanor, 
born  Dec.  4,  1820;  Benjamin,  born  Sept.  24,  1822; 
Abraham  Thomas,  born  July  7,  1824,  died  Nov. 
29,  1869;  Elizabeth  Huntington,  born  Aug.  11, 
1826,  died  May  8,  1900;  Margaret  Bufifum,  born 
April  9,  1829;  and  Anne,  born  July  20,  1832,  died 
Dec.  15,  1857. 

Benjamin  Barker,  born  Sept.  24,  1822,  son  of 
Abraham,  made  his  home  at  Tiverton.  He  was 
extensively  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  and 


was  a man  well  and  most  favorably  known.  He 
died  April  14,  1897.  He  married,  Dec.  1,  1847, 
Catherine  Jackson  Dennis,  of  Cranston,  R.  I.,  born 
Dec.  7,  1829,  daughter  of  James  and  Hannah 
(Jackson)  Dennis,  and  their  children  were:  Rich- 
ard Jackson,  born  Jan.  27,  1849;  William  Herbert,, 
born  Oct.  4,  1855,  died  Jan.  20,  1857;  Benjamin, 
born  July  19,  1858;  Catherine  Wheaton,  born  Jan. 
25,  1863,  married  Effingham  C.  Haight,  of  Fall 
River. 

Richard  Jackson  Barker,  born  Jan.  27,  1849,. 
son  of  Benjamin,  was  educated  at  the  Friends’ 
school,  Providence,  at  the  Eaglewood  Military 
Academy  at  Perth  Amboy,  N.  J.,  and  the  Rens- 
selaer Polytechnic  Institute  at  Troy.  He  was  but 
eighteen  years  old  when  he  was  appointed  Judge 
Advocate  of  the  First  Brigade,  Rhode  Island 
Militia,  by  the  late  Gen.  Burnside,  and  was  a mem- 
ber of  his  staff.  During  the  entire  period  of  his 
business  life  he  had  been  extensively  engaged  in 
the  lumber  business,  his  son  Richard  J.  Barker, 
Jr.,  being  at  present  associated  with  him  at  Fall 
River,  Mass.  Mr.  Barker  was  the  founder  and 
also  the  first  president  of  the  Warren  Trust  Com- 
pany, and  has  long  been  very  prominent  in  the 
financial  world,  and  is  known  as  a most  successful 
wholesale  lumber  dealer.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  has  served  as  a member  of  the 
Tiverton  town  council,  being  president  of  the  board, 
and  on  two  occasions  was  the  choice  of  his  party 
for  the  State  Senate  from  Warren,  Rhode  Island. 

On  Oct.  9,  1873,  Mr.  Barker  was  married  at 
Tiverton,  to  Miss  Eliza  Harris  Lawton,  of  Tiver- 
ton. To  this  union  has  been  born  one  child: 
Richard  Jackson,  born  May  22,  1875.  He  was 
educated  in  a private  school  at  Fall  River,  also 
at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  the  English  and  Classical 
school,  Providence,  where  he  graduated  with  honor 
prior  to  entering  Brown  F'niversity.  Since  then 
he  has  been  associated  with  his  father  in  the  lum- 
ber business  at  Fall  River,  Mass.  He  is  associated 
with  the  Masonic  fraternity  there,  and  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Quequechan  Club,  “Sons  of  Brown," 
and  the  University  Club. 

Mrs.  Barker  is  a descendant  of  one  of  the 
oldest  families  of  Rhode  Island,  which  was  estab- 
lished by  George  and  Thomas  Lawton  at  Ports- 
mouth. A complete  history  of  this  family  will  be 
found  in  the  sketch  of  Hon.  George  R.  Lawton,  who 
is  a brother  of  Mrs.  Barker.  Mrs.  Barker  com- 
pleted her  education  at  Vassar  College.  Probably 
no  lady  in  the  community  is  better  known  in  many 
of  the  educational  activities  and  in  literary  circles. 
She  has  always  been  deeply  interested  in  the  pub- 
lic school  system,  and  was  elected  twenty  years 
ago  a member  of  the  School  Committee  of  the  town 
of  Tiverton,  and  for  fourteen  years  has  been  chair- 
man of  the  board.  ' She  is  Historian  of  the  Colonial 
Dames,  and  is  an  active  member  of  the  Daughters 
of  the  American  Revolution,  and  is  vice-president 
general  of  the  National  Society,  to  which  exalted 


1020 


RHODE  ISLAND 


office  she  was  elected  by  a large  majority  at  the 
National  Congress  of  the  Daughters  of  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution  which  was  held  at  Washington, 
D.  C.,  in  April,  1906.  For  fourteen  years  previous 
she  had  been  an  active  officer  of  Gaspee  Chapter 
of  Providence,  resigning  the  office  of  Regent  to 
accept  the  one  she  now  fills  so  graciously  and  com- 
petently. The  chapter  presented  her  with  a beauti- 
ful silver  mounted  gavel  made  from  wood  taken 
from  the  old  Gaspee  room.  She  is  Honorary  State 
Regent  of  Rhode  Island,  and  has  beeen  made  an 
honorary  member  of  several  Rhode  Island  and 
Massachusetts  chapters.  In  the  National  Society 
she  holds  an  honored  and  prominent  place ; is 
chairman  of  the  Magazine  Committee,  one  of  the 
most  valued  positions  in  the  society ; is  chairman 
of  the  Furnishing  Committee;  on  the  Auditing 
Committee;  on  the  Continental  Hall  Committee; 
and  was  a member  of  the  Jamestown  Committee, 
having  been  chairman  for  New  England  of  the 
D.  A.  R.  exhibit  at  the  Exposition.  Mrs.  Barker 
having  been  honored  by  her  State  by  being  made 
hostess  at  the  Rhode  Island  State  Building  by  the 
Commissioners  of  Rhode  Island,  represented  her 
State  at  the  Rhode  Island  State  Building  at  the 
Jamestown  Exposition.  For  four  years  she  was 
State  Historian  of  the  D.  A.  R.,  and  was  thirteen 
vears  chairman  of  the  Gaspee  Prize  Committee. 
She  is  State  Regent  of  the  Pocahontas  Me- 
morial Association,  and  Vice-President  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Institute  of  Instruction.  She  was 
one  of  the  chairmen  of  the  Rhode  Island  Sani- 
tary Relief  Association  during  the  Spanish  war, 
and  during  the  Atlanta  Exposition  was  a com- 
missioner. All  these  honors  have  proved  that  Mrs. 
Barker  is  admirably  ecjuipped  to  fill  the  various 
social  and  executive  offices.  Mr.  Barker  has  erected 
a magnificent  Colonial  mansion  called  “The  Out- 
look.” an  appropriate  name,  as  it  is  located  on  a 
high  elevation  which  commands  one  of  the  grandest 
views  of  Narragansett  Bay,  and  the  surrounding 
country  for  many  miles.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barker 
have  always  been  appreciative  patrons  of  art,  and 
among  the  many  beautiful  and  costly  adornments 
of  this  stately  home  are  over  11,000  book  plates, 
collected  by  Mrs.  Barker,  which  were  sent  by  the 
State  of  Rhode  Island  to  the  Atlanta  Exposition. 

BACH  ELLER.  The  Bacheller  family  (the  name 
being  variously  spelled)  is  one  of  the  oldest  of  New 
England,  and  is  likewise  ancient  in  England,  the 
name  being  found  prior  to  1600  in  Kent,  Surrey, 
Subsex,  Wilts,  Hants,  Bucks,  and  other  counties  in 
the  southeastern  part  of  England.  Seven  immigrants 
of  the  name  came  to  New  England,  as  follows : 
Alexander  of  Portsmouth,  N.  H. ; Rev.  Stephen  of 
Lynn,  Mass.,  and  Hampton,  N..H. ; Henry  of  Ips- 
wich, Mass.;  Joseph  of  Salem,  Mass,  (now  Wen- 
ham)  ; John  of  Salem,  Mass. ; William  of  Charles- 
town. Mass.;  and  John  of  Watertown,  Dedham  and 


Reading.  The  posterity  of  several  of  these  have 
made  their  homes  in  Rhode  Island. 

For  one  hundred  or  more  years  Newport,  in  this 
Commonwealth,  has  been  the  home  of  a family 
bearing  the  name  of  Bacheller,  the  earliest  of  the 
vital  records  of  the  town  being  that  of  the  family 
of  James  Gould  Almy  Bacheler  and  his  wife,  Mar- 
tha Matilda  (Bowdes)  Bacheler,  whose  marriage  is 
of  record  as  occurring  Aug.  4,  1792.  Their  chil- 
dren of  Newport  to\\rn  record  were:  Leonard 
Rostal,  born  Sept.  2,  1793;  Katherine  Matilda, 
born  Sept.  29,  1795  (died  Nov.  9,  1796)  ; and 
James  Gould,  born  July  2,  1798. 

Jolm  Bacheller,  the  ancestor  of  the  branch  of  the 
family  with  which  this  article  has  to  treat,  was  born 
in  Newport,  R.  I.,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of 
baker.  He  married  Martha  Stanhope,  of  Newport, 
and  to  them  were  born  these  children : William  S. ; 
Sarah,  who  married  John  Grofif,  of  Newport ; Han- 
nah, who  married  Philip  Caswell,  of  Newport,  and 
John,  Jr.,  who  married  Emiline  Read,  of  Newport. 

William  Stanhope  Bacheller,  son  of  John,  was 
born  in  Newport,  April  13,  1803,  and  early  learned 
the  trade  of  rope-maker,  which  he  followed  the 
greater  part  of  his  life.  For  over  sixteen  years’  he 
was  foreman  of  the  ropewalk  owned  by  the  late 
William  Tew  Tilley.  He  was  an  active  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  class- 
leader  of  the  same  for  many  years.  William  S. 
Bacheller  married  Ann  Andem  Barrett,-  daughter 
of  Joshua  Barrett,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  and  she  died 
in  Newport,  in  October,  1859.  Mr.  Bacheller  died 
in  Somerville,  Mass.,  July  18,  1866,  aged  sixtv- 
three  years,  and  was  buried  beside  bis  wife  in  New- 
port. To  them  were  born  four  children  who  died  in 
infancy  and  seven  who  grew  to  maturity,  the  latter 
being:  (1)  William  Stanhope,  Jr.,  is  mentioned 
further  on.  (2)  Ann  Barrett  married  James  H. 
Sweet,  of  Newport,  and  died  in  South  Dartmouth, 
Mass.  (3)  Sarah  Hannah  married  John  Caswell, 
of  Middletown,  and  died  in  Newport.  (4)  John 
Warren  is  mentioned  below.  (5)  Henry  C.,  born 
Feb.  4,  1843,  in  Newport,  is  a carpenter  by  trade. 
In  1895  he  opened  “The  Faisneau,”  a first-class 
boarding  house  on  Washington  street,  which  he 
has  since  successfully  conducted.  He  married  Han- 
nah E.  Faisneau,  of  Newport,  a direct  descendant 
of  Nicholas  Easton,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
Newport,  and  to  this  union  were  born  two  children, 
Sarah  Cornell,  the  wife  of  William  S.  Rogers,  of 
Newport,  and  Henry,  who  died  young.  (6)  Joshua 
B.,  born  May  25,  1845,  m Newport,  is  engaged  in 
wagon-making  and  blacksmithing  in  Newport.  He 
married  Susan  T.  Crabbe,  of  that  city,  and  they 
have  three  children,  Susan  B.  (the  wife  of  Fred- 
erick A.  Clarke  of  Newport),  Dudley  P.  (who  mar- 
ried Daisy  May  Barker),  and  Nellie  H.  (at  home). 
(7)  George  W.,  who  is  a cabinet-maker  and  up- 
holsterer, married  Annie  Frances  Popple,  of  New- 
port, where-  they  reside.  Their  children  are  as 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1021 


follows:  Annie  B.,  who  is  at  home,  unmarried; 
William  P.,  recorder  for  the  New  England  Navi- 
gation Company,  at  Newport,  married  to  Tillie  An- 
horn  Bacheller  ; Charles  E.,  who  married  Ann  Lath- 
rop,  of  Newport;  Benjamin  Franklin,  who  died 
when  eight  years  old ; George  H.,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy; George  W.,  who  married  Lillie  Greenman, 
of  Newport;  and  Frederick  S.,  who  married  Edna 
Thomas,  of  Newport. 

William  Stanhope  Bacheller,  Jr.,  son 
of  William  S.  and  Ann  Andem  (Bartlett)  Bach- 
eller, was  horn  Oct.  6,  1831,  in  Boston,  Mass.  In 
early  life  he  came  to  Newport,  where  he  later  en- 
gaged in  business,  opening  a meat  and  provision 
market  at  the  corner  of  Thames  and  Bridge  streets. 
In  this  business  he  continued  for  many  years.  After 
closing  out  Mr.  Bacheller  was  appointed  superin- 
tendent of  the  Newport  City  Asylum,  and  with  the 
’assistance  of  his  wife,  as  matron,  continued  effi- 
ciently in  that  capacity  for  about  eight  years,  or  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  at  that  in- 
stitution Nov.  3,  1892,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years. 

In  political  faith  Mr.  Bacheller  was  a stalwart 
Republican  and  as  such  served  as  a member  of  the 
Newport  city  council  for  eight  years,  during  a por- 
tion of  this  time  being  president  of  that  body.  For 
a number  of  years  he  was  a member  of  the  Knights 
of  Honor.  Mr.  Bacheller  was  married  Nov.  6, 
1853,  to  Elizabeth  Southwick  Caswell,  daughter 
of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Southwick)  Caswell,  of 
Newport,  and  to  this  union  were  born  children  as 
follows : Robert  C.  is  mentioned  below ; William 
S.,  born  July  22,  1858,  died  at  the  age  of  three 
years;  Harriet  Jane,  born  Feb.  7,  1861,  married 
Samuel  McComb,  of  Providence,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  and  meat  business,  and  they 
have  two  children,  Howard  B.  and  Helen  M.  Mc- 
Comb. 

Robert  Caswell  Bacheller,  son  of  William 
S.  and  Elizabeth  Southwick  (Caswell)  Bacheller, 
was  born  Aug.  20,  1855,  in  Newport,  and  in  his  na- 
tive city  had  his  early  educational  training,  this  be- 
ing supplemented  by  four  terms  as  a student  in  the 
East  Greenwich  (R.  I.)  Academy.  Leaving  school 
at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  he  became  apprenticed 
to  the  carriage  painter’s  trade  with  the  firm  of 
Edward  Landers  & Co.,  on  Sherman  street,  in 
whose  employ  he  remained  until  1890,  when  he  pur- 
chased the  business  of  his  former  employers,  and 
lie  has  since  successfully  conducted  the  same,  giv- 
ing employment  to  from  six  to  twelve  men,  as  the 
occasion  requires.  Since  acquiring  this  business 
Mr.  Bacheller  has  broadened  the  scope  of  its  opera- 
tions, now  engaging  in  all  branches  of  carriage 
building.  In  July,  1906,  he  removed  to  his  present 
commodious  quarters  at  No.  363  Thames  street. 

Mr.  Bacheller  is  a member  of  various  fraternal 
and  benevolent  organizations,  holding  membership 
in  St.  Paul’s  Lodge,  No.  14,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of 
which  he  is  past  master ; Newport  Council,  No.  2, 
R.  A.  M.,  in  which  he  has  served  as  captain  of  the 


hosts;  DeBlois  Council,  No.  5,  R.  & S.  M.,  of  which 
he  is  captain  of  the  guard;  and  Washington  Com- 
mandery,  No.  4,  Knights  Templar.  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  Aquidneck  Chapter,  Order  of 
the  Eastern  Star.  He  is  also  connected  with  Ocean 
Lodge,  No.  7,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen, 
and  is  past  master  workman;  with  Weenat  Shassit 
I ribe,  No.  6,  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  ; and 
the  Senior  Order  of  American  Mechanics,  through 
the  chairs  of  which  he  has  passed.  For  several 
years  he  was  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor. 

In  political  faith  Mr.  Bacheller  is  a stanch  ad- 
herent to  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party. 
For  ten  years  he  served  his  native  city  as  a member 
of  the  school  committee,  and  in  1906,  at  the  first 
election  held  under  the  new  charter  granted  the 
city  of  Newport,  he  was  re-elected  a member  of 
that  committee  for  the  three-year  term.  Mr. 
Bacheller  is  a consistent  and  devoted  member  of 
the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which 
his  wife  is  also  a member,  and  he  has  served  effi- 
ciently as  a member  of  the  board  of  trustees  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  has  also  served  as  assistant 
superintendent  of  the  Sabbath-school  for  several 
years,  has  been  class-leader,  and  in  fact  has  served 
in  nearly  every  position  pertaining  to  the  work  of 
the  church. 

On  June  13,  1877,  Robert  Caswell  Bacheller 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Helen  Kilfoyl 
Forbes,  the  estimable  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Isabelle  (Candy)  Forbes,  of  New  Glasgow,  Nova 
Scotia.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bacheller,  as  follows:  (1)  William  Stan- 
hope, born  April  22,  1879,  is  a draftsman  in  the 
employ  of  the  Pacific  Coast  Steamship  Company, 
with  headquarters  at  Seattle,  Wash.  He  is  un- 
married. (2)  Robert  Forbes,  born  June  9,  1881, 
is  employed  by  his  father  in  the  painting  business, 
and  is  also  unmarried.  (3)  Chester  Caswell, 
born  May  8,  1885,  is  a draftsman  in  the  employ  of 
Creighton  Withers,  the  architect  of  Newport.  He, 
too,  is  unmarried. 

Mr.  Robert  C.  Bacheller  is  an  enterprising  and 
straight-forward  business  man,  as  well  as  a repre- 
sentative citizen  of  Newport.  He  is  widely  known 
in  business,  church  and  fraternal  circles,  and  is  very 
popular  in  all. 

John  Warren  BacEeller,  son  of  William  S. 
and  Ann  Andem  (Barrett)  Bacheller,  was  born 
Nov.  25,  1838,  in  Newport,  and  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  city  received  his  early  educa- 
tional training.  After  leaving  school  he  took  up 
the  business  of  seed  raising,  under  the  instruction 
of  the  late  Joseph  Anthony,  in  whose  employ  he 
remained  for  several  years.  Mr.  Bacheller  was 
then  appointed  janitor  of  the  public  schools  of  New- 
port, and  until  his  death  acted  in  that  capacity  satis- 
factorily and  efficiently,  his  services  covering  a 
period  of  forty-three  years.  He  built  the  first  fire 
for  steam  heating  of  the  schools  of  Newport.  As 
the  school  buildings  of  the  city  became  more 


1022 


RHODE  ISLAND 


numerous  and  scattered,  requiring  the  services  of 
-others,  Mr.  Bacheller  was  given  the  care  of  the 
Willow  street  and  Potter  school  buildings,  which 
he  was  tending  at  the  time  of  his  death,  Feb.  17, 
1905,  caused  from  injuries  received  by  a fall  on  the 
ice. 

Mr.  Bacheller  was  a devoted  and  consistent 
member  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
to  which  he  gave  his  liberal  support.  For  a num- 
ber of  years  he  was  a member  of  the  Knights  of 
Honor.  In  his  political  views  he  was  a Republican. 
He  never  cared  for  nor  sought  office,  possessing 
a quiet,  unostentatious  manner,  but  was  of  a 
sociable  nature,  and  kindly  and  genial.  On  May 
23,  1878,  Mr.  Bacheller  married  Rebecca  Somes, 
daughter  of  John  G.  and  Mary  A.  E.  (Downe) 
Somes,  of  Charlestown,  Mass.,  and  their  family 
consists  of  one  daughter,  Tillie  Anhorn  Bacheller, 
who  was  married  June  19,  1902,  to  William  Pop- 
ple Bacheller,  son  of  George  W.  Bacheller,  of  New- 
port. Mr.  Bacheller  was  graduated  from  Harvard 
University  in  the  class  of  1904,  with  the  degree  of 
A.  B.,  and  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  Newport 
for  some  time,  resigning  to  accept  the  position  of 
recorder  of  the  marine  department  of  the  New 
York,  New  Haven  and  Hartford  Railroad  Com- 
pany, at  Newport,  in  connection  with  his  position 
being  also  engaged  as  a private  tutor  of  languages. 

CLARKE.  This  family,  represented  ably  at 
Scituate  in  the  persons  of  Dr.  Charles  K.  Clarke 
and  his  brother,  Daniel  A.  Clarke,  has  been  resident 
in  Rhode  Island  since  about  1679.  They  are  de- 
scendants of 

(I)  Abraham  Clarke,  a tailor  by  trade,  who 
was  an  inhabitant  of  Bristol,  Mass.,  not  far  from 
1675,  that  territory  then  being  a part  of  Plymouth 
Colony.  He  died  prior  to  1679.  There  are  strong 
indications  that  he  was  closely  related  to  some  of 
the  Clarke  families  who  settled  in  Plymouth  and 
Massachusetts  Bay  Colonies,  and  that  he  probably 
came  to  Bristol  about  1675  ; at  all  events,  no  trace  of 
his  relationship  to  any  of  the  other  Clarke  families 
of  Rhode  Island  is  found.  Abraham  Clarke  had 
children:  Jacob  and  Bridget. 

(II)  Jacob  Clarke,  son  of  Abraham,  born  in 
1668,  married  Ethalannah,  daughter  of  William  and 
Isabel  (Potter)  Burton,  who  was  born  in  1672,  and 
they  were  residents  of  Providence  and  Cranston,  R. 
I.,  respectively.  On  July  4,  1679,  Mr.  Clarke,  then 
fatherless,  was  hound  out  by  indenture  to  William 
Harris,  of  Pawtuxet.  His  name  was  on  the  poll- 
tax  list  of  July  14,  1688.  Two  years  later,  Nov.  I, 
1690,  Mr.  Arthur  Fenner  and  his  wife,  Howlong, 
heirs  of  William  Harris,  deeded  to  Mr.  Clarke 
twenty-four  acres  of  land  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Pocasset  river,  and  in  December,  1 722,  they  also 
deeded  him  forty  acres  adjoining  the  tract  alluded 
to  above.  Mr.  Clarke's  name  appears  on  a jury  list 
of  1712-13.  In  about  1740  he  settled  in  the  town 


of  Cranston,  R.  I.,  where  he  owned  a farm  west  of 
the  Pocasset  river,  near  Park  avenue,  perhaps  one 
mile  north  of  what  is  known  as  the  King  farm. 
The  remains  of  himself  and  his  wife  were  buried  on 
the  farm,  and  the  inscriptions  on  their  tombstones 
read  respectively  as  follows:  “In  memory  of  Jacob 
Clarke,  who  emigrated  from  England  to  the  State 
of  Rhode  Island  in  1679.  Died  Oct.  28,  A.  D., 
1754,  aged  86  years  and  about  one  month.”  “In 
memory  of  Ethelana  Clarke,  relict  of  Jacob,  who 
died  March  5,  1757,  in  the  85th  year  of  her  age.” 
The  children  born  to  Jacob  and  Ethalannah  Clarke 
were:  John,  born  in  1710;  William;  Isabel,  who 
married  July  1,  1764,  Benjamin  Connor,  of  Scituate, 
R.  I.;  and  Patience,  who  married  June  1,  1746, 
William  Harris. 

(III)  William  Clarke,  son  of  Jacob,  married 
Mary,  and  they  lived  in  the  town  of  Providence,  R. 
I.  Their  children  of  Providence  town  record,  ac- 
cording to  Arnold,  were : Elizabeth,  born  Oct.  6, 
1739;  Daniel,  July  31,  1741  ; William,  Dec.  9,  1743; 
Benjamin,  Feb.  16,  1746;  Mary,  March  28,  1748, 
and  Amey,  Oct.  27,  1751. 

(IV)  Daniel  Clarke,  son  of  William,  born  July 
31,  1741,  early  settled  in  Foster,  R.  I.,  where  he  be- 
came a man  of  much  importance.  His  sister 
Dorothy  married  Daniel  Howard,  and  Mary  mar- 
ried Elder  John  Westcott,  from  both  of  whom  there 
have  descended  many  men  and  women  of  usefulness 
and  prominence  in  Rhode  Island  and  adjoining 
States.  His  son  Daniel  was  also  a man  of  much 
distinction,  and  of  him  further  mention  follows. 
Daniel  Clarke  was  a man  of  more  than  ordinary 
strength  of  character  and  of  jovial,  genial  tempera- 
ment. It  is  related  in  the  manuscript  left  by  one  of 
his  descendants  that  “he  lent  character  to  any  en- 
terprise with  which  lie  was  connected ; was  a man 
of  great  tenacity  of  purpose,  candid  in  his  opinions 
and  forceful  in  giving  expression  to  them.”  As  an 
instance  of  his  vigor,  his  active  and  industrious  dis- 
position, it  may  be  mentioned  that  in  1815,  then  at 
the  age  of  seventy-four  years,  he  desired  to  visit  his 
sister  Nancy,  who  lived  at  Paris,  Oneida  Co.,  N. 
Y.,  and  made  the  entire  journey  on  foot  and  alone. 
At  that  time  such  an  undertaking  was  attended  with 
no  little  danger.  He  reached  his  destination  in 
safety,  and  some  six  or  seven  years  later  died  there, 
at  the  age  of  eighty  years. 

(V)  Daniel  Clarke,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born 
Feb.  7,  1782,  in  the  town  of  Foster,  and  there  grew 
to  manhood.  In  youth  he  learned  the  trade  of  a 
toolmaker.  Sharp  edge-tools  were  then  made  by 
hand,  and  to  turn  out  a good  product,  expert  work- 
manship was  required  and  a knowledge  of  metal 
most  necessary.  That  Mr.  Clarke  possessed  ex- 
ceptional ability  is  attested  by  the  fact  that  there 
are  in  existence  at  this  time  tools  (axes)  of  his 
workmanship,  and  bearing  his  stamp,  “D.  C.” 
During  his  early  manhood  he  traveled  extensively 
in  various  States,  particularly  in  New  York,  plying 


RHODE  ISLAND 


his  trade,  as  did  the  old-time  shoemaker,  tailor,  etc. 
At  one  time  smallpox  was  prevalent  throughout  a 
large  area,  and  Mr.  Clarke  voluntarily  exposed  him- 
self to  infection  and  successfully  withstood  the  dis- 
ease. He  was  then  enabled  to  travel  in  the  infected 
communities  and  because  of  his  immunity  was  able 
to  render  much  service  to  the  afflicted,  as  well  as 
ply  his  vocation  where  his  services  were  needed. 
Besides  being  expert  in  the  making  of  edge-tools 
he  was  possessed  of  a natural  mechanical  turn, 
which  enabled  him  to  make  many  implements  of 
utility.  He  was  endowed  by  nature  with  a splendid 
physique,  perfect  health,  an  active  and  retentive 
mind,  and  a social,  genial  and  kindly  temperament. 
As  he  aged  his  voice  became  mellow,  his  appear- 
ance venerable.  He  passed  his  later  years  in  prac- 
tical retirement,  though  he  gave  some  attention  to 
farming  after  the  introduction  of  machine-made 
tools  rendered  his  vocation  no  longer  profitable.  He 
had  many  interesting  experiences  in  his  travels,  and 
delighted  those  so  fortunate  as  to  hear  his  reminis- 
cences. He  reached  a good  old  age,  and  died  after 
a long  life,  well  lived,  Oct.  31,  1859. 

Mr.  Clarke  married  Betsey  Allen,  who  was  born 
Jan.  9,  1786,  and  to  them  were  born  six  children,  as 
follows:  (1)  Jeremiah,  born  July  31,  1807,  died 
Sept.  1,' 1888.  He  married  Amy  Tucker,  but  left 
no  descendants.  (2)  William,  born  May  9,  1806, 
died  Feb.  13,  1858.  He  married  Alice  Ellis,  and 
their  children  were  Olney,  Emeline,  Sariah,  and 
Jeremiah.  (3)  Joseph,  born  Jan.  6,  1809,  died 
May  30,  1877.  He  married  Mary  Arnold,  and 
their  children  were  Albert  and  Emily,  the  latter  now 
the  wife  of  Dr.  Richardson,  of  Burrillville.  (4) 
Deborah  A.,  born  Jan.  6,  1812,  married  Daniel 
Tucker.  (5)  Stephen,  born  April  4,  1814,  died 
Feb.  7,  1876.  He  married  Joanna  Aldrich  and  their 
children  were  Albert  and  Elizabeth.  (6)  Daniel 
A.  was  born  May  3,  1818. 

(VI)  Daniel  A.  Clarke,  son  of  Daniel,  was 
born  May  3,  1818,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  where 
his  parents  were  living  at  that  time.  In  1820  the 
family  removed  to  and  settled  in  Rhode  Island,  and 
here  he  was  reared.  In  boyhood  he  attended  the 
schools  of  Glocester,  where  the  family  was  then 
living,  and  later  he  learned  the  trade  of  a mule 
spinner  in  the  cotton  mills.  This  calling  he  followed 
for  a number  of  years,  until  ill  health,  occasioned 
by  the  confinement  of  the  calling,  obliged  him  to 
discontinue  it.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  until 
1866,  when  he  embarked  in  mercantile  pursuits, 
first  establishing  himself  at  Rockland,  then  in 
Ponaganset,  and  later  in  North  Scituate.  By  close 
application  to  business  and  by  methods  of  honesty 
and  fair  dealing  he  was  successful.  He  continued 
the  business  founded  by  his  son  Harrison,  who  died 
in  1865,  and  associated  with  him  his  son  Daniel  A., 
Jr.,  in  the  Scituate  establishment,  the  business  being 
conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Daniel  A.  Clarke 
& Son.  In  about  1890  he  retired  from  active  pur- 
suits, though  he  was  interested  in  farming  for  some 


1023 

years  previous  to  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan. 
19,  1900. 

In  1839  Mr.  Clarke  married  Mary  Emily  Har- 
rington, who  was  born  Sept.  5,  1815,  daughter  of 
Simeon  and  Waity  (Angell)  Harrington,  and  died 
March  8,  1891.  Mrs.  Clarke  descended  from 
1 homas  Angell,  the  ancestor  of  the  Rhode  Island 
family  of  that  name,  and  of  which  extended  men- 
tion will  be  found  elsewhere.  She  was  a woman  of 
energy  and  intelligence,  and  a large  share  of  her 
husband’s  success  was  justly  attributed  to  her.  Both 
are  buried  in  the  Scituate  cemetery.  Four  children 
were  born  to  them:  (1)  Harrison,  born  June  16, 
1840,  died  Oct.  28,  1865.  He  married  Almeda 
Bennett,  but  left  no  children.  He  was  employed 
upon  the  farm  of  his  father  until  he  reached  the  age 
of  about  fourteen  years,  when  he  became  a clerk  in 
the  store  of  John  Barden,  at  Ponaganset.  Even  at 
that  youthful  age  he  displayed  marked  ability  as  a 
business  man,  and  had  he  lived  he  would  doubtless 
have  become  a man  of  unusual  prominence.  He 
worked  bis  way  through  Hillsdale  College,  at  Hills- 
dale, Mich.,  and  later  attended  East  Greenwich 
Academy  for  three  years,  also  completing  a commer- 
cial course  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.  He  established 
himself  in  business,  and  was  rapidly  acquiring  a 
patronage  of  excellent  prospects  at  the  time  of  his 
demise.  Harrison  Clarke  was  quite  prominent  in 
the  affairs  of  his  town,  held  the  office  of  justice  of 
the  peace,  was  quite  interested  in  military  affairs 
and  captain  of  the  local  company,  and  served  as 
superintendent  of  schools  in  Scituate.  (2)  Zilpha 
Ann,  born  March  28,  1842,  died  Oct.  30,  1847. 
(3)  Daniel  A.,  Jr.,  was  born  Oct.  13,  1848.  (4) 

Charles  Kendall  was  born  Jan.  9,  1851. 

Daniel  A.  Clarke,  the  father  of  the  foregoing 
family,  was  active  in  local  public  affairs,  and  filled 
most  creditably  numerous  offices  in  his  town,  serving 
at  different  times  as  a member  of  the  town  council, 
tax  collector,  etc.  His  affiliation  was  with  the  Re- 
publican party,  but  he  was  in  no  respect  a politician, 
and  it  was  only  his  retiring  disposition  that  kept 
him  from  attaining  high  official  position,  for  he 
possessed  eminent  qualifications  for  such  respon- 
sibility. He  was  a Christian  and  a strong  advocate 
of  temperance,  absolutely  clean  in  his  morals  and 
especially  strict  in  that  respect.  He  was  much  at- 
tached to  his  home  life,  and  with  the  able  assistance 
of  his  estimable  wife  reared  his  children  in  an  at- 
mosphere of  refinement,  culture  and  high  moral  in- 
fluences. He  was  a member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity and  a stanch  believer  in  its  principles  and 
doctrine,  aiming  to  live  up  to  them  most  rigidly. 
His  valuation  of  the  really  worthy  things  of  life 
was  particularly  keen,  and  no  inducement  could 
deviate  him  from  principle  and  right  when  he  was 
convinced  of  his  position.  He  was  equally  quick 
to  appreciate  a favor  or  resent  a wrong,  and  was 
sincere  to  the  core. 

(VII)  Daniel  A.  Clarke,  Jr.,  was  born  in 
Scituate,  Oct.  13,  1848,  and  after  attending  the  local 


1024 


RHODE  ISLAND 


schools  finished  his  education  at  the  Lapham  In- 
stitute, at  North  Scituate,  then  under  the  charge  of 
Prof.  Thomas  L.  Angell.  For  some  ten  years  he 
assisted  his  father  in  the  latter's  commercial  enter- 
prises, as  a clerk,  and  in  1876  became  a member  of 
the  firm  of  Daniel  A.  Clarke  & Son,  taking  charge 
of  the  store  at  North  Scituate,  which  he  conducted 
successfully  for  twelve  years,  at  the  end  of  that 
period  retiring  from  business  for  the  sake  of  his 
health.  After  that  he  carried  on  a popular  summer 
hotel  at  Buttonwoods,  his  establishment  being  fre- 
quented by  the  best  class  of  patronage.  In  fact,  it 
was  more  a resort  for  Mr.  Clarke  and  his  friends 
than  a source  of  profit. 

Mr.  Clarke  married,  Dec.  15,  1881,  Miss  Ger- 
trude Randall,  of  Scituate,  and  they  are  identified 
prominently  with  the  social  life  of  the  community, 
both  being  also  well  known  in  Providence,  where 
they  have  numerous  friends  and  acquaintances. 
Mr.  Clarke  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
belonging  to  St.  John’s  Commandery,  and  he  is  also 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  V eteran  s Association. 
In  politics  he  is  a Republican,  and  he  has  held 
various  important  public  offices,  including  those  of 
justice  of  the  peace,  town  sergeant,  and  member  of 
the  council.  In  1888  he  was  a deputy  sheriff  of 
Providence  county. 

Practically  all  of  Mr.  Clarke's  life  has  been 
passed  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  present  home 
and  he  is  regarded  as  a man  thoroughly  honest  and 
honorable  in  all  of  his  dealings  and  possessed  of 
excellent  judgment.  His  courteous  social  ways,  his 
genial  disposition,  his  appreciation  of  those  he 
trusts,  are  all  commendable  traits  which  help  to 
make  him  popular.  He  is  exemplarily  moral,  of 
strong  domestic  tendencies,  an  intelligent  and  pleas- 
ant associate,  and  all  in  all  a good  citizen. 

(VII)  Charles  Kendall  Clarke,  M.  D., 
physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  Jan.  9,  1851,  in 
the  town  of  Scituate.  His  father  was  a man  who 
met  Solomon’s  distinctive  tribute  as  one  who  for 
many  years  was  “known  in  the  gates  and  "sitting 
among  the  elders  of  the  land.”  His  mother  well 
deserved  to  rank  among  the  ideal  class  whose  price 
is  far  above  rubies.  During  his  earlier  years  his 
employments  were  such  as  were  common  to  coun- 
trv  boys  of  his  day.  He  attended  the  district  school 
in  winter,  made  progress  in  study  and  books,  and  laid 
a few  foundation  stones  upon  which  some  parts  of 
his  life  structure  yet  rest.  To  those  early  years, 
under  the  tutelage  of  father  and  mother,  whose 
chief  ambitions  were  to  impress  upon  the  minds  of 
their  children  such  principles  as  would  make  possi- 
ble lives  of  usefulness  and  honor,  Dr.  Clarke,  like 
myriads  of  others,  is  indebted  for  that  probity  of 
character,  and  those  justifiable  aspirations,  that 
prominently  characterize  him  as  a citizen  in  all  the 
relations  of  life.  It  was  amid  such  influences  that 
Dr.  Clarke  grew  to  manhood.  For  four  years  he 
studied  in  the  famous  Lapham  Institute,  then  under 


the  late  Prof.  Ricker.  For  some  time  after  1871  he 
studied  medicine  with  Dr.  W.  H.  Bowen,  a some- 
what noted  physician  of  his  day,  and  then  entered 
Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College,  New  York 
City,  from  which  famous  institution  he  was  grad- 
uated with  the  class  of  1874,  with  the  degree  of  M. 
D.  In  January,  1875,  immediately  after  his  grad- 
uation, he  located  at  Fiskeville,  removing  to  his 
present  location  in  the  village  in  about  1878-79. 
Here  he  continues,  in  the  enjoyment  of  a large  prac- 
tice, extending  over  a wide  area — the  result  of  his 
eminent  learning,  his  skill,  his  ever-present  interest 
in  the  condition  and  welfare  of  his  patients,  his  zeal, 
indefatigable  energy,  and  withal  an  industry  which 
seems  to  be  unceasing. 

In  addition  to  his  professional  duties  Dr.  Clarke 
has  found  time  to  lend  his  ability  and  attention  to 
the  affairs  of  his  community,  and  though  in  no  re- 
spect a politician  he  has  served  as  superintendent  of 
schools  in  Scituate,  president  of  the  school  board, 
assessor  of  taxes,  member  of  the  town  council  and 
president  of  that  body.  While  he  was  president  of 
the  council  the  expenditures,  under  his  leadership, 
were  kept  within  the  amount  received,  an  achieve- 
ment unparalleled  within  recent  years.  For  many 
years  Dr.  Clarke  has  been  a member  of  the  Rhode 
Island  State  Medical  Society  as  originally  organ- 
ized, and  he  is  now  president  of  the  Kent  County 
Medical  Society.  Dr.  Clarke  is  a man  of  affable 
and  courteous  personality,  and  his  wide  reading  in 
the  field  of  general  literature,  a familiar  knowledge 
of  the  best  authors  of  poetry  and  prose,  as  well  as 
a vast  fund  of  general  information  anent  the  topics 
of  the  day,  make  him  a fluent  and  interesting  con- 
versationalist. He  is  held  in  the  highest  regard 
wherever  known,  both  for  his  mental  attainments 
and  high  character.  Dr.  Clarke  and  his  family  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

On  Jan.  8,  1876,  Dr.  Clarke  married  Elizabeth 
M.  Manter,  daughter  of  Rev.  Zebulon  C.  Manter,  of 
Maine,  and  descended  from  a long  line  of  distin- 
guished New  England  ancestry.  Two  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union : Mary  M.,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  five  years  and  eleven  months ; and 
Daniel  A.  (3),  now  an  instructor  in  botany  and 
landscape  at  Harvard  University.  The  latter  was 
born  April  28,  1878,  graduated  from  Providence 
Classical  High  School,  from  Brown  University 
(1901),  after  a four  years’  course,  and  from  Har- 
vard (1904),  after  a three  years’  course,  with  the 
degree  of  B.  A.  S.  He  early  manifested  an  apti- 
tude for  his  chosen  profession,  forestry  and  plant 
culture,  and  he  has  already  gained  much  renown  for 
his  wide  learning  upon  those  subjects.  He  has 
been  tendered  positions  with  several  of  the  most 
famous  landscape  architects,  but  has  preferred  to 
continue  his  studies  and  at  the  same  time  his  work 
as  an  instructor  at  Harvard.  He  has  written 
various  articles  upon  subjects  of  his  profession 
which  have  attracted  much  favorable  comment.  Like 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1025 


his  father,  he  has  taken  a great  interest  in  the  edu- 
cational affairs  of  his  native  town,  and  served  for 
three  years  on  the  school  board. 

JBICKNELL.  The  Massachusetts  and  Rhode 
Island  family  bearing  this  name  is  one  of  the  oldest 
in  the  Massaclmsetts-Rhode  Island  territory — Zach- 
ary Bicknell,  the  progenitor  of  the  family  under 
consideration,  coming  to  New  England  in  1635. 
This  family,  too,  has  been  among  the  first  since  the 
early  Colonial  period.  Allying  itself  with  many 
of  the  first  families  of  the  Pilgrim  Commonwealth, 
it  has  played  a conspicuous  part  in  its  social,  civil, 
and  military  history.  A number  of  the  name  served 
in  all  the  Colonial  wars.  Of  the  Barrington  Bick- 
nells,  Asa,  Joshua,  and  Winchester  Bicknell  were 
among  the  patriots  of  the  Revolution,  honored 
names  in  the  annals  of  that  time.  Of  a later  period, 
in  Barrington  were  Judge  Joshua  and  his  son, 
Hon.  Allin  Bicknell,  and  of  a succeeding  genera- 
tion, Hon.  Thomas  Williams  Bicknell,  LL.  D.,  one 
of  the  leading  educators  of  New  England,  Edward 
Joshua,  the  Providence  merchant,  and  James  and 
Joseph  Bicknell,  of  Barrington ; some  of  whose 
sons  and  grandsons  are  yet  active  in  the  business 
and  social  life  of  their  communities. 

(I)  Zachary  Bicknell,  aged  forty-five,  with 
Agnes,  his  wife,  aged  thirty-seven,  their  son  John, 
aged  eleven,  and  servant  John  Kitchen,  aged 
twenty-three,  were  among  the  passengers,  mostly 
from  the  Counties  of  Dorset  and  Somerset,  in  the 
southwestern  part  of  England,  who  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  the  spring  of  1635.  This  company  of  106 
emigrants,  under  the  ministerial  care  of  Rev.  Joseph. 
Hull,  settled  at  Weymouth,  Mass.,  in  the  summer  of 
1635.  Mr.  Bicknell,  it  is  probable,  died  in  1636; 
Alice,  his  widow,  remarried,  and  died  in  Braintree, 
July  9,  1643. 

(II)  John  Bicknell,  the  only  son  of  Zachary, 

married  Mary  , and  their  three  children 

were:  John,  born  in  1653-54;  Mary;  and  Naomi, 
born  June  21,  1657.  The  mother  of  these  died 
March  25,  1658,  and  Dec.  2,  of  that  year  he  married 
(second)  Mary  Porter,  daughter  of  Hon.  Richard 
Porter,  of  Weymouth,  and  to  their  marriage  came 
eight  children,  namely:  Ruth,  born  Oct.  26,  1660; 
Joanna,  March  2,  1663  ; Experience,  Oct.  20,  1665  ; 
Zachary,  Feb.  7,  1668;  Thomas,  Aug.  27,  1670; 
Elizabeth,  April  29,  1673;  Hannah,  Nov.  15,  1675; 
and  Mary,  March  15,  1678. 

John  Bicknell  became  an  important  and  useful 
man  in  Weymouth.  He  served  as  selectman  for 
many  years,  and  was  a deputy  to  the  General  Court 
for  1677  and  1678.  He  died  in  1679. 

(III)  Zachariah  (Zachary)  Bicknell,  born  Feb. 
7,  1668,  married  Nov.  24,  1692,  Hannah  Smith, 
sister  of  Joshua  Smith,  of  Swansea.  They  resided 
at  Weymouth,  and  about  1705,  removed  to  that  part 
of  Swansea,  which  is  now  Barrington,  R.  I.,  where 
he  died.  Their  children  were : Zachariah,  born 
Jan.  9,  1695;  Joshua,  1696;  Hannah,  March  16, 

65 


1698  : James,  May  13,  1702;  Mary,  Aug.  21,  1703 
(all  in  Weymouth,  Mass.)  ; and  Peter,  in  1706  (in 
Barrington,  R.  I.). 

Zachariah  Bicknell  was  a leading  man  in  Swan- 
sea. He  was  one  of  the  petitioners  in  1711,  for  the 
formation  of  the  new  town,  which  was  created  in 
1717,  and  called  Barrington.  Mr.  Bicknell’s  home 
stood  near  the  location  of  the  Remington  tavern, 
north  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  fronting 
on  the  Barrington  river.  Town  meetings  were  held 
at  his  house,  and  the  town  records  show  him  to 
have  been  a valuable  citizen  in  civil  and  religious 
affairs. 

(IV)  Joshua  Bicknell,  born  in  1696,  married 
(first)  March  29,  1721,  Hannah  Lyon.  She  died 
Jan.  27,  1737-  aged  forty,  and  he  married  (second) 
Aug.  29,  1739,  Abigail,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Anne  Allin.  The  children  to  the  first  marriage 
were:  Joshua,  born  in  1723;  Hannah,  in  1724; 
Olive;  and  Molly,  baptized  Jan.  11,  1736.  One 
child.  Allin,  born  July  19,  1743,  came  of  the  second 
marriage. 

Joshua  Bicknell  probably  lived  in  the  house  oc- 
cupied by  his  father,  with  his  large  estate  on  the 
west  and  south  of  his  residence.  He  gave  to  the 
Congregational  Church  in  Barrington  the  land  on 
which  the  church  now  stands,  and  was  instrumental 
in  the  erection  of  the  new  meeting  house  about 
I735‘4°-  He  died  Feb.  6,  1752,  and  his  widow 
passed  away.  Nov.  26,  1772,  in  the  sixty-fourth 
year  of  her  age. 

(V)  Joshua  Bicknell.  born  in  1723,  in  Barring- 
ton, R.  I.,  married  (first)  in  1745,  Ruth  Bicknell, 
born  in  1728,  probably  daughter  of  James  and  Ruth 
Bicknell.  She  died  Sept.  18,  1756,  and  he  married 
(second)  in  1758,  Mrs.  Jerusha  Heath,  widow  of 
Rev.  Peleg  Heath,  and  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Rebecca  (Brown)  Peck;  she  was  born  Nov.  18, 
1724,  and  died  April  9,  1763.  The  children  born 
to  the  first  marriage  were:  Thomas,  born  Feb.  11, 
1747;  James,  Feb.  2,  1749;  Hannah,  Sept.  4,  1750; 
Ruth,  Oct.  29,  1752;  and  Olive,  Nov.  11,  1754. 
Those  born  to  the  second  marriage  were : Joshua, 
born  Jan.  14,  1759;  Winchester,  March  31,  1761; 
Jerusha  and  Joseph  (twins),  born  Jan.  20,  1763. 
Mr.  Bicknell  was  married  again,  in  1764,  the  Chris- 
tian name  of  his  wife  being  Hannah,  who,  with  her 
infant  child,  died  Aug.  11,  1765.  He  married 
(fourth)  Freeborn  Miller,  and  to  this  union  came: 
Freeborn,  born  Jan.  9,  1768:  and  Wait,  Nov.  9, 
1771.  Joshua  Bicknell  died  suddenly  Nov.  30,  1781. 

(VI)  Joshua  Bicknell,  born  Jan.  14,  1759,  at  the 
home  known  as  the  “Kinnicutt  tavern,”  in  Barring- 
ton, R.  I.,  married  April  18,  1782,  Amy  Brown, 
born  Aug.  1,  1762,  at  the  Ferry  House,  in  Barring’ 
ton,  opposite  Warren.  To  the  marriage  came  chil- 
dren as  follows:  Jerusha.  born  March  5,  1783; 
Mary,  Nov.  19,  1784:  Allin,  April  13.  1787;  Amy, 
Aug.  15,  1789:  Freeborn,  Nov.  5.  1791;  Joshua, 
Nov.  19.  1792;  James,  Nov.  4.  1795:  Elizabeth,. 
Feb.  22,  1799:  and  Joseph  Peck,  April  19,  1801. 


1026 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Joshua  Bickneil  in  youth  had  only  limited  educa- 
tional advantages,  such  as  were  afforded  by  the 
neighboring  district  schools,  in  which  were  taught 
reading,  writing,  spelling  and  arithmetic.  As  a boy 
he  was  a member  of  Capt.  Thomas  Allin's  company, 
of  Barrington’s  militia,  enlisting  in  1775.  He  joined 
the  company  at  the  Alarm  in  Bristol  in  April,  1776. 
He  enlisted  in  his  country’s  service  for  a period  of 
fifteen  months  in  Capt.  Allin’s  Company,  Col. 
Crary’s  regiment,  which  performed  service  in  Bris- 
tol and  Newport  counties.  On  June  4,  1777,  he 
again  enlisted  for  fifteen  months  in  Col.  C.  Smith’s 
Regiment.  He  served'as  a private  in  Capt.  Thomas 
Allin's  company,  Col.  Crary’s  regiment,  from 
March  1,  to  June  16,  1778,  and  he  also  enlisted  as 
an  express  rider,  in  the  Quartermaster-General's  De- 
partment, and  was  stationed  at  Tiverton,  R.  I.,  Oct. 
I5>  1 779- 

Young  Bickneil,  born  and  bred  to  a farmer’s 
life,  made  good  use  of  his  limited  school  privileges, 
and,  possessed  of  fine  natural  abilities,  he  early  de- 
veloped into  a capable  and  useful  man,  and  as  well 
became  an  honored  citizen.  He  entered  a public 
career  when  but  a youth,  and  for  the  rest  of  his  life 
served  the  town,  county  and  State  in  various  official 
positions,  both  honorably  and  successfully.  He  was 
a deputy  in  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island 
in  1787,  1789,  1794,  1796-98,  1802-04,  1807-08,  and 
1823-25,  and  survived  all  who  were  members  when 
he  first  took  his  seat,  except  two.  He  served  as  an 
associate  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Rhode 
Island  from  1794  to  1810,  and  from  1811  to  1818. 
He  also  filled  various  other  public  offices  by  special 
appointment  with  distinguished  ability.  The  purity 
-of  his  life,  the  integrity  of  his  motives,  and  the 
justice  of  his  opinions  and  decisions,  gave  him  the 
merited  sobriquet  of  “Old  Aristides.”  He  was 
simple  in  his  domestic  habits,  and  when  unoccupied 
with  public  affairs,  devoted  himself  to  his  farm, 
and  especially  to  fruit  culture,  in  which  he  took 
great  satisfaction.  He  united  with  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  in  Barrington  in  1805,  and  held  the 
office  of  deacon  until  his  death.  He  was  one  of  the 
Corporate  members  of  the  United  Congregational 
Society  of  the  town,  and  served  as  its  treasurer  for 
forty  years.  He  died  Dec.  16,  1837,  in  the  seventy- 
ninth  year  of  his  age. 

On  the  death  of  Judge  Bickneil,  the  Providence 
Journal,  in  an  issue  of  December,  1837,  in  an  obitu- 
ary notice,  thus  justly  sums  up  his  life  and  character  : 
“But  few  men  have  been  better  known  through  the 
State,  and  perhaps  none  survived  him  who  pos- 
sessed more  historical  and  statistical  knowledge  of 
the  State  from  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution 
to  the  present  time.  Of  no  man  may  it  be  more 
justly  said,  he  has  lived  devoted  to  the  best  interests 
of  Rhode  Island.  No  man  more  ardently  loved  his 
country.  Respecting  his  talents  and  acquirements — 
he  read  much ; but  perhaps  the  most  wonderful  trait 
in  his  character  was  his  extraordinary  power  of 
discrimination.  In  these  particulars  he  has  left 


few  superiors,  even  among  those  more  fortunate 
in  opportunities  for  improvement ; but  that  which 
adds  the  highest  lustre  to  his  character  is  that  his 
latter  days  have  especially  adorned  the  Christian 
life.  The  Church  of  which  he  was  a member,  and 
in  which  he  had  long  sustained  important  offices, 
has  great  reason  to  mourn  that  a good  and  distin- 
guished man  in  Israel  has  fallen.” 

(ATI)  Allin  Bickneil,  born  April  13,  1787,  in 
Barrington,  R.  I.,  married  (first)  Dec.  23,  1817, 
Harriet  Byron  Kinnicutt,  of  Barrington.  She  was 
born  Sept.  1,  1791,  and  died  Dec.  15,  1737.  He 
married  (second)  Elizabeth  W.  Allin,  of  Barring- 
ton, who  lived  to  be  eighty-one  years  of  age,  dying 
Oct.  16,  1868.  (See  Allin).  The  children,  all  born 
to  the  first  marriage  were:  Joshua,  born  Oct.  29, 
1818,  died  in  1885  ; George  Augustus,  born  June  30, 
1822,  died  June  21,  1861  ; Daniel  Kinnicutt,  born 
Sept.  24,  1829,  died  Aug.  26,  1851  ; and  Thomas 
Williams,  born  Sept.  6,  1834. 

Mr.  Bickneil  was  reared  a farmer  and  he  fol- 
lowed in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  in  useful  and 
honorable  citizenship.  He  united  with  the  Barring- 
ton Congregational  Church  in  1820,  and  maintained 
a consistent  Christian  character  for  more  than  fifty 
years ; succeeded  his  honorable  father  as  a deacon 
of  the  Church ; was  captain  of  the  Barrington  In- 
fantry and  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Bristol 
County  Regiment ; member  of  the  town  council ; 
was  in  the  Lower  house  of  the  General  Assembly  in 
J842,  1846,  1849,  and  in  the  Senate  in  1850  and 
1854.  He  was  an  industrious  man  and 
one  of  generous  impulses.  He  died  Aug. 
•22,  1870,  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  his 

age.  The  life  of  Mr.  Bickneil  is  thus  referred  to 
by  bis  biographer,  Dr.  Babcock : “Lor  several  years 
he  was  chosen  to  represent  the  people  in  both 
branches  of  the  Legislature,  and  performed  these 
duties  in  a manner  highly  acceptable  and  useful. 
But  public  life  was  by  no  means  his  choice.  His 
honest  integrity,  and  his  quiet  unobtrusive  tone  of 
life  rendered  him  the  admiration  and  delight  of 
the  private  circle  where,  without  ostentatious 
parade  or  pretentiousness  of  any  kind,  he  won  the 
full  confidence  and  esteem  of  those  most  intimate 
with  him.  His  prudent  and  temperate  care  in  the 
exercise  of  godly  virtues,  bore  him  on  the  even 
tenor  of  his  way,  and  carried  him  beyond  the 
bounds  of  four-score  years.” 

(VIII)  Thomas  Williams  Bicknell,  son  of 
Allin,  born  Sept.  6,  1834,  in  Barrington,  R.  I.,  mar- 
ried Sept.  5,  i860,  Amelia  D.  Blanding,  daughter  of 
Christopher  and  Chloe  Blanding,  and  to  the  mar- 
riage came  a daughter,  Mattie,  who  was  born  in 
1862.  in  Barrington.  R.  I.,  and  who  died  in  1867. 

Mr.  Bicknell  received  his  elementary  education 
in  the  schools,  both  public  and  private,  of  his  native 
town,  and  at  fifteen  he  entered  Thetford  Academy 
in  Vermont,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
high  honors  in  1853,  delivering  the  Greek  oration 
on  Grecian  mythology.  In  September  following 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1027 


he  entered  Dartmouth  and  Amherst  Colleges  as  a 
Freshman,  and  in  that  year  for  a time  taught  school 
in  Seekonk,  Mass.,  which  was  the  beginning  of 
his  career  as  an  educator.  From  1854  to  1858, 
young  Bicknell  was  out  of  school,  leaving  in  the 
former  year  to  recruit  his  health  and  funds.  He 
had  received  a mark  of  honor  in  being  selected  at 
the  close  of  his  freshman  year  as  a prize  debater, 
and  at  this  period  became  a member  of  the  Greek 
letter  fraternity  of  the  Phi  Delta  Theta.  In  1854- 
55,  Mr.  Bicknell  was  principal  of  the  public  and 
high  school  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  and  in  1855  of 
the  Elgin  (Illinois)  Academy.  In  the  following 
year  lie  was  one  of  the  Chicago  emigration  com- 
pany to  settle  in  Kansas.  This  was  in  the  summer 
of  1856.  He  was  made  a prisoner  bv  the  Border 
Ruffians  on  the  Missouri  river,  and  sent  back  to 
St.  Louis,  under  escort  of  Col.  Bufford’s  South 
Carolina  and  Virginia  sharpshooters.  Returning 
to  the  East  after  his  Western  experience  Mr.  Bick- 
nell was  again,  from  September,  1856,  to  December, 

1857,  principal  of  the  Rehoboth  (Mass.)  high 
school.  Entering  Brown  University  in  February, 

1858,  he  was  graduated  therefrom  in  i860,  receiv- 
ing the  degree  of  A.  M.  Through  the  following 
decade  he  continued  his  teaching,  being  principal  of 
t lie  Arnold  street  grammar  school,  in  Providence, 
from  1863  to  1867,  in  which  latter  year  the  school 
was  closed,  and  of  the  Bristol  (R.  I.)  high  school, 
from  1867  to  May,  1869. 

Mr.  Bicknell  had  by  this  time  arrived  at  a period 
in  his  life  when  his  reputation  as  a teacher  and 
fitness  for  advanced  work  in  educational  lines  were 
known  and  recognized.  Resigning  in  May,  1869, 
the  principalship  of  the  Bristol  high  school,  he  en- 
tered in  June,  upon  his  new  duties  as  Commissioner 
of  Public  Schools  of  Rhode  Island,  receiving  the 
appointment  at  the  hands  of  Gov.  Padelford.  To 
this  office  he  gave  earnest  and  intelligent,  energetic 
work  until  in  January,  1875.  During  this  period  he 
secured  a State  Board  of  Education,  of  which  he 
was  secretary ; re-established  the  State  Normal 
School,  at  Providence ; re-established  the  Rhode  Is- 
land Schoolmaster,  of  which  for  nearly  a decade  he 
was  editor ; secured  town  school  superintendents  in 
each  town  in  the  State ; dedicated  more  than  fifty 
new  school  houses ; advanced  the  school  year  from 
twenty-seven  to  thirty-five  weeks  average  through- 
out the  State ; and  school  appropriations  were 
nearly  trebled  during  his  administration. 

After  re-establishing  the  Rhode  Island  School- 
master, Mr.  Bicknell  became  quite  active  in  editorial 
work  in  educational  lines,  and  there  has  hardly 
been  a time  from  boyhood  to  the  present  when  he 
has  not  in  some  manner  also  been  identified  with 
work  in  historical,  religious  and  literary  lines. 
While  at  the  Thetford  (Vt.)  Academy  he  united 
with  the  Congregational  Church,  and  engaged  in 
religious  work  as  early  as  1851.  From  1861  to  1864 
he  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  of  the 
Congregational  Church  at  Bristol,  R.  I.,  of  the 


Sunday-school  of  the  church  of  that  denomination 
at  Barrington,  R.  I.,  from  1864  to  1875,  and  of  the 
Second  Church  Sunday-school,  at  Dorchester,  Bos- 
ton, from  1876  to  1880.  He  aided  in  the  formation 
of  the  Boston, Congregational  Sunday-school  Super- 
intendents Union,  and  was  elected  its  president  in 
May,  1880.  That  same  year  he  was  a delegate  to  at- 
tend the  Raikes  Sunday-school  Centenary  at  London, 
England.  Mr.  Bicknell  aided  in  the  revival  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Instruction,  and  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  New  England  Journal  of  Education , 
and,  as  joint  proprietor  and  publisher  with  Mr.  C.  C. 
Chatfield,  edited  the  Journal,  which  united  the 
several  monthly  magazines  in  one  paper,  issued 
weekly  in  Boston,  Mass.  Mr.  Bicknell,  too,  estab- 
lished and  edited  the  Primary  Teacher , a monthly 
magazine,  in  1876.  In  1880  he  established  and  be- 
came conductor  of  Education,  a bi-monthly  review 
on  the  Science,  the  Art,-  the  Philosophy,  and  the 
History  of  Education,  continuing  the  editorship  of 
the  Journal  and  the  presidency  of  the  New  England 
Publishing  Company,  founded  in  1875.  In  1881, 
Drurv  College,  Missouri,  conferred  upon  Mr.  Bick- 
nell the  honorary  degree  of  LL.  D. 

Dr.  Bicknell  has  given  many  addresses  and  de- 
livered many  lectures  in  various  parts  of  the 
country,  and  has  prepared  a number  of  papers.  His 
published  works  are : “A  Memorial  of  William 
Lord  Noyes,”  1868;  “A  History  of  Barrington, 
Rhode  Island,”  1870;  a number  of  genealogical 
pamphlets ; Reports  as  Commissioner  of  Public 
Schools,  1870,  ’71,  ’72,  ’73,  ’74;  an  address  on  School 
Supervision,  1876;  and  editorial  and  other  arti- 
cles in  the  Rhode  Island  Schoolmaster,  Journal  of 
Education,  and  other  publications.  On  June  17, 
1870,  Mr.  Bicknell  delivered  the  oration  at  the  Cen- 
tennial of  his  native  town,  Barrington,  Rhode  Is- 
land. 

In  his  earlier  life,  while  a resident  of  Barrington, 
Mr.  Bicknell  was  active  in  the  duties  of  citizenship. 
He  was  for  several  years  a member  of  the  school 
board,  was  superintendent  of  schools,  and  a member 
of  the  town  council.  While  he  was  yet  a junior  in 
Brown  University,  he  was  chosen  a member  from 
Barrington  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State. 
In  that  body  he  made  an  elaborate  speech  in  favor 
of  the  union  of  the  colored  and  white  schools  in  the 
State.  Dr.  Bicknell  is  a member  of  various  so- 
cieties and  associations,  and  his  prominence  and 
qualifications  have  been  shown  in  various  official 
relations  with  them.  He  was  president  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Institute  of  Instruction  in  1867-68;  president 
of  the  American  Institute  of  Instruction  in  1877-78, 
when  the  meetings  were  held  at  Montpelier,  Yt.,  and 
at  Fabyan's,  White  Mountains,  New  Hampshire. 
As  a result  of  the  latter  meetings,  a fund  of  one 
thousand  dollars  was  created,  called  the  Bicknell 
Fund,  and  money  was  raised  to  build  a mountain 
path  up  Mt.  Carrigon,  New  Hampshire.  Dr.  Bick- 
nell was  first  to  advocate  the  formation  of  the  Na- 
tional Council  of  Education,  and  was  elected  its 


1028 


RHODE  ISLAND 


first  president  at  Chautauqua,  in  July,  1880,  holding 
the  presidency  until  1883,  when  he  was  elected 
president  of  the  National  Educational  Association. 
The  meeting  at  Madison,  Wis.,  in  July,  1884,  was 
attended  by  several  thousand  teachers  and  was  the 
first  great  awakening  of  the  educators  of  the  United 
States  to  a consciousness  of  their  united  strength 
and  the  great  possibilities  growing  out  of  united 
action.  The  following  resolution,  unanimously 
adopted,  recognized  President  Bicknell’s  great  ser- 
vices to  this  Association : 

“Resolved,  that  the  unparalleled  success  of  this 
meeting  is  chiefly  due  to  the  energy,  devotion  and 
organizing  ability  of  Hon.  Thomas  W.  Bicknell,  the 
President  of  this  Association,  whose  wise  and  com- 
prehensive plans,  enthusiastic  and  self-sacrificing 
efforts  and  directing  hand  have  inspired  and  guided 
the  great  undertaking  from  its  inception  to  its 
present  triumphant  close,  and  no  formal  words  can 
properly  express  our  thankful  appreciation.” 

Dr.  Bicknell  is  a member  of  the  Massachusetts 
Historic  Genealogical  Society,  a corresponding 
member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society,  a 
member  of  tbe  American  Association  for  the  Ad- 
vancement of  Science,  of  the  American  Social  Sci- 
ence Association,  and  an  honorary  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Historical  Society.  He  was  elected 
president  of  the  Bicknell  Family  Association,  in 
Bristol,  in  December,  1879.  I'1  1872  he  was  chosen 
an  honorary  member  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society, 
and  received  the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of  Arts 
from  Amherst  College  in  1880.  From  1872  to  1875 
he  was  president  of  the  Rhode  Island  Sunday-school 
Union,  and  first  vice-president  of  the  Rhode  Island 
Temperance  Union.  He  was  a delegate  from  the 
Rhode  Island  Conference  to  form  the  National  Con- 
gregational Council,  and  a delegate  from  the  Suf- 
folk South  Conference,  Massachusetts,  to  the  Tri- 
ennial Council  held  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  in  October, 
1877. 

Dr.  Bicknell  has  traveled  quite  extensively  both 
in  this  country  and  abroad.  In  1873  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  Gov.  Padelford  commissioner  from 
Rhode  Island  to  the  Universal  Exposition  at 
Vienna,  Austria,  and  in  1878  was  a member  of  the 
Postal  Congress,  held  in  New  York,  to  form  the 
Postal  Code,  adopted  by  Congress  in  1879.  He  has 
made  three  trips  to  Europe.  In  1873  he  traveled 
through  Scotland,  England,  France,  Holland,  Bel- 
gium, Switzerland,  Italy,  Greece,  Turkey,  Austria 
and  Bavaria.  In  1879  he  re-visited  England,  France, 
Belgiurp  and  Holland. 

Casting  his  first  presidential  vote  in  1856  for 
John  C.  Fremont,  Dr.  Bicknell  has  since  held  fast 
to  the  principles  of  that  party.  For  some  years  fol- 
lowing 1875  he  was  a resident  of  Boston,  and 
served  as  a representative  from  his  district  in  the 
Massachusetts  General  Court  for  the  years  1889  and 
1890.  He  was  chairman  of  the  committees  on  Edu- 
cation and  Woman’s  Suffrage. 

In  1893,  Dr.  Bicknell  removed  to  Providence, 


R.  I.,  where  he  has  led  a busy  life  as  editor,  pub- 
lisher and  business  man.  Among  the  enterprises 
in  which  he  has  had  an  active  part  are  the  founding 
of  the  Municipal  League  of  Providence,  of  which 
he  was  secretary  for  six  years;  of  the  magazine 
called  the  Leader,  of  which  he  was  editor  and  pub- 
lisher ; of  the  Leader  Silk  Company,  of  which  he 
was  president  and  treasurer ; of  the  Bristol  County 
Historical  Society,  of  which  he  is  president;  and 
the  American  Institute  of  Business,  Commerce  and 
Finance,  of  which  he  is  president.  In  1897  he  wrote 
and  published  “The  History  of  Barrington,  R.  I„” 
one  of  the  most  complete  town  histories  ever  writ- 
ten. He  is  now  engaged  on  “Sowams,  Its  History 
and  Records,”  and  “The  Genealogy  of  the  Bicknell 
Family.”  Other  works  from  his  pen  are  “The 
Michael  Pierce  Fight,  1676,”  “The  Governors  of 
Rhode  Island,  and  their  Administrations,”  “A  Cen- 
tury of  Old  Providence”  and  “Heroes  of  New  Eng- 
land in  the  Civil  War.”  He  spends  his  summers 
on  the  coast  of  Maine,  where  he  has  established  a 
reputation  as  a skillful  yachtsman.  His  strength, 
vigor  and  ambition  are  those  of  a man  of  middle 
life,  and  his  plans  reach  out  to  larger  fields  of  use- 
fulness, in  the  good  hope  of  rounding  out  a cen- 
tury of  active  service  for  mankind.  He  has  a library 
of  more  than  5,000  standard  works,  and  his  home 
and  office  are  the  centers  of  social  and  business  ac- 
tivities, common  to  few  men  of  his  age.  As  re- 
laxation, he  enjoys  the  presidencies  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Citizens  Historical  Association,  the  Bristol 
County  Historical  Society  and  the  Barrington  His- 
toric-Antiquarian Society. 

JOSEPH  S.  ALLAN  (deceased).  In  writing 
of  Newport’s  citizens  and  of  the  families 
which  have  figured  prominently  in  the  de- 
velopment of  the  city,  none  are  more  de- 
serving of  mention  than  that  of  the  above 
named  gentleman,  now  deceased,  but  who 
was  for  many  years  intimately  connected  with 
Newport’s  business  interests.  The  name  he  bore 
has  been  an  honorable  one  in  business  circles  for 
many  years,  the  different  representatives  having 
been  men  of  sterling  integrity  and  great  worth  of 
character. 

The  first  authentic  information  of  the  family 
we  have  concerns  the  great-grandfather  of  Joseph 

S. ,  William  Simon  Newton  Allan,  Esq.,  who  was 
born  Sept.  18,  1758,  in  Newport,  dying  in  the  same 
city  March  29,  1830.  He  conducted  a grocery  and 
liquor  business,  and  also  owned  a line  of  vessels 
which  plied  the  waters  in  the  mercantile  trade  be- 
tween Newport  and  the  West  Indies.  He  lived 
with  his  family  for  a time  in  Jamaica,  but  later  re- 
turned to  Newport.  His  wife  before  her  marriage 
was  Abigail  Westgate,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
three  children,  as  follows : John  J.,  born  Sept.  5, 
1789,  died  Jan.  7,  1861  ; Erastus  P.,  born  Oct.  12, 
1793,  died  jan.  29,  1848;  Edward  T.,  born  Feb.  12.. 
1808,  died  July  20,  1887. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1029 


John  J.  Allan,  the  grandfather,  was  also  a na- 
tive of  Newport,  born  Sept.  5,  1789.  He  died  Jan. 
7,  1861.  He  continued  the  business  of  his 

father,  and  also  ran  a ship  chandlery  store  in  New- 
port for  a number  of  years.  His  wife,  who  was 
Sarah  Rogers  Gates  before  her  marriage,  the 
daughter  of  Asa  Gates,  was  born  in  Newport  Aug. 
31,  1790,  and  died  March  1,  1869.  To  this  union 
came  the  following  children:  John,  born  May  10, 
1810,  who  died  Nov.  3,  1885;  Elizabeth,  born  Aug. 
9,  1817,  wfio  died  May  15,  1830;  Sarah,  born  Oct. 
13,  1818;  William,  born  April  12,  1820,  who  died 
Sept.  12,  1823;  Robert,  born  Sept.  4,  1822;  Wil- 
liam (2),  born  Feb.  11,  1824,  who  died  Jan.  4, 
1894;  James,  born  Nov.  8,  1825,  now  living  iti 
Taunton,  Mass. ; Horace,  born  Feb.  6,  1828,  who 
died  March  11,  1887;  Abigail,  born  Sept.  24,  1829, 
who  died  Aug.  10,  1867 ; and  Andrew,  born  March 
6,  1831,  who  died  April  29,  1897.  Of  these  chil- 
dren, William  (2)  was  our  subject’s  father. 

William  Allan  was  also  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business  and  was  a man  of  affairs  in  his  day  in 
his  native  city.  To  his  marriage  with  Jane  Rae 
Sharpe,  of  Newport,  were  born  the  following  chil- 
dren : Sarah  Stanton,  who  became  the  wife  of 
Philip  Caswell,  of  Newport;  John,  who  married 
Mary  Kesson,  of  Newport ; Joseph  S. ; William 
Russell,  a tinsmith  in  Boston,  who  married  Katie 
Logan,  of  Providence,  R.  I. ; and  Lizzie  Cooper 
and  John  (1),  both  of  whom  died  young. 

Joseph  Sharpe  Allan  was  born  Dec.  1,  1862, 
in  Newport,  where  he  passed  all  of  his  compara- 
tively short  life,  dying  in  his  forty-second  year,  on 
Oct.  31,  1904.  Joseph  S.  Allan  began  his  business 
career  as  a clerk  in  the  grocery  store  of  his  father, 
after  having  acquired  a common  school  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city.  He  later 
learned  the  tinsmith’s  trade  with  Langley  & Sharpe, 
in  the  employ  of  which  firm  he  remained  for  a 
period  of  some  twenty  years.  In  February,  1894, 
he  and  his  brother,  William  R.  Allan,  engaged  in 
the  tinsmith  business  on  their  own  account,  their 
store  and  shop  being  located  at  the  corner  of  Spring 
and  Stone  streets.  At  the  end  of  the  first  year 
our  subject  purchased  the  interests  of  his  brother  in 
the  business,  which  he  thereafter  conducted  alone 
until  his  death.  Joseph  S.  Allan  was  a successful 
business  man  largely  because  of  his  penchant  for 
hard  work,  and  had  he  lived  he  would,  no  doubt, 
have  acquired  a very  comfortable  fortune. 

In  disposition  Mr.  Allan  was  most  happy  and 
jovial,  a “hail  fellow  well  met”  with  a large  fol- 
lowing of  friends.  These  he  met  most  frequently 
in  the  different  social  and  fraternal  organizations 
with  which  he  was  affiliated,  among  them  being 
St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  1,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Newport 
Chapter,  No.  2,  R.  A.  M. ; DeBlois  Council,  No.  5, 
R.  & S.  M. ; Washington  Commandery,  No.  4, 
Knights  Templar,  of  Newport ; Palestine  Temple, 
Order  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Providence ; Red- 
wood Lodge,  No.  11,  Knights  of  Pythias;  New- 


port Lodge,  No.  104,  B.  P.  O.  Elks ; and  Weenat 
Shassit  Tribe,  No.  6,  Improved  Order  of  Red 
Men.  In  the  line  of  his  business  Mr.  Allan  was  a 
member  of  the  Builders’  and  Merchants’  Ex- 
change, of  which  he  was  one  of  the  directors.  He 
was  also  a member  of  the  Newport  Horticultural 
Society,  and  of  the  Red  Men’s  Club.  In  political 
faith  he  was  a stanch  Republican,  but  never  sought 
nor  cared  for  public  office.  He  attended  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  giving  liberally  to  its  sup- 
port. 

Mr.  Allan  was  married  Dec.  1,  1899,  to  Miss 
Johanna  F.  Waegele,  daughter  of  Valentine  and 
Katherina  (Dekantsreiter)  Waegele,  of  New  York, 
who  survives  to  mourn  the  untimely  death  of  her 
devoted  and  kindly  husband.  It  is  but  the  truth 
to  say  that  “death  loves  a shining  mark”  in  this 
case,  for  he  was  a popular  and  deserving  citizen, 
and  his  death  was  a distinct  shock  to  the  commun- 
ity, and  a source  of  deepest  regret  and  grief  to  his 
family  and  many  friends. 

NORRIS  (The  Capt.  John  Norris  family).  As 
evidenced  by  the  town  records  of  Bristol  the  town 
has  been  the  home  of  the  Norrises  since  early  in 
the  eighteenth  century,  the  earliest  records  reveal- 
ing the  family  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca  Norris, 
whose  children,  Rebecca,  Samuel,  Thomas,  Abi- 
gail and  John,  were  born  between  1719  and  1731. 
However,  the  Bristol  branch  of  the  New  England 
Norris  family  of  which  this  article  is  to  treat — that 
of  the  family  of  the  late  Capt.  John  Norris — is  of 
less  than  a hundred  years’  standing  in  the  town. 
But  through  the  greater  part  of  the  last  century  it 
has  been  one  of  the  leading  families  of  Bristol,  one 
of  marked  individuality  and  force,  which  has  given 
its  members  position  and  influence  in  the  commun- 
itv  and  State.  Reference  is  made  to  Capt.  John 
Nqrris  himself,  to  his  sons,  one  of  whom,  the  late 
Samuel  Norris,  was  long  conspicuous  in  this  as 
well  as  foreign  countries  in  connection  with  the 
manufacture  and  sale  of  improved  fire-arms,  and  to 
the  latter’s  son.  Samuel  Norris,  Jr.,  a prominent 
member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Bar. 

According  to  the  author  of  a work  on  the  de- 
scendants of  Nicholas  Norris,  who  was  early  at 
Hampton,  N.  IT,  and  whose  descendants  are  num- 
erous in  that  State,  the  Norris  family  is  an  ancient 
one  in  England.  For  many  centuries  it  flourished 
in  Sutton  and  Lancashire.  One  branch  of  the  family 
of  Armagh,  Ireland,  claim  descent  from  Sir  Henry 
Rvecote,  Berkshire.  It  is  a tradition  that  Nicholas 
Norris,  born  about  1640,  who  early  settled  at 
Hampton,  N.  H.,  was  born  in  Ireland,  a son  of  an 
English  settler  there,  and  that  he  came  to  America 
when  fourteen  years  of  age.  The  first  record  of 
him  in  Hampton  is  his  marriage  in  1663  to  Sarah 
Coxe. 

Rev.  Edward  Norris,  a non-conformist  minister, 
born  in  England  in  157Q,  resided  at  Tedbury  and  at 
Horseigh.  Gloucestershire,  and  was  a great  deal  in 


1030 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Bristol.  He  came  to  America;  joined  the  church 
in  Boston  in  1639;  was  at  Salem  the  next  year; 
married  Elenor and  died  in  Salem  in  1659. 

Thomas  Norris,  son  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca 
Norris,  was  born  in  Bristol  May  14,  1729.  He  mar- 
ried Patience  Harlock,  daughter  of  Thomas  Har- 
lock, of  Martha’s  Vineyard,  and  a descendant  of 
Governor  Thomas  Harlock. 

Samuel  Norris,  son  of  Thomas  and  Patience, 
was  born  Nov.  28,  1753,  and  died  March  4,  1822. 
He  married  Lucy  Shaw,  who  died  March  27,  1844. 

Capt.  John  Norris,  son  of  Samuel  and  Lucy, 
was  born  Aug.  28,  1791,  in  Tisbury,  Martha’s  Vine- 
yard, where  his  boyhood  and  early  years  were 
passed.  He  became  a sea-faring  man,  a master  of 
vessels,  and  for  a number  of  years  engaged  in  the 
merchant  service  from  the  port  of  Boston,  chiefly 
in  the  Russian  and  West  Indian  trade.  In  this  oc- 
cupation he  was  very  successful.  He  gave  up  this 
pursuit  in  1835  and  with  his  family  located  in  Bris- 
tol, R.  I.  Here  he  at  once  engaged  actively  in  busi- 
ness, in  the  manufacture  of  sperm  oil  and  candles, 
in  which  he  continued  to  prosper,  and  at  the  same 
time  engaged  extensively  in  the  whaling  and  West 
Indian  trade.  Subsequently  he  was  largely  inter- 
ested in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods,  was  one 
of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  Pocanoket  steam 
mill  in  Bristol,  and  was  superintendent  and  treas- 
urer of  the  company  operating  it  until  the  mill's 
destruction  by  fire  in  1856.  In  1861  he  was  ap- 
pointed inspector  of  customs  for  the  port  of  Bristol, 
an  office  he  held  until  the  time  of  his  death. 
Throughout  his  residence  in  Bristol  he  was  a very 
useful  and  honored  citizen,  often  called  to  posi- 
tions of  trust  and  responsibility,  the  duties  of  which 
he  performed  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  sat- 
isfaction of  the  public. 

Captain  Norris  possessed  a warm  and  generous 
heart  and  gave  freely  to  worthy  charities,  also  sup- 
porting such  enterprises  as  appealed  to  him  for  the 
good  of  the  town  and  community.  He  and  his  wife 
were  zealous  Baptists  and  his  means  he  contributed 
liberally  to  the  support  of  that  church  and  also  gave 
to  the  work  of  other  religious  societies.  A recent 
writer  of  past  davs  in  Bristol  thus  referred  to  Cap- 
tain Norris:  “There  was  one  gentleman  of  ‘ye 
olden  time’ — Capt.  John  Norris,  who  never  failed 
to  give  the  boys  good  advice  whenever  he  passed  us. 
Captain  Norris  was  a sedate,  quiet  man,  never  seen 
without  his  silk  hat  and  a heavy  walking  stick.  He 
was  the  chief  owner,  I believe,  of  the  Pocanoket 
Cotton  Mill,  then  known  as  the  down  town  mill.” 

Captain  Norris  was  married  to  Harriet  B.  Luce, 
born  May  24,  1796,  in  Martha’s  Vineyard,  and  to 
them  came  children  as  follows:  Samuel,  John, 
Harriet  Byron,  Charles  and  Lucius.  Captain  Norris 
died  at  his  home  in  Bristol,  Feb.  6,  1866.  His 
widow  died  Oct.  27,  1879. 

Samuel  Norris,  son  of  Capt,  John,  was  born 
July  26,  1827,  in  the  city  of  Boston,  Mass.,  and 
when  eight  years  old  came  to  Bristol.  In  early  man- 


hood he  became  associated  with  the  late  Horace  M. 
Barns,  who  afterward  married  his  sister,  the  two 
engaging  actively  in  the  shipping  trade  under  the 
firm  name  of  Norris  & Barns,  Bristol  then  being  an 
important  and  busy  port.  This  firm  in  about  1850 
became  interested  in  the  sugar  refinery  at  Bristol, 
which  was  operated  by  C.  R.  Dimond  & Co.,  and 
later,  on  the  failure  of  this  concern,  the  business 
relation  between  Mr.  Barns  and  Mr.  Norris  ter- 
minated. 

Mr.  Norris  was  possessed  of  a good  mechanical 
turn  of  mind,  or  at  least  possessed  that  mechanical 
knowledge  and  judgment  which  enabled  him  to 
see  and  appreciate  merit  in  machines,  and  later  he 
devoted  his  energies  to  the  development  of  improve- 
ments along  these  lines.  Soon  after  the  Civil  war 
broke  out  his  attention  was  called  by  the  master 
armorer  of  the  Springfield  Arsenal  to  the  great 
need  of  the  government  for  small  arms,  and  he  then 
conceived  the  idea  of  manufacturing  arms  by  hav- 
ing the  various  parts  made  inter-changeable,  pro- 
ducing them  in  different  factories  and  then  assem- 
bling them.  He  was  thus  enabled,  without  any 
factory  of  his  own,  to  manufacture  large  quantities 
of  small  arms,  the  parts  of  which  were  made  by 
fifty-seven  different  establishments,  and  assembled 
at  a workshop  at  Middletown,  Conn. ; the  arms  so 
produced  were  all  accepted  by  the  Government  as 
first-class  in  every  respect.  He  filled  large  orders 
in  this  way,  which  was  a complete  departure  in 
manufacturing  methods.  About  this  time  his  at- 
tention was  called  to  a gun  which  was  being  made 
by  E.  Remington  & Sons,  and  which  was  subse- 
quently known  as  the  Remington  gun.  He  appre- 
ciated its  merits  and  entered  into  a contract  under 
which  he  manufactured  a number  of  these  guns 
for  the  United  States  Government.  Subsequently 
this  relationship  developed  into  his  appointment  as 
representative  of  E.  Remington  & Sons  in  Europe, 
where  he  went  in  1865,  remaining  there  until  1878. 
During  these  years  was  the  period  of  his  greatest 
activity  and  success  in  business.  He  secured  very 
important  contracts  for  the  Remington  gun  from 
Egvpt,  Spain,  Denmark,  and  other  countries,  which 
orders  brought  very  large  business  to  this  country. 

Wherever  there  were  wars  or  rumors  of  wars 
Colonel  Norris,  or  his  brother  John,  who  became 
associated  with  him  in  this  business,  would  be  on 
hand,  and  in  this  way  he  had  manv  interesting  ex- 
periences and  came  in  contact  with  many  of  the 
most  prominent  people  in  Europe  at  that  time.  He 
was  presented  to  the  Emperor  of  Austria  in  Vienna 
on  the  occasion  of  the  trial  of  the  Remington  gun. 
He  concluded  one  contract  with  the  government  of 
Egvpt  at  Buckingham  Palace,  where  the  Viceroy 
of  Egypt  was  then  visiting.  Just  before  the  Franco- 
Prussian  war  he  had  an  audience  with  Napoleon  III. 
and  the  Empress  Eugenie,  at  which  interview  the 
Empress  herself  fired  the  Remington  gun  and 
showed  herself  to  be  an  expert  in  handling  fire- 
arms. During  that  war,  when  he  was  at  the  Hague, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1031 


standing  in  front  of  the  “Paulez"  hotel,  King  Wil- 
liam, of  Holland  to  whom  he  had  previously  been 
presented,  rode  up  on  horseback,  and,  greeting  him 
pleasantly  shook  hands  and  said : ‘‘This  is  a good 
time  for  you,  Mr.  Norris.”  To. this  Mr.  Norris  re- 
plied ; “Possibly,  your  Majesty,  but  I regret  the 
cause.”  This  proved  indeed  a good  time  for  Mr.  Nor- 
ris and  his  brother,  who  did  an  extensive  business 
with  the  French  government  in  various  military 
supplies. 

The  Carlist  rebellion  in  Spain  also  brought  im- 
portant orders  and  Mr.  Norris  spent  much  time 
there,  taking  many  perilous  journeys  through  the 
Carlist  country.  Traveling  by  diligence,  with 
samples  of  arms  for  the  Spanish  government  in 
his  baggage,  it  was  only  his  pleasant,  genial  manner 
which  prevented  search,  which  in  those  times  of 
violence  might  have  led  to  his  being  shot,  as  hap- 
pened even  to  newspaper  correspondents  at  that 
time.  He  received  from  King  Amadeus  a decora- 
tion of  the  Order  of  Isabella  Catholica. 

During  the  Russo-Turkish  war  Mr.  Norris 
spent  much  time  at  Constantinople,  Athens,  Bel- 
grade and  Bucharest,  and  thus  was  brought  in 
touch  with  both  sides  at  this  exciting  time.  Not 
long  before  the  French  war  Mr.  Norris,  when  in 
Austria,  learned  of  a gun  invented  by  the  Mauser 
Brothers,  who  were  employed  at  a government 
factory  at  Oberndorf,  Wurtemberg.  He  at  once 
appreciated  the  merits  of  this  gun  and  went  to 
Oberndorf,  where  he  met  the  two  brothers.  They 
had  received  but  scant  encouragement  from  the 
government  officials  and  they  gladly  entered  into  an 
arrangement  with  Mr.  Norris  in  regard  to  their  in- 
vention, one  of  the  brothers  remarking  to  the  other, 
on  the  occasion  of  this  first  meeting,  “Paul,  I believe 
that  our  man  has  come.”  For  two  years  he  assisted 
them  in  the  development  of  their  arm,  but  later, 
through  various  causes,  his  interest  in  this  remark- 
able gun  was  lost,  and  yet  he  always  took  pride  in 
having  been  the  first  to  appreciate  the  real  merit 
of  one  of  the  most  marked  improvements  made  in 
small  arms. 

About  this  time  Col.  Norris  became  interested  in 
an  invention  made  by  B.  B.  Hotchkiss  of  a revolv- 
ing cannon  and  invested  the  first  money  that  went 
to  develop  this  cannon.  Its  exploitation  was  slow 
and  before  its  final  success  was  assured  Mr.  Norris 
and  his  brother  had  parted  with  their  interest  in 
this  great  invention.  Through  Mr.  Hotchkiss  he 
became  interested  in  the  Nicholson  Wood  Pavement 
and  introduced  it  in  London,  Paris,  Buda-Pesth 
and  other  cities,  in  most  cases  at  his  own  expense, 
and  ultimately  organized  in  London  the  Improved 
Wood  Pavement  Company.  This  pavement,  after 
some  years,  came  into  general  use  in  London  and 
elsewhere  in  Europe.  The  noiseless  streets  which 
are  now  enjoyed  in  that  great  metropolis  are 
chiefly  due  to  the  earnest  efforts  of  Mr.  Norris  in 
the  introduction  of  this  pavement. 


In  1878  Colonel  Norris  returned  to  the  United 
States  and  in  1879  his  family  followed  him  to  their 
home  in  Bristol.  He  afterward  made  a number  of 
trips  to  Europe  on  various  matters  pertaining  to 
inventions  in  a wide  diversity  of  arts,  his  tireless 
activity  and  devotion  to  work  never  ceasing  until 
the  serious  illness  which  he  had  in  1895.  After 
that  time,  with  some  slight  exceptions,  he  gave  up 
active  connection  with  business,  living  quietly  at 
his  home. 

Mr.  Norris's  life  was  marked  by  untiring  en- 
ergy, by  constant  unselfish  devotion  to  his  family, 
generosity  and  kindness  to  all,  courage  in  adversity, 
uprightness  in  all  his  dealings,  and  the  deepest  re- 
ligious faith.  He  died  at  his  home  on  Hope  street 
Nov.  17,  1902. 

In  1846,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  Mr.  Norris 
was  married  to  Julia  Griswold  Holmes,  daughter 
of  Dr.  Jabez  Holmes.  One  child,  a daughter,  was 
born  to  them,  and  both  mother  and  daughter  died 
in  1847.  On  April  22,  1850,  Mr.  Norris  was  mar- 
ried to  Isabella  Eustis  Dimond,  daughter  of  Francis 
More  Dimond  [see  Dimond  family],  of  Bristol,  R. 
I.,  who  subsequently  became  governor  of  Rhode 
Island.  Three  children  were  born  to  them,  namely: 
Maria  Dimond,  Isabella  Eustis  (who  died  young) 
and  Samuel. 

Samuel  Norris,  Jr.,  born  in  Bristol  July  23, 
1862,  was  three  years  of  age  when  the  family  went 
to  Europe,  where  his  father  was  engaged  in  selling 
fire-arms.  They  remained  there  until  1879,  and 
when  they  came  back  to  America  young  Samuel 
entered  Harvard  University,  and  was  graduated 
in  1883  with  honors  in  history  and  the  general 
course  also.  He  spent  the  next  two  years  at  the 
Harvard  Law  School,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Bar  in  Rhode  Island  in  the  summer  of  1885.  While 
abroad  he  remained  mostly  in  England  and  France, 
and  matriculated  at  London  University  just  before 
leaving.  His  preparation  for  Harvard  was  made 
while  abroad.  He  was  elected  to  the  Legislature 
in  1897  and  1898  from  Bristol.  In  July,  1897,  he 
was  appointed  attorney  for  the  United  States  Rub- 
ber Company,  which  position  he  continues  to  hold. 
In  1901  he  was  elected  secretary  of  the  company, 
and  since  then  he  has  spent  the  greater  part  of  his 
time  in  New  York  City.  His  first  association  in 
law  was  with  Colonel  Colt,  in  whose  office  he 
finished  his  study  preparatory  to  admission  to  the 
Bar,  and  he  remained  with  him  as  long  as  Colonel 
Colt  continued  to  practice  law.  Mr.  Norris  has 
been  active  in  the  reorganization  of  some  important 
lumber  companies  in  South  Carolina  and  West  \ ir- 
ginia  and  is  now  president  of  one  of  these  companies. 
He  has  delivered  several  orations  on  the  4th  of  July 
in  Bristol  and  addresses  on  Memorial  Day  and  on 
other  occasions.  Mr.  Norris  was  for  many  years 
an  active  member  of  the  school  committee. 

Mr.  Norris  is  genial  in  manner,  careful  and 
painstaking  in  his  business,  and  combines  in  a large 


1032 


RHODE  ISLAND 


degree  those  elements  which  go  to  make  up  the  suc- 
cessful lawyer  of  to-day. 

ALDRICH.  The  Aldrich  and  Winsor  families 
are  among  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  in  Rhode 
Island,  and  extensive  mention  is  made  of  both 
tnroughout  this  work. 

(I)  George  Aldrich,  the  progenitor  of  the  Al- 
drich family,  came  from  Derbyshire,  England,  in 
1631,  and  after  arrival  in  New  England  was  at 
Dorchester,  Boston,  Braintree  and  Mendon.  Mass. 
He  was  a freeman  at  Dorchester  in  1636,  was 
granted  land  at  Boston  in  1640,  was  an  inhabitant 
of  Braintree  from  1644  to  1663,  and  in  the  latter 
year  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  Mendon,  Mass. 
Here  he  lived  the  rest  of  his  life,  excepting  a year 
or  two  at  Swansea,  Mass.  (1669  and  1670),  and  a 
brief  stay  at  Braintree,  perhaps  during  the  Indian 
war  of  1676. 

Joshua  Winsor,  the  ancestor  of  the  Winsor  fam- 
ily, is  of  record  in  Providence  as  early  as  1637,  in 
which  year  he  was  one  of  the  twelve  signers  of  the 
compact  of  obedience  to  the  orders,  etc.,  of  the 
town,  and  he  also  was  one  of  the  thirty-nine  sign- 
ers of  the  agreement  of  1640  for  a form  of  govern- 
ment. 

George  Aldrich  (above)  married  3d  of  9th 
month,  1629,  Catherine  Seald,  and  their  children 
were:  Abel,  Joseph.  Mary,  Meriam,  Experience, 
John,  Sarah,  Peter,  Mercy,  Jacob  and  Martha. 

(II)  Joseph  Aldrich,  son  of  George,  born  June 
4,  1635,  was  of  Braintree,  Mass.,  and  Providence, 
R.  I.  In  1662  he  married  Patience  Osborne.  He 
was  taxed  in  Providence  in  1687.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  1701.  The  children  born  to  Joseph  and 
Patience  were : Joseph,  of  Providence  ; Samuel,  of 
Providence  and  Smithfield ; Ephraim,  of  Provi- 
dence and  Glocester ; John,  and  Sarah. 

(III)  John  Aldrich,  son  of  Joseph,  married 
March  20,  1699.  Martha  Evans,  daughter  of  Rich- 
ard and  Mary  Evans.  Mr.  Aldrich  was  a miller 
and  lived  in  Providence  and  Scituate,  R.  I.  He  be- 
came a freeman  in  T701.  Their  children  were: 
John,  Jonathan,  David,  Aaron,  Richard,  Noah  and 
Joseph.  The  father  died  March  17,  1735.  He  gave 
to  his  son  Noah  land  near  Killingly  between  the  old 
and  new  lines. 

(IV)  David  Aldrich,  son  of  John  and  Martha 
(Evans),  resided  in  Scituate.  He  married  Sarah 
sister  of  William  Sprague,  and  among  the  children 
born  to  this  union  was  a son  Noah. 

(V)  Noah  Aldrich,  born  March  10,  1750,  in 
Scituate,  served  in  the  Revolution.  He  married 
Hulda'h  Whitaker,  who  was  born  May  27,  1750, 
daughter  of  Seth  and  Rachel  Whitaker.  Their 
children  were:  David,  Sarah,  Phillip,  Noah,  Rich- 
ard, Seth,  Rachel,  Hulda,  Nancy,  Ada  and  Wil- 
liam. 

(VI)  David  Aldrich,  son  of  Noah  and  Huldah 
(Whitaker),  was  born  June  29,  1770,  in  Scituate, 
R.  I.,  and  married  Hope  Law,  of  Killingly,  Conn., 


who  was  born  Aug.  3,  1777,  a daughter  of  David. 
She  died'  Sept.  14,  1851.  Their  children  were: 
George,  William,  John  and  Archibald  (twins)  and 
David  L.  Of  these  children,  George  was  the  ma- 
ternal grandfather  of  George  F.  A.  Beane,  of  01- 
neyville,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere.  William 
married  Betsey  Smith,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
Gilbert  Aldrich,  of  Scituate,  mentioned  elsewhere. 
John  is  mentioned  below.  Archibald  died  at  the 
age  of  thirteen,  and  is  now  buried  in  the  family 
plot  of  his  twin  brother,  John.  David  L.  is  men- 
tioned elsewhere. 

David  Aldrich,  father  of  this  family,  was  a suc- 
cessful farmer  of  his  time,  and  always  resided  in 
Scituate,  where  he  died  Oct.  13,  1854.  He  served 
for  a number  of  years  in  the  town  council  of  Scit- 
uate, and  was  a director  of  the  old  bank  in  that 
town. 

(VII)  John  Aldrich,  son  of  David  and  Hope 
(Law),  was  born  in  Scituate,  R.  I.,  July  20,  1804, 
and  was  there  reared.  For  some  years  he  assisted 
with  the  cultivation  of  the  homestead  acres,  at- 
tending school  and  fitting  himself  for  the  position 
which  he  was  destined  to  hold  in  the  estimation  of 
his  fellowmen.  In  1857  he  located  in  Johnston,  R. 
I.,  where  he  purchased  the  farm  on  which  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  was  passed.  In  politics  he  was 
a Republican  and  always  voted  with  his  party;  he 
never  cared  for  office.  His  value  as  a citizen  and 
neighbor  was  founded  upon  a more  solid  founda- 
tion than  mere  views  on  public  questions.  His  in- 
dustry was  second  to  none,  and  though  achievement 
with  him  was  of  the  slow,  painstaking  order,  it 
was  the  better  therefor.  His  life  was  not  greatly 
prolonged,  but  was  filled  with  active  toil.  For  a 
farmer  he  left  considerable  real  estate,  both  country 
and  city  property.  His  neighbor  testified  to  his 
sterling  qualities ; the  business  man  asserted  his  in- 
tegrity ; the  moralist  endorsed  his  private  life,  and 
all  men  vouched  for  his  honesty,  and  said  of  him. 
“He  dealt  with  his  fellow  man  as  with  a brother.” 

John  Aldrich  married  (first)  Dec.  3,  1850,  Ta- 
bitha  Burlingame  Winsor,  who  was  born  July  12, 
1815,  daughter  of  Welcome  and  Tabitha  (Burlin- 
game) Winsor,  and  descended  from  distinguished 
ancestry,  beginning  with  Robert  Winsor,  whose 
son  Samuel  was  the  father  of  John,  whose  son  Sam- 
uel was  the  father  of  Joshua  (alluded  to  in  the 
foregoing),  founder  of  the  family  in  America.  The 
ancestral  line  continues  from  this  Joshua  through 
Samuel  (who  married  Mercy  Waterman,  widow 
of  Resolved,  and  daughter  of  Roger  Williams), 
Rev.  Joshua,  Joshua,  Elisha  and  Welcome.  To  the 
union  of  Mr.  Aldrich  just  mentioned  there  were 
born  two  daughters:  Ada  J.,  born  May  22,  1853, 
who  died  Sept.  30,  1900,  in  Mapleville,  R.  I.,  un- 
married; and  Abbie  A.,  born  April  17,  1855.  The 
mother  of  these  died  Aug.  31,  1861,  and  Mr.  Al- 
drich married  (second)  Lucy  Winsor,  daughter  of 
Isaac  Winsor.  By  this  marriage  there  were  no 
children.  The  death  of  John  Aldrich  occurred 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1033 


July  13,  1880,  and  the  only  surviving  descendant 
is  his  daughter,  Miss  Abbie  A.,  who  since  1880  has 
made  her  home  in  Providence. 

WELLS  (South  Kingstown  family).  Mr. 
Charles  K.  Wells,  of  Milwaukee,  who  prepared  a 
genealogy  of  a branch  of  the  Wells  family  in  1874, 
said  in  his  prefatory  remarks : 

“The  Wells,  or  Welles,  family  in  England  is  of 
very  ancient  origin,  clearly  traceable  back,  it  is 
claimed,  to  the  time  of  the  Norman  Conquest.  About 
1635  several  families  of  that  name  (which  was  then 
sometimes  spelled  Wells,  but  oftener  Welles)  emi- 
grated from  England  to  Massachusetts.  Some  of 
these  families  remained  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
State,  others  went  to  Rhode  Island,  others  to  Hart- 
ford and  other  towns  in  Connecticut,  and  still  others 
to  Hatfield  and  Hadley,  in  the  western  part  of 
Massachusetts.  So  that  we  find  at  a very  early  day 
— before  1660 — persons  bearing  that  name  in  many 
towns  in  New  England.  It  is  probable  that  Thomas 
Wells  of  Ipswich  was  the  earliest  emigrant  of  that 
name  who  settled  in  this  country.  He  came  as  early 
as  1635,  and  perhaps  a year  earlier.  Savage  states 
that  he  came  in  1635,  on  the  ‘Susan  and  Ellen'  from 
London,  with  young  Richard  Saltonstall,  when 
thirty  years  of  age.” 

In  southern  Rhode  Island  there  were  two  early 
families  of  this  name,  namely,  those  of  Peter  Wells, 
of  Jamestown  and  Kingstown,  respectively,  he  taxed 
in  1679;  and  Thomas  Wells,  of  Westerly,  who  took 
the  oath  of  allegiance  to  Rhode  Island  in  1679  (he 
had  been  at  New  London,  Conn.,  in  1648,  and  at 
Ipswich  after  1661,  going  to  Westerly  subsequent- 
ly). For  several  generations  the  descendants  of 
Peter  lived  in  South  Kingstown  and  those  of  Thomas 
in  Westerly  and  towns  that  were  formed  from  it, 
especially  Hopkinton. 

This  article  is  to  refer  especially  to  some  of  the 
posterity  of  Thomas  Wells  who  have  since  lived  in 
South  Kingstown,  where  they  have  been  among  the 
most  substantial  and  leading  citizens  of  the  town, 
having,  too,  allied  themselves  by  marriage  with 
some  of  the  first  families  of  the  State.  Among  them 
may  be  mentioned  the  late  Thomas  Potter  Wells, 
founder  of  the  Narragansett  Times  and  for  many 
years  as  an  official  closely  allied  with  the  banking  in- 
terests of  the  town,  and  his  son  Herbert  Johnson 
"Wells,  who  for  twenty-five  and  more  years  has  been 
president  of  the  Rhode  Island  Hospital  Trust  Com- 
pany at  Providence. 

Thomas  Wells,  of  perhaps  both  Hopkinton  and 
South  Kingstown,  was  a descendant  of  the  southern 
Rhode  Island  family. 

Thomas  Robinson  Wells,  son  of  Thomas,  born 
Oct.  20,  1785,  married  March  15,  1808,  Maria  Pot- 
ter, born  Aug.  24,  1790,  in  South  Kingstown.  R.  I., 
daughter  of  Asa  and  Hannah  (Hagadorn)  Potter, 
and  a descendant  of  Nathaniel  Potter,  of  England 
and  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  through  Ichabod,  Robert, 
Capt.  Ichabod,  Col.  Thomas  and  Asa  Potter.  The 


children  born  to  Thomas  Robinson  and  Maria  (Pot- 
ter) Wells  were:  Thomas  Potter,  born  April  28, 
1809;  Mary  Robinson,  born  March  20,  1811  (mar- 
ried George  Robinson)  ; Hannah,  born  May  8,  1813 
(married  Rev.  Charles  P.  Grovernor)  ; Rev.  John 
Hagadorn,  born  Jan.  28,  1817;  Elizabeth  M.,  born 
Dec.  15,  1819  (married  Frank  Hagadorn)  ; Sarah 
Palmer,  born  Oct.  12,  1823  (married  Dr.  Rouse 
Clark).  The  father  of  this  family  bv  a second  mar- 
riage had  a son,  Amos  Palmer  Wells,  who  was 
major  of  a New  York  regiment  in  the  Civil  war, 
and  died  from  disease  contracted  in  the  army. 
Thomas  Robinson  Wells  was  for  a period  of  thirty 
years  the  town  clerk  of  South  Kingstown,  and  held 
other  positions  of  prominence  in  religious  as  well  as 
secular  matters.  He  died  in  1853. 

Thomas  Potter  Wells,  son  of  Thomas  Robin- 
son, was  born  April  28,  1809,  in  South  Kingstown, 
He  received  his  education  in  the  old  Kingston 
Academy,  then  in  the  height  of  its  usefulness.  He 
subsequently  taught  a public  school  in  a small  shop 
in  what  is  now  the  yard  of  the  Helme  house,  just 
north  of  the  street  leading  north  of  the  old  academy. 
This  was  probably  the  first  public  school  taught  in 
this  district.  He  acted  as  clerk  in  the  store  of  Mr. 
Thomas  S.  Taylor,  in  the  present  post  office  build- 
ing, and  served  in  a similar  capacity  in  the  store 
of  Gov.  Jeremiah  Thurston,  in  Hopkinton.  While 
there  he  started  the  first  Sunday-school  of  the  place, 
and  began  a work  in  which  he  ever  had  a deep  in- 
terest, and  in  which,  while  his  health  permitted,  he 
took  a most  active  part.  His  organization,  system  and 
order  of  the  school  early  marked  what  proved  life- 
long characteristics.  The  school  has  been  pronounced 
by  one  who  attended  to  be  a model  of  order.  Dur- 
ing his  long  experience  with  the  Kingston  Sunday- 
school  he  was  always  devising  plans  for  more  ef- 
fective organization  and  work.  It  was  also  while 
in  the  store  of  Governor  Thurston  that  he  became 
acquainted  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Clark  (daughter 
of  Russell  Clark,  of  Newport),  who  aftenvard  be- 
came his  wife.  From  Hopkinton  he  was  called  to 
Wickford  as  cashier  of  the  Narragansett  Bank,  suc- 
ceeding Samuel  E.  Gardiner,  in  1829.  He  was  then 
in  his  twenty-first  year.  After  a short  stay  he  was 
compelled  to  resign  because  of  failing  health,  when 
he  made  arrangements  to  spend  the  winter  in  the 
West  Indies,  intending  to  sail  in  a brig  from  Wick- 
ford, but  circumstances  influenced  him  to  abandon 
the  plan.  The  brig  sailed,  and  was  lost  at  sea  with 
all  on  board.  Mr.  Wells  became  so  greatly  reduced 
that  his  death  was  hourly  expected,  yet  he  re- 
covered. Having  given  up  banking,  he  returned  to 
Kingston  and  purchased  the  old  Robert  Pollock  es- 
tate, building  the  house  owned  and  occupied  until 
his  death,  Tulv  20.  1907,  by  his  brother,  Rev.  J. 
Hagadorn  Wells.  This  house  was  built  about  1832, 
and  had  a store  in  the  eastern  part.  Here  he  went 
into  business  for  himself.  From  this  place  he  went 
to  the  Wakefield  Bank  at  its  organization  in  1835. 
and  acted  as  its  cashier  for  a time, 


1034 


RHODE  ISLAND 


when  he  returned  to  Kingston,  resum- 
ing mercantile  business  in  company  with  Mr. 
Thomas  S.  Taylor,  with  whom  he  had  previously 
been  clerk.  The  partnership  was,  however,  soon 
dissolved  and  he  again  established  himself  alone  in 
the  building  last  occupied  as  such  a store  by  the  late 
Benjamin  Palmer.  While  there  he  served  two  years 
as  clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court,  resigning  when,  in 
1843,  he  was  again  called  to  Wakefield  as  cashier. 
While  there  he  developed  a taste  for  printing  which 
increased  until,  to  meet  the  demand,  he  issued  a 
small  advertising  sheet,  subsequently  called  the 
South  County  Journal,  and  which  afterward  came 
into  the  management  of  the  late  Duncan  Gillies, 
who  came  to  Wakefield  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Wells; 
the  paper  was  rechristened  and  conducted  as  the 
Narragansctt  Times.  In  i860  he  assumed  the  po- 
sition of  cashier  of  the  National  Landholders  Bank, 
at  Kingston,  succeeding  Asa  Potter,  ex-secretary 
of  State,  and  remaining  in  that  office  till  his  death, 
which  occurred  Aug.  31,  1884.  He  was  eminently 
qualified  for  the  position  which  he  held  in  the  bank, 
his  systematic,  orderly  business  habits  and  exper- 
ience in  other  banks  being  of  great  aid  in  acquiring 
success. 

The  domestic  life  of  Mr.  Wells  was  very  har- 
monious but  unfortunate.  Plis  first  wife,  already 
referred  to,  and  by  whom  he  had  two  children — 
Thomas  C.,  deceased,  and  a daughter,  who  married 
and  is  living  in  Pennsylvania — died  while  he  was 
clerk  of  the  court,  and  he  marriedClarissa,  daughter 
of  Jeremiah  Shearman,  Esq.,  who  then  kept  the 
county  jail.  By  his  second  wife  he  had  two  sons — 
George  Henry  and  Theodore  Backus,  both  of  whom 
engaged  in  business  in  Chicago.  While  cashier  of 
the  Wakefield  Bank  for  the  second  time  his  second 
wife  died,  and  while  still  there  he  was  married  to 
Julia  E.  Johnson,  of  Lyme,  Conn.  Two  children  of 
this  union  survive,  namely : Herbert  J.,  well  known 
as  president  of  the  Rhode  Island  Hospital  Trust 
Company ; and  Helen  May. 

Mr.  Wells  was  deeply  concerned  in  the  welfare 
of  his  fellow  townspeople,  and  sustained  his  inter- 
est in  church  and  kindred  work  to  the  end  of  his 
days.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  serving  as 
deacon  of  the  Kingston  Congregational,  Church, 
where  for  vears,  as  previously  mentioned,  he  had 
been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school.  The 
following  is  taken  from  a local  paper  of  the  time : 

‘‘The  sermon  of  the  Rev.  E.  O.  Bartlett,  at  the 
Kingston  Church  on  Sunday,  was  delivered  as  a 
memorial  discourse  on  the  life  and  character  of  the 
late  Deacon  Thomas  P.  Wells.  The  sermon  was  re- 
ceived by  the  audience  with  sorrowful  attention, 
many  of  the  more  tender  references  to  the  deceased 
calling  forth  a tear  of  real  sorrow  for  the  great  loss 
the  church  and  Sunday-school  as  well  as  the  social 
and  business  society  of  the  village  and  community 
have  sustained  in  Mr.  Wells's  death.  The  sermon 
was  based  upon  Hebrew  xi : 14-16 — ‘For  they  that 
say  such  things  declare  plainly  that  tljey  seek  a 


country,  a better  country,  that  is  an  heavenly.’  The 
speaker  began  by  saying  that  while  it  is  not  the 
office  of  the  ministry  to  eulogize  the  dead  or  the 
living,  it  may  speak  of  their  virtues  as  examples, 
and  their  lives  as  illustrations  of  faith.  It  may 
dwell  upon  the  good  they  have  done  as  encourage- 
ments to  noble  living  and  earnest  Christian  activity. 
One  of  the  things  for  which  we  are  to  be  grateful 
in  the  memory  of  one  who  stood  for  so  many  years 
as  a strong  pillar  in  the  church  is  his  faithfulness 
as  a Christian  father,  whose  highest  enthusiasm  and 
deepest  life  were  stirred  not  by  things  that  are  seen, 
but  by  things  that  are  unseen  and  eternal.  For  the 
head  of  a family  he  was  peculiarly  qualified  by  his 
natural  disposition  and  by  his  strong  emotional  na- 
ture. He  was  an  affectionate  man,  and  his  heart 
throbs  were  felt  by  those  whom  he  loved.  He  was  a 
man  of  prayer,  and  from  the  altar  of  the  home  to  the 
altar  of  the  sanctuary  there  was  ever  a beaten  path. 
The  church  was  a part  of  his  home.  He  regarded 
its  interests  and  its  support  not  as  questions  of  in- 
clination and  benevolence,  but  of  solemn  and  sacred 
duty — something  that  he  owed,  not  gave,  to  God. 
He  lived  a high  ideal  of  Christian  character.  It  was 
not  limited  to  the  little  community  of  the  household 
of  faith  with  whom  he  was  here  associated,  but 
took  in  the  great  universal  church  of  the  living  God. 
Hence  his  intense  loyalty  for  the  great  missionary 
organizations  of  the  church.  His  steady  persistence 
that  their  claims  and  interests  should  be  regularly 
presented  made  him,  in  this  regard,  certainly  a true 
Aaron  and  Hur  to  the  pulpit.  Perhaps  the  most 
marked  manifestation  of  his  broad  and  enlightened 
Christian  philanthropy  was  in  the  Sunday-school, 
where  he  so  strenuously  insisted  that  the  collections 
taken  by  the  children  should  not  be  used  for  home 
purposes,  but  be  consecrated  to  purely  benevolent 
work ; to  foreign  and  home  missionary  enterprises. 
So  intense  was  this  principle,  so  near  to  his  heart, 
that  for  years  he  defrayed  the  necessary  expense  of 
the  Sunday-school,  rather  than  allow  the  money 
given  by  the  children  to  be  diverted  from  its  sacred 
and  consecrated  uses.  This  he  esteemed  not  only  a 
matter  of  duty  and  religious  principle  but  of  the  ut- 
most importance  in  training  children  to  habits  of 
real  Christian  beneficence ; to  give  not  only  from 
love  of  their  fellow-men,  from  sympathy  for  the 
poor,  the  ignorant  and  vicious,  but  from  a love  of 
God  and  loyalty  to  His  church ; a deep  sense  of 
obligation  to  that  Savior  who  ‘became  poor,  that  we 
through  His  poverty  might  be  made  rich.’  He  al- 
ways insisted  that  the  poorest,  the  humblest,  should 
have  the  luxury  of  giving.  He  would  himself  pay 
for  the  child’s  question  and  singing  books  in  order 
that  the  child  might  be  conscious  of  only  the  most 
elevated  sentiments  that  ever  pervade  the  human 
soul  while  we  grovel  here  below.  The  sentiment  that 
we  are  doing  something  out  of  the  spirit  of  pure 
beneficence,  doing  something  for  the  benefit  of  the 
poor,  the  ignorant  and  godless,  out  of  overflowing 
love  to  God. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1035 


“This  spirit  could  not  have  been  otherwise  than 
accompanied  by  a deep  reverence  and  love  for  the 
solemn  assembly  of  the  Church  of  God.  With  him 
church  attendance  was  not  a question  of  preference 
or  pleasure,  but  of  principle,  of  duty,  and  of  solemn 
obligation.  He  did  not  believe  he  had  any  right  to 
stay  away  from  church  except  under  compulsion, 
and  the  preparatory  lecture  he  regarded  as  little  less 
than  the  essential  spiritual  preparation:  for  that 
Communion  which  was  to  him  while  on  earth  a 
feast  indeed,  and  which  is  to-day  in  heaven  the  con- 
summation of  his  lifelong  hopes  and  holy  anticipa- 
tions. The  speaker  remarked  Deacon  Wells’s  love 
of  flowers,  saying  it  was  fitting  that  such  a man 
should  pass  on  to  the  mansion  above  on  a Sabbath 
morn,  just  as  the  sun  was  purpling  the  east,  and  it 
was  fitting  that  he  should  go  in  the  fruitful  season 
of  the  vear.  His  memory,  precious  as  the  perfume 
of  the  broken  alabaster  box,  shall  remain  with  this 
church  and  community  helpfully  and  healingly.” 

At  a meeting  of  the  directors  of  the  National 
Landholders’  Bank  held  on  Sept.  1st  following,  the 
following  preamble  and  resolutions  were  unani- 
mously adopted. 

Whereas,  Thomas  P.  Wells,  who  has  been  for  many 
years  the  trusted  cashier  and  director  of  this  bank,  has  been 
removed  by  death,  it  seems  fitting  that  this  board  should 
give  some  expression  of  their  sorrow  for  this  sad  event, 

therefore 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Mr.  Wells  this  bank 
has  lost  a faithful  officer  of  rare  ability,  sound  judgment 
and  unquestioned  integrity,  and  we  mourn  his  loss  with 
an  unfeigned  sorrow. 

Resolved,  That  we  deeply  sympathize  with  the  family 
and  relatives  of  the  deceased — a loss  to  them,  to  this  com- 
munity and  to  us,  irreparable. 

Resolved,  That  the  directors  of  this  bank  will  attend 
the  funeral  of  Mr.  Wells  in  a body. 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  placed  on  record 
in  this  bank,  and  a copy  thereof  be  sent  to  the  family  of 
the  deceased,  and  a copy  also  published  in  the  Providence 
Journal  and  Narragansctt  Times. 

N.  C.  Peckham, 

President. 

Thomas  C.  Wells  died  Jan.  9.  1907.  and  at  the 
time  the  following  article  appeared  in  a local  Kan- 
sas paper : 

Another  of  the  old  pioneers  of  Kansas  has 
“passed  over  the  river.”  Thomas  C.  Wells  was 
born  at  Hopkinton,  R.  I..  April  26,  1832.  He  was 
the  oldest  son  of  Thomas  P.  Wells,  late  of  South 
Kingstown,  R.  I.  He  had  a long  line  of  ancestors 
representing  the  best  elements  of  New  England 
society.  His  education  was  acquired  in  bis  home 
town  and  at  the  Academy  of  East  Greenwich,  R.  L 
His  father  was  a banker  and  proposed  that  his  son 
should  follow  in  the  same  line  of  business.  This 
was  the  young  man's  expectation,  but  failing  health 
rendered  it  necessarv  that  he  should  abandon  this 
purpose  and  leave  the  Atlantic  coast.  He  deter- 
mined to  come  to  Kansas  and  was  one  of  those  who 
helped  make  this  a free  State.  Along  with  a 
younger  brother  he  came  to  Manhattan,  or  the  place 
where  Manhattan  was  in  the  future  to  be.  Here, 
on  Oct.  30,  1856,  he  married  Miss  Eleanor  Bemis, 


of  Holliston,  Mass.  This  proved  a happy  union/ of  a 
little  more  than  fifty  years’  duration.  His  wife, 
now  a widow,  still  survives  and  sorrows  over  what 
seems  to  be  an  irreparable  bereavement. 

Mr.  Wells  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the 
Congregational  Church  in  Manhattan,  one  of  the 
earliest  organized  in  this  State.  He  was  a deacon 
and  leading  member  of  this  church  till  his  death, 
and  for  most  of  the  time  a Sunday-school  teacher 
or  superintendent.  Among  all  his  flock,  a flock  noted 
for  its  faithful  support  of  its  pastor,  he  knew  that 
among  the  God-fearing  persons  on  whom  he  could 
always  rely  for  wise  counsel  and  faithful  support 
was  Mr.  Wells. 

The  influence  of  Mr.  Wells  in  the  community  at 
large  was  most  salutary.  Quiet  as  he  was  unob- 
trusive, rather  reserved  in  manner,  his  influence  for 
good  was  unusually  telling.  He  feared  God  and 
loved  his  fellow  men.  Everybody  knew  this. 
However,  everybody  esteemed  and  loved  him. 

One  of  the  noted  traits  of  Mr.  Wells’s  charac- 
ter was  his  love  of  plants  and  flowers.  His  yard 
was  a rich  flower  garden.  He  loved  the  science  of 
botany  and  horticulture,  and  in  this  time  of  science 
was  one  of  the  best  informed  men  in  the  State. 

In  the  death  of  Mr.  Wells  this  community  has 
sustained  a loss  that  will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  Of 
him  it  may  be  truly  said,  “Blessed  are  the  dead  who 
die  in  the  Lord.”  “Their  works  do  follow  them.” 

Mr.  Wells  died  at  his  home  in  Manhattan  on 
Wednesday,  Jan.  9th,  and  was  buried  in  this  beauti- 
ful cemetery  on  the  hill,  Jan.  10,  1907. 

The  officiating  ministers  were  his  pastor,  the 
Rev.  O.  B.  Thurston,  and  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Lee,  a 
neighbor  of  Mr.  Wells  for  forty  years.  The  fun- 
eral service  was  in  the  Congregational  Church.  The 
attendance  was  very  large.  The  floral  offerings, 
as  were  proper  in  case  of  Mr.  Wells,  were  profuse 
and  very  beautiful. — J.  H.  L. 


Herbert  Johnson  Wells,  son  of  Thomas  Pot- 
ter and  Julia  E.  (Johnson)  Wells,  married  Oct.  10, 
1877,  Sparah  Emily  Perry,  who  was  born  April  17, 
1849,  daughter  of  John  Gould  and  Harriet  Theresa 
(Hazard)  Perry,  he  a native  of  South  Kingstown, 
R.  I.,  born  June  2,  1817,  and  for  years  the  efficient 
town  clerk  of  that  town.  Mrs.  Wells  is  a direct  de- 
scendant of  Samuel  Perry,  of  Sandwich,  Mass.,  and 
of  that  part  of  South  Kingstown  known  as  Perrv- 
ville,  which  place  was  named  for  him,  through 
Tames,  lames  (2),  John,  John  R.  and  John  Gould 
Perrv,  and  of  Thomas  Hazard,  of  record  in  Boston 
as  earlv  as  1635,  through  Robert,  Thomas  (2), 
Jonathan.  Thomas  (3),  Jonathan  (2),  Bowdoin  and 
Harriet  Theresa  (Hazard)  Perrv. 

Children  as  follows  have  been  born  to  Herbert 
T.  and  Sarah  Emily  ( Perry)  Wells : Grace  Perrv, 
born  Feb.  13.  1879,  in  Providence,  R.  I.;  Herbert 
Comstock,  born  Nov.  2t.  1880,  in  Providence; 
Emily  Potter,  born  Sept.  8,  1882,  in  South  Kings- 
town, R.  I.;  Thomas  Perry,  born  April  5,  1884,  in 


1036 


RHODE  ISLAND 


South  Kingstown ; John  Hazard,  born  Dec.  29, 
1885,  in  South  Kingstown;  and  Elizabeth  Johnson, 
born  April  20,  1890,  in  South  Kingstown. 

On  Dec.  10,  1907,  Mr.  Wells  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  Rhode  Island  Hospital  Trust  Company 
for  the  twenty-fourth  time. 


Rev7.  John  Hagadorn  Wells,  the  last  survivor 
of  the  Rhode  Island  Constitutional  Convention  of 
1842,  which  drafted  the  present  fundamental  law 
of  the  State,  and  the  oldest  alumnus  of  Amherst 
College,  died  July  20,  1907,  at  his  home  in  Kingston 
village,  in  his  ninety-first  year.  His  death  removed 
from  the  community  in  which  he  was  born,  and  in 
which  he  lived  during  the  greater  part  of  a long, 
active  and  unusually  varied  career,  one  of  the  most 
familiar  and  picturesque  figures  in  the  life  of  his 
State  and  generation. 

As  a constitution  maker  in  the  days  of  his  young 
manhood,  afterwards  as  a lawyer,  teacher  and  cler- 
gyman, and  in  his  retirement  as  one  of  the  last  and 
sturdiest  survivors  of  the  leaders  of  the  old  school, 
Mr.  Wells  made  a distinct  place  for  himself  in  the 
life  of  the  Commonwealth  where  most  of  his  life 
work  was  done.  Death  came  after  a long  and  grad- 
ual decline,  due  to  the  infirmities  of  age.  After  the 
death  of  his  wife  Mr.  Wells  failed  rapidly,  and  the 
end  was  known  to  be  only  a matter  of  time.  The 
time  came  at  2 o’clock,  July  20th. 

The  record  of  Mr.  Wells’s  active  career  covers 
twoscore  years.  It  began  the  span  of  a lifetime  ago, 
in  1837,  when  he  graduated  from  Amherst  College, 
and  a generation  has  sprung  up  since  it  closed  with 
his  retirement  from  the  ministry,  in  1877.  The  last 
thirty  years  he  passed  quietly  in  his  native  village, 
absorbed  in  study  and  in  watching  the  political  and 
social  development  of  the  changing  period.  Almost 
to  the  last  Mr.  Wells  retained  his  keen  interest  in 
political  affairs,  especially  in  his  native  State,  as  well 
as  his  love  of  reading  and  the  classics.  He  was  a 
jealous  defender  of  the  principles  embodied  in  the 
constitutional  instrument  which  he  helped  frame 
when  a young  law  student,  while  recognizing  the 
need  of  conservative  reforms  to  meet  changing  con- 
ditions. 

John  Hagadorn  Wells  was  the  son  of  Thomas 
Robinson  Wells  and  Maria  Potter,  whose  father, 
Asa  Potter,  was  of  the  well-known  South  county 
family  and  uncle  of  the  late  Judge  E.  R.  Potter,  of 
the  Supreme  court  of  this  State.  Mr.  Wells’s  father 
was  of  the  Hopkinton  family  of  that  name  and  was 
for  many  years  the  town  clerk  of  South  Kingstown 
and  cashier  of  the  old  Landholders’  National  Bank, 
predecessor  of  the  Kingston  Trust  Company. 

Mr.  Wells  was  born  in  1816  in  the  village  where 
he  died  and  in  which  for  many  years  he  was  a 
prominent  figure.  His  early  education  was  received 
at  the  old  Kingston  Academy,  then  in  its  palmiest 
days  and  receiving  its  quota  of  boys  from  foreign 
countries  as  well  as  from  wide  sections  of  the 
United  States.  Here  he  was  under  the  instruction 


of  such  well-known  educators  as  Prof.  William 
Gammell,  Asa  Potter,  the  late  Judge  E.  R.  Potter, 
Jr.,  and  Azel  Noyes. 

Under  the  tutorship  of  Judge  Potter  Mr.  Wells 
was  fitted  for  college  and  entered  the  Freshman 
class  of  Brown  University  in  1833.  After  two  years 
there,  however,  he  decided  to  change,  and  entered 
the  Junior,  class  at  Amherst,  graduating  in  1837 
with  a class  of  fifty-four.  Of  that  class  he  was  the 
only  surviving  member  for  the  last  year  and  a half, 
and  for  some  time  enjoyed  the  distinction  of  being 
the  oldest  living  alumnus  in  point  of  graduation. 

During  his  college  career,  both  in  Brown  and 
Amherst,  Mr.  Wells  found  it  necessary  to  supple- 
ment his  scanty  resources  by  tutoring  and  teaching 
school.  Upon  leaving  school  he  acted  as  principal 
of  Uxbridge  Academy  for  two  years.  For  a long 
time  he  had  been  debating  whether  he  should  devote 
his  life  work  to  the  law  or  to  the  gospel.  At  first  lie 
turned  his  attention  to  the  law,  studying  with  Elisha 
R.  Potter,  Jr.,  his  cousin,  and  afterward,  when  he 
became  a tutor  in  the  family  of  former  Governor 
Thurston  at  Hopkinton,  with  Judge  Barculo,  a 
prominent  attorney  of  that  town. 

Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  Dorr  war  in  1842 
Mr.  Wells  took  sides  with  the  Law  and  Order  party, 
and  was  one  of  those  to  march  to  Chepachet  and 
Acote’s  Hill,  where  the  followers  of  Governor  Dorr 
were  put  to  flight  without  bloodshed. 

When  a convention  was  called  to  frame  a State 
Constitution  to  displace  the  old  charter  Mr.  Wells 
was  selected  as  a fit  representative  by  the  electors 
of  Hopkinton,  though  he  was  then  only  about 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  took  part  in  the  de- 
liberations of  the  convention  which  resulted  in  the 
framing  of  the  new  Constitution. 

Leaving  his  law  studies  in  Hopkinton  soon 
afterward  Mr.  Wells  was  called  to  Poughkeepsie 
Collegiate  Institution,  of  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  then 
a well-known  school  for  boys.  Here  he  was  placed 
in  charge  of  classes  in  the  classics  and  those  begin- 
ning the  study  of  law. 

The  advice  of  friends,  however,  induced  the 
student  and  teacher  of  Blackst'one  and  Kent  to 
abandon  legal  pursuits  and  to  devote  his  energies  to 
preparation  for  the  ministry. 

Returning  to  Rhode  Island  Mr.  Wells  accord- 
ingly  placed  himself  under  the  guidance  of  the  able 
and  venerable  Rev.  Dr.  Shephard,  of  Bristol.  Sub- 
sequently, having  been  licensed  to  preach,  he  was 
stationed  at  Abington,  Conn.,  and  Eastham,  Mass. 
Upon  ordination,  in  1851,  he  became  pastor  of  the 
Congregational  Church  at  West  Yarmouth,  where 
he  remained  for  five  years.  He  was  called  to  Kings- 
ton at  the  end  of  that  term  to  start  a family  school 
for  boys,  to  take  the  place  of  the  academy,  which 
had  dwindled  away.  In  this  venture  he  was  very 
successful  from  a pedagogical  point  of  view,  and 
men  eminent  in  their  profession  have  rendered  tri- 
bute to  the  thoroughness  of  his  instruction,  among 
them  Dr.  William  T.  Bull,  the  well-known  surgeon, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1037 


of  New  York,  and  former  Representative  William 
P.  Sheffield,  Jr.,  of  Newport,  whose  father’s  death 
a few  weeks  before  that  of  Mr.  Wells  left  the  latter 
as  the  only  surviving  member  of  the  constitutional 
convention  of  1842. 

The  death  of  his  wife  compelled  Mr.  Wells  to 
give  up  his  family  school,  and  in  1862  he  accepted 
a call  to  become  the  pastor  of  the  Kingston  Congre- 
gational Church.  For  fifteen  years  he  faithfully 
served  his  charge,  relinquishing  the  pulpit  and  the 
ministry  in  1877. 

During  his  pastorate  the  Kingston  Free  Library 
was  organized  by  members  of  the  church  under  his 
leadership.  He  was  also  prominently  identified 
with  the  management  of  the  Rhode  Island  Temper- 
ance Union,  being  a member'  of  the  governing 
board,  and  in  his  capacity  as  secretary  of  the  Wash- 
ington County  Temperance  Society  aided  the  late 
Rev.  Mr.  Conant,  agent  of  the  State  Society,  in 
organizing  and  conducting  temperance  conventions. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Wells  was  prominently 
identified  with  the  Prohibition  party,  aiding  the 
advancement  of  its  cause  by  purse,  voice  and  pen. 

Mr.  Wells  was  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  locat- 
ing of  the  State  Agricultural  College  at  Kingston, 
and  having  secured  it  was  a helpful  friend  of  the 
institution  from  its  earliest  days. 

After  his  retirement  from  the  ministry  Mr. 
Wells  devoted  his  attention,  up  to  a short  time  be- 
fore his  death,  to  caring  for  a small  farm  and  to 
the  pursuit  of  favorite  lines  of  reading  and  study. 

Mr.  Wells  was  married  three  times.  His  first 
wife  was  Annie  Maria  Wells,  daughter  of  Capt. 
James  Wells,  of  Newport.  She  died  in  1862,  and 
Mr.  Wells  afterward  married  Miss  Sarah  Simmons 
Coe,  also  of  Newport,  who  survived  only  a few 
months.  His  third  wife,  who  died  about  four 
months  before  himself,  was  Miss  Maria  Abigail 
Perry,  daughter  of  Dr.  George  H.  Perry,  of  Hop- 
kinton.  Mr.  Wells  was  survived  by  two  children, 
of  his  first  marriage,  Miss  Maria  Potter  Wells,  and 
Annie  Greene,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Noyes,  who  died  Sept.  3, 
1907. 

Aside  from  serving  as  a member  of  the  school 
committee  and  superintendent  of  schools  Mr.  Wells, 
in  spite  of  his  keen  interest  in  public  affairs,  was 
always  averse  to  holding  public  office. 

GEORGE  LYMAN  CLAFLIN  maintained  for 
many  years  a high  position  among  the  influential 
men  of  the  city  of  Providence.  He  was  not  a man 
who  courted  publicity,  but  his  wide  business  inter- 
ests and  deep  sympathy  with  the  spiritual  life  of 
the  community  made  him  a tireless  worker  in  both 
fields,  and  as  such  he  was  thrust  into  prominence 
in  spite  of  a disposition  retiring  and  unassuming. 
He  was  enterprising,  and  had  the  energy  and  ability 
to  bring  his  project  to  successful  consummation. 

Mr.  Claflin  was  born  in  Pawtucket,  Mass,  (now 
Rhode  Island),  Dec.  22,  1822,  and  was  the  only 
son  of  Lyman  and  Rebecca  Gay  (Starkweather) 


Claflin,  coming  of  distinguished  and  honorable  an- 
cestry. It  is.  stated  in  “American  Ancestry”  that 
Robert  MacClaflin  was  at  Wenham,  Mass.,  as  early 
as  1661,  and  that  he  married  Oct.  14,  1664,  Joanna 
Warner.  The  line  of  descent  of  the  late  George  L. 
Claflin,  of  Providence,  from  Robert  (I)  is  through 
Antipas  (II),  Ebenezer  (III),  Oliver  (IV)  and 
Lyman  (V). 

(V)  Lyman  Claflin,  father  of  George  Lyman 
Claflin,  was  a native  of  the  town  of  Douglass, 
Mass.,  born  July  25,  1794.  He  was  a successful 
manufacturer,  and  a man  of  influence  in  the  com- 
munity of  Pawtucket,  where  he  resided.  He  was 
a Knight  Templar  Mason,  and  devotedly  attached 
to  the  institution  of  Freemasonry.  His  death  oc- 
curred Jan.  2,  i860,  when  lie  was  in  his  sixty-sixth 
year.  Mr.  Claflin  was  married,  March  6,  1822,  to 
Rebecca  Gay  Starkweather,  and  to  them  were  born 
children  as  follows : George  Lyman,  born  Dec.  22, 
1822,  died  April  4,  1886;  Sarah,  born  May  1,  1824, 
died  Oct.  9,  1828;  Minerva,  born  Dec.  19,  1826,  was 
married  March  15,  1849,  to  James  Cushing,  and 
died  Sept.  3,  1896;  Sarah,  born  April  21,  1831,  was 
married  Sept.  8,  1853,  to  Edward  Haskell,  and  died 
Oct.  1,  1857. 

Oliver  Starkweather,  father  of  Mrs.  Rebecca 
Gay  (Starkweather)  Claflin,  was  a well-known 
public  man  in  his  day,  having  been  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Massachusetts  Legislature  and  also  of 
the  National  House  of  Representatives.  One  of  his 
sons,  John  Starkweather,  a graduate  of  Brown  Uni- 
versity, was  a practising  physician  in  Upton,  Mass., 
for  nearly  fifty  years,  and  was  a man  of  wide  repute 
in  his  profession.  Another  son,  Samuel  Stark- 
weather, also  a graduate  of  Brown  University  and 
afterward  a tutor  there,  was  for  many  years  a judge 
in  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Another,  James  C.  Stark- 
weather, became  a successful  manufacturer  in  his 
native  town,  Pawtucket,  being  a member  of  the  firm 
of  Starkweather  & Claflin. 

(VI)  George  Lyman  Claflin  enjoyed  the  usual 
advantages  afforded  to  boys  of  good  parentage  and 
surroundings,  attending  public  and  private  schools 
and  also  an  academy  taught  by  Mr.  Frederic  Vin- 
ton. In  1842,  in  his  twentieth  year,  'he  came  to 
Providence,  entering  the  store  of  John  H.  Mason  & 
Co.,  druggists,  on  Weybosset  street,  nearly  opposite 
the  old  “City  Hotel.”  Subsequently  he  was  in  the 
employ  of  Earl  P.  Mason  & Co.,  with  whom  he  con- 
tinued until  he  became  a member  of  the  firm,  and 
this  business  was  later  conducted  under  the  name 
of  Snow,  Claflin  & Co.,  In  1873  he  purchased  the 
stand  and  fixtures  of  the  late  J.  Balcli  & Sons,  on 
South  Main  street,  succeeding  to  their  business  as 
senior  member  of  the  firm  of  George  L.  Claflin  & 
Co.,  and  there  he  continued  until  his  death  to  carry 
on  a large  Wholesale  and  retail  drug  business.  His 
success  in  that  enterprise  alone  would  make  a credit- 
able life  record  for  any  man,  but  Mr.  Claflin  had 
wider  ideas  of  a man’s  responsibility  in  his  relations 
to  the  community  with  which  he  was  identified. 


1038 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Consequently  lie  interested  himself  in  the  various 
financial  institutions  which  had  sprung  up  in  Provi- 
dence, and  in  the  welfare  of  which,  as  a business 
man,  he  was  personally  concerned.  He  was  a di- 
rector in  the  Northern  Bank  from  its  organization, 
in  1856;  of  the  Coventry  National  Bank  and  of  the 
Coventry  Savings  Bank,  in  Anthony,  R.  I. ; of  the 
Jackson  Institution  for  Savings,  and  of  the  Second 
National  Bank.  He  was  also  interested  in  insur- 
ance, and  in  that  connection  was  a director  of  both  the 
Roger  Williams  Insurance  Company  and  the  Union 
Mutual  Insurance  Company.  His  relations  with 
various  other  institutions  were  equally  important. 

Mr.  Claflin  had  no  taste  for  public  life  and  no 
desire  for  its  honors,  but  he  had  the  impulses  which 
make  every  earnest  man  a patriotic  and  public- 
spirited  citizen,  and  as  such  he  consented  to  fill 
several  offices.  In  1870  he  was  elected  a member  of 
the  common  council  from  the  First  ward,  and 
served  three  separate  terms  in  that  body.  In  1874 
lie  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature,  and  in  both 
positions  discharged  his  duties  with  characteristic 
ability  and  fidelity.  But  after  the  cares  of  business 
he  found  his  chief  pleasure  in  his  home  and  in  his 
church  work,  and  political  triumphs  held  no  attrac- 
tions for  him.  The  prosperity  of  the  church  to 
which  he  was  so  devotedly  attached  appealed 
most  strongly  to  him,  and  his  zeal  in  furthering  its 
interests  displayed  this  side  of  his  character.  In 
1843,  soon  after  coming  to  Providence,  he  became 
deeply  interested  in  religious  truth,  joining  the  Con- 
gregational Church  which  at  that  time  held  services 
in  Westminster  Hall,  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev. 
Thomas  T.  Waterman.  Upon  the  formation  of 
Central  Church,  under  Rev.  Dr.  Swain,  Mr.  Claflin 
at  once  became  an  active  member  thereof,  identify- 
ing himself  with  all  its  interests  and  contributing 
largely  toward  the  erection  of  the  house  of  worship. 
On  Dec.  4,  1859,  he  became  superintendent  of  the 
primary  department  of  the  Sunday-school,  and  the 
duties  of  this  position  he  discharged  conscientiously 
for  over  twenty-five  years.  His  devotion  to  the 
work  was  marked  by  tireless  efforts  and  unusual 
results,  and  in  no  circle  was  he  more  sadly  missed 
than  among  the  religious  workers  of  the  city.  Mr. 
Claflin  died  April  4,  1886,  aged  sixtv-three  years. 

On  Sept.  3,  1850,  Mr.  Claflin  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Louisa  Sisson  Whitman,  daughter 
of  Christopher  A.  Whitman,  of  Coventry,  R.  I.,  a 
leading  citizen  of  that  place,  a manufacturer,  bank 
president,  member  of  both  branches  of  the  State 
Legislature  and  an  active  and  influential  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity.  Mrs.  Claflin  died  Oct.  19, 
1892,  aged  sixty-four  years.  In  1864-65  Mr.  Claflin 
erected  a commodious  and  elegant  home  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Halsey  and  Pratt  streets.  Four  children  were 
born  to  himself  and  wife : Arthur  Whitman,  born 
Oct.  10,  1852;  George  Lyman,  born  Sept.  24,  1859 
(died  Oct.  2,  1859)  ; William  Lyman,  born  June 
18,  1862  (died  Jan.  24,  1903)  ; and  George  Edwin, 
born  April  4,  1866. 


(VII)  Arthur  Whitman  Claflin  was  born 
Oct.  10,  1852,  in  Providence,  where  he  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  and  at  Mowrv  & 
Goff's  English  and  Classical  High  School,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1869.  For  three  and  a 
half  years  following  lie  was  with  the  firm  of  Snow, 
Claflin  & Co.,  on  Canal  street,  and  in  1873  he  came 
with  his  father  to  the  present  location  of  George 
L.  Claflin  & Co.,  Nos.  62-72  South  Main  street.  In 
1884  he  became  a member  of  the  firm,  and  on  Jan. 
1,  1903,  incorporated  the  business  under  the  name 
of  George  L.  Claflin  Company.  For  many  years  this 
has  been  one  of  the  leading  wholesale  and  retail 
drug  houses  of  New  England.  In  addition  to  his 
interests  in  this  concern  Mr.  Claflin  was  connected 
with  the  Fourth  National  Bank  of  Providence,  of 
which  he  was  vice-president,  and  is  now  a director 
of  the  United  National  Bank. 

On  March  15,  1881,  Mr.  Claflin  married  Mary 
Alice  Howard,  daughter  of  Lieut. -Gov.  Albert  C. 
Howard,  of  East  Providence,  and  to  them  have 
come  two  children : Louisa  Howard,  born  March 
7,  1882,  and  Albert  Whitman,  born  Jan.  31,  1885. 
Mr.  Claflin  is  a member  of  the  Central  Congrega- 
tional Church  of  Providence. 

(VII)  George  Edwin  Claflin  was  born  April 
4,  1866,  and  married  April  18,  1894,  Susan  Emily 
Talbot,  daughter  of  Charles  H.  Talbot,  of  Provi- 
dence. Mr.  Chaflin  is  chief  engineer  of  the  United 
Electric  Securities  Company,  located  in  the  Ames 
Building,  Boston,  Massachusetts. 

LAWTON.  The  Lawton  family  of  Newport 
is  of  English  descent  and  dates  back  to  the  earliest 
days  of  the  Rhode  Island  colonies,  as  the  emigrant 
ancestor,  Capt.  George  Lawton,  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  in  Portsmouth.  . 

(I)  Capt.  George  Lawton,  of  the  English  Royal 
Navy,  came  to  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  among  its  first  set- 
tlers, being  one  of  those  recorded  as  an  inhabitant 
of  the  Island  of  Aquidneck  in  1638.  From  that 
time  his  name  appears  frequently  in  various  records 
and  lie  was  evidently  one  of  the  influential  men  of 
the  colony.  He  was  one  of  the  twenty-nine  signers 
of  the  compact  of  1639,  and  in  1648  was  a member 
of  the  court  of  trials,  while  in  the  same  year  he  was 
recorded  as  owner  of  forty  acres  of  land  located 
near  the  property  of  his  brother  Thomas.  He  was 
made  a freeman  in  1655,  served  as  deputy  in  1665, 
1672,  1675,  1676,  1679,  and  1680  to  1690  inclusive, 
excepting  the  years  1687  and  1688.  He  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Martha  Hazard, 
and  their  children  were : Isabel,  John,  Mary, 
George,  Robert,  Susanna,  Ruth,  Mercy,  Job  and 
Elizabeth.  Capt.  Lawton  died  Oct.  5,  1693. 

(II)  George  Lawton  (2)  married,  Jan.  17, 
1677,  Naomi  Hunt,  daughter  of  Bartholomew,  and 
they  made  their  home  in  Portsmouth.  Mr.  Lawton 
died  Sept.  11,  1697,  but  his  wife,  who  was  born 
Sept.  15,  1658,  survived  him  till  Jan.  13,  1721. 

(III)  Job  Lawton,  only  child  of  George  and 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1039 


Naomi,  was  born  Jan.  22,  1692.  By  the  will  of  his 
father,  made  and  proved  in  1697,  he  was  to  be  given 
the  best  education  possible,  and  at  the  age  of  eight- 
een received  600  pounds.  On  April  16,  1713,  he 
married  Priscilla  Thurston,  their  marriage  being 
of  Newport  town  record. 

(IV)  George  Lawton,  only  child  of  Job  and 

Priscilla,  was  born  Feb.  1,  1713-14.  He  married, 
April  18,  1742,  Hannah  Bidder,  and  they  had  chil- 
dren born  as  follows  : Robert ; Mary  ; George  ; 
Joseph,  Nov.  1,  1748;  Benjamin;  Jonathan,  Oct. 
3P  1754;  James,  Sept.  20,  1755  ; Job,  July  24,  1758; 
and  Elizabeth,  June  2,  1760.  « 

(V)  Benjamin  Lawton,  born  Nov.  7,  1751, 
died  in  Newport  in  about  1836.  His  occupation 
was  shoemaking.  Married  three  times,  his  first 
wife  was  Mrs.  Abigail  Price,  the  second  Rachel  Ca- 
hocne,  and  the  third  a sister  of  the  latter,  Rhoda 
Cahoone.  Mr.  Lawton  was  the  father  of  nineteen 
children  in  all,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the 
others  being  as  follows:  Robert,  born  in  1774; 
James,  1776;  Abigail,  1782;  Mary,  1785;  Susan, 
1787  ; Ruth,  1793  ; Benjamin,  1795  ; Daniel  C.,  1796; 
Benjamin  Ingraham,  1798;  Louis  B.,  1800;  Samuel 
H.,  1802;  Elizabeth,  1806;  Charles,  1808;  Rachel, 
1810:  David;  George;  and  Rhoda. 

(VI)  James  Lawton,  a lifelong  resident  of 
Newport,  was  born  Dec.  10,  1776,  and  died  July  10, 
1863.  His  wife,  Ann  (Stevens)  Lawton,  born  Jan. 
3,  1778,  survived  him  but  one  month,  passing  away 
Aug.  10,  1863.  Mr.  Lawton  was  town  sergeant 
for  many  years,  and  as  town  crier  drummed  for  the 
town  meetings.  His  regular  occupation  was  butch- 
ering, and  he  held  a position  of  respect  and  consider- 
ation in  the  community.  Six  children  were  born  to 
him:  Isaac,  James,  Abbey,  Sarah  Ann,  Frances, 
and  William  S. 

(VII)  Isaac  Lawton,  whose  life  covered  a 
period  extending  from  Oct.  8,  1803,  to  Oct.  23, 
1879,  was  a well  known  citizen  of  Newport.  In 
early  life  he  learned  the  baker's  trade,  but  after  a 
very  brief  experience  in  that  calling  he  gave  it  up 
and  turned  his  attention  to  fishing.  For  some  time 
he  went  out  in  his  own  vessels,  but  later  he  ran  in- 
stead a fish  market  on  Long  Wharf,  and  operated 
it  most  successfully  for  over  thirty-five  years.  Dur- 
ing the  existence  of  the  volunteer  fire  department  of 
Newport,  he  was  for  a long  time  a member  of  En- 
gine Company  No.  2,  and  did  good  service,  but  in 
political  affairs  he  never  participated,  although  a 
loyal  supporter  of  the  Republican  party. 

In  about  1825  Isaac  Lawton  married  Miss  Mary 
Ann  Freeborn,  also  of  Newport,  daughter  of  John 
Freeborn.  She  was  born  Jan.  8,  1807,  and  died 
Oct.  18,  1888,  the  mother  of  fifteen  children,  one  of 
whom  lived  but  a short  time,  namely:  Benjamin, 
born  Feb.  23,  1827,  who  died  in  infancy;  Benjamin 
(2),  Jan.  16,  1828  (mentioned  below)  ; Thomas, 
Oct.  29,  1829,  (who  was  a boat  builder  in  Newport, 
where  he  died)  ; John  F.,  Sept.  16,  1831  (who  died 


young)  ; Isaac,  Jr.,  Aug.  23,  1833  (a  manufactur- 
ing  jeweler,  who  married  Esther  Brierly  Ingraham, 
and  died  in  Central  Falls,  R.  I.)  ; Abby  Stevens, 
April  6,  1835  (who  died  unmarried)  ; Mary  Ann, 
Dec.  28,  1836  (now  Mrs.  John  Anderson,  of  Paw- 
tucket, R.  I.)  ; John  Freeborn,  Jan.  24,  1839  (who 
diqd  young)  ; William  H.  H.,  Jan.  6,  1841,  de- 
ceased (who  was  the  proprietor  of  a fish  market  in 
Newport)  ; Clara  Ailman,  Dec.  27,  1842  (who  died 
unmarried)  ; Eliza,  March  16,  1845  (who  died 
young);  Edward  N. ; John  Freeborn,  March  27, 
1849  (a  carpenter,  residing  in  Newport)  ; and 
Francis  Marion,  Feb.  17,  1851  (of  Newport,  where 
he  is  engaged  in  fishing). 

(VIII)  Benjamin  Lawton,  oldest  son  of 
Isaac,  born  Jan.  16,  1828,  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Newport,  and  remained  in 
school  till  he  was  sixteen  vears  old.  The  following 
year,  May,  1845,  he  was  sent  to  New  Bedford  to 
enter  upon  a four-year  apprenticeship  to  Chapman 
and  Bonney,  sailmakers,  with  whom  he  continued 
as  a workman  until  the  firm  went  out  of  business. 
Sailmaking  has  been  his  sole  occupation  for  over 
sixty  years,  and  for  some  time  past  he  has  been  one 
of  the  most  trusted  employes  of  Briggs  & Beckman. 
During  the  Civil  war  he  was  engaged  by  the  gov- 
ernment to  make  tents  for  the  army.  Personally 
he  is  a man  of  domestic  tastes,  with  no  desire  for 
mingling  in  politics,  and  has  contented  himself  with 
regularly  voting  the  Republican  ticket. 

Mr.  Lawton’s  wife,  who  passed  away  in  New 
Bedford,  June  5,  1905,  was  a Miss  Clarissa  Sophia 
Reed,  of  North  Dartmouth,  Mass.,  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Lois  (Rogers)  Reed.  They  were  mar- 
ried March  2,  1851,  and  rounded  out  more  than  half 
a century  of  wedded  life,  but  no  children  were  bom 
to  them.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lawton  united  with 
the  County  Street  Methodist  Church,  of  New  Bed- 
ford, and  were  liberal  in  their  support  of  its  work. 
Mr.  Lawton  has  resided  in  New  Bedford  for  over 
sixty  years,  where  lie  is  honored  and  respected  by 
all  who  know  him. 

(VIII)  Edward  Newton  Lawton,  a younger 
son  of  Isaac,  was  born  Jan.  15,  1847,  in  Newport, 
and  was  educated  in  that  city.  Leaving  school  at 
the  age  of  fifteen,  he  was  taken  into  his  father’s  fish 
market  as  a clerk,  working  in  that  capacity  till  1877, 
when  he  became  a partner,  the  firm  name  being 
changed  to  Isaac  Lawton  & Company.  Two  years 
later  the  father  died,  and  Mr.  Edward  N.  Lawton 
decided  not  to  continue  the  business  but  to  engage 
instead  in  fishing,  and  ever  since  he  has  made  that 
his  chief  occupation.  He  carries  it  on  on  quite  an 
extensive  scale,  and  has  in  use  two  launches  and 
three  “puss”  boats,  which  yield  him  lucrative  re- 
turns. 

When  the  Civil  war  broke  out  Mr.  Lawton  was 
too  young  to  enlist,  but  as  soon  as  he  reached  the 
age  of  eighteen  he  offered  his  services  to  his  coun- 
try, enlisting  in  1865,  in  Battery  H,  1st  R.  I.  Light 


1040 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Artillery,  and  serving  for  over  four  months.  He  is 
now  a member  of  Charles  E.  Lawton  Post,  No.  5, 
G.  A.  R.,  of  Newport,  and  has  been  junior  vice- 
commander. He  was  also  for  a long  time  a member 
of  Engine  Company  No.  2,  in  the  volunteer  fire  de- 
partment. The  city  has  likewise  had  the  benefit  of 
his  efficient  services  in  a civil  capacity,  also,  as  he 
was  on  the  city  council  for  two  years,  elected  on  the 
Republican  ticket.  Again,  in  1906,  at  the  first 
election  held  under  the  new  charter  granted  the  City 
of  Newport,  Mr.  Lawton  was  elected  a member  of 
the  representative  council  from  the  First  ward  for 
the  three  yean  term,  receiving  the  largest  number  of 
votes  cast  in  his  ward. 

Mr.  Lawton's  married  life  has  extended  over  a 
period  of  thirty-seven  years,  as  he  was  united  June 
16,  1870,  to  Miss  Frances  Wilson,  a lady  of  English 
Birth,  and  a daughter  of  Fletcher  Wilson,  of  Wick- 
ford,  England.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lawton  are 
members  and  liberal  contributors  of  the  Friends’ 
Church.  They  are  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  two 
daughters,  namely:  Joseph  S,,  born  Feb.  22,  1871, 
by  trade  a mason  in  Newport,  who  married  Miss 
Eunice  Albro,  and  has  one  daughter,  Mildred ; Flet- 
cher W.,  Oct.  23,  1873,  in  the  fishing  industry  with 
his  father;  Abby  S.,  Dec.  5,  1875,  who  married 
George  W.  Edgar,  Jr.,  a carpenter  in  Newport,  and 
has  four  children,  Frances,  Madeline,  Ralph  and 
Ida;  Harriet  C.,  Feb.  20,  1878,  wife  of  William  B. 
Kinney,  a painter  in  Newport ; Benjamin,  Sept.  18, 
1882,  employed  by  the  city  in  the  highway  depart- 
ment. The  Lawton  family,  of  which  Edward  N. 
Lawton  is  a worthy  member,  is  one  highly  esteemed 
in  Newport  and  is  ranked  among  its  substantial 
people. 

I 

DAVIS  (North  Kingstown  and  Providence 
family).  The  North  Kingstown-Providence  branch 
of  the  Davis  family  of  that  region  of  country  is  of 
more  than  two  centuries’  standing  in  the  State,  and 
for  approximately  two  hundred  years  it  has  been  a 
family  of  millers  and  manufacturers,  counting 
among  its  members  Joshua,  Jeffrey,  Ezra,  Hon. 
James  M.,  Hon.  William  Dean  and  the  present 
Jeffrey  Davis,  who  for  over  a decade  has  been  the 
president  of  the  extensive  Quidnick  Manufacturing 
Company — all  men  of  substance  and  prominence  in 
their  day  and  generation,  and  all  in  direct  line  of 
descent  from  Aaron  Davis,  who  appeared  at  New- 
port, R.  I.,  as  early  as  1673. 

This  article  is  devoted  to  a brief  review  of  some 
of  the  lives  of  this  ancient  and  long-time  manufac- 
turing family,  the  genealogy  beginning  with  the 
earliest  known  American  ancestor  and  proceeding 
in  chronological  order.  The  Roman  numerals  in- 
dicate generations. 

(I)  Aaron  Davis  was  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  as 
early  as  1673,  in  February  of  which  year  he  sold 
property  there.  He  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of 
Dartmouth,  Mass.,  in  1694.  and  in  1698  was  or- 
dained as  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  there, 


whose  membership  embraced  persons  living  in 
Dartmouth,  Tiverton  and  Little  Compton.  He  died 
after  1719.  The  Christian  name  of  his  wife  was 
Mary.  Austin,  the  Rhode  Island  genealogist,  gives 
the  children  of  Mr.  Davis  as:  William,  Joshua, 
Aaron,  Samuel  and  John,  and  remarks:  ‘‘There 
seems  no  reason  to  doubt  that  Joshua  was  his  son, 
and  as  it  is  believed  that  William,  Samuel  and  John 
should  be  added  to  the  list  of  his  children,  it  is  as- 
sumed that  this  is  the  case.” 

(II)  Joshua  Davis,  son  of  Aaron,  married 
Mary  Scott,  born  Feb.  1,  1666,  daughter  of  John 
and  Rebecca,  and  they  were  of  Newport  and  East 
Greenwich,  R.  I.  Mr.  Davis  was  a miller,  and  in 
1733  deeded  to  his  son  Jeffrey,  for  love,  etc.,  grist- 
mill, etc.,  and  forty  acres  of  land.  His  children 
were:  William,  Aaron,  John,  Rebecca,  Katherine, 
Samuel  and  Jeffrey,  the  two  latter  being  born  in 
1706  and  1708,  respectively.  The  father  was  prob- 
ably the  original  settler  at  the  point  known  as  Davis- 
ville  and  was  the  builder  of  its  first  mill,  which  was 
erected,  it  was  judged  by  the  late  James  M.  Davis, 
not  far  from  the  year  1700.  He  owned  an  exten- 
sive tract  of  land  in  that  vicinity. 

(III)  Jeffrey  Davis,  son  of  Joshua  and  Mary, 
was  born  in  1708,  and  died  July  3,  1782.  Mr. 
Davis  was  born  within  half  a mile  of  what  was 
called  Davis’s  Mills,  but  later  became  Davisville,  in 
the  town  of  North  Kingstown.  He  was  occupied 
in  agricultural  pursuits  and  in  milling. 

(IV)  Major  Joshua  Davis  (2),  son  of  Jeffrey, 
was  born  at  Davis’s  Mills,  now  Davisville,  in  the 
town  of  North  Kingstown,  Nov.  10,  1742,  and  died 
there  Sept.  12,  1820.  He  was  occupied  as  a farmer 
and  miller,  operating  the  mill  which  his  father  and 
grandfather  before  him  had  operated,  and  which 
was  one  of  the  earliest  mills  in  Rhode  Island.  This 
mill  ground  and  bolted  wheat  in  addition  to  grind- 
ing corn.  Major  Davis  was  a patriot  of  the  Revo- 
lution, serving  as  major  in  the  2d  Regiment,  King's 
County  Troops,  and  afterward  represented  his  town 
in  the  Assembly. 

(V)  Jeffrey  and  Ezra  Davis,  brothers,  and 
sons  of  Major  Joshua  Davis,  were  born  at  Davis's 
Mills,  in  the  town  of  North  Kingstown,  where  their 
lives  were  passed  in  farming  and  milling.  They 
early  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  woolen  goods 
and  were  among  the  earliest  in  that  line  in  the  State. 
For  many  years  these  brothers  conducted  the  busi- 
ness under  the  firm  name  of  E.  & J.  Davis.  They 
had  in  their  first  experience  a wool-carding  and 
cloth-dressing  establishment,  which  they  conducted 
in  connection  with  hand-weaving  from  1811  to  1824. 
In  the  latter  year  they  commenced  to  operate  woolen 
looms  by  water-power  at  the  point  where  they  and 
their  ancestors  in  turn  for  a century  or  more  had  a 
gristmill,  which  fact  gave  to  the  place  the  name  of 
Davis's  Mills. 

Jeffrey  Davis  married  Elizabeth  Mawney,  and 
they  had  three  children : Abby  Dean,  George  Al- 
bert and  William  Dean.  Ezra  Davis  married  Me- 


WILLIAM  DEAN  DAYIS 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1041 


hetabel  Reynolds.  Ezra  was  born  April  5,  1779, 
and  died  June  21,  1863. 

(VI)  William  Dean  Davis,  son  of  Jeffrey 
and  Elizabeth  (Mawney)  Davis,  was  born  Jan. 
26,  1813,  at  Davis’s  Mills,  in  North  Kingstown,  R. 
I.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  town  and 
later  was  a student  in  Kingstown  Academy.  When 
sixteen  years  of  age  he  left  home  and  took  a posi- 
tion in  a store  in  New  York.  There  he  remained 
approximately  three  years.  His  next  experience 
was  a similar  one  in  a store  in  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia, and  for  about  the  same  length  of  time.  He 
then  returned  to  his  home  at  Davis’s  Mills  and  be- 
came associated  with  his  father  and  uncle  in  the 
woolen  goods  manufacturing  business,  which  then 
consisted  of  spinning,  weaving  and  cloth  finishing. 

William  Dean  Davis  in  1850  purchased  a woolen 
mill  in  Centerville,  town  of  Warwick,  R.  I.  This 
property  he  sold  in  i860,  and  in  the  next  year  pur- 
chased the  Uxbridge  Woolen  Mill,  in  Uxbridge, 
Mass.,  which  he  held  until  1885,  selling  it  in  that 
year.  In  1884  Mr.  Davis,  with  others,  bought  the 
Quidnick  Mills,  located  at  Quidnick,  and  formed 
the  Quidnick  Manufacturing  Company.  Of  this 
company,  until  within  some  two  years  before  his 
death,  Mr.  Davis  was  the  largest  stockholder,  and 
at  the  time  of  his  death  he  still  had  an  interest  in 
the  concern. 

Mr.  Davis  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  one  of 
the  oldest  woolen  manufacturers  in  Rhode  Island. 
In  1864  he  took  up  his  residence  at  Providence  and 
was  a resident  of  the  city  from  that  time  on  until 
the  close  of  his  life.  He  was  then  owner  of  the 
handsome  house  on  Elmwood  avenue,  in  which  he 
resided  from  the  time  of  his  removal  to  Providence. 
He  was  a man  of  quiet  tastes,  very  much  attached 
to  his  home  and  family,  caring  little  for  public  life. 
He  was  a Republican,  but  never  particularly  active 
in  politics.  While  living  in  North  Kingstown  he 
represented  that  town  in  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  State,  and  later  was  honored  by  an  election  to 
that  body  from  the  town  of  Warwick.  Mr.  Davis 
was  one  of  the  oldest  members  of  the  Squantum 
Club,  having  joined  it  in  1872. 

Mr.  Davis’s  sympathies  were  well  exemplified 
in  the  various  bequests  he  made  to  benevolent  and 
philanthropic  institutions,  which  included  $5,000  to 
the  Charitable  Fuel  Fund,  a charity  in  which  he  was 
much  interested;  $5,000  to  the  Old  Men’s  Home; 
$5,000  for  the  endowment  of  a bed  in  the  Rhode 
Island  Hospital,  known  as  the  William  D.  Davis 
bed,  and  a sum  to  the  North  Kingstown  Free 
Library,  the  income  from  which  is  to  be  used  as 
purchase  money. 

I11  September,  1849,  Mr.  Davis  was  married  to 
Mary  Eleanor  Congdon,  who  died  in  1877.  He 
passed  away  at  his  home  on  Elmwood  avenue,  Prov- 
idence, Oct.  17,  1903.  To  this  marriage  were  born 
four  children,  three  of  whom  survived  the  father, 
namely:  Jeffrey,  born  Sept.  2,  1850,  of  Providence; 
Elizabeth  La  Moyne,  who  married  Augustus  S„ 
66 


Miller,  mayor  of  Providence;  William  Albert,  of 
Marshalltown,  Iowa ; and  May  Congdon,  who  died 
when  five  years  old. 

(VI)  James  M.  Davis,  son  of  Ezra  and  Me- 
hetabel  (Reynolds)  Davis,  was  born  Feb.  2,  1821, 
at  Davis’s  Mills,  in  the  town  of  North  Kingstown, 

R.  I.,  and  received  a good  common  school  educa- 
tion. At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  began  a busi- 
ness career  as  a merchant  in  his  native  village  and 
continued  in  merchandising  until  1849.  In  that 
year,  associated  with  his  brother-in-law,  Henry 
Sweet,  and  his  cousin,  Albert  S.  Reynolds,  he 
formed  the  manufacturing  firm  of  Davis,  Reynolds 
& Co.,  to  engage  in  the  business  of  manufacturing 
Kentucky  jeans,  and  continued  in  the  business  until 
1863,  when,  by  the  dropping  out  of  the  firm  of  Mr. 
Reynolds,  it  became  Davis  & Sweet.  Mr.  Davis 
continued  in  active  business  for  some  ten  years 
thereafter,  when,  in  1873,  lie  retired  and  rented  the 
mill  property. 

Mr.  Davis  was  instrumental  in  having  a post- 
office  established  at  Davis’s  Mills  in  1852,  and  the 
name  of  the  office  was  made  Davisville,  the  village 
thereafter  becoming  so  known.  Mr.  Davis  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster  of  the  new  office,  a position  he 
filled  with  great  fidelity  and  acceptance  to  the  peo- 
ple of  the  community  as  well  as  to  the  government  * 
for  the  next  fourteen  years.  During  the  years 
1866  and  1867  he  was  honored  by  his  fellow-towns- 
men with  a seat  in  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode 
Island,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  the  office  with 
that  efficiency  and  fidelity  characteristic  of  the  man. 

Mr.  Davis  was  a man  of  quiet  manner  and  sim- 
ple tastes,  unostentatious,  but  of  sterling  character 
and  worth,  such  as  any  community  could  well  hold 
in  the  highest  esteem  and  respect.  He  loved  his 
native  State,  the  home  of  his  ancestors  for  two  and 
more  centuries.  With  him  the  State’s  welfare  was 
of  paramount  consideration.  He  had  been  a mem- 
ber of  the  Aquidneck  Baptist  Church  from  its  or- 
ganization, and  was  a man  of  deep  religious  char- 
acter. He  was  careful  in  the  management  of  his 
business  affairs,  and  years  ago  retired  with  a com- 
petence, spending  the  evening  of  life  in  comfort  and 
ease.  His  death  occurred  Oct.  2,  1902. 

On  Oct.  22,  1840,  Mr.  Davis  was  married  to 
Mary  Ann  Allen,  daughter  of  James  and  Freelove 
(Pierce)  Allen,  of  North  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  and 
the  union  was  blessed  with  children  as  follows : 
Hettie;  Hannah  J.,  who  married  Mr.  Fayette  A.  B. 
Bennett,  of  Hope  Valley,  R.  I. ; Mary  D. ; Ida  G., 
who  married  Mr.  William  H.  Congdon,  of  War- 
wick ; and  Emma  A.,  who  married  Mr.  Christopher 
Allen,  of  Wales,  Massachusetts. 

(VII)  Jeffrey  Davis,  son  of  William  Dean, 
was  born  Sept.  2,  1850,  at  Centerville,  in  the  town 
of  Warwick,  R.  I.  After  due  preparation  for  col- 
lege he  entered  Brown  University  and  was  gradu- 
ated therefrom  in  the  class  of  1870,  with  the  degree 
of  P.  B.  His  forefathers  for  generations  having- 
been  millers  and  manufacturers,  it  was  but  natural 


1042 


RHODE  ISLAND 


for  him  to  fall -into  that  line,  which  he  did  after 
finishing  his  college  course.  Going  to  Uxbridge, 
Mass.,  he  worked  in  his  father's  mill  for  one  and  a 
half  years,  and  then  came  into  his  father’s  office  in 
Providence  as  bookkeeper.  In  1873  Stephen  Har- 
ris, Henry  Howard,  his  father,  William  D.  Davis, 
and  Christopher  and  John  Lippitt  formed  a co- 
partnership and  purchased  the  Lippitt  mill.  Mr. 
Jeffrey  Davis  was  made  treasurer  of  this  concern 
and  continued  in  that  position  until  the  organization 
of  the  Quidnick  Manufacturing  Company,  which 
was  incorporated  in  1884,  when  he  was  made  treas- 
urer of  the  new  company.  This  position  he  held 
for  several  years,  but  on  account  of  ill  health  he 
resigned,  still  continuing  his  connection  with  the 
company,  of  which  he  was  then  a stockholder  and 
of  which  now  he  is  the  principal  stockholder.  He 
was  advanced  to  the  presidency  in  1894,  and  still 
sustains  such  relation  with  the  corporation. 

The  mills  of  the  Quidnick  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany rank  among  the  most  attractive  and  substan- 
tial plants  in  the  State.  They  are  located  at  Quid- 
nick, in  the  Pawtuxet  valley.  The  Spragues,  of 
manufacturing  note  in  Rhode  Island,  spent  over  a 
million  dollars  upon  the  property  during  their  own- 
ership in  developing  the  water-power  and  improve- 
ments. The  property  finally  came  into  the  posses- 
sion of  the  present  company,  which,  as  before  stated, 
was  organized  in  tbe  year  1884,  by  William  D. 
Davis,  Henry  A.  Hidden,  George  W.  Butts,  Henry 
R.  Chase  and  Jeffrey  Davis.  William  D.  Davis 
bought  the  property  and  then  effected  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  corporation,  the  others  joining  him  as 
stockholders.  Up  to  that  time  the  product  of  the 
mills  consisted  of  64  by  64  print  cloths,  and  the 
corporation  at  once  commenced  to  make  improve- 
ments and  additions  and  changes  in  the  machinery, 
replacing  the  cloth  looms  with  wide  looms,  so  that 
at  present  the  mills  are  equipped  for  the  manufac- 
turing of  wide  sheetings,  twills,  fancy  goods,  etc., 
for  the  converting  trade.  The  present  capacity  of 
the  mills  is  about  40,000  spindles  and  1,000  looms. 
One-half  of  the  looms  are  fitted  with  Darbies  and 
now  produce  fancy  goods. 

Mr.  Jeffrey  Davis,  president  of  the  company,  is 
a member  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  and  has  been  for 
years  a director  of  several  banking  institutions  and 
of  insurance  and  manufacturing  companies  of  the 
State,  among  them  the  American  National  Bank, 
before  its  dissolution,  City  Savings  Bank  (a  trus- 
tee), Mercantile  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company, 
Providence  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  and 
American  Enamel  Company,  and  he  was  formerly 
a director  of  the  Armington  & Sims  Engine  Com- 
pany. While  in  college  Mr.  Davis  was  a Greek 
letter  fraternity  man,  belonging  to  the  Theta  Delta 
Chi,  and  he  is  a member  of  the  Hope  Club,  tbe 
University  Club  of  Providence,  the  Agawam  Hunt 
Club,  the  Providence  Art  Club  and  School  of  De- 
sign, and  of  the  Brown  Alumni  Club  of  New  York. 
He  has  always  been  a Republican  in  politics. 


On  Feb.  14,  1888,  Mr.  Davis  was  married  to 
Abby  Potter  Cunliffe. 

WEEKS  (Woonsocket  family).  The  Weeks 
family  from  which  the  Woodsocket  branch 
sprang  is  one  of  long  and  honorable  stand- 
ing both  in  Massachusetts  and  back  over 
the  ocean  in  old  England.  George  Weekes, 
of  Dorchester,  one  of  the  early  Puritans, 
is  said  by  the  early  chronicles  to  have  been  of  “an 
ancient  and  honorable  Devonshire  family.”  His 
posterity  have  been  continuous  here  in  New  Eng- 
land for  some  two  hundred  and  seventy  years,  the 
home  of  the  earlier  generations  especially  being 
through  eastern  and  central  Massachusetts,  where 
still  reside  many  of  the  name.  Here  in  Woon- 
socket, R.  I.,  resided  for  approximately  fifty  years 
the  late  Francis  Sylvester  Weeks,  one  of  that  com- 
munity’s substantial  men,  successful  in  business 
and  useful  and  prominent  in  citizenship,  and  here 
to-day  are  carrying  on  the  work  he  began,  and  with 
their  aid  developed,  his  sons,  one  of  whom,  who 
bears  the  father's  name,  Francis  Sylvester  Weeks, 
is  at  the  head  of  the  Weeks  Furniture  Company 
at  Woonsocket  and  of  the  same  type  of  man  as  was 
his  father. 

FI  ere  follows  in  chronological  order,  from  the 
immigrant  settler,  the  family  history  and  genealogy 
of  this  branch  of  the  Weeks  family. 

(I)  George  Weekes  (spelling  changed  in  a 
generation  or  two  to  Weeks)  came  from  Devon- 
shire, England,  in  the  ship,  with  Rev.  Richard 
Mather,  in  1635,  and  settled  at  Dorchester,  in  the 
Massachusetts  Bay  Colony.  He  is  said  by  the  early 
chroniclers  to  have  been  of  “an  ancient  and  honor- 
able Devonshire  family,”  whose  original  name  was 
Wrey,  whose  seat,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  four- 
teenth century,  was  at  North  Wyke,  in  Tawton 
Hundred,  about  twenty  miles  from  the  city  of 
Exeter.  Mr.  Weekes  at  Dorchester  was  a man  in 
high  estimation,  of  a religious  family.  He  pos- 
sessed superior  culture  for  his  time  and  held  a 
prominent  place  in  the  Colony.  He  was  made  a free- 
man in  1640,  and  was  one  of  the  selectmen  of  the 
town  in  1645,  1647,  1648,  and  perhaps  in  other 
years.  He  was  frequently  appointed  to  other  po- 
sitions of  trust.  He  was  a farmer  and  surveyor  and 
often  commissioned  to  lay  out  roads,  determine 
town  boundaries,  etc.  He  seems  to  have  taken 
special  interest  in  educational  affairs.  He  pos- 
sessed considerable  land.  His  wife  Jane  was  a 
sister  of  Capt.  George  Clap,  who  came  in  the  ship 
“Mary  and  John”  and  was  from  Salcombe  Regis, 
about  twelve  miles  east  of  Exeter,  in  Devonshire. 
Mr.  Weekes  died  Dec.  28,  1650.  His  widow  re- 
married and  died  Aug.  2,  1668.  The  children  of 
George  and  Jane  Weekes  were:  William,  James, 
Ammiel  and  Joseph,  all  born  in  England,  except- 
ing the  last  named,  who  was  born  in  Dorchester, 
Massachusetts. 

(II)  Ammiel  Weekes,  son  of  George,  born  in 
1632  or  1633,  in  England,  was  admitted  to  the 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1043 


church  in  Dorchester,  with  his  wife  Elizabeth,  May 
18,  1656.  He  was  made  a freeman  in  1657  and 
was  a land  holder  in  that  year.  He  was  constable 
in  1673,  1674  and  1678.  He,  like  his  father,  was 
was  probably  a surveyor.  He  lived  in  Dorchester, 
and  died  April  20,  1679,  when  but  forty-six  years 
of  age.  His  widow  lived  to  be  ninety,  dying  in 
1723.  Their  children  were:  William,  baptized 
Aug.  26,  1655;  Elizabeth,  baptized  Sept.  14,  1656; 
Thankful,  born  April  24,  1660;  Ammiel,  born  Sept. 
15,  1662;  Ebenezer,  born  May  15,  1665;  Joseph, 
born  Sept.  3,  1667;  Supply,  born  Aug.  26,  1671; 
Thomas,  born  Nov.  20,  1673;  and  Hannah,  born 
May  14,  1676. 

(III)  Supply  Weeks,  son  of  Ammiel,  born  Aug. 

26,  1671,  in  Dorchester,  Mass.,  married  (first) 
June  4,  1699,  Susanna,  daughter  of  Thomas 

Barnes,  and  adopted  daughter  of  Deacon  John 
Barnes,  of  Marlborough,  Mass.  She  died  Jan.  15, 
1712,  and  he  married  (second)  March  10,  1714-15, 
Mary  Holland,  born  Aug.  16,  1697,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  Holland,  of  Framingham,  Mass., 
a descendant  of  John  Holland,  of  Dorchester, 
Mass.,  1634.  Mr.  Weeks  was  a farmer  and  also  a 
shoemaker  or  “cord  wainer.”  His  homestead  is 
still  in  the  possession  of  his  descendants,  and  a 
portion  of  the  old  house  built  by  him  was  still 
standing  some  years  ago.  He  removed  to  Marl- 
borough, Mass.,  about  1697.  His  children  were: 
Thomas,  born  Sept.  5,  1700;  Jemima,  Feb.  23, 
1701-02;  Abigail,  Jan.  26,  1703-04;  Ammiel,  Oct. 
13.  March  3,  1707;  Elijah,  Feb.  4, 

1708-10  ( ?)  ; and  Susana,  Jan.  11,  1712. 

(IV)  (Col.)  John  Weeks,  ion  of  Supply,  born 
March  3,  1707,  in  Marlborough,  Mass.,  married 
in  1731  Dinah  Keys,  born  March  4,  1710.  Mr. 
Weeks  was  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  his  com- 
munity. He  held  a number  of  public  offices,  among 
them  being  those  of  colonel  in  the  militia,  deputy 
sheriff  and  justice  of  the  peace.  He  died  Feb.  11, 
1787.  Mrs.  Weeks  passed  away  Dec.  15,  1784. 
They  occupied  the  old  homestead.  Their  children 
were:  Josiah,  born  Nov.  1,  1732;  Francis,  June 
28,  1734;  Betsey,  Jan.  26,  1736;  Dinah,  Oct.  2, 
i/37;  J°hn,  July  25,  1739;  Jonathan,  Dec.  14  (or 
4),  1741;  and  Susana,  Nov.  5,  1743. 

(V)  Jonathan  Weeks,  son  of  Col.  John,  born 
Dec.  4 (or  14),  1741,  in  Marlborough,  Mass.,  mar- 
ried April  22,  1767,  Thankful,  born  Jan.  17,  1749, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Bigelow,  and 
lived  in  Marlboro,  Mass.  She  died  Nov.  3,  1775, 
and  he  married  (second)  Aug.  26,  1777,  Lucy, 
born  Feb.  27,  1752,  daughter  of  Micah  and  Mary 
(Howe)  Newton.  He  died  April  5,  1805,  and  she 
passed  away  July  1,  1817.  His  children  were: 
John,  born  Oct.  1,  1768;  Aaron,  July  30,  1770; 
Elizabeth,  Dec.  2,  1772  (all  born  to  the  first  mar- 
riage) ; Jonathan,  Oct.  31,  1778;  David,  May  26, 
1781;  Mary,  July  10, --1783;  Solomon,  Sept.  14, 
1785;  Phebe,  Jan.  23,  1788;  Francis,  Nov.  1,  1790; 
and  Lucy,  Oct.  15,  1793. 


(\  I)  Francis  Weeks,  son  of  Jonathan,  born 
Nov.  1,  1790,  in  Marlborough,  Mass.,  married 
(first)  Jan.  14,  1814,  Sarah,  born  March  1,  1791, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Brown.  She 
died  May  13,  1825,  and  he  married  (second)  July 
25,  1825,  Hannah  Burnap  Brown,  born  June  11, 
1803,  a sister  of  his  first  wife.  Mr.  Weeks  was  a 
farmer  at  Algtead,  N.  H.,  removing  to  Marl- 
borough in  1822.  He  died  Jan.  4,  1868,  and  his 
widow  passed  away  August  16th  of  that  same 
year.  His  children  were : Lucy,  born  and  died 
between  1814  and  1848;  Heaman  Seaver,  born  and 
died  between  1814  and  1848;  Lewis  Brown,  born 
June  14,  1818;  Francis  Sylvester,  born  Oct.  28, 
1822  (all  by  the  first  marriage)  ; Sarah  Brown, 
born  Jan.  16,  1830;  and  William  Lyman,  born  Jan. 
8,  1834. 

(VII)  Francis  Sylvester  Weeks,  son  of 
Francis,  born  Oct.  28,  1822,  in  Marlborough,  Mass., 
married  June  5,  1849,  Susan  E.  Brown,  of  Black- 
stone,  Mass.,  born  July  19,  1826. 

Mr.  Weeks  in  his  early  life  was  engaged  in 
educational  work.  He  was  a studeqt  in  boyhood 
of  the  old  Rice  Academy  at  Holliston,  Mass.,  to 
which  institution  he  later  returned  as  a teacher;  he 
was  for  a period  an  instructor  in  the  famous  old 
Phillips  Academy,  at  Andover,  Mass. ; still  later 
for  four  years  he  was  principal  of  the  Shrewsbury 
(Mass.)  Academy;  he  also  for  a period  was  en- 
gaged in  conducting  private  schools  in  and  about 
Blackstone. 

In  1853  Mr.  Weeks  came  to  Woonsocket,  R.  I., 
and  here  engaged  in  the  stationery  business,  pur- 
chasing the  store  formerly  carried  on  by  the  late 
Joseph  Perkins,  in  the  Music  Hall  building.  While 
thus  engaged  he  was  also  superintendent  of  the 
schools  of  the  town  of  Cumberland.  He,  too,  was 
occupied  as  a civil  engineer  and  laid  out  many  of 
the  streets  of  Woonsocket  as  they  now  appear.  In 
1869  Mr.  Weeks  engaged  in  the  furniture  business 
in  the  Gilbert  block,  on  North  Main  street,  estab- 
lishing what  has  since  been  developed  into  the  ex- 
tensive furniture  house  of  the  Weeks  Furniture 
Company,  at  the  head  of  which  is  the  present 
Francis  Sylvester  Weeks.  The  elder  Mr.  Weeks 
was  the  first  tenant  in  the  block  just  referred  to 
after  its  completion.  Subsequently  he  moved  his 
business  to  the  Monument  House  block,  which  was 
burned  in  March,  1877.  At  this  time  he  retired 
from  active  business,  his  son  Francis  S.  Weeks, 
Jr.,  succeeding  him  in  the  enterprise. 

Mr.  Weeks’s  life  was  a long  and  busy  one,  and 
as  well  one  of  usefulness.  Here  in  Woonsocket 
and  vicinity  he  was  well  and  favorably  known.  He 
was  a man  of  high  sense  of  honor,  a man  of  char- 
acter, in  whom  the  community  had  confidence.  He 
made  friends  and  held  them.  He  was  prominent 
and  popular  in  the  community. 

On  his  retirement  from  active  business  in  the 
late  seventies  Mr.  Weeks  removed  to-  his  country 
residence  at  Cumberland  Hill.  Here  he  died  Dec.  26, 


1044 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1898,  of  penumonia,  the  result  of  an  attack  of  La 
Grippe.  From  this  home  took  place  his  funeral, 
which  was  conducted  by  the  pastor  of  the  Globe 
Congregational  Church,  of  which  the  deceased  was 
a member.  The  pall-bearers  on  the  occasion  were : 
Otis  Brown,  of  Milford,  Mass. ; Dr.  George  Small, 
of  Providence ; Dr.  A.  E.  Gray,  of  Uxbridge, 
Mass. ; and  Herbert  B.  and  Walter  O.  Brown  and 
Stafford  C.  Clough,  all  of  Woonsocket. 

On  the  occasion  of  Mr.  Weeks’s  death,  one  of 
the  local  papers  said  editorially:  “Francis  S. 
Weeks,  Sr.,  had  seen  Woonsocket  grow  up  from 
a straggling  collection  of  mill  villages  to  a compact 
city,  and  had  done  well  his  part  in  the  activities  of 
business  life  in  furthering  educational  interests  and 
in  religious  and  temperance  work.  He  had  lived  to 
a ripe  age,  and  his  memory  will  be  cherished  as 
that  of  a noble  man  and  citizen  worthy  to  be 
honored.” 

Mrs.  Weeks  and  two  sons  survived  the  hus- 
band and  father,  and  the  widow  makes  her  home 
on  Cumberland  Hill.  Three  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weeks:  Emma  B.,  Francis  S. 
and  Frederick  B.,  the  last  named  born  May  12, 
18C0. 

Francis  S.  Weeks,  Jr.,  treasurer  and  general 
manager  of  the  Weeks  Furniture  Company,  was 
born  in  Woonsocket  Sept.  15,  1855,  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  and  high  schools  there.  At 
the  age  of  sixteen  he  entered  his  father’s  store  as 
clerk,  and  there  learned  all  the  details  of  the  busi- 
ness, being  advanced  in  position  as  soon  as  he  had 
thoroughly  mastered  his  duties.  In  1877,  when  the 
building  and  stock  were  destroyed  by  fire,  he 
started  in  business  for  himself  on  North  Main 
street,  where  he  continued  until  1882,  at  which  time 
he  changed  the  name  of  the  business  to  the  Weeks 
Furniture  Company.  Through  his  good  manage- 
ment and  personality  the  business  has  grown  ex- 
tensively, and  in  1886  he  was  obliged  to  increase 
his  capacity,  the  store  now  being  a four-story  brick 
block,  with  floor  space  of  25,000  square  feet,  mak- 
ing it  one  of  the  largest  in  the  State.  In  1897  the 
company  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of 
Rhode  Island,  with  Frederick  B.  Weeks  as  presi- 
dent; Francis  S.  Weeks  as  treasurer  and  manager; 
and  Walter  D.  Peck  as  secretary.  To  the  furniture 
and  house-furnishing  business  they  have  added 
wall-paper,  and  are  the  largest  dealers  in  that  line 
in  the  city.  By  his  tact  and  ability  Mr.  Weeks  has 
built  up  a successful  and  substantial  business  enter- 
prise. Fie  is  honorable  in  his  dealings,  prompt  in 
the  execution  of  orders,  and  courteous  to  his  cus- 
tomers, thus  winning  and  retaining  the  respect 
of  the  entire  community. 

In  politics  Mr.  Weeks  is  a Republican,  but 
he  takes  no  active  part  in  party  work.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  B.  P.  O.  E.  at  Woonsocket.  His 
religious  belief  is  that  of  the  Congregational 
Church. 


In  1875,  in  Woonsocket,  Mr.  Weeks  married 
Mary  E.  Miller,  daughter  of  the  late  Edwin  Ballou 
Miller.  They  have  no  living  children. 

GOODWIN  (Pawtucket  family).  While  the 
Pawtucket  family  of  Goodwins  of  which  this  article 
treats  is  not  an  old  Rhode  Island  one  it  is  a branch 
of  one  of  the  ancient  New  England  families,  and 
here  at  Pawtucket  it  is  one  of  approximately  fifty 
years’  standing,  and  one,  too,  of  achievement 
and  usefulness ; reference  being  made  especially  to- 
the  Hon.  Alrrion  Kent  Goodwin,  the  head  of  the 
Pawtucket  family  of  this  name,  whose  career  here 
has  been  a conspicuous  one,  and  who  has  served  his 
adopted  city  long  and  well  in  various  public  cap- 
acities, having  several  times  represented  it  in  the 
General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island,  having  been  its 
chief  executive  officer  a number  of  times,  and  for 
many  years  its  efficient  postmaster,  which  office  he 
still  holds. 

The  Goodwins  of  the  locality  in  Maine— South 
Berwick — from  which  place  came  the  Pawtucket 
family  of  the  name  descend  from  Daniel  Goodwin, 
who  was  an  inhabitant  at  Kittery,  Maine,  as  early 
as  1652.  Crossing  the  ocean,  going  back  in  old  Eng- 
land, it  is  found  that  there  lived  in  Yoxford, 
County  of  Suffolk,  one  Daniel  Goodwin,  gentleman, 
and  his  wife  Dorothy.  Mr.  Goodwin’s  will,  proved 
Feb.  16,  1625,  left  his  estate  to  his  minor  sons 
Daniel  and  Stephen,  both  of  whom  came  to  Amer- 
ica, Daniel  settling  in  Kittery,  Maine,  and  Stephen 
in  Charlestown,  Mass.  As  stated,  Daniel  was  at  Kit- 
tery as  early  as  1652,  on  Dec.  15th  of  which  year 
he  was  granted  land,  and  also  more  in  1656,  1659, 
1670,  and  so  on.  He  was  twice  married,  first  to- 
Margaret,  daughter  of  Thomas  Spencer,  of  Kittery, 
and  second  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Turbet,  widow  of  Peter 
Turbet  and  daughter  of  John  Sanders.  Sarah 
Goodwin  was  admitted  to  the  church  in  Berwick  in 
April,  1703,  when  called  widow.  Daniel  Goodwin’s 
name  heads  the  list  of  the  founders  of  the  church 
in  1702.  His  children  were:  Daniel,  William, 
Moses,  a daughter  who  married  Daniel  Stone,  and 
Thomas,  the  latter  marrying  Mehitable  Plaisted,  of 
Berwick. 

From  the  foregoing  source  came  the  numerous 
Goodwins  of  the  section  of  Maine  indicated,  and 
through  the  last  mentioned  son,  Thomas  Goodwin, 
descended  Governor  Ichabod  Goodwin  of  New 
Hampshire,  whose  daughter  Susie  became  the  wife 
of  the  then  Lieutenant  George  Dewey,  U.  S.  N., 
since  Admiral  Dewey,  the  hero  of  Manila  Bay.  And 
about  the  early  home  and  married  life  of  Thomas 
and  Mehitable  (Plaisted)  Goodwin  clusters  history. 
In  March,  1689-90,  Mrs.  Goodwin  was  taken  cap- 
tive by  the  Indians  and  subjected  to  all  kinds  of 
hardships,  her  infant  babe  being  killed  at  her  breast, 
and  she  being  made  to  witness  all  kinds  of  inhuman 
torture  in  connection  witlt  the  deed.  She  was  car- 
ried a captive  into  Canada  and  not  returned  to  her 

V 


* 

■ 


' 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1045 


family  for  five  years.  One  of  their  descendants, 
perhaps  their  son,  Capt.  Ichabod  Goodwin,  fought 
in  Colonel  Preble's  regiment  of  Provincials  and  fell 
wounded  July  8,  1758,  at  the  terrible  battle  at 
Ticonderoga,  which  lasted  more  than  four  hours, 
with  a loss  of  464  regulars  killed,  279  wounded  and 
8 missing,  and  was  especially  mentioned  in  the  re- 
port of  Major-General  Abercrombie. 

The  South  Berwick  (Maine) -Pawtucket  (R.  I.) 
Goodwins  descend  in  maternal  line  from  an  ancient 
and  honorable  family  not  only  in  Maine  but  back 
in  old  England,  where  lived  and  died  George 
Preble.  He  was  one  of  the  Queen’s  Justices  of  the 
Peace  “Within  the  East  Riding  of  York,”  to  whom 
was  granted  the  family  arms  in  1585.  Abraham 
Preble,  son  of  George,  came  with  the  family  from 
Tent  Rider,  in  Kent,  England,  to  Plymouth  Colony, 
and  settled  at  Scituate,  being  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  the  town,  in  1636.  He  removed  to  York, 
Maine,  in  1641,  marrying  in  that  year  Judith, 
daughter  of  Nathaniel  Tilden.  He  was  the  first 
magistrate  or  mayor  of  York  (in  1645),  judge 
(1647-57),  county  commissioner  and  treasurer.  So 
much  for  the  origin  of  this  Pawtucket  Goodwin 
family,  whose  head 

Almon  Kent  Goodwin  was  born  March  27, 
1839,  in  South  Berwick,  Maine,  the  son  of  Augus- 
tus and  Mercy  (Prebl^)  Goodwin,  and  there  ac- 
quired his  early  education  and  prepared  for  college, 
attending  both  the  public  schools  and  academy  until 
seventeen  years  of  age.  Having  decided  to  adopt 
the  medical  profession  and  not  enter  college,  he 
came  to  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  in  1857,  for  medical 
study  under  the  direction  of  the  late  Dr.  Svlvanus 
Clapp,  but  after  pursuing  his  studies  for  a time  he 
changed  his  mind,  turning  his  attention  to  what 
seemed  more  in  keeping  with  his  tastes,  and  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  business,  being  for  a number  of. 
rears  the  senior  member  of  the  well-known  firm  of 
Goodwin  & Allen,  wholesale  flour  dealers  of  Provi- 
dence, and  continuing  this  business  until  1887. 

Mr.  Goodwin  has  always  been  prominent  in 
public  affairs.  He  was  early  interested  in  politics 
and  has  been  identified  with  the  Republican  party 
from  its  origin  and  prominent  in  its  councils.  His 
eloquent  and  earnest  advocacy  of  its  principles  on 
the  stump  and  elsewhere  secured  for  him  immediate 
notice.  He  was  chairman  of  the  Republican  Town 
Committee  of  Pawtucket  for  many  years  prior  to  its 
incorporation  as  a city,  and  continued  as  chairman 
of  the  City  Committee  until  his  election  as  mayor. 
He  was  chairman  of  the  Republican  State  Central 
Committee  for  a number  of  years,  and  under  his 
vigorous  lead  the  party  won  manv  a decisive  and 
important  victory.  He  was  a member  of  the  Rhode 
Island  General  Assembly  in  1875,  1876  and  1882, 
during  which  time 'he  served  as  a member  of  the 
committee  on  Corporations  and  as  chairman  of  the 
committee  on  Militia.  He  was  a delegate  to  the 
National  Republican  Convention  in  1880  which 
nominated  James  A.  Garfield.  He  served  as  auditor 


of  the  town  and  city  of  Pawtucket  for  several  years 
and  as  auditor  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  in  1887. 
In  the  latter  year  he  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city 
of  Pawtucket,  serving  two  years  (1888  and  1889), 
and  was  again  elected  in  1890,  serving  during  1891. 
I he  second  time  he  was  elected  mayor  he  carried 
every  ward  in  the  city,  Democratic  and  Republican. 
After  his  third  term  he  refused  to  again  be  a candi- 
date. As  the  city's  chief  executive  officer  he  was 
conservative  yet  progressive,  and  suggested  and 
carried  to  completion  many  public  improvements. 
In  1891  he  was  appointed  State  commissioner  of 
the  Bureau  of  Labor  and  Statistics  and  served  as 
such  until  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Paw- 
tucket in  1892,  which  position  he  still  holds.  He 
has  always  been  interested  in  the  improvement  and 
prosperity  of  the  city  and  has  been  a member  of 
the  Business  Men's  Association  from  its  inception, 
serving  on  the  executive  committee  and  as  presi- 
dent of  the  association.  Mr.  Goodwin  was  for 
many  years  active  in  the  State  militia,  and  did  good 
service  in  this  line  while  a member  of  the  General 
Assembly.  He  served  on  the  staffs  of  Major-Gen- 
eral Plorace  Daniels  and  Major-General  William  R. 
Walker.  He  has  been  prominent  and  active  in  pub- 
lic affairs  and  although  always  a Republican,  and 
closely  identified  with  that  party  for  nearly  forty 
years,  his  first  vote  being  cast  for  Abraham  Lincoln, 
he  has  ever  been  popular  with  men  of  all  parties. 

Colonel  Goodwin  is  a man  of  marked  ability, 
as  evinced  in  the  successful  conduct  of  the  many 
public  offices  he  has  held  in  the  city  and  State.  Pie 
is  a hard  worker,  a skilful  manipulator,  a pleasant 
speaker,  affable  and  courteous  to  all,  and  most 
popular. 

In  1858  Almon  K.  Goodwin  was  married  to 
Sarah  M.  Tower,  daughter  of  the  late  John  C. 
Tower,  of  Pawtucket,  and  sister  of  the  gallant  Capt. 
Levi  Tower,  of  the  2d  Regiment,  Rhode  Island 
Volunteers,  who  fell  during  the  Civil  war  at  the 
memorable  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861. 
Mrs.  Goodwin  died  Feb.  19,  1892.  She  was  a 
woman  of  marked  cheerfulness  of  disposition,  com- 
bined with  a kindly  and  sympathetic  nature,  and  her 
character  and  ability  made  her  an  influence  for  good 
in  the  community.  She  possessed  a fine  voice,  of 
unusual  quality,  and  only  her  devotion  to  home  and 
family  and  distaste  for  public  life  prevented  her  be- 
ing even  more  widely  known  as  a concert  singer  of 
distinction.  The  only  child  of  this  union,  Margaret 
Kent,  has  inherited  the  musical  talent  of  her 
mother,  and  is  now  a leading  pianist  in  the  State. 

On  Nov.  22,  1899.  Colonel  Goodwin  was  again 
married,  to  Elizabeth  G.  Potter,  daughter  of  George 
H.  Potter,  of  Providence.  They  have  had  no  chil- 
dren. Colonel  Goodwin  and  his  family  attend  Trin- 
ity Episcopal  Church  of  Pawtucket. 

Augustus  Goodwin,  father  of  Almon  K..  was  an 
extensive  farmer  in  South  Berwick,  Maine,  and 
one  of  its  representative  men,  being  active  in  all 
public  affairs,  serving  his  town  as  selectman  for 


1046 


RHODE  ISLAND 


several  years  and  holding  other  offices  of  trust  and 
honor,  and  his  genial  good  nature  made  and  held 
for  him  many  stanch  friendships.  He  lived  to  the 
venerable  age  of  eighty-two  years,  his  first  wife, 
Mercy  Preble,  of  York,  Maine,  passing  away  at  the 
age  of  forty-two  years.  Mr.  Goodwin  wras  a second 
time  married  to  Mrs.  David  Bodwell  (nee  Wil- 
liams) of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  no 
children.  His  children  by  his  first  wife  were  : Eve- 
line, who  married  David  W.  Downs,  of  South  Ber- 
wick, Maine ; Armine,  who  married  J.  Edwin 
Staples,  of  York,  Maine;  Almon  K. ; Leonard  W., 
who  was  engaged  in  conducting  the  homestead 
farm,  where  he  died  Jan.  17,  1902  (his  wife,  Laura 
Cater,  of  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  surviving  him)  ; 
and  Ann  M.,  who  died  in  infancy. 

BRYER  FAMILY.  Newport  numbers  among 
its  inhabitants  a goodly  proportion  of  those  who  rep- 
resent families  dating  back  to  the  earliest  years  of 
the  Colony  and  who  bear  names  that  have  at  var- 
ious times  been  prominently  identified  with . the 
business  and  social  interests  of  the  city.  Among 
these  is  the  Bryer  family,  members  of  which  have 
lived  there  since  1680  at  least,  and  probably  ante- 
date that  time  by  several  years. 

(I)  Joseph  Bryer  was  born  in  England  in  1645, 
and  is  on  record  at  Newport  as  a tax-payer  in  1680. 
His  first  wife  was  Mary,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Wait  (Coggeshall)  Gould,  who  was  born  March  2, 
1653.  They  were  married  June  22,  1672,  and  had 
one  daughter,  Elizabeth,  born  June  18,  1682,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Joseph  Borden.  Mary  (Gould) 
Bryer  died  Jan.  9,  1691,  and  Feb.  5,  1692,  Joseph 
Bryer  married  (second)  Mary  Palmer,  of  West- 
chester, Pa.  Their  children  were : Mary,  born 
Nov.  8,  1692;  Joseph,  Sept.  5,  1694  (who  died 
Nov.  5,  1 7 1 1 ) ; Matthew,  Aug.  23,  1696;  and  John, 
Sept.  17,  1703..  Joseph  Bryer  died  May  31,  1704, 
and  was  buried  beside  his  first  wife  in  the  Clifton 
burying-ground.  His  will,  proved  in  1704,  refers 
to  his  wife  and  to  his  oldest  son  Joseph,  who  was 
to  have  the  household  in  England  after  the 
another's  decease. 

(II)  John  Bryer,  born  in  1703,  resided  with  his 
wife  Elizabeth  in  Newport,  where  he  died  in  1749. 
Children  were  born  to  them  as  follows:  Jonathan, 
October,  1724  (who  died  Aug.  18,  1725)  ; Joseph, 
Nov.  14,  1730;  Jonathan  (2),  Dec.  5,  1732;  and 
John. 

(III)  Joseph  Bryer  was  born  Nov.  14,  1730. 

(IV)  Elias  Bryer,  born  in  Newport,  died  there. 
He  married  Mary  Tillinghast. 

(V)  John  Bryer  was  born  in  Newport,  where 
he  died  at  an  advanced  age.  He  was  one  of  the  old 
time  shop-keepers  of  the  city,  established  on  Long 
Wharf,  where  he  dealt  in  groceries,  licpiors  and  gen- 
eral ship  supplies.  He  married  June  18,  1797,  Eliza- 
beth Burns,  daughter  of  John  Burns,  of  Newport, 
and  he  had  a family  of  eight  children : Staffer, 


Peleg,  William,  Benjamin,  John,  Sallie,  Mary  and 
Capt.  James. 

(VI)  Peleg  Bryer,  like  his  father  a lifelong 
resident  of  Newport,  was  born  Jan.  12,  1800,  and 
died  Oct.  5,  1867.  A cooper  by  trade,  he  was  for 
a long  time  established  in  that  line  on  Bull  street, 
but  later  in  life  went  into  the  mercantile  field  in- 
stead, and  locating  on  Broadway  dealt  in  groceries, 
liquors  and  general  merchandise  till  his  death.  He 
left  quite  a little  fortune,  for  he  was  a shrewd 
business  man  and  reaped  good  profits.  His  was 
not  a nature  to  seek  the  publicity  of  political  life, 
but  he  was  a loyal  Democrat  of  the  old  school.  In 
religious  matters  he  united  early  in  life  with  the 
Baptist  Church,  but  in  his  later  years  attended  the 
Methodist  Church. 

In  1823  Peleg  Bryer  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Mary,  daughter  of  William  Caswell,  of  Newport. 
She  was  born  in  1803  and  died  in  1873,  six  years 
after  her  husband.  Their  family,  a large  one,  con- 
sisted of  six  sons  and  four  daughters:  (1)  Staf- 
ford was  an  undertaker  and  furniture  dealer  in 
Newport.  (2)  William  was  at  first  in  the  cooper- 
age business,  later  a grocer  on  Broadway.  He 
married  (first)  Miss  Ann  Huddy  and  (second) 
Mrs.  Charlotte  (Slocum)  Sherman.  (3)  Elizabeth 
became  the  wife  of  Leander  Dunwell,  and  had  one 
son,  Benjamin  B.  This  son  married  Miss  Lydia 
Millican,  of  Block  Island,  and  they  have  one  daugh- 
ter, named  Elizabeth.  Leander  Dunwell  died  and 
his  widow  married  Joseph  M.  Coit,  by  whom  she 
had  one  son,  Joseph.  (4)  Peleg,  born  May  8,  1831, 
embarked  in  the  grocery  business  with  his  father 
and  since  the  latter's  death  has  been  conducting  it 
alone.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  C.  Chambers,  of 
Newport,  and  they  have  five  children,  viz.:  Sarah 
E. ; Peleg,  Jr.;  Lillian  Burns;  James  Monroe,  who 
married  Miss  Cora  Rollins,  of  South  Auburn, 
Maine,  and  resides  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  agent  for 
Austin  Nichols  & Co.,  wholesale  groceries  of  New 
York;  and  Florence  Nigntingale,  who  married 
(first)  Albert  T.  Cowie,  of  Washington,  D.  C.,  and 
(second)  Irving  P.  Irons,  of  Providence.  (5) 
Benjamin,  born  April  24,  1833,  died  May  18,  1898. 
He  was  a tea  merchant  in  New  York.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  Oakley,  of  London,  England,  who 
died  May  10,  1883,  the  mother  of  seven  children, 
born  as  follows:  Albert,  Oct.  11,  1856;  Leander 
Dunwell,  Oct.  7.  1857 ; Charlotte  Caswell,  March  2, 
1859;  Robert  Scrymser,  who  died  aged  four; 
Louise  Lockwood,  June  24,  1865  ; Marie  Lee,  Jan. 
5,  1869;  and  Bessie  Hutchinson,  June  4,  1875.  The 
oldest  son,  Albert,  a tea  broker  in  China,  married 
Miss  Rachel  Addison  Wetmore,  who  was  born 
in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  I,  i860,  and  who  died 
April  6,  1900.  They  had  three  children  : Ronald,  who 
lived  only  five  years ; Ethelind  S.,  born  in  Amoy, 
China,  July  10,  1886;  and  Ottilie,  born  in  Brooklyn, 
Dec.  7,  1891.  (6)  Andrew  is  a retired  business 

man  in  Newport.  (7)  Flarriet  C.,  deceased,  mar- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1047 


riecl  George  Oakley,  of  Newport.  (8)  Lydia 
Whifehorn  married  (first)  George  W.  Mitchell,  by 
whom  she  had  one  daughter,  Georgia,  now  the  wife 
of  Frederick  D.  Hollister,  of  Brooklyn,  and  mother 
of  one  daughter,  named  Jessie  Oakley.  For  her 
second  husband  Mrs.  Mitchell  married  Lyman  A. 
Mitchell,  by  whom  she  had  three  children,  Jessie, 
Charlotte  C.  and  Mark  Alden.  (9)  Mary  Buloid 
married  the  late  John  Lake,  of  Bristol,  R.  I.,  and 
had  three  children,  Dr.  John,  Mary  Bryer  and  Eliz- 
abeth Briggs.  (10)  John  H.,  a fruit  and  vegetable 
dealer  in  Newport,  married  Miss  Susan  Dawley,  of 
that  city,  and  has  three  children,  viz. : Grace 

Walton,  now  Mrs.  Henry  H.  Lawton,  of  Newport; 
Marian  Caswell,  who  married  Dr.  William  R. 
Howard,  of  Newport;  and  John  H.,  Jr. 

(VII)  Stafford  Bryer,  eldest  son  of  Peleg,  was 
born  in  Newport  in  1824.  He  went  to  the  public 
schools  there  and  after  that  was  apprenticed  to 
Simeon  Hazard,  a cabinet-maker  with  whom  he 
remained  several  years.  He  and  Michael  Cottrell 
then  established  the  firm  of  Cottrell  & Bryer,  furni- 
ture dealers,  located  at  the  corner  of  Church  and 
Division  streets.  They  rented  this  land  for  several 
years,  putting  up  their  own  store  and  factory.  From 
there  they  removed  to  Thames  street,  on  the 
present  site  of  the  Boston  Store,  where  they  con- 
tinued in  partnership  till  about  1870.  Thereafter 
Air.  Bryer  carried  on  the  business  alone.  A few 
vears  later  he  bought  property  on  the  opposite  side 
of  Thames  street,  No.  156,  put  up  a large  block 
which  still  stands  there,  and  occupied  three  floors 
thereof  himself.  He  carried  on  both  a furniture 
and  undertaking  business  and  was  so  uniformly 
successful  that  he  built  up  a competence.  He  con- 
fined his  attention  almost  exclusively  to  his  own 
business,  refusing  all  offers  of  political  office,  al- 
though he  was  a loyal  supporter  of  his  party,  the 
Democratic.  He  was  a member  of  Coronet  Coun- 
cil, No.  63,  Royal  Arcanum,  of  Newport.  He 
united  early  in  life  with  the  Baptist  Church  and  for 
some  years  was  a teacher  in  the  Sabbath-school. 

Stafford  Bryer  became  the  husband  of  Miss 
Susan  Frances  Lovie  Gladding,  daughter  of  Henry 
Gladding,  of  Newport.  This  happy  union  was 
ended  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Bryer,  April  21,  1892. 
To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  a family  of  six 
children:  (1)  The  first-born,  James,  died  young. 
(2)  Henry  Gladding  was  in  business  with  his 
father.  (3)  Charles  E.  is  a painter  and  decorator, 
living  in  the  West.  (4)  Stafford,  Jr.,  was  formerly 
engaged  in  the  furniture  business  in  Newport,  but 
later  was  for  many  years  in  the  tailoring  business 
in  Providence,  where  he  died.  He  married  Miss 
Martha  Carr,  and  they  have  had  three  children, 
John,  Mabel,  and  a daughter  who  died  in  infancy. 
(5)  William  S.  was  a butcher  in  Newport  for  many 
years,  and  served  for  some  time  as  assistant  com- 
missary for  the  Newport  Artillery.  He  married 
Miss  Georgianna  McDonald,  of  Westerly,  and  died 
leaving  her  with  three  children,  Arthur,  Gardner 
and  Philip.  (6)  Nellie  Lovie  married  (first)  Wil- 


liam Moffitt,  of  Newport,  by  whom  she  had  two 
children,  Godfrey  (2)  (deceased)  and  William,  Jr. 
Her  second  husband  was  William  H.  Wolcott,  to 
whom  she  bore  one  son,  Harold  Bradford.  Mrs. 
Wolcott  died  in  Newport  Oct.  31,  1892. 

(VII)  Andrew  Bryer  was  born  Sept.  15, 
1835,  the  fifth  son  of  Peleg  and  Mary  (Caswell) 
Bryer.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  was  taken  out  of 
school  and  became  a clerk  in  his  father’s  grocery 
store,  remaining  in  that  capacity  till  he  reached 
his  majority.  At  that  age  lie  started  in  business 
on  his  own  account  and  opened  a restaurant  on 
Thames  street,  where  the  Boston  Store  now  stands. 
After  seven  years  in  those  quarters  he  bought  the 
business  block  across  the  street,  which  has  since 
been  known  as  Bryer’s  Exchange,  and  occupied  it 
for  about  twenty  years.  The  enterprise  was  a very 
profitable  one  and  in  1884  he  was  enabled  to  retire 
and  devote  his  whole  time  to  looking  after  the 
various  other  interests  in  which  he  had  invested. 
During  his  active  business  career  Mr.  Bryer  acted 
at  one  time  as  State  agent  for  the  Poland  Spring 
Water  Company.  He  also  had  charge  for  nine  years 
of  the  Narragansett  Gun  Club,  which  was  located  at 
that  time  on  his  fine  farm  in  Middletown,  R.  I.,  a 
tract  of  100  acres.  As  James  Gordon  Bennett  was 
president  of  the  club  during  this  period,  Mr.  Bryer 
was  brought  into  close  connection  with  that  emi- 
nent man. 

Air.  Bryer  has  evinced  considerable  interest  in 
Masonry  and  belongs  to  St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  1, 
A.  F.  and  A.  Al. ; Newport  Royal  Arch  Chapter, 
No.  2;  DeBlois  Council,  No.  5,  R.  and  S.  AL,  in 
which  he  served  several  years  as  conductor ; Wash- 
ington Commandery,  No.  4,  K.  T. ; and  Palestine 
Temple,  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Providence.  Fie  is  also 
a member  of  Coronet  Council,  No.  63,  Royal  Ar- 
canum, of  Newport.  In  politics  Air.  Bryer  votes 
the  Democratic  ticket.  His  church  affiliation  is 
with  the  Methodists,  as  his  family  are  members 
of  that  denomination. 

On  Aug.  9,  1857,  Mr.  Bryer  was  joined  in 
matrimony  to  Aliss  Rebecca  K.  Babcock,  the 
daughter  of  George  Babcock,  of  Newport, 
a union  which  endured  for  nearly  thirty  years 
and  was  broken  only  bv  the  death  of  Airs.  Bryer, 
July  24,  1887.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren, namely:  Walter  B.,  a carpenter  in  Newport, 
who  married  Aliss  Florence  A.  Duff,  of  Kansas 
City,  Mo.,  and  has  two  children,  Andrew  Harris 
and  Helen  Alarie ; Elizabeth  Hazard,  at  home; 
Sarah  W.,  who  married  Irving  FI.  Gamwell,  of 
Holliston,  Alass.,  at  present  the  superintendent  of 
schools  at  Franklin,  Alass.,  and  who  has  one  daugh- 
ter, Constance;  and  Russell  K.,  a graduate  of  the 
Philadelphia  Dental  College  and  now  practising  in 
New  York  City. 

(VIII)  Henry  Gladding  Bryer,  son  of  Staf- 
ford and  Susan  F.  L.  (Gladding)  Bryer,  was  born 
in  Newport  Dec.  25,  1848.  . During  his  earlier 
years  he  studied  in  the  public  schools  and  then  was 
sent  to  East  Greenwich  Academy,  where  he  re- 


1048 


RHODE  ISLAND 


mained  till  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  had 
meantime  acquired  considerable  familiarity  with 
the  manufacture  and  repair  of  furniture,  and  so 
decided  to  establish  himself  in  that  line.  He  opened 
a place  on  Sherman’s  Wharf  for  the  manufacture 
of  coffins  and  furniture,  together  with  upholstering 
and  the  repairing  of  furniture  and  did  a good  busi- 
ness for  four  or  five  years,  but  after  his  father 
and  Mr.  Cottrell  dissolved  partnership  he  went  in 
with  the  former  and  succeeded  to  the  sole  manage- 
ment of  the  business  after  his  father's  death.  Dur- 
ing his  association  with  his  father  Mr.  Bryer  was 
made  assistant  city  undertaker,  appointed  by  the 
city  council,  and  held  that  position  several  years. 

Henry  G.  Bryer  was  one  of  the  charter  mem- 
bers of  the  Newport  Light  Infantry,  and  later  was 
connected  for  several  years  with  the  Newport 
Artillery  Company.  Socially  he  held  membership 
in  Redwood  Lodge,  No.  11,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
of  Newport,  and  belonged  to  the  Uniform  Rank. 
In  politics  he  was  a Democrat  on  national  issues, 
but  independent  in  city  affairs. 

Mrs.  Bryer  was  Miss  Lydia  Rhodes,  and  was 
married  in  February,  1867.  She  was  born  in  Stock- 
port,  England,  but  was  brought  to  this  country  by 
her  parents,  George  and  Elizabeth  Rhodes,  when 
only  three  months  old.  Mrs.  Bryer  was  an  attend- 
ant of  the  Episcopal  Church.  She  passed  away 
June  15,  1906,  aged  fifty-five  years  and  Mr.  Bryer 
died  at  his  residence  on  Mount  Vernon  street,  New- 
port, Nov.  29,  1907,  aged  fifty-eight  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bryer  had  three  children,  viz. : George 
H.,  born  in  September,  1868,  a painter  and  paper- 
hanger  in  Newport,  who  married  Miss  Laura  Bar- 
low  and  has  three  children,  Lydia  E.,  Reginald  N. 
and  Dorothy;  Frank  E.,  mentioned  below;  and 
Howard  Barton,  born  in  July,  1879,  who  graduated 
from  the  University  of  Maryland,  class  of  1907, 
with  the  degree  of  M.  D. 

(IX)  Frank  E.  Bryer  was  born  Jan.  25,  1870. 
His  business  is  that  of  paper-hanging,  painting  and 
decorating,  and  he  has  done  well  in  this  line,  having 
a reputation  for  first-class  work,  but  he  is  doubt- 
less more  generally  known  in  a musical  capacity. 
He  is  the  proprietor  and  director  of  Bryer’s  Or- 
chestra, which  has  an  enviable  name  in  the  city 
for  the  quality  of  its  work.  Mr.  Bryer  is  prominent 
in  musical  circles  and  belongs  to  the  Alpha  Musical 
Club.  He  is  also  interested  in  fraternal  affairs  and 
is  a member  of  both  Redwood  Lodge,  No.  11,  K. 
P.,  and  of  Weenat  Shassit  Tribe,  No.  6,  I.  O.  R. 
M.,  of  Newport,  in  which  he  is  popular  personally. 
He  married  Sept.  9,  1891,  Miss  Louisa  L.  Dawley, 
daughter  of  Franklin  P.  and  Minnie  A.  (Gladding) 
Dawley,  of  Newport,  and  the  union  has  been 
blessed  with  two  sons,  Raymond  FI.  and  Earle  G. 
Mr.  Bryer  is  a worthy  representative  of  the  name 
he  bears  and  gives  promise  of  adding  in  the  future 
to  the  weight  of  honor  and  responsibility  so  long 
associated  with  the  Bryer  family. 


HORACE  P.  RALPH,  of  Washington  village, 
in  the  town  of  Coventry,  Kent  Co.,  R.  I.,  is*  de- 
scended from  Thomas  Ralph,  who  was  of  the  town 
of  Warwick  in  1671  and  the  forerunner  in  America 
of  this  old  and  distinguished  family. 

Amasa  Ralph,  father  of  Horace  P.  Ralph,  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Scituate,  R.  I.,  July  7,  1794, 
and  was  reared  in  the  manner  common  to  the 
youth  of  his  community.  When  about  twenty-one 
years  old  he  set  out  in  the  world  for  himself,  en- 
gaging in  farming,  and  as  soon  as  his  accumulated 
earnings  would  permit  bought  a small  farm  some 
four  miles  west  of  the  present  village  of  Washing- 
ton. He  continued  to  farm  that  place  for  some 
years,  until  he  disposed  of  the  property  and  took 
up  his  residence  in  Washington,  where  he  remained 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Oct.  28,  1872. 
Throughout  his  long  and  active  life  he  bore  a rep- 
utation for  honesty  and  industry,  and  in  his  death 
the  community  lost  one  of  its  most  esteemed  citi- 
zens. He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Harriet  Kent, 
who  was  born  Oct.  25,  1805,  and  by  whom  he  had 
three  children:  Harley  C.,  born  Feb.  22,  1823; 
Edwin,  born  Feb.  25,  1825,  died  aged  twenty-two 
years;  and  Susan,  born  July  21,  1830.  The  first 
and  last  named  did  not  live  to  maturity.  The 
mother  dying,  Mr.  Ralph  married  her  sister  Oce- 
anna,  who  was  born  March  21,  1808,  and  by  that 
union  there  were  two  children,  Dulinda,  born  Aug. 
9,  1832,  and  Horace  P.,  born  Sept.  8,  1841.  The 
daughter  married  Henry  Chapin  and  resided  at 
Springfield,  Mass.,  where  she  died  leaving  Carrie 
R.  and  George  H.  Chapin,  of  Springfield. 

Horace  P.  Ralph  was  born  in  Coventry  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that 
town.  He  took  up  his  father’s  calling,  following 
farming  exclusively  until  he  was  twenty-eight 
years  old.  Meantime,  being  both  industrious  and 
enterprising,  he  had  employed  his  spare  moments 
in  learning  the  use  of  tools,  with  such  good  re- 
sults that  he  was  able  to  accept  employment  at  car- 
pentering. He  possessed  natural  mechanical  abil- 
ity, which  developed  with  necessity,  and  in  time 
he  became  so  skilful  that  he  was  given  entire  charge 
of  the  repairing  required  in  the  mills  situated  at 
Washington.  The  rebuilding  and  repairing  to  be 
done  afforded  him  opportunities  for  varied  work 
which  would  have  been  impossible  under  ordinary 
circumstances,  and  called  forth  all  his  latent  skill, 
so  that  he  became  an  expert,  displaying  an  apti- 
tude and  judgment  for  his  work  as  remarkable  as 
it  was  unusual.  From  time  to  time  Mr.  Ralph 
invested  his  earnings  in  real  estate  in  and  about  the 
village,  upon  which  he  erected  numerous  buildings, 
also  putting  up  various  structures  for  others,  be- 
coming well  known  in  that  line.  He  has  erected  a 
complete  repairing  establishment,  and  despite  his 
advancing  years  is  almost  as  active  as  in  the  past. 
His  life  has  not  been  one  of  easy  prosperity,  for 
he  has  had  reverses,  some  of  them  severe  enough 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1049 


to  appear  insurmountable  to  one  of  less  determina- 
tion than  Mr.  Ralph.  Moreover,  he  had  an  acci- 
dent in  his  youth  which  would  have  seemed  a han- 
dicap to  many  men.  When  a boy  he  enjoyed  trap- 
ping the  small  game  abounding  in  that  neighbor- 
hood, and  while  engaged  in  setting  one  of  the  old 
traps  familiar  to  those  acquainted  with  woodcraft 
the  bent  sprout  which  formed  the  spring  became 
disengaged  and  struck  him  in  the  left  eye,  com- 
pletely destroying  the  sight. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Ralph  affiliated  with  the  Re- 
publican partv  in  political  affairs,  but  he  has  al- 
ways been  deeply  interested  in  the  temperance 
cause  and  the  prohibition  of  the  liquor  traffic,  and 
for  a number  of  years  past  has  identified  himself 
with  the  Prohibition  party,  in  whose  ranks  he  has 
been  quite  active.  He  has  permitted  the  use  of  his 
name  as  a candidate  for  various  offices,  and  in  1905 
was  on  the  ticket  as  nominee  for  lieutenant-gover- 
nor. Upon  an  independent  ticket  he  has  been 
chosen  a member  of  the  town  council  of  Coventry, 
and  he  has  always  been  active  in  the  growth  and 
advancement  of  his  community.  Almost  all  of  his 
life  has  been  spent  near  the  scene  of  his  birth,  and 
by  steady,  plodding  industry,  and  the  rigid  appli- 
cation of  honorable  business  principles,  he  has  ac- 
cumulated a fair  competence  and  has  gained  and 
maintained  an  honored  and  respected  name.  While 
he  does  not  claim  any  special  credit  for  what  he  has 
achieved,  his  life  is  nevertheless  an  example  of 
what  may  be  accomplished  without  the  aid  of  spe- 
cial educational  advantages  or  inherited  wealth. 

On  Sept.  8,  1869,  Mr.  Ralph  married  Mary  J. 
Potter,  who  was  born  Aug.  29,  1843,  daughter  of 
Bowen  and  Dorcas  (Barber)  Potter,  and  descends 
from  well-known  Rhode  Island  stock.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ralph  hold  membership  in  the  Central 
Baptist  Church  of  Coventry  and  take  an  active 
part  in  the  advancement  of  Christian  work.  Mr. 
Ralph  has  been  particularly  prominent  in  church 
affairs,  having  served  many  years  as  a deacon  and 
for  more  than  twenty  years  as  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday-school. 

JOHN  E.  LeFAVOUR.  Since  early  in  the 
nineteenth  century,  for  now  some  hundred  years, 
the  LeFavours  have  been  a family  of  prominence 
in  Pawtucket,  and  for  several  generations  previous 
the  family  home  was  in  the  ancient  towns  of  Tops- 
field  and  Marblehead,  Mass.  There  came  to  the 
former  town,  says  family  tradition,  from  the  Island 
of  Guernsey,  one  John  LeFavour.  His  wife  was 
Mary,  and  their  children  were:  Marv,  born  June 
8,  1744;  Rachel,  born  Oct.  6,  1745:  John,  born 
March  25,  1748:  Anna,  born  Sept.  2,  1749-  Robert, 
born  Oct.  25,  1751  ; Ruth,  born' April  5,  1759:  Wil- 
liam, born  Sept.  22,  1760;  Sarah,  born  June  30, 
1762;  Joseph,  born  April  14,  1764;  and  Amos,  born 
Jan.  14.  1766. 

From  this  source  came  the  Pawtucket  family 
of  LeFavours,  the  head  of  which  was  the  late  David 


LeFavour,  who  through  a long  lifetime  was  one  of 
the  prominent  citizens  and  substantial  men  of  bis 
adopted  city,  a merchant  of  high  standing,  and  one 
of  whose  sons,  the  late  Gen.  Heber  LeFavour,  rose 
to  high  rank  as  a citizen  soldier,  distinguishing  him- 
self in  the  Civil  war ; while  another  son,  the  late 
Edward  LeFavour,  was  long  a prominent  business 
man  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  one  of  his  sons  now  repre- 
senting the  family  at  Pawtucket,  this  Common- 
wealth, in  the  person  of  John  Edward  LeFavour. 
There  follows  in  brief  something  of  the  lives  of 
some  of  the  Pawtucket  LeFavours. 

The  parents  of  the  late  David  LeFavour,  of 
Marblehead,  Mass.,  and  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  where 
John  and  Lucy  (Day)  LeFavour,  Who  were  mar- 
ried at  Ipswich  (she  at  the  time  being  of  that  town) 
Jan.  6,  1794,  and  their  children  of  Marblehead  pub- 
lic record,  either  born  or  baptized,  were : Amos, 
April  12,  1795:  Lucy,  Aug.  7,  1796;  Thomas,  Dec. 
17,  T797;  David  and  Lucy  (twins),  Nov.  1,  1799; 
and  Sarah  G.,  March  22,  1801. 

David  LeFavour,  son  of  John  and  Lucy  (Day) 
LeFavour,  born  Nov.  1,  1799,  in  Marblehead, 
Mass.,  married  Nov.  1,  1824,  on  his  twenty-fifth 
birthday,  Mary  Ann  Baldwin,  born  Nov.  30,  1798, 
in  Brimfield,  Mass.,  and  the  marriage  was  blessed 
with  five  children. 

Mr.  LeFavour  when  yet  in  his  early  teens  came 
to  Pawtucket,  this  State,  and  became  employed  as  a 
spinner  in  the  Slater  mill,  continuing  his  services 
there  until  twenty  years  of  age.  He  then  embarked 
in  business  for  himself,  engaging  in  the  boot  and 
shoe  trade  in  association  with  Mr.  Niles  Spencer, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Spencer  & LeFavour,  pur- 
chasing at  that  time  what  became  the  LeFavour 
building  on  the  corner  of  High  and  Main  streets, 
which  in  1890,  at  the  time  of  the  widening  of  High 
street,  gave  way  for  the  present  LeFavour  block. 
On  this  site  Messrs.  LeFavour  & Spencer  carried 
on  business  together  until  the  death  of  the  junior 
member  of  the  firm,  which  occurred  some  time  in 
the  sixties,  and  thereafter  it  was  continued  by  Mr. 
LeFavour  until  his  retirement  from  active  business 
life,  in  1872,  his  business  career  in  that  one  place 
covering  a period  of  fifty  years. 

Mr.  LeFavour  was  a man  of  marked  character- 
istics, one  of  considerable  force  of  character.  He 
was  upright,  honest  and  honorable  in  all  bis  deal- 
ings, won  and  held  the  confidence  of  his  business 
associates  and  bore  the  esteem  and  respect  of  his 
fellow-citizens  and  the  community  in  which  his 
long  life  was  spent.  He  was  a man  of  good  busi- 
ness ability  and  judgment  and  amassed  a fortune. 
He  was  very  gentlemanly  in  manner,  ever  kind 
and  courteous.  He  possessed  great  executive 
ability. 

Mr.  LeFavour  in  early  life  united  with  St. 
Paul's  Episcopal  Church  at  Pawtucket,  of  which  he 
was  one  of  the  founders,  and  all  through  life  took 
a great  interest  in  its  welfare,  and  as  far  as  his 
health  permitted  took  a leading  part  in  whatever 


1050 


RHODE  ISLAND 


was  going  on  in  the  church.  At  one  time  he  was 
the  leader  of  the  choir,  and  for  a period  of  a half 
dozen  or  more  years  he  was  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school  of  the  church.  On  the  organization 
of  the  Pacific  National  Bank,  at  Pawtucket,  he  be- 
came one  of  the  directors  of  the  institution.  From 
this  time  on  through  the  remainder  of  his  lifetime 
it  is  said  there  never  was  a time  when  he  did  not 
have  a deposit  there  to  his  credit. 

Mr.  LeFavour  died  March  20,  1879,  at  his 
home  in  Pawtucket,  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age, 
having  outlived  nearly  if  not  all  of  his  business 
contemporaries,  and  survived  all  of  his  immediate 
family,  his  wife  having  passed  to  the  beyond  a little 
in  advance  of  him,  dying  Jan.  10,  1879. 

The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  LeFavour 
were : Edward,  born  May  4,  1827,  died  March  27, 
1874,  in  Detroit,  Mich. ; Horace,  born  Jan.  5,  1830, 
died  July  27,  1832 ; Mary,  born  April  22,  1833,  died 
Aug.  28,  1857;  Heber,  born  May  3,  1837,  died  Feb. 
25,  1878,  in  Pawtucket;  and  Latimer,  born  July  28, 
1841,  died  March  2,  1870,  at  Jacksonville,  Florida. 

Edward  LeFavour,  son  of  David  and  Mary 
Ann  (Baldwin)  LeFavour,  born  May  4,  1827,  in 
Pawtucket,  married  Mary  Drown,  only  child  of  the 
late  Gen.  John  B.  Read,  of  Pawtucket,  R.  I. 
(sketch  follows),  and  the  marriage  was  blessed 
with  one  child,  John  Edward  LeFavour.  Mrs.  Le- 
Favour died  Oct.  16,  1858,  and  Mr.  LeFavour  mar- 
ried (second)  Nov.  11,  1868,  Martha  W.  Hutchin- 
son, of  Bay  City,  Mich.,  who  died  in  Pawtucket 
Sept.  29,  1878.  To  this  union  were  born  two  chil- 
dren, Plelen  H.  (Nov.  30,  1869)  and  David  (Sept. 
7,  1873),  the  former  of  whom  resides  in  Bay  City, 
unmarried.  David  LeFavour  makes  his  home  in 
Wallaceburg,  Ontario,  where  he  has  become  in- 
terested in  the  beet  sugar  industry.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1901  to  Helen  Kline,  of  Amsterdam,  N.  Y., 
and  they  have  had  two  children,  Edward  and  Wil- 
liam, twins. 

Edward  LeFavour  became  a prominent  business 
man  and  citizen  of  the  city  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  where 
he  died  March  27,  1874.  He  is  said  have  been 
one  of  the  most  popular  and  beloved  men  of  that 
city,  whither  he  went  early  in  life,  and  there,  in 
partnership  with  J.  R.  Nichols,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Nichols  & LeFavour,  engaged  in  the  shoe  business 
prior  to  1853.  He  continued  in  that  business  until 
his  death,  and  met  with  marked  success. 

In  political  views  a stanch  Republican,  he  served 
his  adopted  city  as  a member  of  the  board  of  aider- 
men  from  his  ward,  and  during  that  service  was 
also  for  a time  acting  mayor  of  the  city.  At  the 
time  of  his  death  and  for  several  years  previously 
he  was  appraiser  of  merchandise  of  the  United 
States  Custom  House  at  Detroit. 

Mr.  LeFavour  was  a prominent  member  of  the 
Masonic  bodies,  being  a member  of  Detroit  Com- 
mandery,  No.  1,  Knights  Templar,  with  which  he 
united  June  27,  i860,  and  of  the  Scottish  Rite 
bodies  up  to  the  thirty-third  degree.  He  was  a 


member  of  St.  Paul’s  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  a 
vestryman  of  same  for  several  years  prior  to  his 
death. 

John  Edward  LeFavour,  the  only  child  of  the 
late  Edward  and  Mary  D.  (Read)  LeFavour,  was 
born  May  27,  1858,  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I.  He  ac- 
quired his  early  educational  training  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city,  after  which  for  a time 
he  attended  what  is  now  the  Moses  Brown  School 
of  Providence,  being  obliged  to  leave  same  on  ac- 
count of  ill  health.  Since  leaving  school  Mr.  La- 
Favour  has  devoted  his  time  to  looking  after  his 
real  estate  and  other  interests.  In  his  political 
views,  like  his  father,  he  is  a Republican.  He  is 
a member  of  St.  Paul’s  Episcopal  Church,  of  Paw- 
tucket. Mr.  LeFavour  is  unmarried. 

Heber  LeFavour,  son  of  David  and  Mary 
Ann  (Baldwin)  LeFavour,  was  born  May  3,  1837, 
on  the  North  Providence  side  of  Pawtucket,  R.  I. 
While  yet  in  his  teens  young  LeFavour  went  to  De- 
troit, Mich.,  whither  in  the  latter  thirties  his  uncle 
had  located.  This  uncle  was  Henry  Potter  Bald- 
win, formerly  of  Pawtucket  and  Woonsocket,  who 
became  a prominent  merchant  and  banker  of  De- 
troit, and  rose  to  high  official  position,  serving  as 
State  senator,  governor  and  United  States  senator 
from  his  adopted  State.  At  the  time  of  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  Civil  war  young  LeFavour  was  en- 
gaged in  business  in  Detroit.  When  Sumter  was 
fired  upon  Heber  LeFavour  went  to  his  country’s 
rescue,  enlisting  April  17,  1861,  in  the  First  Michi- 
gan Regiment  of  Volunteers.  On  the  day  follow- 
ing he  was  appointed  captain  and  aide-de-camp  on 
the  stafif  of  the  adjutant-general  of  the  State.  On 
Tune  19,  1861,  he  was  commissioned  captain  of 
Company  F,  5th  Michigan  Regiment.  He  was  in 
the  siege  of  Yorktown,  and  in  the  first  battle  of 
Williamsburg,  May  5,  1862,  in  which  he  was  three 
times  wounded,  one  of  these  wounds  badly  dis- 
figuring his  face.  He  was  discharged  for  promo- 
tion, commissioned  lieutenant-colonel  of  22d  Michi- 
gan Regiment,  Aug.  8,  1862,  and  was  promoted  to 
colonel  of  the  regiment  Jan.  5,  1863. 

Colonel  LeFavour  was  in  command  of  the  re- 
serve brigade  at  the  headquarters  of  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland  from  May  31,  1864,  to  April  T2, 
1865,  and  during  the  campaign  resulting  in  the 
siege  and  capture  of  Atlanta  he  was  in  command  of 
the  Third  Division  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  from  April  8,  1865,  until 
the  close  of  the  war. 

Colonel  LeFavour  served  in  the  Army  , of  the 
Potomac  in  the  campaign  against  Morgan  and 
others  in  Kentucky,  and  was  severely  injured  at 
Lexington,  that  State.  He  was  in  command  of 
the  Third  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Reserve  Corps, 
Army  of  the  Cumberland,  from  July  to  September, 
1863.  He  was  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  in 
Kentucky  and  was  temporarily  in  command  of  a 
brigade  at  the  battle  of  Chattanooga,  where  he  was 
made  a prisoner  of  war.  Sept.  29,  1863,  and  as  such 


RHODE  ISLAND 


was  confined  in  Libby  prison  for  six  months,  being 
exchanged  May  19,  1864. 

On  March  13,  1865,  Colonel  LeFavour  was 
commissioned  a brevet-brigadier-general,  U.  S.  V., 
for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  at  Nashville, 
Tennessee. 

Returning  to  Rhode  Island  after  the  war  Gen- 
eral LeFavour,  Dec.  1,  1869,  was  commissioned 
colonel  and  inspector  of  the  Rhode  Island  militia, 
a position  he  held  until  March,  1874.  From  March 
26th,  of  the  last  named  year,  until  June  25,  1875, 
he  was  colonel  and  assistant  adjutant-general  of 
Rhode  Island.  He  was  commissioned  a brigadier- 
general  and  adjutant-general  Jan.  29,  1875,  and 
continued  as  such  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

General  LeFavour  was  a prominent  and  honored 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  identified  with  Tower  Post, 
No.  17,  at  Pawtucket,  of  which  he  was  past  com- 
mander. He  held  the  appointment  of  aide-de-camp 
to  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  United  States, 
Gen.  J.  C.  Robison. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  General  LeFavour  took 
up  his  residence  at  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  and  was 
a prominent  citizen  of  that  city.  In  1872  he  repre- 
sented North  Providence  in  the  State  Assembly. 
He  was  one  of  the  vestrymen  of  St.  Paul’s  Episco- 
pal Church  and  was  a regular  attendant  upon  its 
services,  and  as  well  an  active  worker  and  warm 
friend  of  the  church.  He  was  a director  of  the 
Pacific  National  Bank.  He  was  also  a member  of 
Holy  Sepulchre  Commandery,  No.  8,  Knights 
Templar,  and  of  the  Consistory,  being  a thirty- 
second  degree  Mason. 

General  LeFavour,  associated  with  Mr.  Frank 
R.  Almv,  was  extensively  engaged  in  the  leather 
business,  and  he  was  interested  in  the  Hope  Ma- 
chine Company  of  Providence,  in  the  manufacture 
of  calico  engraving  machines.  He  was  dignified 
in  manner  and  manly  in  deportment,  and  always 
bore  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  many  friends  and 
acquaintances.  He  never  married. 

General  LeFavour  died  Feb.  25,  1878,  at  Paw- 
tucket, as  the  result  of  an  injury  received  from  be- 
ing thrown  from  a carriage  in  which  he  was  riding. 

READ  (Pawtucket  family).  The  Reads  are  an 
ancient  Massachusetts  family,  one  of  approximately 
two  hundred  and  seventy  years’  standing  there,  and 
since  1643  ar*d  1644  the  name  and  family  have  been 
one  common  and  continuous  in  the  ancient  town 
of  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  and  in  the  towns  created  from 
it  and  in  Rhode  Island  territory  lying  adjacent  to 
Massachusetts.  At  Pawtucket,  now  a Rhode  Is- 
land city,  some  of  the  posterity  of  the  American 
ancestor  of  the  Rehoboth  family  have  been  for 
many  years  among  that  point’s  leading  citizens  and 
prominent  and  successful  business  men,  notably 
the  late  Gen.  John  Blake  Read,  long  a merchant 
of  enterprise  and  public  spirit,  an  officer  of  high 
rank  in  the  old  Massachusetts  State  militia,  legis- 
lator, etc. ; and  as  well  his  brother,  long  engaged 


1051 

in  a similar  business  to  the  General,  the  late  Amos 
Read. 

These  Read  brothers  were  descendants  in  the 
sixth  generation  from  their  first  American  ancestor, 
John  Read,  from  whom  their  lineage  is  through 
Daniel,  Daniel  (2),  Ichabod  and  Jonathan  Read. 
These  generations  follow  in  chronological  order. 

(I)  John  Read,  supposed  to  have  been  a son  of 
William  and  Lucy  (Henage)  Read,  born  in  1598, 
is  of  record  at  Weymouth,  Mass.,  in  1637,  the  next 
year  was  at  Dorchester,  and  thence  went  to  what 
is  now  Quincy,  Mass.  In  1643  or  1644  he  went 
with  Rev.  Mr.  Newman  and  his  church  to  Reho- 
both, on  the  settling  of  that  point.  His  name  is 
the  third  on  the  list  of  purchasers  of  the  town  of 
Rehoboth.  Mr.  Read  became  a man  of  large  prop- 
erty for  those  times.  He  held  the  office  of  constable, 
which  at  the  time  was  the  chief  executive  office  in 
the  town.  He  lived  in  that  part  of  the  town  which 
is  now  Seekonk,  he  kept  a public  house,  and  was 
a prominent  and  leading  man.  The  Christian  name 
of  his  wife  was  Sarah,  and  their  children  were: 
Samuel,  William,  Abigail,  John,  Thomas,  Ezekiel, 
Zachariah,  Moses,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Daniel,  Israel 
and  Mehetabel. 

(II)  Daniel  Read,  son  of  John,  born  in  March, 
1655,  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  married  Aug.  20,  1677, 
Hannah  Peck,  and  their  children  were:  Hannah, 
born  June  30,  1678;  Daniel,  Jan.  30  (or  20),  1680; 
John,  Feb.  25,  1681;  Sarab,  April  5,  1684;  Noah, 
May  17,  1687;  and  Abigail,  June  5,  1690.  The 
father  of  these  died  Oct.  17,  1710. 

(III)  Daniel  Read  (2),  son  of  Daniel,  born  Jan. 
20,  (or  30),  1680,  married  Elizabeth  Bosworth, 
and  their  children,  all  born  in  Rehoboth,  were : 
Beriah,  born  Oct.  29,  1707;  Ichabod,  Oct.  8,  1708; 
Hannah,  Feb.  5,  1710:  Abigail,  April  29,  1711; 
Esther,  July  I,  1712;  Daniel,  Sept.  7,  1713.  The 
mother  of  these  died  and  the  father  married  (sec- 
ond) Dec.  8,  1715,  Elizabeth  Ide,  and  their  chil- 
dren were:  Daniel,  born  Dec.  3,  1716  (in  Attle- 
boro, Mass.);  Noah,  Dec.  17,  1718;  Elizabeth, 
April  2,  1721  ; Samuel,  May  8,  1723:  Abigail,  April 
4,  1725;  Daniel,  in  1726;  Rachel,  June  10,  1728; 
Benjamin,  Aug.  21,  1730;  Ebenezer,  1733;  Thank- 
ful, May  12,  1737. 

(IV)  Ichabod  Read,  son  of  Daniel  (2),  born 
Oct.  8.  1708,  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  married  Eliza- 
beth Chaffee,  and  their  children  were:  Ichabod, 
born  Tan.  15,  1735  (in  Attleboro,  Mass.)  : Patience, 
Aug.- 2,  1737;  Amos,  May  1,  1739:  Daniel,  Aug.  12, 
1743;  Olive,  April  12,  1746;  Ichabod,  March  2, 
1750;  Jonathan,  Aug.  8,  1752.  The  mother  of  these 
died  and  the  father  married  (second)  Elizabeth 
Robinson,  and  their  children  were : Ebenezer,  born 
July  7,  1757:  Dan,  Feb.  7,  1766;  Sarah,  April  13, 
1768:  Lemuel,  Feb.  1,  1771 ; Asareel,  in  July,  1773. 

(V)  Jonathan  Read,  son  of  Ichabod,  born  Aug. 
8,  1752,  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  married  Dorothy 
Blake,  and  their  children  were:  John,  born  in 
1787,  in  Falmouth,  Maine;  Abigail,  born  in  1789; 


1052 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Rufus,  born  in  1793;  Amos,  born  Oct.  18.  1796; 
Samuel,  born  in  1797;  Eliza,  born  in  1799;  John  B., 
born  Dec.  2,  1801;  Daniel  B.,  born  Jan.  1,  1803; 
Mary  Ann,  born  in  1806  ; and  Louisa,  born  in  1808. 
The  father  of  these  was  a patriot  of  the  Revolution, 
became  a prisoner  of  war  and  suffered  confinement 
on  the  memorable  old  “Jersey'’  prison  ship.  He 
died  March  2,  1838,  and  his  wife,  too,  lived  to  a 
venerable  age,  dying  June  18,  1835. 

(VI)  John  Blake  Read,  son  of  Jonathan  and 
Dorothy,  born  Dec.  2,  1801,  in  Freeport,  Maine, 
married  Nov.  27,  1828,  Jane  Thatcher  Ingraham, 
daughter  of  Elias  and  Phebe  (Thatcher)  Ingraham, 
of  Attleboro,  Massachusetts. 

When  five  years  of  age  John  Blake  Read  ac- 
companied his  parents  to  the  town  of  Westbrook  on 
their  removal  thither  at  that  time.  Here  he  was 
sent  to  a district  school  until  he  was  fourteen  years 
of  age.  At  this  time  he  went  to  work  in  a tin  shop, 
residing  with  his  older  sister  while  he  learned  his 
trade.  In  1821  he  located  in  Pawtucket,  and  there 
passed  the  rest  of  his  life.  For  nearly  half  a cen- 
tury he  was  there  engaged  in  the  hardware  trade. 
His  shop  was  on  Main  street,  on  part  of  the  site 
now  occupied  by  the  John  B.  Read  block.  In  1842 
he  built  the  residence  on  Walcott  street  in  which  he 
died,  and  in  which  his  widow  continued  to  reside 
until  she,  too,  was  called  to  her  rest.  It  is  now  oc- 
cupied by  his  grandson,  John  E.  LeFavour.  In  1850 
Mr.  Read  erected  his  handsome  business  block.  The 
block  adjoining  it  was  built  by  Amos  Read,  an  older 
brother  of  John  B.,  who  was  also  a hardware  mer- 
chant. The  Reads  were  the  oldest  and  most  promi- 
nent merchants  in  their  line  of  business  for  many 
years  in  Pawtucket.  Amos  Read  preceded  his 
brother  John  B.  to  Pawtucket  by  several  years. 
He  died  in  advanced  life  in  1880. 

Mr.  John  Blake  Read  was  distinctively  a busi- 
ness man.  As  a public-spirited  citizen  of  the  Com- 
monwealth. however,  he  was  induced  to  accept 
various  offices,  such  as  town  councilman,  etc.,  all 
of  which  positions  he  filled  with  great  credit  to  him- 
self and  to  the  best  interests  of  his  constituents. 
His  political  affiliations  were  first  with  the  old 
Whig  party,  and  on  the  formation  of  the  Republican 
party  he  became  a stanch  advocate  of  its  principles. 
When  Pawtucket  or  that  part  of  it  on  his  side  of 
the  river  was  a part  of  Massachusetts  he  was  chosen 
a member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  Assembly  and 
was  several  times  re-elected  to  that  body,  serving 
most  efficiently  for  four  years.  He,  too,  for  a long 
time  under  the  laws  of  Massachusetts  was  com- 
manding general  of  the  militia  of  that  State.  Gen- 
eral Read  was  a very  popular  man  and  citizen.  He 
died  at  his  home  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  Feb.  27,  1862. 

Mary  Drown  Read,  the  only  child  of  General 
Read,  married  Edward  LeFavour,  son  of  the  late 
venerable  David  LeFavour.  of  Pawtucket,  and 
brother  of  General  Heber  LeFavour  of  that  city. 
Their  only  son  is  the  present  John  Edward  Le- 


Favour, of  Pawtucket.  Mrs.  LeFavour  died  Oct. 
16,  1858. 

BENJAMIN  WILBUR,  a well-known  manu- 
facturer and  representative  citizen  of  the  town  of 
Scituate,  R.  I.,  comes  from  an  old  New  England 
family.  He  is  a son  of  Samuel,  grandson  of  Sam- 
uel, and  great-grandson  of  Job,  who  was  of  Crans- 
ton. 

Samuel  Wilbur,  the  father  of  Benjamin,  estab- 
lished a manufacturing  plant  at  Rockland,  Scitu- 
ate, for  the  manufacture  of  bobbins,  beginning  in 
a small  way  and  gradually  increasing  his  business, 
although  it  was  not  until  Benjamin  Wilbur,  his 
son,  became  identified  with  the  industry  that  it  as- 
sumed much  importance.  Mr.  Wilbur  was  of  the 
good  old  type  of  persevering,  industrious,  plodding 
men,  whose  entire  life  was  founded  upon  a thor- 
ough and  Christian  application  of  the  “Golden 
Rule.”  He  lived  to  a great  age,  not  a day  of  which 
was  passed  without  some  effort  to  do  good.  He 
was  esteemed  by  all  and  revered  by  many  and  tra- 
dition tells  of  many  of  his  good  deeds  and  ster- 
ling cpialities. 

Benjamin  Wilbur  was  born  in  the  town  of  Scit- 
uate April  7,  1835,  and  his  boyhood  was  not  dif- 
ferent from  the  ordinary  life  of  the  country  boy, 
his  education  consisting  of  such  learning  as  he 
could  gain  at  the  district  schools.  He  early  as- 
sumed a position  of  responsibility  in  his  father's 
factory,  of  which  he  assumed  charge  in  about  1858, 
the  business  being  carried  on  in  the  buildings 
erected  by  his  father  until  some  years  after  the 
latter’s  death,  when  a new  and  much  improved  fac- 
tory was  erected.  On  Oct.  31,  1876,  this  was  com- 
pletely destroyed  by  fire,  but  rebuilding  was  im- 
mediately commenced,  and  the  new  buildings  oc- 
cupied until  1883,  when  fire  again  destroyed  the 
entire  plant — buildings,  machinery,  finished  product 
and  materials.  Lhidaunted  by  the  second  complete 
destruction  of  the  product  of  his  industry  Mr.  Wil- 
bur at  once  rebuilt  upon  an  even  greater  scale  than 
before,  new  and  superior  modern  machinery  sup- 
planting the  old,  and  the  entire  establishment  was 
equipped  not  only  for  the  manufacture  of  the  spe- 
cialty spools  and  bobbins,  but  for  many  other  kin- 
dred articles.  The  buildings  are  ample,  substantial 
and  modern  and  Mr.  Wilbur’s  goods  find  a ready 
sale  throughout  New  England,  where  the  excel- 
lence of  their  quality  and  the  straightforward,  hon- 
orable business  methods  of  the  producer  make  them 
well  known  to  the  trade. 

In  politics  Mr.  Wilbur  is  a Republican  and  he 
represented  his  community  in  the  town  council 
from  1870  to  1875,  and  the  town  in  the  State  Leg- 
islature in  1876  and  again  in  1900.  When  but 
twenty-three  years  of  age,  in  1858,  Mr.  Wilbur 
became  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  the 
following  year  was  made  a deacon  therein,  in  which 
official  capacitv  he  is  still  rendering  service.  For 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1053 


more  than  forty  years  he  has  been  Sunday-school 
superintendent.  He  is  also  well  knowmin  Masonic 
circles,  a member  of  Hamilton  Lodge,  A.  F.  & A. 
M.,  Scituate  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  St.  John’s  Com- 
mandery,  Knights  Templar,  and  Palestine  Temple, 
Mystic  Shrine.  As  a business  man  Mr.  Wilbur 
takes  high  rank,  his  experience  having  been  gained 
in  study  and  the  hard  trials  of  misfortune.  In  dis- 
position he  is  one  who  prefers  to  take  the  sunnier 
side,  and  in  manner  he  is  genteel,  plain  and  unaf- 
fected, thoroughly  at  home  in  the  social  circle, 
causing  all  to  feel  a sense  of  ease  and  good  temper. 
He  is  a fluent  talker,  the  gravity  of  his  conversation 
being  enlivened  with  wit  and  humor.  He  is  a man 
of  marked  mental  and  physical  equilibrium,  calm 
and  self-possessed.  In  fact  he  is  such  a man  as 
will  command  the  respect  of  all  those  whose  pleas- 
ure it  is  to  come  into  contact  with  him. 

Mr.  Wilbur  was  married  in  1859  to  Ann  Maria 
Hierlihy,  of  Hope,  and  she  died  in  1889,  after  a 
life  of  true  Christianity,  in  a community  in  which 
she  was  much  beloved  for  her  many  womanly 
qualities.  They  had  but  one  child,  Phebe  Evelena, 
who  lives  with  her  father  in  the  comfortable  home 
at  South  Scituate. 

HON.  CHARLES  S.  SEAGRAVE,  cashier  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Smithfield,  at  Slaters- 
ville,  North  Smithfield,  is  one  of  the  best  known 
men  in  financial  circles  in  that  section  of  Rhode 
Island,  where  his  long  career  as  a business  man, 
marked  by  continued  success,  has  won  him  the 
assured  confidence  of  all  classes.  His  conduct 
of  affairs  has  ever  been  characterized  by  a sound 
judgment,  a financial  ability,  a foresight  and  integ- 
rity which  make  his  advice  on  and  participation  in 
any  enterprise  most  valuable  and  often  sought. 
Mr.  Seagrave  is  a native  of  Uxbridge,  Mass.,  born 
Aug.  9,  1852,  son  of  Charles  Edwin  Seagrave,  and 
a descendant  of  one  of  the  best  known  families  of 
Massachusetts  and  one  which  was  nobly  repre- 
sented in  the  Revolutionary  struggle. 

(I)  John  Seagrave  and  Sarah,  his  wife,  says 
tradition,  with  their  children,  embarked  from  Eng- 
land for  America  sometime  about  1725  to  1730. 
The  father  died  on  the  passage,  but  the  widow  and 
children  landed  safely  in  Boston.  Their  children, 
all  born  in  England,  but  the  youngest,  who  was 
probably  born  in  Boston,  were:  Edward,  John, 
Sarah  and  Mary.  The  mother  died  in  1786. 

(II)  Capt.  Edward  Seagrave,  born  about  1 722, 
in  England,  married  Jan.  6,  1757,  Lois,  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Judith  White,  of  Uxbridge,  Mass.  They 
lived  in  Uxbridge,  where  Mr.  Seagrave  was  en- 
gaged in  farming.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
of  the  Revolution,  on  the  Lexington  alarm  of  April 
19,  1775,  he  marched  from  Uxbridge  as  first  lieu- 
tenant of  a company  of  patriots,  of  which  Samuel 
Reed  was  captain,  and  proved  his  loyalty  to  the 
Colonies  by  continued  service.  On  Sept.  25,  1775* 
he  was  commissioned  captain  in  Col.  Read's  regi- 


ment, the  20th  regiment  of  Foot,  in  the  Massachu- 
setts eight  months’  service.  He  was  subsequently 
commissioned  captain  of  the  9th  company,  3d  Wor- 
cester county  regiment ; and  re-commissioned  cap- 
tain of  the  same  company  and  regiment,  Jan.  30, 
1778.  He  was  again  commissioned  captain  July  12. 
1778,  in  Col.  Wade’s  regiment,  service  in  Rhode 
Island. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  bravery  and  self-pos- 
session of  Capt.  Seagrave,  it  is  related  that  at  the 
battle  of  \\  bite  Plains  in  New  York,  in  1776,  the 
Lxbridge  Company  being  under  his  command,  he 
saved  to  the  Patriot  Army  one  of  the  most  import- 
ant points.  The  British  had  captured  a portion  of 
the  company,  and  were  pressing  upon  our  troops, 
when  the  colonel  in  command  gave  orders  to  re- 
treat. In  an  instant  the  commander  of  the  Ux- 
bridge company,  waving  his  sword  above  his  head 
shouted  “Let  cowards  retreat,  and  brave  men  to 
the  rescue  of  their  comrades,”  and  calling  out  to  the 
companies  near  him  to  turn  bayonet,  they  charged 
upon  the  British,  drove  them  in  rout  from  their 
position,  and  re-captured  their  friends.  For  this 
act  the  captain  was  offered  a colonelship,  which  he 
modestly  declined.  His  two  sons  served  in  his 
company.  Capt.  Seagrave  died  May  18  (or  20). 
1793.  His  widow,  Lois,  passed  away  Jan.  7-8, 
1806.  Their  children  were:  John,  born  Nov.  6, 
1757;  Lois,  Nov.  5,  1759;  Joseph,  Dec. 

26,  1761;  Mary,  April  1,  1764;  Bezaleel,  Dec.  14, 
1766;  Sarab,  Dec.  31,  1768;  Caleb,  March  14, 
1771 ; Josiah,  Oct.  14,  1773;  Edward,  Nov.  9, 
1776;  Olive,  April  17,  1779;  and  Samuel,  Feb.  3, 
1782. 

(III)  John  Seagrave,  born  Nov.  6,  1757,  mar- 
ried Sarah  Dorrington,  of  Boston,  born  April  7, 
1755.  They  settled  in  the  town  of  Mr.  Seagrave's 
nativity,  where  he  was  occupied  in  farming.  Mr. 
Seagrave  served  his  country  in  the  Continental 
Army  both  as  an  officer  and  as  a soldier.  The 
children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Seagrave  were : Polly, 
born  Dec.  8,  1779;  Dorrington,  Sept.  25,  1781; 
John,  Dec.  1,  1783;  Sally,  in  1785;  Bezaleel,  Nov. 
30,  1787;  Sally,  in  1790;  Harriet,  Feb.  28,  1792; 
and  Daniel,  Nov.  2,  1795.  The  father  died  Feb.  3, 
1842,  aged  eighty-five  years.  The  mother  passed 
away  Sept.  19,  1831. 

(IV)  John  Seagrave  (2),  born  Dec.  1,  1783, 
married  March  21,  1805,  Mary  Scott,  of  Belling- 
ham, Mass.,  born  Feb.  5,  1784.  Mr.  Seagrave  set- 
tled in  Uxbridge,  Mass.,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
farming.  He  died  in  his  native  town,  Oct.  14, 
1836.  His  widow  Mary  passed  away  Jan.  12,  i860, 
aged  seventy-six  years.  Their  children  were: 
Caroline,  born  Jan.  31,  1806;  John,  Jan.  20,  1808; 
Saul  Scott,  March  3,  1810;  Selissa  Scott,  April  14, 
1812;  William  Henry,  Jan.  6,  1815;  Edward  Fos- 
ter, Aug.  13,  1817;  James  Carter,  April  14,  1821; 
and  Charles  Edwin,  Oct.  1,  1825. 

(V)  Charles  Edwin  Seagrave  was  born  in  L'x- 
bridge,  Mass.,  Oct.  I,  1825,  and  throughout  life 


1054 


RHODE  ISLAND 


was  identified  with  that  town.  After  his  school 
days  were  over  he  took  up  agricultural  pursuits 
first,  and  then  branched  out  into  the  lumber  busi- 
ness also.  He  became  a man  of  large  private  in- 
terests, and  was  also  to  a great  extent  connected 
with  Uxbridge  institutions  and  with  its  municipal 
life.  For  an  extended  period  he  was  president  of 
the  Uxbridge  Savings  Bank,  and  was  a director  of 
the  National  Bank  of  Uxbridge.  His  political 
work  has  always  been  in  connection  with  the  Re- 
publican party,  and  he  has  given  much  time  to  it, 
serving  as  selectman  for  several  years,  and  also  as 
the  representative  of  Uxbridge  in  the  State  Legis- 
lature. He  is  a man  honored  and  respected  for 
his  high  moral  character,  his  integrity  of  action  and 
his  devotion  to  his  home. 

Mr.  Seagrave  was  married  May  31,  1848,  to 
Miss  Abigail  Carter,  who  was  born  at  Pawtucket, 
June  12,  1824.  Their  children  were:  Edwin  Car- 
ter, born  Feb.  18,  1849;  Margaret  Melvina,  Dec. 
20,  1850  (in  Northbridge,  Mass.)  ; Charles  Scott, 
Aug.  9,  1852  (in  Uxbridge,  Mass.)  ; Mary  Abbie, 
April  15,  1858;  Annie,  Oct.  17,  1859;  and  Augus- 
tus C.  S.,  July  20,  1868. 

(VI)  Charles  S.  Seagrave  passed  his  boyhood 
on  his  father’s  farm,  but  received  a better  education 
than  falls  to  the  lot  of  the  ordinary  farmer’s  son, 
for  he  attended  not  only  the  lower  schools,  but  also 
the  high  school  of  his  native  town.  In  1869  he 
began  teaching,  and  for  seven  terms  continued  in 
that  work.  He  gave  it  up  in  1875  to  begin  his 
business  career  as  a clerk  in  the  National  Bank  of 
Smithfield,  where  his  uncle,  William  H.  Seagrave, 
was  cashier.  It  proved  to  be  eminently  the  right 
step,  for  he  developed  marked  ability  for  just  such 
a line  of  work,  and  in  five  short  years  had  made  so 
practical  a study  of  banking  methods  that  he  had 
risen  to  the  position  of  cashier  of  the  bank,  suc- 
ceeding his  uncle  in  1880,  upon  the  latter’s  resig- 
nation. Since  that  time  he  has  continued  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  that  position  with  ever  in- 
creasing satisfaction  to  the  stockholders  and  public 
alike. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Smithfield  is  an  old 
institution,  incorporated  and  chartered  in  June, 
1815,  as  the  Burrillville  Agricultural  Bank.  It 
did  not  begin  business,  however,  until  1818,  when 
it  opened  as  the  Burrillville  Agricultural  and  Man- 
ufacturers Bank.  In  1822  its  name  was  changed 
to  the  Village  Bank,  and  in  May,  1865,  it  was  again 
changed,  to  the  present  form.  Through  this  long 
period  the  officers  have  been  few  in  number,  for 
there  have  been  but  five  presidents  and  four 
cashiers.  Those  who  filled  the  former  position  were 
John  Slater,  William  S.  Slater,  John  W.  Slater  and 
Byron  A.  Andrews,  the  present  incumbent,  Fred  J. 
Pitts,  entering  upon  his  duties  at  the  demise  of  the 
last  named  gentleman  in  1905.  The  first  cashier, 
Henry  S.  Mansfield,  was  succeeded  in  1839  by  his 
son  and  namesake,  who  in  turn  was  followed  by 
William  H.  Seagrave. 


The  life  of  Charles  S.  Seagrave  has  been  filled 
with  responsibilities  aside  from  his  work  in  the 
bank,  in  which  he  is  a director  as  well  as  cashier. 
He  has  been  town  treasurer  of  North  Smithfield 
for  many  years,  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket. 
In  1907  he  represented  the  town  in  the  State  Sen- 
ate. For  five  years  he  was  town  and  probate  clerk, 
succeeding  the  late  Hon.  Byron  A.  Andrews,  and 
during  that  time  settled  a number  of  estates,  while 
all  through  his  life  he  has  frequently  been  made 
executor  of  estates  all  through  the  region  around 
North  Smithfield  and  vicinity.  He  is  also  a justice 
of  the  peace,  appointed  by  the  judge  of  the  Twelfth 
District  court,  and  is  authorized  to  issue  warrants 
and  taking  recognizances  in  special  cases  return- 
able to  the  District  court.  During  one  term  he 
served  on  the  school  committee.  He  was  one  of  the 
incorporators  of  the  Slatersville  Cemetery  Associa- 
tion, and  is  now  its  secretary  and  trustee  and  treas- 
urer. Mr.  Seagrave  has  always  been  conspicuous 
for  his  public  spirit  and  abiding  interest  in  his 
town,  manifested  always  in  active  and  practical 
ways,  and  often  at  the  expense  of  much  personal 
inconvenience. 

On  Aug.  2,  1874,  Mr.  Seagrave  was  joined  in 
matrimony  to  Miss  Abbie  Flora  Cadwell,  and  the 
marriage  has  been  blessed  with  children  as  follows: 
Mabel  Agnes,  born  Aug.  26,  1875,  who  married 
Leon  L.  Southwick,  now  of  llion,  N.  Y. ; Florence 
Carter,  born  Dec.  1,  1877,  a graduate  from  Brown 
University,  and  now  a teacher  in  North  Smithfield; 
Abbie  Josephine, born  Dec. 23, 1879,  who  died  young; 
Charles  Edwin,  born  Nov.  9,  1883,  who  was 
graduated  from  the  University  School,  Providence, 
R.  I.,  in  1903,  and  is  now  assistant  in  the  bank  with 
his  father,  and  who  married  June  15,  1906,  Miss 
Laura  L.  Tabor;  Mary  Alice,  born  July  11,  1887, 
and  educated  at  the  Uxbridge  and  Woonsocket 
high  schools;  and  Frederick  W.,  born  Jan.  22,  1890, 
a high  school  student.  The  family  are  attendants 
of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Slatersville,  and 
Mr.  Seagrave  has  been  specially  active  in  its  work, 
having  served  twenty-three  years  as  superintendent 
of  its  Sunday-school,  and  also  as  teacher,  and  audi- 
tor of  the  church.  Mrs.  Seagrave  is  a member  of 
East  Douglas  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  and  is  a woman 
of  unusual  ability  and  of  fine  character.  The  family 
stand  high  in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the 
town  and  are  prominent  in  its  social  life. 

MARTIN  WILLARD  THURBER,  who  after 
living  retired  for  some  years  at  his  pleasant  home 
on  Mineral  Spring  avenue,  North  Providence,  died 
March  22,  1907,  was  a descendant  of  ap  old  Rhode 
Island  family,  being  in  the  seventh  generation  from 
the  immigrant  ancestor.  These  generations  in 
detail  follow  in  regular  order. 

(I)  In  1671,  John  Thurber  and  his  wife  Pris- 
cilla, with  six  of  their  eight  children,  Mary  and 
James  remaining  in  England,  came  from  Stanton, 
in  the  County  of  Lincoln,  125  miles  from  London, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


and  settled  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  at  Meadow  Neck, 
which  is  now  a part  of  Barrington,  R.  I.  The  chil- 
dren were:  James,  John,  Abigail,  Thomas,  Ed- 
ward) Charity,  Elizabeth  and  Mary. 

(II)  James  Thurber,  son  of  John,  born  Aug. 

26,  1660,  in  England,  came  to  New  England  in 
1672,  married  Elizabeth  Bliss  of  Rehoboth,  and 
died  March  26,  1736,  in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of 
his  age.  Their  children  were : James,  born  March 
3,  1684;  John,  born  Oct.  31,  1686;  Rachel,  born 
March  15,  1688;  Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  10,  1690; 
Bathia,  born  March  15,  1692;  Jonathan,  born 

March  25,  1695;  Grissell,  born  March  3,  1697; 
Samuel,  born  Aug.  27,  1700,  in  Rehoboth;  and 
Edward,  born  Aug.  9,  1792. 

(III)  Samuel  Thurber,  son  of  James,  born 
Aug.  27,  1700,  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  married  Rachel 
Wheeler  of  that  town,  and  they  died  at  different 
points,  he,  Dec.  20,  1785,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  aged 
eighty-five  years,  three  months  and  twenty-four 
days,  and  she  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.  Their  children 
were:  Samuel,  born  Oct.  27,  1724,  in  Rehoboth; 
John;  Benjamin,  born  July  14,  1736;  Rachel; 
James;  Mary;  Daniel;  and  Hezekiah. 

(IV)  Samuel  Thurber,  born  Oct.  27,  1724,  in 
Rehoboth,  married  Hopestill  Martin,  of  Rehoboth, 
born  May  8,  1725.  He  died  July  18,  1807,  aged 
eighty-two  years,  eight  months  and  twenty-three 
days.  She  died  July  7,  1785,  in  her  sixty-first 
year.  They  had  children  as  follows : Rebecca, 
born  Dec.  22,  1749;  Martin,  born  Jan.  14,  1753; 
Hope,  born  F.eb.  15,  1757;  Squire,  born  Feb.  7, 
1759;  Edward,  born  Feb.  21,  1761;  Rachel,  born 
May  19,  1763;  and  Lydia,  born  May  12,  1767. 

(Y)  Edward  Thurber,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born 
Feb.  21,  1761,  and  married  Sally  Field.  He  was  a 
resident  of  Providence,  his  home  being  located  on 
Constitution  PI  ill.  He  died  July  6,  1795,  and  his 
widow  passed  away  July  9,  1836.  Their  children 
were:  Martin,  a sea-faring  man,  was  lost  at  sea; 
Hope ; William  was  a blacksmith  by  trade,  a 
farmer  and  large  land  owner,  residing  in  Provi- 
dence, where  Thurber  avenue  was  named  for  him ; 
Edward,  a resident  of  Providence,  was  a sea-faring 
man,  mate  of  the  steamer  “Lexington,”  and  lost 
his  life  when  that  vessel  was  destroyed  by  fire ; 
Sally  married  a Mr.  Sheldon ; Stanton ; and  one 
daughter  died  in  infancy. 

(VI)  Stanton  Thurber,  son  of  Edward,  was 
born  in  Providence,  and  learned  the  trade  of  black- 
smith with  his  brother  William,  who  kept  a shop 
at  the  foot  of  Waterman  street.  After  completing 
his  apprenticeship  he  opened  a shop  of  his  own  on 
Arsenal  Lane,  and  was  engaged  in  business  there 
for  fifty-five  years,  retiring  from  active  work  about 
four  years  before  his  death,  which  occurred  May 
17,  1864.  He  was  buried  in  the  North  Burying 
ground. 

Mr.  Thurber  was  one  of  the  best  known  men  in 
his  line  of  work  in  the  city,  and  he  had  a very  wide 
acquaintance  not  only  with  the  residents  of  Provi- 


dence but  also  in  the  surrounding  towns.  He  did 
a very  large  business  as  then  accounted,  hiring  six 
men.  He  was  an  energetic,  industrious  man  and 
worked  as  hard  as  any  of  his  employes.  Plain  of 
speech  and  rather  abrupt  in  manner,  he  was  still 
very  highly  regarded  for  his  integrity  and  many 
sterling  traits  of  character.  His  word  was  as 
valuable  as  any  legal  procedure  could  have  made  it, 
and  among  his  fellow  citizens  was  never  questioned. 
His  death  occurred  at  his  residence  at  No.  100 
Benefit  street. 

Stanton  Thurber  married  Martha  Bicknell  Dex- 
ter, born  in  1799,  at  Grafton,  Mass.,  daughter  of 
Nathaniel  G.  B.  and  Lucy  (Willard)  Dexter.  Mrs. 
Thurber  survived  her  husband  until  Feb.  13,  1872, 
and  died  at  Providence.  She  was  a very  kind- 
hearted  lady,  and  many  were  the  recipients  of  her 
Christian  charity.  The  children  of  Stanton  Thur- 
ber and  wife  were:  (1)  Sarah,  died  Jan.  7,  1905, 
at  Providence,  unmarried.  (2)  Nathaniel  D.  mar- 
ried (first)  Jane  B.  Crowell,  and  (second)  Frances 
E.  Harrington ; he  succeeded  to  his  father's  busi- 
ness, which  he  conducted  for  many  years,  but  is 
now  living  retired.  He  was  father  of  two  children, 
Clarence  and  Mary,  both  of  whom  are  now  de- 
ceased. (3)  Martin  Willard.  (4)  Edwin  S.  was 
a druggist  at  Providence,  where  he  died.  He  mar- 
ried Amy  Knowles,  and  left  one  daughter,  Minnie 
A.,  now  Mrs.  George  C.  Phillips,  of  Providence. 
(5)  John  Richmond  died  in  infancy.  (6)  Nelson 
H.  was  a blacksmith  and  died  in  Providence.  He 
married  Mary  E.  Pettis,  and  left  three  children, 
Harry  F.,  of  Boston ; Howard,  who  died  in  Pom- 
fret,  Conn. ; and  Florence,  wife  of  Samuel  Burn- 
ham of  Providence.  (7)  Charles  H.,  secretary  of 
the  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Chil- 
dren, married  Melissa  Winslow,  and  they  have 
three  children : Martha  B.,  wife  of  Henry  Nichols, 
of  Grafton,  Mass.;  Harriet  E.,  Mrs.  Benjamin 
Burden,  of  Providence;  and  Frank  D. 

(VII)  Martin  Willard  Thurber  was  born  Aug. 
2,  1826,  in  Providence,  and  he  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city.  He  learned 
the  trade  of  tanner  and  currier  and  acquired  a 
knowledge  of  blacksmithing  by  working  in  his 
father's  shop  during  the  winter  seasons.  In  1849 
he  was  one  of  a company  of  100  individuals  who 
purchased  the  ship  “South  America,”  and  on  her 
made  the  voyage  to  California,  around  Cape  Horn, 
reaching  the  gold  fields  after  a voyage  of  150  days. 
PI  is  stay  in  California  was  short,  and  in  order  to 
reach  home  he  shipped  from  San  Francisco  as  a 
seaman  before  the  mast,  on  the  ship  “William 
Sprague,”  owned  by  Manton  & Hallett,  of  Provi- 
dence, and  on  that  vessel  returned  home  via  China. 
After  his  return  to  Providence,  Mr.  Thurber  took 
up  the  work  of  blacksmith,  which  he  continued 
until  1857.  He  then  returned  to  the  sea,  making  a 
voyage  to  Australia  as  a seaman,  on  the  ship  “Ex- 
pounder,” owned  at  Boston.  He  also  made  later 
voyages.  His  last  one  was  on  the  celebrated  clipper 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1056 


ship  “Dreadnaught,”  under  Capt.  Samuel  Samuels, 
when  the  east  bound  passage,  New  York  to  Liver- 
pool, was  made  in  eighteen  days  and  the  west 
bound  in  twenty-one  days — at  that  time  the  record 
passage.  He  made  one  voyage  on  the  “South 
America,”  owned  by  William,  Thomas  and  Joseph 
Fletcher  of  Providence ; this  was  a whaling  ex- 
pedition, and  lasted  eighteen  months.  Upon  his 
second  return  he  remained  in  the  employ  of  his 
father  until  he  was  offered  the  position  of  foreman 
for  E.  C.  Thayer,  who  started  the  Butterfly  factory 
in  the  town  of  Lincoln,  for  the  manufacture  of 
leather  goods.  He  remained  there  for  four  years, 
resigning  that  position  in  November,  1865.  He 
then  purchased  his  property  on  Mineral  Spring 
avenue,  North  Providence,  on  which  he  erected  new 
buildings,  set  out  trees  and  otherwise  made  im- 
provements, having  the  satisfaction  of  owning  one 
of  the  most  attractive  homes  of  the  town.  For  a 
number  of  years  after  settling  there  he  conducted 
a blacksmith  shop  on  Meeting  street,  Providence, 
but  a few  years  ago,  was  obliged  to  give  up  his 
work  on  account  of  failing  eyesight. 

On  Jan.  5,  1852,  Mr.  Thurber  was  married  to 
Sarah  Elizabeth  Brown,  born  in  Providence,  July 
30,  1834,  daughter  of  George  Riley  and  Mary 
Arnold  (Reynolds)  Brown.  They  had  three  chil- 
dren, namely:  Stanton,  born  Oct.  17,  1862,  died 
Jan.  29,  1891  ; Evelyn  Augusta,  born  July  30,  1867, 
married  George  W.  Walker,  a traveling  salesman, 
residing  in  Providence,  and  has  these  children, 
Jessie  Brown,  Helen  Agreta  and  Ethel  May;  and 
Katie  Wallace,  born  Oct.  18,  1872,  married  Her- 
bert E.  Handy,  a native  of  Providence  and  a meat 
dealer,  and  they  reside  in  North  Providence. 

Mr.  Thurber  was  a stanch  Republican.  He 
served  as  a member  of  the  town  council  of  North 
Providence  and  was  a member  of  the  school  com- 
mittee. Both  he  and  his  wife  not  only  retained  a 
remarkable  youthfulness  of  appearance,  but  also  pos- 
sessed the  genial,  happy  disposition  which  made 
their  home  a center  of  hospitality  and  good  feeling. 

HENRY  CLAY  GORTON.  Perhaps  nowhere 
within  these  pages  will  be  found  biographical  men- 
tion of  an  individual  who  more  typically  represents 
that  citizenship  which  has  made  New  England  re- 
nowned the  world  over.  Mr.  Gorton  is  descended 
through  a long  line  of  eminent  ancestry  from  sev- 
eral of  the  oldest  of  Rhode  Island  families.  The 
Gortons,  Greenes  and  Tillinghasts  will  be  found 
on  every  page  of  her  history. 

(I)  Gov.  Samuel  Gorton,  the  first  settler  of 
Warwick,  was  born  in  England  early  in  the  seven- 
teenth century  and  came  to  Boston  in  1636.  There 
he  was  a man  of  much  renown,  and  so  much  of 
him  has  been  written  that  mention  here  need  be  but 
brief.  Because  of  religious  differences  he  was  im- 
prisoned by  those  in  control  at  that  time,  but  was 
later  released  through  the  efforts  of  his  very  close 
friend  the  Earl  of  Warwick,  and  after  his  settle- 


ment in  Rhode  Island  he  acquired  much  land  by 
purchase  from  the  Indians.  This  tract  was  later 
given  the  name  of  Warwick  in  honor  of  the  Earl. 
Mr.  Gorton  died  “between  Nov.  27  and 
Dec.  10,  1677” — the  exact  date  has  never 

been  learned.  He  was  a man  of  great  in- 
telligence and  tenacity  of  purpose,  and  was  the 
writer  of  a number  of  publications  of  relig- 
ious character.  He  was  the  father  of  three  sons, 
John,  Samuel  and  Benjamin. 

(II)  Samuel  Gorton,  son  of  Samuel,  married 
Elizabeth  Green  July  25,  1706,  and  died  Aug.  21, 
I/AT 

(II)  Benjamin  Gorton,  son  of  Samuel  (1), 
married  Sarah  Carter,  daughter  of  Richard,  Dec. 
5,  1672. 

(II)  John  Gorton,  eldest  son  of  Gov.  Samuel, 
married  Margaret  Weston  Jan.  25,  1665.  He  was 
a minister  and  was  known  as  Elder. John  Gorton. 
His  children  were:  Otlmiel,  born  Sept.  26,  1669; 
and  Samuel,  born  July  22,  1672. 

(III)  Samuel  Gorton,  son  of  Elder  John  Gor- 
ton, born  July  22,  1672,  died  June  5,  1721.  On 
May  9,  1695,  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Elijah  Collins,  who  was  a physician  of  Warwick. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gorton  became  the  parents  of  chil- 
dren as  follows:  Ann,  born  Feb.  9,  1696;  Edward, 
May  18,  1698;  Margaret,  May  12,  1701;  Samuel, 
June  2,  1706;  Alice,  Aug.  5,  1707;  Elizabeth,  Sept. 
26,  1709;  Samuel  (2),  July  14,  1711;  Thomas, 
March  2,  1713;  Benjamin  Dec.  11,  1715;  Ann  (2), 
May  22,  1718:  and  Richard,  June  15,  1720. 

(IV)  Benjamin  Gorton,  son  of  Samuel,  born 
Dec.  11,  1715,  married  Mercy  Foster  March  1, 
1740,  and  died  in  1767.  He  was  a resident  of  West 
Greenwich.  He  was  the  father  of  Capt.  Benjamin 
Gorton. 

(V)  Capt.  Benjamin  Gorton  was  born  in  West 
Greenwich,  and  died  in  1799.  On  Feb.  19,  1762, 
he  married  Deborah  Weaver,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Weaver,  and  he  was  the  father  of  William  and 
Gen.  Thomas  Gorton. 

(VI)  William  Gorton,  son  of  Benjamin  and 
Deborah  (Weaver)  Gorton,  was  born  in  West 
Greenwich,  and  married  Welthian,  daughter  of 
Judge  Benjamin  Tillinghast,  who  was  then  a large 
land  holder  of  West  Greenwich.  Their  children 
were:  William,  born  Dec.  21,  1782;  Sarah,  born 
April  24,  1784,  who  married  Elder  James  Tilling- 
hast; Elizabeth,  born  March  1,  1785;  Phebe, 
born  Oct.  18,  1786,  who  married  a Campbell;  Til- 
linghast, born  Sept.  23,  1787;  and  James  S.,  born 
July  26,  1791. 

(VII)  Tillinghast  Gorton,  son  of  William  and 
Welthian  Gorton,  was  born  in  Voluntown,  Conn., 
and  was  educated  for  the  medical  profession. 
Throughout  his  life  he  was  known  as  “doctor,”  but 
owing  to  his  rather  delicate  health  he  was  never 
actually  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine.  He 
devoted  himself  to  farming  and  was  more  than  or- 
dinarily successful.  He  was  also  skilled  in  wood- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1057 


working  and  made  many  articles  of  beauty  and  util- 
ity with  the  crude  tools  of  the  period.  He  was  prom- 
inent in  the  town’s  affairs  and  among  other  official 
positions  with  which  he  was  honored  was  that  of 
town  sealer,  an  office  in  which  he  rendered  efficient 
service  for  many  years.  He  died  Jan.  1,  i860,  and 
was  laid  to  rest  in  the  family  burial  ground  at  the 
homestead  in  West  Greenwich.  He  married  Char- 
ity Rathbun,  who  was  born  at  Exeter,  in  1785, 
daughter  of  John  Rathbun. 

(VIII)  Benjamin  Tillinghast  Gorton,  born  in 
Exeter,  R.  I.,  Nov.  25,  1807,  ran  the  gauntlet  of 
the  common  schools  of  the  period,  and  “as  in  to- 
day already  walks  tomorrow”  so  in  the  experience 
and  development  of  his  youthful  life  there  were 
clear  foreshadowings  of  the  future.  For  a num- 
ber of  years  he  was  a school  teacher,  in  which  pro- 
fession his  already  active  mind  had  ample  exercise 
fitting  him  for  the  successful  career  which  followed. 
He  manifested  a keen  interest  in  military  affairs 
and  was  a student  of  tactics,  and  in  time,  by  reason 
of  his  fitness,  lie  became  brigadier-general  of  the 
4th  Brigade  of  Rhode  Island  Militia,  in  this  capac- 
ity rendering  a great  and  lasting  service  to  his 
State.  He  detested  war  unless  it  was  absolutely 
unavoidable,  yet  he  believed  in  preparedness,  and 
it  was  due  in  a measure  to  this  quality  in  General 
Gorton  that  rendered  possible  the  enviable  record 
made  by  Rhode  Island  troops  in  later  developments, 
many  of  them  having  been  under  the  direct  com- 
mand of  the  General  in  time  of  peace.  His  quali- 
ties of  leadership,  his  ability  and  his  faculty  of 
achievement  led  him  into  political  paths,  and  he 
served  his  town  as  councilman,  town  sergeant,  as- 
sessor of  taxes,  tax  collector,  school  committeeman, 
and  in  various  minor  positions  of  trust.  But  it 
was  as  the  representative  from  West  Greenwich  in 
the  General  Assembly  that  lie  rendered  perhaps  the 
greatest  service.  There,  it  is  said  of  him,  he  ex- 
erted great  influence  and  was  an  interesting 
speaker,  forcible  and  decidedly  natural,  direct,  lu- 
cid, and  concentrative  in  his  presentations.  He  was 
a man  singularly  sincere,  honest  and  independent 
in  personality,  simple  yet  assertive,  courtly  yet  de- 
void of  all  hauteur  of  manner,  unassuming  in  his 
intercourse  with  men,  shunning  unnecessary  pub- 
licity, but  warm  in  his  attachments  to  friends.  He 
died  May  8,  1886,  and  was  buried  in  West  Green- 
wich cemetery.  Elis  death  was  mourned  by  the  en- 
tire community,  each  individual  of  which  felt  that 
he  had  lost  an  honest  and  sincere  friend. 

General  Gorton  was  married,  Feb.  16,  1837,  to 
Alma  Greene,  who  was  born  Jan.  3,  1817,  daughter 
of  Deacon  Josiah  and  Elizabeth  (Lewis)  Greene, 
the  former  of  whom  descended  from  the  first  Amer- 
ican settler,  John  Green,  through  Deacon  Josiah, 
Rev.  Stafford,  Rev.  Elisha,  Esq.  Philip,  Lieut. 
John,  Benjamin,  and  John  of  Wickford.  Mrs.  Gor- 
ton survived  her  husband  several  years,  her  death 
occurring  March  27,  1889.  Their  children  were: 
Abbie  N.,  wife  of  William  N.  Sweet,  a sketch  of 
67 


whom  appears  elsewhere;  Jason  T. ; and  Henry 
Clay. 

(IX)  Henry  Clay  Gorton  was  born  Dec.  12, 
1847,  in  West  Greenwich.  Reared  in  an  atmo- 
sphere of  refinement,  learning  and  Christian  stand- 
ards, and  having  the  advantages  of  the  schools  of 
his  native  community,  he  acquired  a good  English 
education,  and,  choosing  a mercantile  career,  early 
in  youth  obtained  a clerkship  with  John  Burlin- 
game, of  Providence.  There  he  applied  himself 
closely,  learning  the  rudiments  of  business,  and  not 
long  afterward  he  purchased  a small  store  on  Car- 
penter street,  in  Providence.  He  built  up  the  busi- 
ness so  successfully  that  in  a very  short  time  he 
was  able  to  dispose  of  it  to  his  advantage.  Return- 
ing to  his  native  community,  he  engaged  in  business 
in  Coventry  for  six  or  seven  years,  and  was  next 
associated  with  Benjamin  Horton,  at  Washington 
village,  in  Coventry,  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Hor- 
ton. Then  he  again  took  up  his  residence  in  Prov- 
idence, entering  the  employ  of  the  Spragues.  In 
1888  he  established  himself  in  his  present  location 
on  Plainfield  street.  There  he  began  business  in  a 
small  way,  transporting  freight  and  passengers  to 
and  from  Thornton,  there  being  no  other  means  of 
conveyance  at  that  time.  Seven  horses  were  at 
first  required,  and  the  equipment  was  added  to 
as  the  business  increased  and  as  Mr.  Gorton’s  com- 
mercial lines  were  extended,  s’o  that  he  now  has  a 
large  plant,  and  conducts  a prosperous  wood  and 
coal  business,  also  doing  a livery  business  and  gen- 
eral teaming.  He  has  between  thirty  and  forty 
horses,  and  vehicles  of  various  sorts  are  housed 
in  the  ample  stables.  Mr.  Gorton  has  achieved  no 
small  measure  of  success  and  he  has  deserved  it, 
for  it  is  the  direct  result  of  his  own  efforts,  labor 
and  careful  management.  He  stands  high  in  bus- 
iness circles. 

On  Oct.  30,  1872,  Mr.  Gorton  married  Miss 
Marsena  Edith  Tillinghast,  daughter  of  Rev.  John 
Tillinghast  and  sister  of  the  late  Chief  Justice  Par- 
don Tillinghast.  They  have  a family  of  four  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  eldest.  Ada  C.,  is  now  the  wife 
of  Dr.  C.  F.  Atwood,  of  Arlington,  Mass. ; Wilfred 
Hays  married  May  Winsor,  daughter  of  Harrison 
Tillinghast  Winsor,  and  they  are  residents  of  Los 
Angeles,  Cal. ; Stella  Westcott  and  Avery  Tilling- 
hast are  at  home. 

Mr.  Gorton  is  a Republican  and  has  been  hon- 
ored by  election  to  numerous  offices,  all  of  which 
he  has  filled  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  en- 
tire satisfaction  of  his  constituency.  Prior  to  the 
annexation  of  the  Olneyville  section  to  the  city  he 
was  a member  of  the  Johnston  town  council,  in 
which  he  rendered  efficient  service.  In  1900  he 
was  first  elected  a representative  in  the  State  Leg- 
islature, and  was  continued  in  that  incumbency  by 
most  gratifying  majorities  until  1906.  He  is  de- 
cidedly self-developed  and  self-made.  Socially  he 
is  affable,  genial,  thoroughly  a gentleman  whom 
it  is  a delight  to  meet,  whether  the  visitor  be  old 


1058 


RHODE  ISLAND 


friend  or  stranger.  In  speaking  he  is  logical  and 
entertaining,  and  as  a business  man  he  is  straight- 
forward, safe  and  reliable. 

JASON  T.  GORTON,  eldest  son  of  Gen.  Ben- 
jamin T.  Gorton,  was  born  Jan.  5,  1841,  in  W^st 
Greenwich,  R.  I.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm,  but 
received  educational  advantages  somewhat  superior 
to  those  of  the  average  country  youth.  He  first  at- 
tended the  public  schools  and  later  a select  pri- 
vate institution  of  learning,  and  when  quite  a young 
man  he  began  teaching  in  the  schools  of  Hopkin- 
ton,  R.  I.,  continuing  in  that  vocation  for  some 
fourteen  years,  the  last  four  in  the  town  of  Cov- 
entry. For  more  than  twenty  years  Mr.  Gorton 
was  the  station  agent  at  Coventry,  and  during  that 
long  period  faithfully  performed  every  service  and 
fulfilled  every  trust.  During  these  years  he  pur- 
chased the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides.  In 
political  faith  he  is  independent  and  has  been  nom- 
inated for  important  town  offices. 

On  Nov.  1,  1868,  Mr.  Gorton  married  Anna  L., 
daughter  of  Charles  Andrews,  of  the  well  known 
Andrews  family  of  Vermont,  who  married  Hannah 
Tillinghast,  of  Rhode  Island.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gorton  were  born  the  following  children:  (1) 
Mabel  Hope  is  the  wife  of  Lewis  H.  Rodebaugh, 
of  Sacramento,  Cal.,  traveling  passenger  agent  for 
the  Southern  Pacific  Railway  Company,  and  has 
one  child,  Karl  Dehaven.  (2)  Charles  Tillinghast 
married  Elizabeth  Dow,  of  Pontiac,  R.  I.,  where 
they  reside,  and  where  Mr.  Gorton  is  in  the  employ 
of  B.  B.  & R.  Knight.  They  have  two  children, 
Grace  D.  and  Raymond  T.  (3)  Frank  Robinson, 
who  resides  at  Anthony,  married  Flora  Wood  and 
they  have  two  children,  George  Wood  and  Andrew 
Tillinghast.  (4)  Hannah  Maud  married  Herman 
Reed,  who  is  in  the  undertaking  business  at  An- 
thony, R.  I.  (5)  Lurana  Andrews  became  the  wife 
of  Fred  A.  Hill,  of  Coventry,  and  they  have  one 
child,  James  Richard  Gorton  Hill,  born  Oct.  9, 
1905. 

Mrs.  Anna  L.  (Andrews)  Gorton  died  Oct.  5, 
1905,  and  is  buried  at  Knotty  Oak  cemetery,  at 
Washington,  R.  I.  Mrs.  Gorton  was  for  some 
years  a teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Rhode  Is- 
land, and  was  well  and  most  favorably  known 
throughout  a wide  circle  of  acquaintances.  She 
was  a woman  of  high  intellectual  attainments,  but 
though  well  advanced  in  literature,  and  a reader  of 
the  best  authors,  she  was  entirely  devoted  to  her 
family  and  assisted  to  a great  degree  in  their  edu- 
cational progress,  rearing  her  children  in  an  at- 
mosphere of  refinement  and  culture.  She  had 
early  become  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and 
was  of  devout  temperament.  The  family  was  for 
some  years  located  in  Providence,  whither  they  re- 
moved in  order  to  give  the  children  the  advantages 
of  the  superior  educational  facilities  afforded  in  that 
place. 


DRING.  The  name  Dring  belongs  to  an  old 
and  well-established  family  in  New  England,  one 
now  of  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  years’  stand- 
ing in  and  about  the  towns  in  both  Rhode  Island 
and  Massachusetts  close  to  the  line  separating  the 
two  States.  Little  Compton  was  the  early  home  of 
the  Dring  family  treated  in  this  article,  and  New- 
port has  for  many  years  been  the  home  of  later 
generations  of  the  family. 

To  this  family  belonged  Thomas  Dring,  who 
was  born  Aug?  3,  1758,  at  Newport,  and  died  Aug. 
8,  1825,  at  Providence,  R.  I.  He  was  evidently  a 
seafaring  man  before  or  during  the  exciting  times 
of  the  Revolution,  as  he  was  so  engaged  at  the  time 
of  that  great  war,  and  at  least  twice  was  made  a 
prisoner  by  the  enemy.  In  his  “Recollections  of 
the  Jersey  Prison  Ship,”  which  were  prepared  in 
manuscript  by  him  in  1824  and  afterward  arranged 
and  edited  for  publication  by  Mr.  Albert  G.  Greene, 
he  says  in  part:  “I  was  first  immuned  in  1779  on 
board  the  ‘Good  Hope,’  then  lying  in  the  North 
River,  opposite  New  York,  but  after  confinement  of. 
more  than  four  months,  I succeeded  in  making 
my  escape  to  the  Jersey  shore.  Afterward,  in 
1782,  I was  again  captured  and  conveyed  on  board 
the  ‘Jersey,’  where,  for  nearly  five  months  I was  a 
witness  and  partaker  of  the  unspeakable  sufferings 
of  that  wretched  class  of  American  prisoners,  who 
were  there  taught  the  utmost  extent  of  human 
misery.  I sailed  from  Providence,  R.  I.,  in  May. 
1782,  as  master's  mate,  on  board  the  privateer 
called  the  ‘Chance.’ 

“This  was  a new  vessel  on  her  first  cruise.  She 
was  owned  in  Providence  by  Clarke  and  Nightin- 
gale, commanded  by  Capt.  Daniel  Aborn  and 
mounted  with  twelve  six-pound  cannon  and  sailed 
with  a complement  of  about  sixty-five  men.  Our 
cruise  was  but  a short  one,  for  in  a few  days  after 
sailing  we  were  captured  bv  the  British  ship-of- 
war,  the  ‘Belisarius,’  Capt.  Graves,  of  twenty-six 
guns.” 

Mate  Dring  went  on  to  say  that  the  capture  was 
made  in  the  night,  that  the  captured  crew,  having 
been  taken  on  board  the  enemy’s  ship,  were  put  in 
irons  the  next  morning,  that  they  were  later  taken 
to  the  “Jersey,”  where  the  long  and  dreadful  con- 
finement began.  Suffice  it  to  add  here  that  the 
“Jersey”  was  originally  a British  ship  of  the  line, 
rated  and  registered  as  a sixty-four  gun  ship,  but 
had  mounted  seventy-four  guns.  At  the  commence- 
ment of  the  Revolution,  being  an  old  vessel  and 
proving  to  be  much  decayed,  she  was  entirely  dis- 
mantled and  soon  after  was  moored  in  the  East 
river  at  New  York  and  converted  into  a store-ship. 
In  1780  she  was  billed  as  a prison-ship  and  was 
used  for  that  purpose  during  the  remainder  of  the 
war.  She  was  moored  with  chain  cables  at  the 
Wall,  about  a solitary  and  unfrequented  place  on 
the  shore  of  Long  Island. 

This  prison-ship  “Jersey”  and  the  treatment  of 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1059 


its  prisoners,  as  set  forth  by  the  work  alluded  to, 
bore  much  akin  to  the  horrors  of  the  Southern 
prisons,  Libby  and  Andersonville,  during  the  Civil 
war.  It  has  been  estimated,  the  work  alluded  to 
goes  on  to  say,  that  more  than  10,000  died  on  board 
the  “Jersey”  and  its  three  hospital  ships.  During 
the  confinement  of  Captain  Dring,  according  to  his 
account,  the  vessel  was  never  visited  by  any  regular 
clergyman  nor  were  divine  services  ever  performed 
on  her. 

After  being  released  from  captivity  Mate  Dring 
entered  the  merchant  service  and  soon  attained 
command  of  a ship.  He  sailed  from  the  port  of 
Providence  for  many  years  and  was  well  known 
as  an  able  and  experienced  officer.  In  1803  he 
retired  from  his  nautical  profession  and  soon  after 
established  himself  in  business  at  Providence, 
where  he  resided  during  the  remainder  of  his  life 
and  died,  as  stated,  in  1825. 

Newport,  R.  I.,  is  still  the  home  of  several 
descendants  of  this  family,  and  it  is  of  these  de- 
scendants that  it  is  the  purpose  of  this 'article  to 
treat.  The  genealogical  record  of  the  family  will 
be  here  found,  in  chronological  order. 

The  first  authentic  record  of  the  Dring  family 
in  America  opens  in  Little  Compton,  then  a part  of 
Massachusetts,  but  later  of  Rhode  Island,  where 

(I)  Thomas  Dring,  who  was  born  in  1666,  is  of 
record  there  as  marrying  May  21,  1696,  Mary 
Butler,  who  was  born  in  1670,  and  their  children 
of  Little  Compton  town  record  were:  John,  born 
April  12,  1697;  Mary,  April  23,  1699  (died  in  May, 
1786)  ; Mercy,  July  23,  1701  ; Thomas,  April  23, 
1704;  Elizabeth,  May  16,  1706;  Nathaniel,  April 
17,  1707;  Priscilla,  March  8,  1709  (died  June  8, 
1709);  Azariah,  March  27,  1710;  Ruth,  Feb.  3, 
1712;  Bathsheba,  Aug.  16,  1715  (died  in  March, 
1790)  ; and  Freelove,  March  1,  1720. 

(II)  Thomas  Dring,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
(Butler)  Dring,  was  born  April  23,  1704,  and  mar- 
ried June  28,  1725,  Sarah  Searle,  daughter  of  Na- 
thaniel Searle,  and  a descendant  of  John  Alden  and 
Priscilla  Mullins,  of  the  “Mayflower.”  She  was 
born  April  2,  1700,  and  died  Feb.  16,  1783-  Their 
children  were:  Tabitha,  born  Oct.  22,  1726;  Ben- 
jamin, Nov.  27,  1727;  Philip,  Sept.  7,  1730;  Han- 
nah, Sept.  14,  1732;  Nathaniel,  Sept.  4,  1734; 
Abigail,  April  30,  1736;  and  Mary,  in  1737  (died 
Oct.  18,  1822).  The  father  of  these  children  died 
April  16,  1787. 

(III)  Philip  Dring,  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah 
(Searle)  Dring,  was  born  Sept.  7,  1730,  and  mar- 
ried Dec.  19,  1751,  Ruth  Stoddard,  daughter  of 
Jonathan  and  Mary  (Dring)  Stoddard.  She  was 
born  Oct.  1,  1733,  and  died  July  24,  1816.  Their 
children  were:  Delany,  born  June  30,  1752,  mar- 
ried Robert  Woodworth;  John  born  Dec.  15,  1754, 
died  Nov.  5,  1775 ; Hannah,  born  Feb.  3,  1757, 
married  Peter  Holt;  Philip,  born  April  23,  1759, 
died  April  10,  1766;  Nathaniel,  born  March  29, 
1761,  married  Susanna  Brownell  (Nathaniel  was  a 


soldier  of  the  Revolution  and  a pensioner  for  his 
services;  he  died  at  Newport  in  February,  1822; 
the  census  of  1840  proves  that  he  was  a pensioner, 
and  that  his  widow,  a pensioner,  was  a resident  of 
1 iverton,  and  was  there  living  with  Thomas 
Dring,  and  was  aged  seventy-two  years)  ; Ruth, 
born  June  26,  1763,  died  in  1766;  Benjamin,  born 
in  1765,  died  in  1766;  Ruth  (2),  born  April 
18,  1767*  married  Ebenezer  Clarke;  Philip  was 
born  Aug.  29,  1769;  Sarah  Searle,  born  June  1, 
1772,  died  April  13,  1859;  John  was  born  Nov.  4, 
1775  ; Deborah  was  born  March  22,  1777. 

(IV)  John  Dring,  son  of  Philip  and  Ruth 
(Stoddard)  Dring,  was  born  Nov.  4,  1775,  in  Little 
Compton,  R.  I.,  and  died  in  Newport,  July  17, 
i855-  In  early  life  he  followed  the  sea,  but  later 
became  engaged  in  farming  and  teaming.  He  mar- 
ried Esther  Perry,  who  was  born  in  1782,  and  died 
in  Newport  Aug.  20,  1820,  a native  of  South 
Kingstown,  R.  I.,  daughter  of  Edward  Perry. 
Their  home  was  iy  Newport,  where  their  children 
were  born,  as  follows:  Philip,  born  May  24,  1802, 
is  mentioned  further  on ; Abby  Gardner,  born  Dec. 
10,  1805,  died  unmarried,  Oct.  28,  1898,  at  the  age 
of  almost  ninety-three  years ; Charles  Perry,  born 
June  12,  1808,  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  these 
volumes;  Mary,  born  Oct.  7,  1810,  died  unmarried, 
March  23,  1882;  Ruth,  born  July  7,  1813,  died  un- 
married, Jan.  16,  1855;  Frances,  born  Oct.  1,  1815, 
died  unmarried,  April  15,  1839;  Sarah,  born  Oct. 
4,  1817,  died  April  15,  1818;  and  Harriet,  born 
May  9,  1819,  died  Oct.  15,  1820. 

(V)  Philip  Dring,  son  of  John  and  Esther 

(Perry)  Dring,  was  born  May  24,  1802,  in  New- 
port, R.  I.,  where  he  passed  away  Feb.  22,  1891. 
In  early  life  he  followed  the  water,  but  in  after 
years  took  up  farming  and  teaming,  in  which  busi- 
ness occupations  he  continued  throughout  the  re- 
mainder of  his  active  life.  In  political  faith  he  was 
a Republican,  but  never  sought  public  office.  He 
married  Nancy  Clarke,  daughter  of  William  P. 
and  Mary  (Rogers)  Clarke,  of  Newport,  a record 
of  the  Clarke  family  appearing  elsewhere  in  these 
volumes.  Mrs.  Dring  died  in  Newport  in  1895, 
aged  eighty-four  years.  To  this  union  were  born 
these  children : Esther  P.,  who  married  Rev. 

George  R.  Northrup,  and  now  resides  in  Exeter, 
R.  I.,  a widow ; John,  mentioned  further  on ; Wil- 
liam C.,  mentioned  further  on ; Mary,  now  the 
widow  of  Michael  Callahan,  of  Newport;  and  Rob- 
ert Lawrence,  mentioned  further  on. 

(VI)  John  Dring,  son  of  Philip  and  Nancy 
(Clarke)  Dring,  was  born  Feb.  29,  1836,  in  New- 
port, and  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of 
his  native  city.  At  the  age  of  twelve  years  he  left 
school  and  for  five  years'  was  engaged  in  selling 
newspapers,  but  when  seventeen  years  old  took  up 
farming  and " for  two  seasons  was  employed  by 
James  Allen.  He  then  leased  ten  acres  of  land  at 
the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Calvert  streets,  upon 
which  he  continued  farming  until  1886.  On  Dec. 


io6o 


RHODE  ISLAND 


2d,  of  the  latter  named  year,  Mr.  Dring  purchased 
a farm  in  Middletown,  consisting  of  forty-three 
acres,  known  as  the  Christopher  Sweet  farm,  and 
under  his  care  and  supervision  it  has  been  kept  in 
a first-class  state  of  cultivation.  In  the  early  part 
of  his  career  as  a farmer  he  was  largely  engaged  in 
raising  and  dealing  in  cattle,  and  he  has  also  been 
extensively  identified  with  dairying  interests,  keep- 
ing from  twenty-five  to  thirty  cows ; he  has  been 
serving  his  customers  in  Newport  with  the  product 
of  his  dairy  continuously  since  1852,  a period  of 
over  fifty-five  years. 

On  Sept.  25,  1856,  Mr.  Dring  was  married  to 
Bridget  Lenahan,  of  Newport,  in  which  city  she 
passed  away  Feb.  9,  1871,  the  mother  of  ten  chil- 
dren, three  of  whom  died  in  infancy : Mary  Ann, 
born  Sept.  25,  1857,  married  Walter  Burgess,  of 
Providence ; Philip,  born  Nov.  28,  1858,  resides  in 
Middletown,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming  (he 
married  Mary  Lydon,  of  New  York)  ; Sylvester, 
born  Jan.  29,  i860,  is  an  iron  molder  by  trade,  and 
lives  in  Fall  River,  Mass,  (he  married  Dora  Raw- 
son,  of  Woonsocket,  R.  I.)  ; John,  born  Feb.  14, 
1863,  is  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Dring  & 
Smith,  painters  and  dealers  in  painters’  supplies  of 
Newport,  and  is  married  to  Rosine  Plumaz,  of 
Switzerland;  Walter,  born  Nov.  22,  1864,  a car- 
penter and  builder  of  Newport,  married  Margaret 
Ring,  of  this  city;  James,  born  Jan.  29,  1866,  a 
painter  by  trade,  married  Katie  Murphy,  of  New- 
port; and  Joseph,  born  May  1,  1869,  engaged  in 
farming  with  his  father,  is  unmarried.  Mr.  John 
Dring  was  married  (second)  Nov.  13,  1873,  to 
Mary  Riley,  of  Newport,  in  which  city  she  died 
Feb.  10,  1902.  One  daughter  was  born  to  this 
union,  Ellen,  born  Sept.  11,  1874,  who  resides  at 
home,  unmarried. 

Mr.  Dring  is  a very  industrious,  energetic  man, 
and  the  success  which  is  his  has  been  attained 
through  his  thrift,  pluck  and  business  ability, 
In  political  faith  he  is  a Republican,  but  he  has 
never  sought  public  office. 

(VI)  William  Clarke  Dring,  son  of  Philip 
and  Nancy  (Clarke)  Dring,  was  born  April  24, 
1841,  in  Newport.  After  attending  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years 
he  took  up  gardening  as  an  occupation,  and  he  fol- 
lowed that  for  some  two  or  three  years  on  the,  es- 
tate of  the  late  Robert  Morgan  Gibbs.  For  the 
next  four  years  he  was  engaged  in  landscape 
gardening  on  his  own  account,  during  which  time 
he  gave  employment  to  several  hands,  and  in  June, 
1871,  he  was  appointed  a member  of  the  police 
force  of  Newport,  efficiently  serving  the  city  in 
that  capacity  for  a period  of  thirty  years.  In  1901 
he  was  retired  and  placed  on  the  pension  list,  on 
account  of  disability.  He  has  since  lived  retired. 
After  serving  two  years  on  the  force  Mr.  Dring 
was  promoted  to  sergeant,  but  after  serving  as 
such  for  a short  time  he  gave  up  that  position  to 


become  a day  patrolman,  and  in  that  capacity 
served  until  his  retirement. 

Mr.  Dring  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  organi- 
zation, holding  membership  in  St.  John's  Lodge, 
No.  1,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Newport  Chapter,  No.  2, 
R.  A.  M. ; DeBlois  Council,  No.  5,  R.  & S.  M., 
and  Washington  Commandery,  No.  4,  K.  T.,  of 
Newport.  For  a number  of  years  he  was  also  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor.  In  political 
faith  Mr.  Dring  is  a stanch  Republican.  He  is  an 
attendant  of  the  United  Congregational  Church. 

On  Oct.  12,  1863,  Mr.  Dring  married  Janette 
Grindel,  of  Newport,  daughter  of  Thomas  Grindel. 
She  passed  away  in  Newport  Oct.  19,  1900,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-four  years.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dring 
were  born  children  as  follows : William  Alex- 
ander, who  is  a cabinet-maker  by  trade,  unmarried; 
Mary  Jeannette,  who  married  Joseph  Pearson,  a 
carpenter  by  trade,  and  has  one  son,  Russell  Hil- 
ton ; and  Elizabeth  Anna,  who  makes  her  home 
with  her  father,  and  is  unmarried. 

(VI)  Robert  Lawrence  Dring,  son  of  Philip 
and  Nancy  (Clarke)  Dring,  was  born  July  17, 
1851,  in  Newport.  His  book  learning  was  ac- 
quired in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  city, 
which  he  attended  until  reaching  the  age  of  fifteen 
years.  After  leaving  school  he  became  apprenticed 
to  the  carpenter’s  trade  with  his  uncle,  James 
Clarke,  and  he  remained  in  this  gentleman’s  employ 
for  thirteen  years,  during  which  time  he  served  as 
foreman  for  several  years.  In  1887  Mr.  Dring  en- 
gaged in  the  carpentering  business  on  his  own  ac- 
count, and  for  about  three  years  had  as  a partner 
in  the  business  Benjamin  Oman,  but  since  this  time 
has  been  engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account. 
Besides  doing  a general  jobbing  business,  Mr. 
Dring  makes  a specialty  of  building  fences  of  all 
kinds. 

In  politics  Mr.  Dring  is  a Republican.  He  at- 
tends the  First  Baptist  Church,  of  Newport. 
Mr.  Dring  was  married  Nov.  5,  1885,  to  Fannie 
Wool,  daughter  of  William  Wool.  No  children 
were  born  to  this  union.  Mrs.  Dring  passed  away 
in  Newport,  Dec.  10,  1905,  aged  forty-nine  years. 

HON.  WALTER  F.  BRAYTON,  formerly 
State  senator,  and  a well-known  farmejr  and  market 
gardener  of  Oak  Lawn,  in  the  town  of  Cranston, 
has  been  regarded  for  many  years  as  one  of  the 
most  useful  citizens  of  his  section  of  the  State. 
He  is  a native  of  the  town,  and  a descendant  of  one 
of  the  old  families  of  New  England,  his  line  from 
Francis  Brayton  being  through  Francis  (2), 
Thomas,  Thomas  (2),  Jonathan,  Lodowick  and 
Nehemiah  Brayton. 

Nehemiah  Brayton,  the  father  of  Walter  F. 
Brayton,  was  born  April  21,  1820,  and  made  his 
home  in  the  town  of  Cranston.  On  Sept.  26,  1852, 
he  married  Lydia  Sarle,  who  was  born  Feb.  17, 
1822,  and  died  Jan.  17,  1864.  They  became  the 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1061 


parents  of  three  children,  namely:  Anna  Viola, 
born  June  13,  1853,  who  married  Charles  T.  Arm- 
strong; Evelyn  Amelia,  born  Jan.  22,  1856,  who 
resides  with  her  brother  at  Oak  Lawn ; and  Walter 
Francis,  born  Aug.  8,  1857.  Nehemiah  Bray  ton 
for  his  second  wife  married  Mrs.  Hannah  (John- 
son) Briggs,  who  survived  him'  and  died  Aug.  5, 
1905.  Mr.  Brayton  died  Jan.  9,  1889. 

Walter  Francis  Brayton  was  born  Aug.  8,  1857, 
in  the  town  of  Cranston,  and  there  received  his 
early  education  in  the  public  schools,  also  attending 
the  famous  Friends’  School,  in  Providence.  Since 
commencing  work  he  has  been  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  making  a specialty  of  market 
gardening.  His  home  and  farm  are  at  Oak  Lawn, 
and  his  greenhouse  is  one  of  the  largest  in  that 
section.  Mr.  Brayton  finds  a ready  market  for  his 
produce  in  Providence.  His  operations  are  con- 
ducted on  an  extensive  scale,  and  his  methods  are 
characterized  by  the  most  approved  and  progressive 
ideas  of  the  day  in  his  line. 

Mr.  Brayton  has  been  quite  prominent  in  the 
Republican  party  and  in  the  public  affairs  of  his 
locality  for  a number  of  years.  In  1889  he  was 
elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legislature, 
in  which  body  he  served  continuously  until  1893. 
In  1897  he  was  returned  to  the  Legislature,  serving 
as  representative  until  the  year  1900,  when  he  was 
elected  to  the  State  Senate.  He  served  in  the  latter 
office  for  two  years,  one  of  them  being  the  last  year 
the  session  was  held  in  the  old  State  house.  Dur- 
ing his  service  in  the  lower  house  he  did  important 
committee  work,  being  a member  of  the  committees 
on  Finance,  Executive  Communications,  Acts  and 
Elections,  and  chairman  of  the  committee  on  State 
Charities  and  Corrections.  While  in  the  Senate 
he  was  a member  of  the  committees  on  State  Char- 
ities and  Corrections  and  State  Property.  His  in- 
terest in  public  questions  is  continuous,  and  nothing 
concerning  the  welfare  of  his  own  town  is  too 
trivial  to  receive  his  earnest  attention. 

In  1885  Mr.  Brayton  was  married  to  Harriet  F. 
Briggs,  who  was  born  June  11,  1850,  in  Cranston, 
daughter  of  Willett  R.  and  Hannah  (Johnson) 
Briggs.  The  latter  became  the  second  wife  of  Ne- 
hemiah Brayton.  Mrs.  Brayton  died  at  her  home  at 
Oak  Lawn  Nov.  17,  1906,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Pocasset  cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brayton  had  one 
child,  Robert  Manchester,  born  June  21,  1886,  who 
graduated  from  the  Moses  Brown  school,  and  Bry- 
ant & Stratton  Business  College,  and  is  now  a clerk 
in  the  Industrial  Trust  Company,  Providence. 
Mrs.  Brayton  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
of  Oak  Lawn,  of  which  Mr.  Brayton  has  been  a 
prominent  member  for  manv  years,  being  one  of 
the  most  active  workers  in  that  organization.  For 
over  fifteen  years  he  has  been  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school  and  for  many  years  he  has  filled 
the  office  of  deacon,  his  services  in  everv  office  be- 
ing very  acceptable.  Mr.  Brayton  is  a man  of  ge- 
nial disposition,  and  his  personal  popularity  has 


been  a substantial  factor  in  his  influence  in  the  com- 
munity, which  has  been  established  in  years  of  ef- 
fective work  for  the  public  good. 

PECKHAM.  In  the  agricultural  circles  of 
Newport  county,  and  particularly  on  “the  Island,’’ 
none  have  been  more  conspicuous  or  progressive 
or  industrious  than  the  late  Benjamin  Peckham 
and  his  sons,  of  whom  this  article  is  to  especially 
treat.  They  are  descendants  of  one  of  Newport’s 
earliest  settled  families,  being  in  the  direct  line 
from  John  Peckham,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  the 
family,  who  was  admitted  an  inhabitant  of  Newport, 
R.  I.,  in  1638.  The  ancestry  of  this  branch  of  the 
family  follows  in  chronological  order,  the  Roman 
numerals  indicating  the  different  generations. 

(I)  John  Peckham,  of  Newport,  1638. 

(II)  John  Peckham  (2),  son  of  John,  born 
about  1645. 

(III)  Isaac  Peckham,  son  of  John  (2),  born 
April  11,  1688. 

(IV)  Benjamin  Peckham,  son  of  Isaac,  born 
Oct.  19,  1717,  lived  in  Middletown  and  Newport, 
R.  I.  He  married  Virtue,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Mary  (Sherman)  Shepard,  of  Little  Compton,  and 
died  in  1783.  His  children  were:  Martha,  born 
Jan.  19,  1746;  Richard,  Aug.  22,  1747;  Ruth,  Oct. 
14,  1749;  Marv,  June  10,  1751;  Benjamin,  Feb. 
12,  1753;  Isaac,  March  29,  1755;  Daniel,  Feb.  20, 
1758;  Clement;  Barbara,  Feb.  7,  1761;  Virtue, 
Feb.  7,  1761 ; Rhoda,  Feb.  7,  1761  (died  that  same 
day) . 

(V)  Richard  Peckham,  son  of  Benjamin,  born 
Aug.  22,  1747,  married  Elizabeth  Clarke,  born  May 
31,  1747,  and  they  were  residents  of  Middletown, 
R.  I.,  where  their  children  of  town  record  were : 
Isaac,  born  March  30,  1773;  Barbara,  Oct.  29, 
1774;  Arnold,  April  27,  1776;  Daniel,  Aug.  20, 
1778;  Benjamin;  Martha,  May  5,  1782;  Mary  T., 
Dec.  3,  1784;  Clement,  April  18,  1786;  Henry, 
Aug.  27,  1788;  Richard,  July  31,  1791. 

(VI)  Benjamin  Peckham,  son  of  Richard,  was 
born  April  18,  1780,  in  Middletown,  and  died  in 
Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  where  he  had  been  engaged  in 
farming.  He  was  married  twice,  his  first  wife  be- 
ing Frances  Sisson,  daughter  of  Richard  Sisson,  of 
Portsmouth.  He  married  (second)  Feb.  14,  1830, 
Mercy  Manchester,  of  Portsmouth,  who  was  born 
Sept.  19,  1785,  and  died  Nov.  6,  1874,  aged  eighty- 
nine  years.  Mr.  Peckham  died  Jan.  13,  1852,  in 
the  seventy-second  year  of  his  age.  His  children, 
all  of  whom  were  born  to  the  first  marriage,  were : 
Benjamin;  Ann  Sisson,  born  Aug.  4,  1803,  who 
married  Arnold  Braman ; Frances,  born  Dec.  4, 
1804,  who  died  young;  Sarah,  who  married  Wil- 
liam Popple;  and  Jane,  who  married  (first)  Wil- 
liam Jones  Williams  and  (second)  Capt.  Richard 
Corrigan. 

(VII)  Benjamin  Peckham  (2),  son  of  Benja- 
min, was  born  in  Portsmouth.  R.  I.,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  schools  of  that  place.  He  was 
reared  to  farm  work,  and  for  a number  of  vears 


10  62 


RHODE  ISLAND 


was  employed  on  the  farm  of  "Shepherd  Thomas 
R.  Hazard,  of  whose  landed  interests  Mr.  Peckham 
had  charge.  Later  in  life,  about  in  i860,  Mr.  Peck- 
ham  became  the  farmer  on  the  late  Edward  King's 
estate  on  Harrison  avenue,  Newport,  and  he  con- 
tinued in  this  capacity  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  Newport  Aug.  13,  1879,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-two  years,  eleven  months/  sixteen  days.  Mr. 
Peckham  possessed  a genial,  kindly  nature  which 
won  for  him  hosts  of  friends.  He  was  very  indus- 
trious, and  however  small  or  trivial  the  duty  it  was 
never  shirked.  Although  a member  of  no  partic- 
ular church  organization,  Mr.  Peckham  was  a true 
Christian,  and  attended  the  Baptist  Church,  to 
which  he  gave  liberally.  In  political  matters  he 
was  a stalwart  Republican,  but  he  never  cared  for 
public  office. 

Mr.  Peckham  was  married  to  Johanna  Taylor, 
daughter  of  Lawton  and  Mary  Taylor,  and  she  died 
in  Newport  Jan.  2,  1886,  aged  sixty-seven  years, 
five  months,  fourteen  days.  To  this  union  weie 
born  children  as  follows:  Alanson,  who  was. en- 
gaged up  to  the  time  of  his  death  in  farming  in 
Portsmouth,  married  Lydia  A.  Battey,  of  New- 
port; Joseph  D.  is  mentioned  below;  Fannie,  who 
married  George  Potter,  died  in  Newport;  Mary, 
who  married  Henry  Tew,  also  of  Newport,  died  in 
that  city ; Phebe  Ann,  who  married  Dr.  Walter 
Mott,  of  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  died  in  that  city;  Martha, 
who  married  (first)  George  Peckham,  of  Middle- 
town,  and  (second)  Thomas  J.  Potter  of  Newport, 
resides  in  the  latter  city;  Jesse  E.  is  mentioned  be- 
low; Edward,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  New- 
port, married  Nellie  Dempsey;  Leila,  who  married 
Joseph  R.  West,  resides  in  Newport;  George 
Henry  died  in  infancy. 

(VIII)  Joseph  Dennis  Peckham,  second  son 
of  Benjamin  (2),  was  born  July  4,  1837,  in  Ports- 
mouth, R.  I.,  and  received  his  early  educational 
training  in  the  common  schools  of  that  city,  later 
attending  the  common  schools  of  Westport,  Mass., 
to  which  town  his  parents  had  removed.  On  leav- 
ing school,  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  Mr.  Peckham 
became  engaged  in  farming  with  his  father,  con- 
tinuing in  his  employ  until  his  marriage,  at  which 
time  he  accepted  the  position  of  foreman  of  the  late 
Edward  King’s  farm  in  Portsmouth,  in  which  ca- 
pacity he  served  very  efficiently  for  several  years. 
In  1869,  on  leaving  the  employ  of  Mr.  King,  Mr. 
Peckham  located  in  Newport  and  took  up  his  resi- 
dence on  the  Battey  farm,  owned  by  his  father-in- 
law,  upon  which  place  he  has  since  resided,  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  has  also  en- 
gaged extensively  in  dairying,  and  in  this  connec- 
tion keeps  from  twelve  to  fifteen  cows.  Air.  Peck- 
ham and  his  wife  are  attendants  of  the  Thames 
Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Newport. 
Mr.  Peckham  is  a Republican  in  politics,  but  has 
always  preferred  to  give  his  entire  attention  to  his 
farm  duties  and  his  spare  time  to  his  home. 

On  Dec.  24,  186?  Mr.  Peckham  was  united  in 


marriage  to  Miss  Mariah  L.  Battey,  daughter  of 
John  T.  and  Hannah  W.  (Peckham)  Battey,  of 
Newport,  and  to  this  union  were  born  three  chil- 
dren, as  follows : Annie  L.,  at  home,  unmarried ; 
Clara  B.,  also  at  home,  unmarried;  and  Frank 
Howard,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years  and 
eight  months. 

(VIII)  Jesse  Erastus  Peckham,  son  of  Ben- 
jamin (2),  was  born  at  Little  Compton,  R.  I.,  July 
17,  1853.  His  early  educational  training  was  re- 
ceived in  the  public  schools  of  Newport,  to  which 
city  his  parents  had  removed  when  he  was  about 
six  years  of  age.  After  leaving  school,  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  years,  he  became  engaged  in  farming 
under  his  father,  on  the  Edward  King  estate  on 
Harrison  avenue,  Newport,  and  there  he  has  since 
remained.  In  1879,  at  the  time  of  his  father's 
death,  Mr.  Peckham  was  made  manager  of  this 
farm,  which  now  comprises  about  100  acres  of  most 
excellent  land.  The  place  originally  contained  300 
acres,  but  the  larger  portion  of  the  estate  was 
purchased  by  the  Newport  Golf  Club  and  for  sum- 
mer cottages.  In  connection  with  the  cultivation  of 
this  farm  Mr.  Peckham  is  also  extensively  engaged 
in  dairying  keeping  an  average  of  from  twenty-five 
to  thirty  cows,  the  product  from  which  he  supplies 
to  customers  in  Newport,  daily.  Mr.  Peckham  is 
a thrifty,  energetic  and  progressive  agriculturist, 
and  lie  is  considered  one  of  the  well-to-do  men  of 
this  section. 

In  political  matters  Mr.  Peckham  is  a Republi- 
can, but  he  has  never  aspired  to  public  office.  He 
attends  the  Thames  Street  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  of  which  his  wife  is  a consistent  member, 
taking  an  active  part  in  the  work  of  the  body.  On 
Jan.  7,  1902,  Mr.  Peckham  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Mary  Alice  Anthony,  daughter  of  the  late  Ben- 
jamin M.  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Peckham)  An- 
thony, of  Newport.  No  children  have  been  born 
to  Air.  and  Mrs.  Peckham. 

ATKINSON  (Newport  family).  The  name 
Atkinson  is  an  ancient  one  in  both  England  and 
New  England.  One  Theodore  Atkinson,  a felt 
maker,  from  Bury,  in  Lancashire,  came  to  New 
England  about  1634  and  in  the  following  year 
united  with  the  church  in  Boston.  He  became  a 
freeman  in  1642.  His  children  were:  John,  of 
Newbury;  Theodore;  Nathaniel,  who  was  gradu- 
ated from  Harvard  College  in  1667 ; Thomas  and 
Abigail.  Then,  there  was  a Thomas  Atkinson  at 
Concord  in  1636,  and  a Thomas  Atkinson  at  Plym- 
outh in  1638.  It  is  stated  by  one  who  has  written 
of  the  Atkinsons  that  from  the  first  Theodore  At- 
kinson have  descended  the  Atkinsons  of  New  Eng- 
land traceable  to  the  early  stock.  This  emigrant 
was  the  owner  of  a good  estate  in  Boston.  Atkin- 
son street  there  was  named  for  him,  and  Bury 
street  for  the  place  of  his  nativity. 

Here  in  Rhode  Island,  at  Newport,  the  Atkin- 
son family  has  been  a continuous  one  for  one  hun- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1063 


clretl  and  fifty  years  or  more;  here  have  lived 
through  much  of  that  period  some  of  the  pos- 
terity of  James  and  Mary  (Botkin)  Atkinson,  the 
marriage  of  this  couple  having  taken  place  Sept. 
26,  1773,  it  being  of  Trinity  Church  record,  New- 
port, where  there  is  also  a record  of  the  baptism  of 
James  and  John  Botkin  Atkinson  Nov.  6,  1774, 
and  Nov.  29,  1776,  respectively,  these  being  prob- 
ably the  children  of  the  couple  named,  whose  other 
children  designated  as  such  when  baptized  were : 
Sarah  Ann,  born  Feb.  20,  1779;  Mary,  Jan.  12, 
1781 ; and  Susanna,  July  20,  1783,  all  of  whom 
were  baptized  July  18,  1787. 

Capt.  John  Botkin  Atkinson  was  commissioned 
captain  of  the  Fourth  Newport  Company  of  the 
First  Regiment  of  Rhode  Island  Militia  in  May, 
1804.  The  Christian  name  of  his  wife  was  Rachel. 

James  Atkinson,  son  of  Capt.  John  B.  and 
Rachel,  was  born  Jan.  30,  1804,  in  Newport,  R.  I., 
and  died  there  June  12,  1879,  aged  seventy-five 
vears,  four  months  and  thirteen  days.  After  at- 
tending for  a few  years  one  of  the  old-fashioned 
schools  of  that  day  his  tastes  led  him  to  choose  the 
printer’s  trade  for  an  occupation,  and  accordingly 
lie  was  apprenticed  to  William  Simons,  then  pub- 
lisher of  the  Rhode  Island  Republican,  one  of  the 
contemporaries  of  the  Mercury;  and  for  a period 
after  completing  his  term  of  apprenticeship  he  con- 
tinued in  its  pursuit.  Later  on,  however,  he  con- 
cluded to  engage  in  business  for  himself,  and  ac- 
cordingly he  began  the  publication  of  what  he 
styled  the  Herald  of  the  Times,  which  he  made 
decidedly  a Whig  paper  and  continued  until  1844 
or  1845.  At  this  time  the  publisher  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Republican  died  and  the  paper  was  bought 
by  Mr.  Atkinson.  He  consolidated  the  two  papers, 
continuing  the  consolidated  paper  as  Whig  in  poli- 
tics. This  paper  was  published  by  Mr.  Atkinson 
until  1847,  when  he  disposed  of  it  and  removed  to 
Lowell,  Mass.,  at  which  point  he  purchased  the 
Lowell  Daily  Courier  and  Weekly  Journal,  which 
he  continued  publishing  for  two  or  three  years  as 
a Democratic  sheet.  This  venture  not  proving  a 
successful  one  lie  sold  the  paper  in  1850  and  .re- 
turned to  Newport,  Rhode  Island. 

During  his  residence  in  Lowell  the  Newport 
Weekly  Advertiser  had  been  started  by  Mr.  George 
C.  Mason,  and  soon  after  Mr.  Atkinson’s  return  to 
Newport  he  purchased  this  paper  and  continued 
its  publication  for  a number  of  years,  as  Democratic 
in  politics ; and  for  a period  a daily  edition  was  also 
issued.  Later  he  discontinued  the  paper  and  from 
that  time  on  through  his  active  business  life  he  con- 
tinued in  Newport  uninterruptedly  the  business  of 
book  and  job  printing.  His  neatness  and  methods 
were  almost  proverbial,  and  this,  with  his  general 
good  cjualities  and  reliableness,  brought  to  him  as 
patrons  many  of  the  best  citizens  of  the  city  and 
town. 

As  a journalist  Mr.  Atkinson  belonged  to  the 


earlier  school,  to  whom  the  enterprise  and  sensa- 
tionalism of  the  modern  newspaper  were  unknown. 
In  1856  President  Buchanan  appointed  Mr.  Atkin- 
son postmaster  of  Newport,  the  duties  of  which 
office  he  very  acceptably  performed  through  the 
Buchanan  administration  until  i860,  giving  way 
then  to  his  successor,  the  late  Mr.  Thomas  Cogge- 
sliall,  who  was  still  in  the  office  at  the  time  of  Mr. 
Atkinson’s  death.  Mr.  Atkinson  in  1865-66  repre- 
sented Newport  in  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode 
Island.  In  1869  he  was  made  chief  magistrate  of 
Newport,  and  was  continued  as  mayor  by  four  con- 
secutive elections  with  but  little  opposition,  making 
five  years’  service  in  all,  during  which  period  he 
discharged  the  duties  of  his  high  office  in  a most 
conscientious  and  faithful  manner,  retiring  from 
office  with  the  full  respect  of  his  fellow  citizens — a 
thing  few  men  have  successfully  done. 

During  his  long  life  Mr.  Atkinson  was  a regu- 
lar and  constant  attendant  upon  the  services  of 
the  Episcopal  Church.  Excluding  the  time  he  was 
absent  from  Newport  In  Lowell,  he  served  for 
forty-four  years  as  clerk  and  vestryman  of  the  cor- 
poration of  Zion  Church,  his  service  dating  back 
to  the  organization  of  the  parish.  He  was  a mem- 
ber of  St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  1,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  and 
he  was  especially  prominent  in  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  was  past  grand  of  Rhode 
Island  Lodge,  No.  12,  of  Newport,  and  had  held 
important  positions  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
State.  He  was  interested  in  everything  that  per- 
tained to  the  welfare  of  the  fraternity  and  did 
much  to  establish  and  maintain  successfully  the 
order  in  Newport. 

It  goes  almost  without  saying  that  Mr.  Atkin- 
son was  a man  of  blameless  character  and  life,  and 
left  a record  unsullied.  He  was  a man  true  to 
his  convictions,  though  his  allegiance  to  what  he 
believed  was  true  often  resulted  , in  pecuniary  loss. 
He  was  conscientious  in  the  discharge  of  duty, 
and  rendered  to  every  man  his  just  due.  To  his 
family  he  was  kind  and  faithful ; in  his  public  life 
he  was  an  honest  and  upright  citizen. 

Mr.  Atkinson  married  Elizabeth  Webster,  who 
was  born  in  Newport,  daughter  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Webster)  Marsh,  and  died  in  Newport  Aug. 
20,  1876,  aged  seventy-one  years,  four  months  and 
twenty  days.  One  son  blessed  this  union,  Eugene 
Webster  Atkinson,  who  learned  the  printer’s  trade 
under  his  father  and  has  followed  that  business 
practically  all  his  life.  During  his  father’s  admin- 
istration as  postmaster  of  Newport  Mr.  Atkinson 
served  as  assistant  postmaster.  He  also  served 
several  years  as  deputy  sheriff  of  Newport. 

On  April  19,  1858,  Eugene  W.  Atkinson  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Amanda  Franklin,  only 
daughter  of  the  late  Thomas  Tillinghast  and  Jane 
(Stewart)  Franklin,  of  Newport.  A history  of  the 
Franklin  family  appears  elsewhere  in  these  vol- 
umes. To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Atkinson  has  been  born 


1064 


RHODE  ISLAND 


one  daughter,  Jennie  Franklin,  who  married 
George  H.  Carr,  of  Newport,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  the  book  and  stationery  business.  They  have  one 
son,  Chester  Franklin  Carr. 

SAMUEL  McADAM.  For  many  years  the  gen-- 
tleman  whose  name  introduces  this  review  was  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  the  plumbing  business  in  New- 
port, but  has  laid  down  the  reins  of  active  business 
and  is  now  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  labors.  He 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Castle  Douglas,  Kirkcud- 
brightshire, Scotland,  March  5,  1837,  and  at  the 
age  of  fourteen  years  accompanied  the  family  to 
America. 

John  McAdam,  the  father  of  Samuel  McAdam, 
was  born  in  Scotland,  in  1801.  In  his  native  coun- 
try he  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  business.  He  came 
to  America  in  1848,  and  became  the  butler  in  the 
home  of  the  late  William  Shepard  Wetmore,  Esq., 
father  of  United  States  Senator  George  Peabody 
Wetmore,  in  Newport  in  1853,  remaining  in  his 
employ  for  a number  of  years.  Later  he  removed 
to  St.  Clair,  Mich.,  where  he  lived  on  a farm  near 
several  of  his  children  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1874,  when  he  was  aged  seventy-three 
years.  He  married  in  Scotland  Annie  McTaggart, 
who  died  in  Michigan  in  1877.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McAdam  were  born  children  as  follows:  George, 
who  was  a clerk,  and  died  in  Cowesett,  R.  I. ; Al- 
exander Gordon,  a farmer,  who  died  in  Canada ; 
John,  who  died  in  infancy : Elizabeth,  who  married 
(first)  Capt.  William  H.  Johnston,  and  (second), 
Alexander  Thompson,  a farmer  of  Michigan,  where 
she  now  resides,  a widow;  John  (2),  who  died  in 
infancy ; Agnes,  who  married  Peter  K.  Wilson,  a 
large  importer  of  laces  in  New  York  City,  where 
she  died;  Samuel  our  subject;  James  R.,  who  is 
engaged  in  the  photographic  supply  business  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ; Mary,  who  married  J.  G.  Thomp- 
son, of  Detroit,  Mich.,  where  they  now  reside; 
Thomas,  who  is  engaged  in  the  insurance  business 
in  Vancouver,  British  Columbia ; and  Menzies,  who 
was  a school  teacher  for  many  years  in  New  York, 
where  she  died  in  1898. 

Samuel  McAdam  was  born,  as  stated,  in  Scot- 
land, March  5,  1837,  and  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  land,  leav- 
ing same  when  fourteen  years  of  age.  He  then, 
in  1851,  sailed  from  Liverpool,  England,  for  Amer- 
ica in  company  with  his  mother  and  the  otlier  chil- 
dren. on  the  sailing  vessel  “Martha  J.  Ward,”  and 
after  a pleasant  voyage  of  twenty-seven  days  ar- 
rived in  New  York,  where  they  joned  the  husband 
and  father.  Young  McAdam  attended  the  public 
schools  of  New  York  City  until  he  was  sixteen 
years  of  age,  whep,  upon  the  removal  of  his  father 
to  Newport,  he  became  apprenticed  to  Nathan  M. 
Chafee,  in  the  plumbing  business,  at  the  corner  of 
Thames  and  Prospect  Hill  streets,  continuing  in 
his  employ  until  February,  1866,  when  Mr.  Mc- 
Adam was  made  a partner  in  the  business,  the  firm 


then  becoming  N.  M.  Chafee  & Co.  This  partner- 
ship lasted  until  November,  1867,  when,  upon  the 
death  of  Mr.  Chafee,  Mr.  McAdam  continued 
alone  in  the  business  for  a short  time,  until  he  took 
into  partnership  with  him  James  Openshaw,  the 
firm  then  becoming  McAdam  & Openshaw.  They 
shortly  thereafter  removed  their  business  to  Nos. 

6 and  8 Mill  street,  where  it  is  still  conducted  by 
the  heirs  of  the  late  James  Openshaw.  The  firm 
of  McAdam  & Openshaw  carried  on  the  plumbing 
business  successfully  for  a period  of  eighteen  years, 
until  February,  1886,  when  Mr.  McAdam  sold  out 
his  interest  in  same  to  Mr.  Openshaw  and  since 
that  time  he  has  net  been  actively  interested  in  any 
business  enterprises. 

Mr.  McAdam  is  a stanch  adherent  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party,  and  as  such  has 
served  the  city  of  Newport  as  a member  of  the 
board  of  aldermen  for  one  term.  In  1889  he  was 
appointed,  by  the  late  mayor  of  the  city,  Thomas 
Coggeshall,  one  of  the  first  license  commissioners, 
the  commission  being  composed  of  Harwood  E. 
Read,  Samuel  McAdam  and  Stephen  P.  Slocum. 
Mr.  McAdam  remained  a member  of  the  said  com- 
mission until  1893,  when  he  was  appointed  col- 
lector of  taxes  by  the  city  council,  serving  the  city 
of  Newport  in  that  capacity  for  a period  of  five 
consecutive  years. 

Mr.  McAdam  is  a consistent  member  of  the 
United  Congregational  Church,  and  has  served  as 
deacon  of  the  same  continuously  since  1877;  he 
was  treasurer  of  the  church  for  fourteen  years, 
was  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school 
for  several  years,  and  also  served  as  moderator  of 
the  Church  Society  for  eleven  years.  Mr.  McAdam 
is  a life  member  of  the  Newport  Historical  Society, 
with  which  he  has  been  identified  for  several  years. 
He  has  served  continuously  since  1882  as  a director 
of  the  Aquidneck  National  Bank,  of  Newport,  and 
in  1907  was  elected  to  the  office  of  vice-president 
of  this  financial  institution. 

On  Sept.  29,  1857,  Mr.  McAdam  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Margaret  C.  McTaggart,  who  was 
born  at  Gatehouse,  Kirkcudbrightshire,  Scotland, 
the  daughter  of  James  McTaggart,  of  Scotland. 
She  has  borne  him  the  following  children:  (1) 
James  was  for  some  time  associated  with  his  father 
in  the  plumbing  business,  later  as  assistant  collector 
of  taxes,  and  is  now  bookkeeper  for  Edward  W. 
Openshaw,  the  plumber.  He  is  unmarried,  and 
resides  at  home.  (2)  John  Samuel,  who  graduated 
from  the  Rogers  high  school  of  Newport,  later 
from  Princeton  College,  and  finally  from  the  Co- 
lumbia Law  School,  is  now  associated  in  business 
with  The  Lawyers’  Title  Insurance  Company,  of 
New  \ork.  He  married  Miss  Anna  Hazard  Cran- 
dall, daughter  of  the  late  William  E.  Crandall,  of 
Newport,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  children 
— Roger  Williams  and  John  and  William,  twins. 
(A  Elizabeth  M.  died  aged  eleven  months.  (4)* 
Gordon,  died  aged  eight  years.  (5)  Thomas  died 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1065 


in  infancy.  (6)  William  Gordon  died  at  the  age 
of  two  years. 

By  displaying  straightforwardness  in  his  busi- 
ness dealings,  combined  with  thrift  and  energy, 
■characteristics  he  inherited  from  his  ancestors,  Air. 
McAdam  has  earned  well-merited  success,  and  as  a 
result  is  now,  in  the  eyening  of  his  well-spent  life, 
enabled  to  enjoy  deserved  rest  from  labor  in  ease 
and  comfort.  As  a valuable  citizen  of  Newport  he 
holds  the  esteem  and  respect  of  the  entire  commun- 
ity. • 

FRANKLIN  METCALF,  who  passed  away 
Jan.  28,  1908,  was  the  treasurer  and  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Carolina  Mills  Company,  at  Car- 
olina, R.  I.,  and  one  of  the  well-known  and  suc- 
cessful woolen  manufacturers  of  Rhode  Island. 

Mr.  Metcalf  came  from  one  of  the  prominent 
families  of  the  Statew  and  one  of  the  oldest  in  New 
England.  Since  early  in  the  eighteenth  century 
the  Metcalf  name  has  been  a continuous  one  in 
Providence.  One  Eleazer  Metcalf,  of  the  Dedham 
(Mass.)  family,  came  hither  not  far  from  1737-38; 
and  later  came  others  of  that  same  stock.  Say  the 
vital  records  of  Rhode  Island : Joel  and  Lucy 
(Gay)  Metcalf,  of  Attleboro  birth,  located  in 
Providence  in  1780.  From  this  latter  family  have 
come  some  of  the  State’s  most  capable,  enterpris- 
ing and  successful  business  men,  the  earlier  gen- 
erations being  tanners  and  leather  merchants,  and 
later  generations  extensive  manufacturers.  Such 
names  as  the  two  Joels,  Jesse,  Joseph  G.,  Col.  Ed- 
win, Maj.  George,  Alfred,  Franklin,  Jesse  H.  and 
Stephen  O.  Metcalf  are  prominently  interwoven 
with  the  State’s  history.  We  have  the  following 
record  of  the  early  generations : 

(I)  Michael  Metcalf,  born  in  1586,  in  Tatter- 
ford,  County  of  Norfolk,  England,  was  by  occu- 
pation at  Norwich  a dornock  weaver.  He  was 
made  a freeman  there  in  1618.  He  married  Oct. 

13,  1616,  in  Waynham,  Sarah,  who  was  born  June 
17,  1593.  Mr.  Metcalf,  with  his  wife  and  their 
eight  or  nine  children,  came  to  New  England  in 
1637.  The  father  was  admitted  a freeman  at  Ded- 
ham, July  14,  1637,  and  joined  the  church  in  1639. 
He  was  selectman  in  1641.  He  states  that  he  came 
to  New  England  owing  to  religious  persecution. 
His  wife,  Sarah,  died  Nov.  30,  1644,  and  he  mar- 
ried (second)  Aug.  13,  1645,  Mrs.  Mary  Pidge,  a 
widow,  of  Roxbury.  Mr.  Metcalf  died  Dec.  27, 
1664.  His  children,  all  born  in  Norwich,  England, 
were:  Michael,  born  Nov.  13,  1617;  Alary,  Oct. 

14,  1618  (or  Feb.  14,  1619)  ; Michael  (2),  Aug. 
29.  1620;  John,  Sept.  5 (or  15),  1622;  Sarah,  Sept. 
10,  1624;  Elizabeth,  Oct.  4,  1626;  Alartha,  Alarch 
(or  Oct.)  27,  1628;  Thomas,  Dec.  27,  1629  (or 
1630)  ; Ann,  March  1,  1632;  Jane,  Alarch  24,  1634; 
and  Rebecca,  April  5,  1635. 

(II)  Alichael  Metcalf  (2),  born  Aug.  29,  1620, 
married  April  21,  1644,  Mary,  daughter  of  John 
Fairbanks,  Sr.  Air.  Aletcalf  died  in  Dedham  Dec. 


24,  1654.  His  children  were:  Alichael,  born  in 
1645;  Mary,  born  in  1646;  Sarah,  born  in  1648; 
Jonathan,  born  in  1650;  and  Eleazer,  born  in  1653. 

(III)  Jonathan  Aletcalf,  born  Sept.  21,  1650, 
married  April  10,  1674,  Hannah,  daughter  of  John 
Kenric.  They  died,  he  on  May  27,  1727,  she  op. 
Dec.  23,  1731.  Their  children  were:  Jonathan, 
born  in  1675;  John,  born  in  1678;  Ebenezer,  born 
in  1680;  Joseph,  born  in  1682;  Timothy,  born  in 
1684;  Eleazer,  born  in  1687;  Hannah,  born  in 
1689;  Nathaniel,  born  in  1691;  Alehetabel;  and 
Mary. 

(IV)  John  Aletcalf,  born  March  20,  1678,  mar- 
ried (first)  April  29,  1701,  Alehetabel  Savels,  of 
Braintree.  She  died  Alareh  30,  1712,  aged  twenty- 
nine  years,  and  he  married  (second)  Feb.  12,  1713, 
Bethiah  Savels.  She  died  Alay  22,  1717,  aged 
thirty-five  years,  and  he  married  (third)  Oct.  25, 
1718,  Grace  Williams,  of  Roxbury,  who  died  Nov. 
ir,  1749,  aged  sixty-one  years.  His  children  were: 
John,  born  March  31,  1704;  Eleazer,  born  Aug. 
21,  1706;  Timothy,  born  Dec.  11,  1707;  Joseph, 
born  Alay  11,  1710;  twins,  born  in  1712,  who  died 
that  year  with  the  mother;  Jonathan,  born  May 
4,  1714;  Bethiah,  born  Dec.  31,  1715;  a child,  born 
in  1717,  who  died  that  year  with  the  mother  ; Kath- 
erine, born  in  1719;  Katherine  (2),  born  in  1721; 
Mehetabel,  born  in  1723;  Sarah,  born  in  1725; 
Timothy,  born  in  1728;  Timothy  (2),  born  in 
1730;  Grace,  born  in  1732;  Stephen,  horn  in  1732; 
and  a son,  horn  in  1734. 

(V)  Eleazer  Aletcalf,  son  of  John,  born  Aug. 
21,  1706,  married  March  24,  1736-37,  Alartha  Tur- 
kin,  and  their  children  were:  William,  John,  Ale- 
hetabel, Martha  and  V.  Katherine.  [ Arnold’s  Vi- 
tal Statistics  of  Providence  County  show  that  Wil- 
liam and  John  were  born  Feb.  3,  1737-38,  and  July 
18,  1739,  respectively.] 

(VI)  William  Aletcalf,  born  Feb.  3,  1737-38, 
married  Dec.  13,  1761,  Anna  Hopkins,  daughter 
of  Capt.  John  and  Catherine  (Turpin)  Hopkins, 
the  former  of  whom  was  a brother  of  Gov.  Stephen 
Hopkins  and  a descendant  of  Thomas  Hopkins 
(who  came  from  England  and  was  many  times  a 
deputy  from  Providence  beginning  with  1652), 
his  lineage  being  through  William  and  Maj.  Wil- 
liam Hopkins.  A daughter  of  the  above  marriage 
married  Alfred  Mann,  and  had  among  other  chil- 
dren William  Metcalf  Alann,  who  was  one  of  the 
editors  of  the  Providence  American,  and  died 
Alarch  2,  1817,  in  his  twenty-third  year. 

(IV)  Nathaniel  Aletcalf,  son  of  Jonathan,  of 
Dedham,  Alass.,  born  April  17  (or  22),  1691,  mar- 
ried Feb.  13  (or  17),  1713,  Alary  Gay.  He  died 
Alarch  15,  1752.  Children:  Alary  married  Joseph 
Fisher;  Nathaniel  married  Ruth  Whiting;  Han- 
nah married  Samuel  Richards ; Sarah  married 
Israel  Everett;  Alargaret  married  Stephen  Fales ; 
Alercy  died  unmarried,  when  seventy-seven  years 
old ; Ebenezer  married  Elizabeth  Stanley ; Lydia 
married  Timothy  Fisher. 


io66 


RHODE  ISLAND 


(V)  Nathaniel  Metcalf,  son  of  Nathaniel,  born 
Aug.  29,  1718,  died  May  3,  1789.  He  married 
Ruth  Whiting,  of  Attleboro,  Mass.,  and  they  had 
children:  Nathaniel,  of  Providence,  who  died  un- 
married at  the  age  of  thirty ; Ebenezer,  of  Cumber- 
land; Michael,  of  Providence,  who  married  Molly 
Gay;  Joel,  of  Attleboro  and  Providence;  Jesse; 
Samuel ; Lucy ; Catharine,  who  married  Philip 
Ellis ; Ruth,  who  married  Elisha  May ; Lucy,  who 
married  Benjamin  Pidge,  of  Dighton ; Sarah,  who 
married  Amos  Ide,  of  Attleboro ; and  Molly. 

(VI)  Joel  Metcalf,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Ruth, 
was  born  Nov.  4,  1755,  in  Attleboro,  Mass.  He 
marry  Lucy  Gay,  also  born  in  Attleboro,  Oct.  3, 
17 59,  their  marriage  (of  Providence,  R.  I.,  record) 
being  solemnized  Dec.  9,  1779.  Lucy  Gay  was 
the  daughter  of  Jabez  and  Hannah  (Bradford) 
Gay.  They  removed  from  Attleboro  to  Providence 
(say  the  Providence  records)  on  the  4th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1780,  and  in  1798  resided  with  their  family 
at  what  was,  in  1858,  Nos.  64  and  66  Benefit  street. 
Mr.  Metcalf  was  a leather  dresser  and  currier,  and 
carried  on  an  extensive  business,  at  first  in  com- 
pany with  his  brother  Michael,  and  afterward  on 
his  own  account,  in  a wooden  building  on  Mill 
street.  He  was  a hard-working,  industrious,  hon- 
est mechanic,  and  no  better  citizen  walked  the 
streets  of  Providence.  He  was  a stern  Democrat, 
of  the  Jeffersonian  school,  and  his  name  may  be 
found  among  the  fifty-six  freemen  who  voted  the 
Democratic  ticket  when  Jefferson  came  into  power. 
Though  his  education  was  limited  and  his  politics 
unpopular  in  Providence,  such  was  the  general 
confidence  in  the  uprightness  of  his  intentions  and 
his  strong  common,  sense  that  his  fellow  citizens 
elected  him  for  many  years  a member  of  their 
town  council.  They  also  elected  him  a member  of 
the  school  committee  for  twenty-two  years  in  suc- 
cession, during  which  time  he  was  present  at  every 
examination  of  the  public  schools.  He  was  among 
the  first  and  foremost  in  favor  of  public  schools, 
and  that  his  interest  in  them  was  real  appears  from 
the  fact  just  noted,  that  he  gave  his  personal  at- 
tendance at  upward  of  eighty  successive  examina- 
tions. When  his  party  came  into  power  in  the 
State  he  was  elected  a judge  of  the  court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas  for  the  county  of  Providence. 

Mr.  Metcalf  was  the  father  of  a large  family, 
four  sons  and  six  daughters,  and  the  sterling  worth 
of  the  man  is  reflected  in  the  fact  that  the  chil- 
dren have  been  honored  and  respected  for  their 
own  merits.  Among  the  daughters  Betsey,  who 
married  Mr.  Obed  Baker,  of  West  Dedham,  Mass., 
is  conceded  by  all  to  have  been  the  first  braider  of 
straw  in  the  United  States.  Seeing  an  imported 
Dunstable  straw  bonnet  in  the  window  of  the  store 
of  Col.  John  Whipple,  she  determined  to  have  a 
Dunstable  bonnet  and  commenced  experimenting 
with  some  oat  straw  that  her  father  had  harvested 
that  year.  She  commenced  making  the  first  ex- 
periments June  1,  1798.  She  began  braiding  first 


with  six  straws  and  then  with  seven,  and  finally 
found,  after  much  discouragement  from  friends 
and  encouragement  from  an  aunt  in  the  family, 
that  she  was  able  to  imitate  perfectly  the  imported 
braid.  She  says,  “The  first  bonnet  I made  was  of 
seven  braid,  with  bobbin  put  in  like  open  work, 
and  lined  with  pink  satin.  This  was  very  much 
admired  and  hundreds,  I should  think,  came  to 
see  it.”  She  visited  Dedham  and  taught  them 
there,  also  in  Wrentham  and  Providence,  R.  I., 
and  had  quite  a factory,  which  was  run  for  some 
time  in  Providence.  After  her  marriage  she  lived 
in  Dedham,  and  formed  there  a small  society  of 
ladies  who,  from  their  braidings  at  regular  monthly 
meetings,  were  enabled  to  contribute  more  than 
$1,000  to  the  cause  of  missions  among  the  Indians 
in  this  country.  She  was  a most  devout  woman, 
and  is  said  to  have  read  her  Bible  through  nearly 
a score  of  times,  reading  it  aloud  to  her  husband 
after  he  had  retired.  She  was  blso  most  charitable. 
It  is  said  of  her  that  so  careful  was  she  of  her 
time  that  she  would  keep  up  her  knitting  while 
going  to  visit  a neighbor.  She  also  says  of  her- 
self that  she  nearly  defrayed  her  own  expenses  by 
braiding  in  the  stage,  while  traveling  from  Dedham 
to  Providence.  She  reared  a large  family  of  ex- 
cellent sons  and  daughters. 

We  have  the  following  record  of  the  children 
of  Joel  and  Lucy  (Gay)  Metcalf:  Katy,  born  Sept. 
27,  1780;  Lucy,  born  March  31,  1782;  Sophia, 
born  June  24,  1784;  Betsey,  born  March  29,  1786'; 
Lucy  (2),  born  March  26,  1788;  Jesse,  born  May 
15,  1790;  Joel,  born  Aug.  2,  1792;  Ruth,  born  July 
31,  1794;  Joseph  Gay,  born  Dec.  9,  1796;  and 
Whiting,  born  April  22,  1799. 

(VII)  Jesse  Metcalf,  born  May  15,  1790,  son 
of  Joel,  died  June  20,  1838.  He  was  married  April 
19,  1812,  to  Eunice  D.  Houghton,  daughter  of 
John.  She  died  May  5,  1858.  Their  children  were 
born  as  follows:  Sophia,  Aug.  17,  1813;  Emily, 
June  29,  1815;  Ellen,  June  28,  1817  (married  Ed- 
win A.  Bush  and  had  Jesse  M.  and  Charles  S.)  ; 
Evelina,  June  30,  1820  (married  George  Hunt,  and 
had  Ellen  G.,  who  lives  at  No.  119  Prospect  street. 
Providence,  and  Mary  Eva,  widow  of  Andrew 
Ingraham)  ; Matilda,  April  7,  1822  (she  gave  her 
life  to  the  building  up  of  the  Free  Chapel  on  Benefit 
street,  now  Olney  Street  Church)  ; Jesse,  Dec.  14, 
1824;  Jesse  (2),  March  4,  1827  (mentioned  else- 
where) ; Lucy  Gay,  Oct.  1,  1829  (living)  ; Frank- 
lin, June  3,  1832  (late  of  Carolina,  R.  I.,  mentioned 
below);  Emily,  May  19,  1837  (mentioned  else- 
where). 

(VIII)  Franklin  Metcalf  was  born  June  3, 
1832,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  in  that  city  spent 
his  boyhood  days.  He  attended  the  schools  of  his 
native  city  until  about  the  age  of  sixteen,  when  he 
left  high  school  to  accept  a position  as  clerk  for 
Truman  Beckwith,  with  whom  he  remained  about 
four  and  one  half  years.  Following  this  lie  was 
clerking  for  Moses  B.  Lockwood  in  Providence, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1067 


and  later  was  in  the  South  for  a time,  buying  cot- 
ton. He  subsequently  returned  to  Rhode  Island, 
and  for  about  six  years  was  in  the  employ  of  Steere 
& Tinkham,  woolen  manufacturers,  of  Burrillville. 
In  the  early  part  of  1869  Mr.  Metcalf,  with  Ellison 
Tinkham,  purchased  the  mill  property  at  Carolina, 
R.  I.,  Mr.  Metcalf  becoming  treasurer  of  the  con- 
cern, and  at  once  began  operating  the  plant.  These 
mills  were  originally  built  in  1842,  by  Rowland  G. 
Hazard,  and  until  the  early  part  of  the  Civil  war 
were  operated  as  cotton-mills.  The  demoralized 
condition  of  that  industry  about  that  time  caused 
the  output  of  the  plant  to  be  changed  to  woolen 
products,  and  as  such  it  has  been  operated  ever 
since.  Additions  were  built,  the  mill  enlarged,  a 
new  dye  house  erected,  and  new  machinery  in- 
stalled, making  the  mill  strictly  up  to  date.  The 
product  enjoys  a reputation  second  to  none  of  its 
kind,  the  product  being  fancy  cassimeres. 

Practically  since  1869,  when  the  Carolina  Mills 
Company  began  business,  the  property  has  been 
on  a paying  basis,  with  no  serious  intermissions  in 
its  activity.  Once  the  wheels  were  idle  for  two  or 
three  weeks,  but  that  was  when  the  canal,  which 
carries  water  to  the  wheel,  was  being  widened. 
The  relation  that  this  concern  bears  to  the  pros- 
perity of  the  village  of  Carolina  is  a very  close  one, 
and  has  been  so  for  nearly  forty  years.  It  furnishes 
employment  for  about  all  the  working  people  in 
the  village.  At  the  present  time  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  hands  are  employed,  the  majority  being 
men  and  boys.  The  number  of  employees  remains 
about  the  same  from  year  to  year,  and  a less 
changeful  manufacturing  community  would  be  dif- 
ficult to  find.  There  is  probably  no  other  mill  in 
the  country  where  the  average  length  of  service 
among  its  employees  is  longer  than  it  is  in  Caro- 
lina, which  evidences  the  feeling  of  satisfaction 
among  them,  and  the  spirit  of  fairness  on  the  part 
of  employers.  During  the  thirty-six  years  and  more 
which  have  passed  since  the  organization  of  the 
Carolina  Mills  Company  that  concern  has  never 
missed  a payday — except  on  a few  occasions  when 
weather  conditions  prevented  transportation  of 
funds  from  bank  to  mill.  From  the  beginning  of 
his  connection  with  the  Carolina  Mills  Company 
Mr.  Metcalf’s  life  was  inseparably  a part  of  the  suc- 
cess and  progress  of  that  concern. 

In  the  public  affairs  of  the  town  Mr.  Metcalf 
always  took  a keen  interest,  and  he  served  as  a 
member  of  the  town  council.  In  political  sentiment 
he  was  a Republican,  and  usually  supported  that 
party,  but  he  was  a stanch  advocate  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Prohibition  party,  with  which  he  was 
heartily  in  sympathy.  Franklin  Metcalf  was  a 
self-made  man,  and  in  achieving  the  success  which 
came  to  him  he  upheld  that  time-honored  name  and 
reputation  of  the  family  that  found  in  him  a worthy 
representative.  Mr.  Metcalf  was  for  a number  of 
years  a director  in  the  Hope  Mutual  Fire  Insurance 
Company,  and  in  the  What  Cheer  Mutual  In- 


surance Company,  of  Providence.  In  fraternal 
connection  he  was  a member  of  Charity  Lodge,  A. 
F.  & A.  M.,  at  Hope  Valley,  Rhode  Island. 

Mr.  Metcalf  was  married  (first)  in  Providence 
to  Narcissa  Snow  Potter,  and  to  this  union  the  fol- 
lowing children  were  born:  Franklin,  died  young; 
Edward  P.  (sketch  elsewhere),  of  Providence, 
married  Mary  Elizabeth  Gardner  and  has  three 
children,  Alice  Bell,  Margaret  and  Mildred  Gard- 
ner; Ellen  Houghton  married  Dexter  Wilbur 
Hoxie,  and  they  have  two  children,  Louise  M.  and 
Emily  N. ; Whiting,  a resident  of  Carolina,  mar- 
ried Nellie  May  Hoxsie,  daughter  of  George 
Hoxsie,  senator  from  Richmond ; Louise  died 
young.  # Mr.  Metcalf  married  (second)  in  Carolina, 
R.  I.,  on  March  3,  1874,  Alice  Merton  Greene, 
daughter  of  Millen  S.  Greene,  and  one  daughter 
was  born  to  this  union,  Alice  Narcissa,  who  mar- 
ried William  McVey,  of  Carolina,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Dorothy  Metcalf  and  Mary  Carolyn. 

Mr.  Metcalf’s  “Mayflower”  descent  follows : 
John  and  Priscilla  Alden ; Elizabeth  married  Wil- 
liam Peabodie ; Elizabeth  married  John  Rogers ; 
Hannah  married  Capt.  Samuel  Bradford.  From 
Gov.  William  Bradford  his  line  is  through  Maj. 
William  Bradford ; Capt.  Samuel  Bradford ; Perez 
Bradford ; Hannah  Bradford,  who  married  Jabez 
Gay;  Lucy  Gay,  who  married  Joel  Metcalf;  Jesse 
Metcalf ; and  Franklin  Metcalf. 

Milken  Sanford  Greene,  father  of  Mrs.  Met- 
calf, was  born  Dec.  23,  1825.  His  father  was  a 
typical  New  England  farmer,  and  wrested  a living 
from  the  rocky  hills  of  the  town  of  North  Stoning- 
ton.  His  mother  was  a Quaker,  and  from  her  came 
that  “sympathetic  nature,  beauty  of  mind,  pureness 
of  thought,  and  a high  appreciation  of  the  grand 
and  poetic  in  life,  which  later  years  developed  in 
a high  degree.”  His  boyhood  was  spent  on  the 
farm.  It  was  hard  work  for  the  young  lad,  but 
still  there  was  some  pleasure,  for  in  the  winter  he 
was  allowed  to  attend  the  district  school.  It  was 
there  that  he  laid  the  foundation  of  thought  that 
led  him  in  later  years  to- continue  study  in  his  spare 
moments.  Although  his  schooling  was  short,  still 
he  must  have  taken  advantage  of  all  his  opportuni- 
ties, for  early  manhood  found  him  teaching  the 
district  school.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years 
he  was  married  to  Thankful  Stillman,  of  Westerly. 
He  continued  to  live  on  the  farm,  pursuing  the 
peaceful  life  of  a farmer,  but  while  thus  engaged 
His  mind  became  filled  with  a desire  to  see  what 
was  beyond  the  hills  that  shut  in  his  life.  He 
fought  the  yearning  until  he  could  no  longer  resist. 
Leaving  his  home  and  all  that  was  dear  to  him,  for 
six  years  lie  sailed  the  ocean,  making  a number  of 
whaling  voyages.  He  was  undoubtedly  fascinated 
by  the  sea,  and  this  feeling  was  portrayed  years 
after  in  many  of  his  poems  and  verses.  On  his 
return  he  spent  ten  years  in  district  school  teach- 
ing, holding  positions  in  a number  of  towns  in 
Washington  county,  R.  I.  For  twelve  years  he 


io68 


RHODE  ISLAND 


made  his  home  at  Carolina,  a part  of  the  time 
while  he  was  in  business  in  Westerly,  whither  he 
moved  in  1875,  living  first  on  the  Connecticut  side 
and  then  on  the  Rhode  Island  side  of  the  river. 
About  1869  he  opened  a real  estate  office,  which 
he' continued  up  to  within  a short  time  of  his  death. 
He  \yas  one  of  Westerly’s  oldest  business  men,  and 
•during  his  years  there  had  seen  the  town  grow 
from  a straggling  village  to  its  present  thriving 
condition. 

Mr.  Greene  held  many  positions  during  his  long 
and  busy  life.  He  was  a member  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church,  joining  soon  after  locating  in 
Westerly,  was  deacon  of  the  church  and  at  the  same 
time  a member  of  the  standing  committee.  He  was 
also  a member  of  the  corporation  of  the  church, 
being  clerk  from  1877  to  1884,  and  treasurer  from 
1884  to  1895.  He  was  also  a member  of  the  so- 
ciety committee.  In  fraternal  circles  Mr.  Greene 
was  a charter  member  of  Charity  Lodge,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  of  Hope  Valley,  and  at  one  time  was  wor- 
shipful master  of  that  lodge.  He  was  also  a mem- 
ber of  Franklin  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  of  Hope  Valley. 
For  two  years  he  was  district  deputy  grand  master 
of  Rhode  Island.  Soon  after  coming  to  Westerly 
he  joined  Granite  Council,  No.  177,  Royal  Ar- 
canum, although  he  was  not  a charter  member, 
and  he  held  every  office  in  the  gift  of  the  council. 
The  Grand  Council  of  the  State  repeatedly  hon- 
ored him,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  ,was  on 
the  board  of  trustees.  While  residing  in  Pawcatuck 
he  held  numerous  town  and  district  offices.  He 
was  a trial  justice  for  some  years,  and  of  the  six 
hundred  cases  heard  before  him  not  a single  de- 
cision was  objected  to  by  the  court  of  Appeals. 
He  took  a great  interest  in  school  affairs,  and  was 
a member  of  the  school  committee  when  the  Palmer 
street  schoolhouse  was  built.  He  was  also  at  one 
time  an  officer  in  the  district.  Some  years  ago  he 
moved  to  the  Rhode  Island  side  of  the  river,  and 
was  afterward  elected  a member  of  the  town  coun- 
cil, serving  one  year. 

Mr.  Greene  was  noted  throughout  this  section 
of  the  country  as  a prolific  writer  of  verse.  Many 
of  his  poems  appeared  in  the  Narragansett  Weekly 
and  The  Sun.  In  1894  a small  volume  of  them  was 
published,  under  the  title  of  “Around  the  Hearth,” 
and  met  with  considerable  favor,  being  treasured 
in  many  homes.  Mr.  Greene  was  a great  favorite 
at  reunions  and  celebrations,  for  he  was  always 
ready  and  willing  to  write  verses  in  commemoration 
of  such  events.  A great  lover  of  poetry,  it  is  not 
surprising  that  he  also  loved  music.  Writing  a 
great  deal,  he  made  a collection  of  all  productions 
that  took  his  fancy,  and  these  he  was  wont  to  es- 
teem highly. 

Mr.  Greene  died  at  his  home  on  High  street, 
in  Westerly,  R.  I.,  July  27,  1898,  leaving  as  his 
survivors  a wife  and  three  daughters,  Mrs.  Alice 
M.  Metcalf  and  Mrs.  Ida.  M.  Brown,  of  Carolina, 
and  Mrs.  Evelyn  A.  Pendleton,  of  New  Haven. 


Mrs.  Thankful  (Stillman)  Greene,  the  widow,  died 
at  her  home  in  Westerly  June  15,  1902,  aged 
seventy-eight  years.  The  following  bit  of  verse, 
written  by  Mr.  Greene,  was  a great  favorite : 

To  My  Mother. 

“I  know  that  my  Redeemer  lives, 

What  comfort  this  sweet  sentence  gives !” 

My  mother  often  sung. 

In  soothing  •numbers  soft  and  mild 
To  me,  when  I,  a fretful  child 
Unto  her  bosom  clung. 

I could  not  know  the  sense  of  pain 
That,  mingled  with  the  sweet  refrain, 

Her  gentle  spirit  wrung. 

I could  not  know  the  weight  of  care 
With  which  she  breathed  for  me  the  prayer 
That  trembled  on  her  tongue. 

1 

That  love-wrought  cadence  to  my  ears, 

Comes  floating  down  the  stream  of  years, 

In  tones  that  seem  divine ; 

My  soul  is  lulled  to  calm  repose, 

As  when  of  yore,  at  daylight’s  close, 

She  laid  her  face  to  mine. 

And  now  beyond  the  mystic  veil, 

Angelic  voices  never  fail, 

That  song  of  love  to  swell ; 

The  heavenly  chorus  greet§  her  ears, 

In  praise  of  Him,  whom  thro’  long  years, 

She  loved  and  served  so  well. 

HENRY  C.  CLARK  (deceased),  of  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  long  one  of  the  laregst  and  most  en- 
terprising coal  dealers  in  the  United  States,  came 
of  the  large  family  of  that  name  scattered  in  the 
early  times  through  the  counties  of  Middlesex  and 
Worcester,  Mass.,  and  the  southwestern  part  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire.  The  American  ancestor 
was  Samuel  Clark,  who  located  in  Concord,  Mass., 
about  1680.  In  1668  he  married  Rebecca  Nichols 
and  by  her  was  the  father  of  these  children : Sam- 
uel, born  in  1674;  William,  1679;  Sarah,  1681; 
Richard,  1683;  Susanna,  1689;  Hannah,  1691; 
Benjamin,  1693;  and  Arthur,  1696. 

Arthur  Clark,  son  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca, 
married  Hannah  Morse,  and  they  settled  in  Sher- 
born,  Mass.  They  were  the  parents  of  Sarah,  Sam- 
uel, Asa,  John  and  Daniel. 

The  late  Henry  Clinton  Clark,  of  Providence, 
was  a son  of  S terry  and  Julia  Ann  (Morse)  Clark. 
Sterry  Clark  was  born  in  1794,  in  the  town  of  Stur- 
bridge,  Mass.,  and  died  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  Sept. 
17,  1867,  aged  seventy-three  years.  He  was  the 
son  of  Lemuel  Clark,  a patriot  of  the  Revolution, 
serving  from  Sturbridge  during  portions  of  1 7//» 
1778,  1779  and  1780  and  being  present  at  West 
Point  in  the  last  named  year.  The  father  of  Julia 
Ann  (Morse)  Clark  was  also  a Revolutionary  sol- 
dier. 

Henry  C.  Clark  left  a permanent  impress  on  the 
business  life  of  the  city  of  Providence,  with  which 
he  was  identified  practically  all  his  life.  As  the 
successful  proprietor  and  manager  of  large  inter- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1069 


ests  he  proved  himself  enterprising  and  progres- 
sive beyond  the  ordinary,  and  did  much  to  promote 
the  public  welfare  and  encourage  public-spirited- 
ness among  his  fellow-citizens. 

Mr.  Clark  was  born  in  Providence  Nov.  28, 
1822,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  time  he  spent 
in  California  and  abroad  passed  all  his  life  there. 
He  sailed  for  the  new  Eldorado  in  1849,  around 
Cape  Horn,  and  while  in  California  adapted  himself 
to  the  needs  of  the  situation,  following  the  occu- 
pations of  laundryman,  boatman,  boatbuilder, 
miner  and  merchant.  Thus  his  experience  was 
more  varied  than  that  of  many.  His  connection 
with  the  coal  business  commenced  in  early  man- 
hood. After  receiving  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city  he  in  1841  became  an  em- 
ployee of  the  firm  of  Jackson  & Clark,  who  were 
engaged  in  that  line.  His  merit  was  soon  apparent, 
and  in  time  he  became  a partner,  the  firm  becoming 
Jackson,  Clark  & Co.  The  business  has  been  con- 
tinued ever  since,  by  the  firms  of  S.  Clark  & Co., 
Clark  & Coggeshall,  Henry  C.  Clark,  Clark  & 
Webb,  Tucker,  Swan  & Co.,  Tucker  & Little,  and 
the  Providence  Coal  Company,  which  conducts  it 
at  present.  It  is  probably  one  of  the  largest  con- 
cerns of  the  kind  in  the  United  States.  From  the 
small  annual  sales  of  1,000  tons;  which  Jackson  & 
Clark  enjoyed,  the  volume  of  business  increased 
until,  in  1899,  238,000  tons  were  disposed  of,  and 
the  record  of  the  growth  and  expansion  of  this 
business  is  the  record  of  Mr.  Clark’s  remarkable 
career,  for  to  him  is  due  the  remarkable  success 
which  has  attended  the  operations  of  the  successive 
firms  who  have  been  interested  therein.  To  his 
good  judgment  and  financial  ability,  his  enterprise 
and  inventive  genius,  his  faculty  for  giving  ideas 
definite  shape  and  form,  and  using  everything  at 
hand  to  the  limit  of  its  possibilities,  the  important 
concern  now  doing  business  as  the  Providence  Coal 
Company  owes  its  pre-eminence  in  the  commercial 
world,  and  Mr.  Clark  was  justly  honored  among 
his  business  associates  in  recognition  of  the  extra- 
ordinary genius  he  displayed. 

Mr.  Clark  was  familiar  with  every  detail  of  the 
work  under  his  charge,  and  in  the  endeavor  to  con- 
duct his  business  with  the  necessary  dispatch  put 
into  practice  many  excellent  ideas  which  came  to 
him  while  superintending  operations.  He  invented 
and  patented  several  devices  for  storing 

and  handling  coal  which  are  now  in  use 
among  coal  men,  and  which  have  proved 
of  great  value  and  have  had  much  popu- 

larity as  facilitating  the  rapid  discharging  and 
storing  of  coal,  besides  cheapening  the  work  to  a 
remarkable  degree.  He  was  the  first  to  plan  and 
erect  large  pockets  for  this  work,  the  capacity  of 
the  Providence  Coal  Company  being  40,000  tons. 
He  invented  and  introduced  a tube,  which,  under 

the  direction  of  one  man,  fills  itself  in  the  vessel 

and  distributes  its  contents  over  an  inclined  rail- 
way into  the  pockets.  The  coal  is  then  drawn  from 


the  bottom  through  a trap  into  carts,  ready  for 
delivery,  thus  completely  doing  away  with  cars, 
barrows  and  the  disagreeable  labor  and  many  un- 
necessary expenditures  attending  the  old  way.  He 
invented  and  patented  a device  for  the  easy  dump- 
ing of  loaded  carts  by  means  of  a screw,  and  also  a 
latch  to  keep  the  tail-boards  in  place.  His  numer- 
ous inventions  being  quite  valuable  several  enter- 
prising individuals  have  patented  parts  of  his  de- 
vices as  their  own.  The  pockets  and  mill  are  fitted 
with  water-pipes  and  sprinklers  _ for  protection 
against  disastrous  fires,  which  have  twice  destroyed 
the  pockets.  Mr.  Clark  was  also  largely  interested 
in  the  salt,  grain  and  hay  business,  having  been 
the  owner  and  operator  of  a large  mill  establish- 
ment of  that  kind.  His  standing  among  business 
men  was  irreproachable. 

With  strong  anti-slavery  and  temperance  pro- 
clivities, Mr.  Clark  early  took  an  active  part  in 
legislation  involving  the  protection  of  his  principles. 
Though  busy  with  his  own  afifairs,  he  found  much 
time  to  spare  for  the  public  service,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  common  council  from  1882  to  1885  ; 
on  the  board  of  aldermen  in  1876;  in  the  State 
Legislature;  and  was  the  candidate  of  the  Prohi- 
bition party  for  mayor.  He  was  always  firm  in  his 
convictions  of  right  and  wrong,  outspoken  in  their 
defense  and  persevering  in  maintaining  them,  and 
repeatedly  before  the  Interstate  Commerce  Com- 
mission and  courts  defeated  large  corporations  in 
their  claims.  In  many  ways  he  became  conspicu- 
ous in  public  life,  and  especially  because  of  the 
strict  accountability  to  which  he  endeavored  to 
hold  city  officials  in  the  performance  of  their  du- 
ties. He  was  thoroughly  independent  in  municipal 
politics  and  for  years  made  a special  study  of  the 
city  hall  departments  and  their  conduct  by  the  men 
in  charge.  The  opinions  he  held  of  those  officials 
he  expressed  openly  and  publicly,  through  the  me- 
dium of  letters  to  the  newspapers,  for  he  was  no 
coward,  and  was  willing  to  take  the  consequences 
of  any  of  his  acts.  There  were  characteristics  of 
his  nature  which  few  men  realized  or  understood, 
and  one  which  few  knew  of  was  his  willingness 
to  assist  young  men  in  business  to  the  possibilities 
and  opportunities  of  acquiring  success.  In  this  line 
he  was  particularly  zealous,  loaning  capital  and  as- 
sisting his  young  friends  in  many  other  ways.  The 
statue  of  Ebenezer  Knight  Dexter,  which  stands  on 
the  Dexter  training  ground,  was  a gift  from  Mr. 
Clark  to  the  city.  Mr.  Clark  passed  away  March 
3,  1898. 

On  Jan.  21,  1844,  Mr.  Clark  was  married  to 
Miss  Martha  E.  Field,  who  died  Dec.  8,  1888. 
They  had  two  children  : William,  who  died  young ; 
and  Harry  C.,  born  Oct.  24,  1857.  Mr.  Clark  mar- 
ried for  his  second  wife  Miss  Mary  Caroline  Phil- 
lips, who  survives  him. 

Harry  C.  Clark,  the  son  of  Henry  C.  Clark 
by  his  first  marriage,  is  the  present  proprietor  of  the 
Reliance  Mill  Company  and  the  Providence  Coal 


1 0/0 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Company.  He  was  born  in  Providence  Oct.  24, 
1857,  and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city  and  at  Brown  University. 
Upon  leaving  school  he  entered  his  father’s  office 
and  was  appointed  treasurer,  soon  after  becoming  a 
partner  in  the  business.  Upon  the  death  of  his 
father,  in  1898,  he  became  the  sole  owner  of  both 
properties,  which  are  now  conducted  under  his  di- 
rections. Mr.  Clark  is  one  of  the  representative 
younger  business  men  of  the  city,  who  is  carrying 
the  extensive  responsibilities  which  have  devolved 
upon  him  with  great  credit  to  himself  and  honor 
to  his  father,  their  revered  founder. 

HON.  BENJAMIN  HALL  (deceased).  Dur- 
ing a long  and  useful  life,  the  late  Hon.  Benjamin 
Hall  was  one  of  the  best-known  men  and  large 
land-owners  of  Portsmouth,  where  he  was  born, 
as  was  also  his  father,  the  late  Judge  Parker  Hall, 
the  family  having  been  identified  with  the  interests 
of  this  locality  for  very  many  years.  Its  history 
is  one  of  more  than  usual  interest. 

The  Portsmouth  Halls  came  early  to  New  Eng- 
land. They  chose  Rhode  Island  as  their  abiding 
place,  and  in  the  ancient  town  of  Portsmouth  still 
live  representatives  of  the  founder  of  the  family 
on  American  soil.  This  was  (I)  William  Hall, 
who  was  born  in  England  in  1613,  and  died  in 
1675.  In  1638  he  was  admitted  an  inhabitant  of 
Aquidneck  and  became  one  of  the  leading  men  of 
the  town  of  Portsmouth.  He  was  commissioner 
in  1654,  1656,  1660  and  1663  ; was  deputy  in  1665, 
1666,  1667,  1668,  1672  and  1673,  and  in  1672  he 
also  served  in  the  town  council.  The  Christian 
name  of  his  wife  was  Mary  and  their  children 
were:  Zuriel,  Zurici,  William,  Benjamin,  Eliza- 
beth, Rebecca  and  Deliverance.  Generation  after 
generation  of  the  posterity  of  these  early  Halls 
of  Portsmouth  have  in  turn,  occupied  the  lands 
first  farmed  by  their  ancestors,  and  have  worthily 
perpetuated  the  family  name. 

(II)  Benjamin  Hall,  son  of  William,  born  in 
1650,  received  by  the  will  of  his  father,  the  home- 
stead at  the  death  of  his  mother,  he  to  pay  two 
pounds  to  each  of  his  sisters,  Elizabeth,  Rebecca 
and  Deliverance.  Mr.  Hall  resided  in  Portsmouth, 
of  which  town  he  was  made  a freeman  in  1678. 
He  was  deputy  in  1699,  1701-04-05-06-07-13-14. 
He  was  assistant  deputy  in  1701  and  1702,  and  was 
a justice  of  the  peace  in  1704.  He  married  July 
27,  1676,  Frances  Parker,  daughter  of  George  and 
Frances  Parker.  He  died  Jan.  26,  1730.  Their 
children  were:  Mary,  born  April  3,  1678;  Wil- 
liam, Aug.  19,  1680;  Benjamin,  June  17,  1682; 
George,  June  29,  1685;  and  Nathaniel,  June  29, 
1689. 

(III)  Benjamin  Hall  (2),  son  of  Benjamin  and 
Frances  Hall,  born  June  17,  1682,  married  April 
8,  1706,  Patience  Cory,  daughter  of  William  Cory, 
and  their  children  of  Portsmouth  town  record 
were:  Martha,  born  March  27,  1717;  Frances, 


born  April  4,  1719;  William,  born  March  27,  1721  ; 
Patience,  born  April  6,  1723  ; Rebecca,  born  June 
5,  1726;  Benjamin,  born  May  21,  1729.  Another 
page  in  the  book  of  records  gives : Zuriel,  born 
Oct.  20,  1717;  Solomon,  born  May  6,  1720;  Eliza- 
beth, born  Feb.  22,  1721-2;  and  John,  born  Nov. 
24,  1749. 

(IV)  Benjamin  Hall  (3),  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Patience  Hall,  born  May  21,  1729,  married 
Aug.  10,  1748,  Deliverance,  daughter  of  Richard 
Cornell,  and  their  children  of  Portsmouth  town 
record  were:  George,  born  Nov.  24,  1749;  Par- 
ker, born  June  17,  1751;  Patience,  born  April  5, 
1753  and  William,  born  Nov.  24,  1754. 

(V)  George  Hall,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Deliv- 
erance Hall,  born  Nov.  24,  1749,  married  Oct.  21, 
1772-3,  Hannah  Dennis.  George  Hall  was  a land- 
owner  and  farmer,  and  was  also  a shoemaker,  but 
he  evidently  was  also  a man  of  manners  and  in- 
telligence. He  had  attained  social  prominence  so 
that  Gen.  Lafayette  accepted  his  hospitality,  and, 
it  is  related  that  upon  one  occasion,  while  visiting 
at  the  home  of  George  Hall,  the  French  officer 
engaged  in  conversation  with  a sister  of  Mr.  Hall 
at  an  open  window.  The  window  was  insecurely 
fastened  and  fell  upon  the  young  lady’s  hand,  in- 
juring it  to  some  extent.  Years  afterward,  in 
1824,  when  General  Lafayette  revisited  America, 
he  went  to  Portsmouth  and  called  to  pay  his  re- 
spects to  his  former  entertainers.  Again  he  met 
Miss  Hall  and  he  gallantly  recalled  the  incident  and 
inquired  after  the  injured  hand  with  great  cour- 
tesy. 

In  many  ways  George  Hall  was  a good  citizen 
and  foremost  man.  He  died  on  his  farm,  April 
15,  1830,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Childs  cemetery,  Childs  street,  Ports- 
mouth. His  wife,  who  had  reached  the  age  of 
ninety-one  years,  died  July  5,  1845,  and  was  laid 
by  his  side.  Their  children  were : William,  born 
Feb.  2,  1774;  Hannah,  Aug.  27,  1775;  Benjamin 
Dennis,  Feb.  27,  1777;  Ruth,  July  24,  1778;  Su- 
sannah, June  24,  1780;  Joseph,  May  16,  1782;  Par- 
ker, July  29,  1784;  Freelove,  Sept.  11,  1786, 
George,  Jan.  2,  1789;  Anna,  March  19,  1791;  Rob- 
ert Dennis,  Feb.  4,  1793;  and  Benjamin,  Nov.  20, 
i/95-  , 

(VI)  Parker  Hall,  son  of  George  and  Hannah 
Hall,  was  born  July  29,  1784,  at  Portsmouth,  and 
like  his  father,  followed  farming  and  stockraising. 
He  made  his  home  on  the  West  Main  Road  on  the 
farm  now  owned  by  Miss  Mary  E.  Austin.  He 
made  many  substantial  improvements  on  that 
property,  and  lived  to  be  honored  and  respected 
bv  his  neighbors  and  fellow  citizens.  He  proved 
himself  a capable  man  of  affairs,  and  took  a prom- 
inent position  in  local  matters  and  in  outside  inter- 
ests. He  was  a representative  in  the  Lower  House 
of  the  Rhode  Island  Assembly  at  the  time  of  the 
Dorr  political  troubles  in  1842,  and  was  one  of 
the  factors  which  brought  about  the  adjustment  of 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1071 


difficulties.  He  later  served  as  associate  judge  of 
the  court  of  Common  Pleas  and  was  an  honor  to 
the  Bench. 

Judge  Hall  was  married  Aug.  17,  1809,  in  the 
Newport  Baptist  Church,  by  Rev.  Michael  Eddy, 
to  Hannah  Thomas,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
these  children:  Almira,  born  May  27,  1810,  mar- 
ried George  Soule,  of  Dartmouth ; Hannah,  born 
Feb.  16,  1812,  married  Jacob  Chase,  of  Ports- 
mouth; Ann  Janetta,  horn  Jan.  1,  1816,  married 
Charles  Carr ; Catherine,  born  Sept.  30,  1822,  mar- 
ried Gardner  Hall,  and  was  mother  of  George 
Gardner  Hall,  long  proprietor  of  the  “Adams 
House,”  Boston ; William  Thomas,  born  Jan.  9, 
1825,  married  Abby  Fish,  and  resided  at  Newport 
until  his  death,  Dec.  20,  1883;  and  Benjamin,  born 
March  20,  1827. 

(VII)  Benjamin  Hall  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  March  20,  1827,  where  his 
life  was  mainly  spent  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. He  was  of  just  such  a character  of  man 
as  were  his  ancestors,  honest,  upright,  exemplary, 
the  type  that  leaves  a lasting  impress  for  good 
upon  its  day  and  generation.  He  continued  one 
of  the  town's  leading  citizens.  For  a number  of. 
years  he  was  town  treasurer  and  in  1862  and  1863 
lie  represented  his  town  in  the  State  Senate,  where 
his  tact,  judgment  and  public  spirit  were  used  to 
advance  the  interests  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

Although  a successful  man  in  public'  life,  Mr. 
Hall  was  deeply  interested  in  his  farm  and  was 
particular  concerning  the  raising  of  cattle  and 
stock.  Being  a man  of  enterprising  spirit,  he  made 
use  of  modern  machinery  and  followed  scientific 
lines  to  a large  extent.  No  inducements  could  be 
offered  to  make  him  remove  to  any  other  home 
than  his  farm,  his  preference  being  to  be  identified 
with  that  locality  and  with  agricultural  interests. 
His  death  occurred  Aug.  5,  1901,  and  he  was  laid 
to  rest  in  the  Friends’  cemetery. 

On  Jan.  1,  1852,  the  late  Benjamin  Hall  was 
married  to  Eliza  V.  Chase,  born  Dec.  28,  1831,  in 
Portsmouth,  daughter  of  the  late  Daniel  Chase  and 
a sister  of  Hon.  John  F.  Chase,  a well-known  citi- 
zen of  Portsmouth,  extended  mention  of  whom  will 
be  found  in  this  volume.  His  wife  died  Sept.  24, 
1884,  and  her  remains  also  rest  in  the  Friends’ 

■ cemetery.  Their  children  were  : Hannah  T.,  born 
Dec.  1,  1852,  died  Nov.  12,  1883;  Mary  Chase, 
born  June  17,  1854,  lives  in  Portsmouth,  unmar- 
ried ; George  P.,  born  Aug,  6,  1856,  resides  in 
Providence;  Benjamin,  born  July  29,  1859;  Her- 
bert F.,  born  March  9,  1868,  is  mentioned  else- 
where; Lilian,  born  Nov.  26,  1872,  died  Nov.  27, 
1872;  and  Jennie,  born  July  9,  1874,  died  July  11, 
1874.  In  addition  to  his  extensive  farming  inter- 
ests, Mr.  Hall  operated  in  real  estate,  having  an 
_office  at  Fall  River,  Mass.  In  his  political  senti- 
ments he  was  a Democrat,  but  the  tricks  of  a poli- 
tician were  never  his.  Flis  public  as  well  as  his 
private  life  was  above  suspicion.  His  nature  was 


kind,  and  he  assisted  many  who  were  in  need  with- 
out ever  making  any  public  display  of  generosity. 
Some  years  before  his  death  he  was  married  (sec- 
ond) to  Plelen  M.  (Chase)  Cook,  widow  of  Enos 
Cook.  There  was  no  issue  to  this  marriage. 

(VIII)  George  Parker  Hall,  eldest  son  of 
Benjamin  and  Eliza  V.  (Chase)  Hall,  was  born  on 
the  farm  just  east  of  the  homestead,  now  the  prop- 
erty of  a Mr.  Coggeshall,  Aug.  6,  1856.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Portsmouth,  and 
in  the  Mill  street  school,  Newport,  remaining  at 
the  latter  place  for  two  ye'ars.  He  then  spent  one 
and  one-half  years  at  a private  school  in  Fall  River, 
conducted  by  a Miss  Hdl.  The  next  one  and  one- 
half  years  were  spent  at  the  Friends  • school  in 
Providence. 

With  such  equipment  as  lie  now  had  Mr.  Hall 
engaged  in  teaching  school  for  six  months,  in  dis- 
trict No.  1,  South  Portsmouth,  and,  having  a lik- 
ing for  the  profession  and  realizing  his  inability 
to  teach  successfully  without  more  knowledge,  he 
entered  the  Rhode  Island  State  Normal  school,  in 
1876,  and  there  attended  three  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  graduated,  he  being  the  only  male 
student  of  a class  of  sixteen  pupils.  During  this 
period  of  his  student  life  Mr.  Hall  sustained  him- 
self solely  through  his  own  efforts,  and  paid  his 
own  way  through  the  Normal  school.  It  is  much 
to  his  credit  that  although  he  could  have  had  as- 
sistance he  would  never  ask  for  it.  Mr.  Hall 
taught  for  six  months  in  Slatersville,  and  for  one 
winter  at  Wickford  academy,  then  becoming  mas- 
ter of  the  school  at  Peacedale,  R.  I.,  presiding  there 
three  years.  On  taking  up  his  duties  at  this  school, 
Mr.  Hall  had  to  contend  with  a most  pronounced 
instance  of  insubordination  on  the  part  of  the 
scholars.  He  then  taught  at  Wakefield  for  eight 
years,  and  at  Narragansett  Pier  for  four  years. 
Mr.  Hall  was  very  successful  as  an  educator,  and 
had  a rare  faculty  of  imparting  knowledge  to  his 
pupils.  He  did  a great  deal  to  increase  the  equip- 
ment of  the  schools  over  which  he  presided,  thereby 
increasing  their  efficiency  materially.  For  one  sea- 
son Mr.  Hall  was  paymaster  for  William  C.  Cas- 
well, in  charge  of  a gang  of  seventy-five  Italian 
laborers  in  the  Palisades  of  the  Hudson,  who  were 
getting  out  crushed  stone  for  the  purpose  of  ma- 
cadamizing about  twenty  miles  of  highway  on 
Staten  Island.  I11  June,  1895,  Mr.  Hall  entered 
the  Joslin  Manufacturing  Company,  as  general 
manager  and  bookkeeper,  and  in  1898  was  made 
secretary,  a position  he  still  holds. 

Mr.  Hall  is  a Republican  on  national  issues, 
but  in  local  politics  is  independent.  He  was  the 
candidate  for  senator  on  the  Prohibition  ticket 
when  a resident  of  South  Kingstown.  He  is  pres- 
ident of  the  Arlington  Public  Library  Association, 
and  in  the  erection  of  its  new  library  building  in 
1905  Mr.  Hall  deserves  much  credit  for  the  rais- 
ing of  the  funds.  He  became  a member  of  the  Un- 
ion Christian  Church  of  Portsmouth  in  1876,  but 


1072 


RHODE  ISLAND 


later  joined  the  First  Baptist  Church  at  Wakefield, 
and  was  its  Sunday-school  superintendent.  Fie  is 
now  connected  with  the  Cranston  Street  Baptist 
Church. 

Mr.  Hall  was  married  Aug.  23,  1881,  to  Miss 
Lillian  Joslin,  daughter  of  William  and  Theresa 
(Brown)  Joslin,  of  Johnston,  R.  I.  Three  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  the  union:  Byron  Joslin, 
born  April  22,  1887;  Harry  Joslin,  June  8,  1889; 
and  Kenneth,  Aug.  14,  1891  (who  died  July  19, 
1897) . Mrs.  Hall  was  a student  at  the  Jencks  Mowry 
Academy,  and  for  two  years  attended  the  Rhode 
Island  State  Normal  school.  For  two  years  prior 
to  her  marriage,  Mrs.  Hall  engaged  in  teaching, 
and  for  the  next  six  years  continued  as  her  hus- 
band’s assistant,  being  known  as  one  of  the  most 
efficient  and  popular  teachers  in  South  county. 

(VIII)  Benjamin  Hall,  second  son  of  the 
late  Benjamin  Hall,  resides  on  the  old  homestead 
farm  where  he  was  born  July  29,  1859.  He  was 
educated  in  the  town  schools  and  received  instruc- 
tion in  a local  academy.  Under  his  father’s  careful 
direction  he  grew  to  manhood  acquainted  with  all 
the  various  lines  of  knowledge  necessary  to  make  a 
good  farmer.  He  intelligently  carries  on  general 
farming  and  stockraising  and  is  also  interested  as 
was  his  father,  in  real  estate  and  continues  the 
office  at  Fall  River.  He  is  one  of  the  town’s  larg- 
est land-holders. 

On  Dec.  2,  1886,  Mr.  Hall  was  married  to  An- 
nie L.  Ashley,  daughter  of  James  Bradford  and 
Amy  F.  (Brownell)  Ashley.  To  this  union  have 
been  born  these  children:  Mildred,  born  Nov.  15, 
1887;  Norman,  April  7,  1890;  Gladys,  Oct.  7, 
1891;  Benjamin,  March  3,  1893;  William,  Sept. 
23,  1895;  Eliza  Victoria,  April  9,  1897;  Annie  An- 
genette,  Aug.  16,  1899;  Marjorie  Amy,  Aug.  24, 
1902;  and  Berkeley  Bradford,  Dec.  14,  1905. 

(VIII)  Miss  Mary  C.  Hall,  only  living 
daughter  of  the  late  Benjamin  Hall,  was  born  on 
the  home  farm  in  Portsmouth.  After  completing 
the  common-school  course  she  entered  the  Friends’ 
Boarding  School  at  Providence,  and  later  attended 
the  academy  at  Woodstock,  Conn.,  and  still  later 
a seminary  at  Jewett  City,  Conn.  She  is  a member 
of  the  Congregational  Church  at  the  latter  point. 
For  some  years  she  has  been  something  of  an  in- 
valid, but  her  brave  manner  of  bearing  up  under 
her  infirmity  commands  the  admiration  of  all  who 
know  her. 

PARDON  ELISHA  TILLINGHAST.  For 
some  two  hundred  and  sixty  and  more  years  Rhode 
Island  has  been  the  continuous  home  of  the  Tilling- 
hast  family,  and  from  generation  to  generation 
through  this  long  period  the  records  give  evidence 
of  its  honorable  standing  here  and  of  its  useful 
citizenship.  In  the  beginning,  the  forerunner  here, 
the  emigrant,  Pardon  Tillinghast,  an  Englishman, 
was  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  and  useful  citi- 
zens of  the  town  of  Providence. 


(I)  Pardon  Tillinghast,  a native  of  Seven 

Cliffs,  County  of  Sussex,  England,  born  in  1622, 
and  according  to  tradition  a soldier  in  Cromwell’s 
army,  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Providence, 
R.  I.  The  first  record  of  him  here  is  Jan.  19,  1646, 
on  which  date  he  was  recorded  as  ’a  quarter  share’s 
man,  and  granted  twenty-five  acres  of  land.  He 
was  admitted  a freeman  in  1658;  was  deputy  in 
1672,  1680,  1690,  1694,  1697  and  1700;  was  over- 
seer of  the  poor  in  1687,  and  a member  of  the 
town  council  in  1688  and  1691,  and  from  1693  to 
1707.  He  was  the  most  prominent  merchant  of 
the  town  of  his  time.  He  was  pastor  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church  for  many  years,  declining  all  re- 
muneration for  his  services.  About  1700  he 
erected  at  his  own  expense  a house  of  wor- 
ship located  near  the  northwest  corner  of  Main 
and  Smith  streets,  which  in  1711  he  deeded  to  the 
church,  together  with  the  lot  upon  which  it  stood. 
He  was  twice  married  and  had  twelve  children. 
The  surname  of  his  first  wife  was  Butterworth. 
He  married  (second)  April  16,  1664,  Lydia, 

daughter  of  Philip  and  Lydia  (Masters)  Taber. 
He  died  Jan.  29,  1718,  aged  ninety-six.  His  chil- 
dren were:  Sarah;  John;  Mary  (all  born  to  the 
first  marriage);  Lydia;  Pardon;  Philip;  Benja- 
min ; Abigail ; Joseph  ; Mercy  ; Hannah  ; and  Eliz- 
abeth. 

(II)  Pardon  Tillinghast  (2),  born  Feb.  16, 
1668,  married  (first)  Mary,  born  in  1670,  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Mary  Keech,  and  was  a resi- 
dent of  Providence  and  East  Greenwich,  R.  I.  His 
wife  Mary  died  Feb.  7,  1726,  and  he  married  (sec- 
ond) Sarah,  born  in  1678,  and  died  in  1742.  In 
1688  his  name  was  among  the  one  hundred  and 
seventy-two  taxables  over  sixteen.  He  bought 
property  in  East  Greenwich  in  1699,  and  also  in 
Providence.  He  was  a freeman  in  East  Green- 
wich in  1699.  He  was  deputy  in  1702,  1704,  1705, 
1706,  1708,  1714,  1716,  1719,  1720,  1722  and  1725, 
and  a justice  of  the  peace  in  1705  and  1710.  He 
died  in  1743.  His  children  were:  Mary,  Philip, 
John,  Joseph,  Mercy  (born  in  1706),  and  possibly 
Pardon. 

(III)  John  Tillinghast  married  (first)  April 
8,  1714,  Anne;  (second)  about  July  23,  1719, 
Phebe,  Phenie  Greene  or  Waite;  (third)  Ann, 
and  maybe  (fourth)  Abigail  Thomas.  Like  his 
father  before  him  Mr.  Tillinghast  was  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits.  After  residing  for  some 
years  in  East  Greenwich  he  removed  to  West 
Greenwich  and  there  died  in  October,  1770.  To 
the  first  marriage  were  born : Amey ; Mary,  born 
June  29,  1715;  and  Pardon,  born  June  3,  1718. 
To  the  second:  John,  born  March  27,  1720;  Ann, 
born  June  7,  1721;  Welthia,  born  Sept.  23,  1722; 
Lydia,  born  March  3,  1724;  Benjamin,  born  Sept. 
20,  1726;  and  Charles,  born  April  5,  1729.  To 
the  third  marriage:  Thomas,  born  April  27,  1732; 
and  Joseph,  born  Jan.  9,  1734-35.  One  child, 
Phebe,  blessed  the  fourth  marriage. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


(IV)  Charles  Tillinghast,  bom  April  5,  1729, 
in  East  Greenwich,  married  and  among  his  ten 
children  was  Pardon,  born  in  June,  1763.  Charles 
Tillinghast  was  a resident  of  Quidnesett,  R.  I., 
and  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  Revo- 
lution he  was  appointed  enlisting  officer  by  the 
General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island,  to  raise  troops 
for  the  Continental  army.  He  was  so  active  and 
earnest  in  the  work  that  the  Tories  formed  a 
party  to  get  rid  of  him;  when  the  mob  was  on  the 
way  to  the  house,  it  is  said,  they  waylaid  his  son, 
who  assisted  his  father,  took  him  prisoner  and 
killed  him.  Shortly  after,  in  November,  1775, 
four  masked  Tories  broke  into  the  house,  and  after 
threatening  his  wife  dragged  him  from  bed,  not 
allowing  him  to  dress,  and  carried  him  in  a boat 
to  Block  Island ; from  wounds  received  he  died 
in  seventeen  days. 

(V)  Deacon  Pardon  Tillinghast,  born  in  June, 
1763,  married,  Dec.  18,  1785,  Mary  Sweet,  of  West 
Greenwich,  and  for  the  greater  part  of  his  life 
resided  in  the  town  of  West  Greenwich,  R.  I., 
where  he  was  occupied  in  farming.  He 
was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  in  West 
Greenwich,  one  of  the  first  to  fell  its  forests  and 
rear  his  home  in  the  wild,  and  he  was  a man  of 
mark  and  honor  in  his  day.  He  died  in  November, 
1816.  Among  his  twelve  children  were:  Allen, 
born  May  26,  1796;  John,  born  Oct.  3,  1812;  Abi- 
gail; Tabitha;  and  Thomas. 

(VI)  Rev.  John  Tillinghast,  born  Oct.  3,  1812, 

in  West  Greenwich,  married  March  2,  1834,  Susan 
Caroline,  daughter  of  Elisha  Avery.  Mr.  Til- 
linghast was  the  youngest  . of  a family 
of  twelve  children,  and  his  father  being 

a pioneer  of  the  town  the  son’s  school 

advantages  were  limited.  Of  these,  however,  he 
made  the  most,  and  by  application  and  reading  be- 
came well  informed,  strong  and  sound.  He  was 
converted  at  an  early  age  and  soon  after  reaching 
his  twentieth  year  began  preaching.  He  was  or- 
dained pastor  of  the  West  Greenwich  Bap- 
tist Church  Oct.  18,  1840,  and  for  nearly 
forty  • years  served  most  faithfully  as  a 
minister  in  that  region  of  country,  filling 
the  one  pulpit  through  all  those  years  with- 
out remuneration.  He  was  a man  of  great  force 
of  character,  had  a pleasing  voice,  manly  features 
and  commanded  attention,  respect  and  esteem. 
His  name  was  a power  in  western  Rhode  Island. 
He  stood  in  the  van  of  the  reformers  of  his  time. 
He  was  pronounced  in  his  convictions,  ever  main- 
taining the  right  at  all  hazards.  He  owned  three 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  West  Greenwich,  and 
as  a farmer  was  eminently  successful.  Mr.  Til- 
linghast was  ever  ready  to  serve  and  he  did  serve 
his  town,  and  efficiently,  too,  in  various  useful  ca- 
pacities, especially  in  educational  lines.  He  was 
a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Assembly  in 
1854-55.  He  died  March  28,  1878,  and  was  buried 

68 


1073 

with  universal  marks  of  honor.  He  was  the  father 
of  ten  children. 

(VII)  Pardon  Elisha  Tillinghast,  second  child 
of  Rev.  John  and  Susan  C.  (Avery)  Tillinghast, 
was  born  in  West  Greenwich,  Dec.  10,  1836,  and 
he  died  in  Pawtucket  Feb.  9,  1905.  His  early 
years  were  passed  on  his  father’s  farm  in  West 
Greenwich,  and  by  the  time  he  had  attained  the 
age  of  twelve  years  he  was  determined  to  leave  the 
farm  and  to  follow  some  other  calling  in  life.  His 
early  education  was  acquired  in  the  district  school, 
which  he  attended  for  four  months  during  the  win- 
ter ; at  Killingly,  Conn. ; at  Hall’s  Academy, 
Moosup,  Conn. ; and  at  the  Providence  Conference 
Seminary,  East  Greenwich.  Later  he  attended  the 
Rhode  Island  State  Normal  School,  and  Potter  & 
Hammond’s  Commercial  College,  Providence ; 
studied  Latin  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Richards,  of  Prov- 
idence, and  law  with  the  Hon.  Thomas  K.  King, 
of  Pawtucket.  During  the  time  he  was  attending 
school  he  was  obliged  to  work  for  his  board,  part 
of  the  time  doing  chores  for  relatives  and  part  of 
the  time  for  strangers.  His  attendance  at  the  East 
Greenwich  Academy  was  cut  short  by  the  break- 
ing out  of  cholera  in  the  family,  brought  there  by 
a sea  captain  uncle.  Five  members  of  the  family 
suffered  from  it,  a brother  and  grandmother  of 
our  subject  dying,  while  the  father,  sister  and  un- 
cle recovered.  With  the  aid  of  one  outsider  the 
young  school  boy  took  care  of  the  afflicted,  the 
neighbors  leaving  food  outside  the  house,  not  dar- 
ing to  enter.  One  month  before  he  was  eighteen 
Judge  Tillinghast  began  his  career  as  a teacher, 
teaching  one  winter  in  the  little  school  where  he 
had  himself  attended,  and  for  his  services  there  he 
received  $12.50  a month,  and  boarded  at  home. 
He  spent  three  winters  teaching  district  school, 
two  years  in  the  Valley  Falls  Grammar  School, 
one  year  at  the  Meeting  street  grammar  school  in 
Providence,  and  for  six  years  was  principal  of  the 
Grove  street  grammar  school,  Pawtucket. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  Judge  Tilling- 
hast enlisted  with  the  12th  R.  I.  V.  I.,  and  went 
to  the  front,  serving  in  the  9th  Army  Corps  under 
General  Burnside.  He  was  promoted  to  quarter- 
master-sergeant, and  at  the  end  of  his  term  of  en- 
listment was  honorably  discharged.  But  a short 
time  before  his  death  Judge  Tillinghast  had  com- 
pleted a history  of  the  12th  Regiment.  When  he 
returned  from  the  war  his  successor  as  a teacher 
resigned  in  his  favor,  and  while  teaching  at  Paw- 
tucket he  determined  that  he  would  prepare  for  the 
legal  profession,  and  accordingly  he  entered  the 
office  of  the  Hon.  Thomas  K.  King  as  a student, 
spending  there  all  his  spare  time  for  four  years. 
In  April,  1867,  he  was  admitted  to  practice,  and 
shortly  after,  when  Mr.  King  was  appointed  con- 
sul to  Belfast,  Ireland,  he  came  into  possession  of 
a large  part  of  his  practice.  From  1874  to  1881 
he  was  town  solicitor  for  Pawtucket,  and  was  a 


10/4 


RHODE  ISLAND 


member  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Pawtucket 
for  seven  years,  three  in  the  lower  house  and  four 
years  as  senator.  While  in  the  Senate  he  was 
chairman  of  the  Judiciary  committee,  and  was  also 
chairman  of  the  Joint  Select  committee  of  the  two 
houses  in  the  Revision  of  the  Statutes  in  1872,  as 
he  was  also  of  the  Joint  Select  committee  for  the 
Reception  and  Entertainment  of  President  Hayes 
on  the  occasion  of  his  visit  to  Rhode  Island,  and  he 
delivered  the  address  of  welcome  on  that  occasion. 

From  1862  to  1881  Judge  Tillinghast  was  con- 
nected with  the  State  militia,  holding  the  offices  of 
second  lieutenant  of  cavalry,  first  lieutenant  and 
adjutant  of  Pawtucket  Light  Guards,  captain  of 
the  staff  of  General  Daniels,  colonel  and  brigadier- 
general  on  the  staffs  of  Governors  Van  Zandt  and 
Littlefield,  and  serving  as  Judge  Advocate  General 
for  six  years. 

In  1881  Judge  Tillinghast  was  elected  a justice 
of  the  Supreme  court  and  sat  in  the  Common  Pleas 
division  for  ten  years.  He  was  then  transferred  to 
the  Supreme  court,  sitting  in  banc,  and  soon  after 
to  the  Appellate  division,  sitting  with  Chief  Jus- 
tice Matteson  and  Mr.  Justice  Stiness.  He  was  the 
next  oldest  Justice  to  Chief  Justice  Stiness,  and 
on  the  latter’s  retirement  he  was  elected  Chief  Jus- 
tice of  the  Supreme  court,  the  highest  position  in 
the  State  Judiciary,  Nov.  16,  1904.  Of  broad  and 
liberal  views,  and  holding  himself  rigidly  to  the 
standard  of  life  dictated  by  his  own  conscience, 
he  never  permitted  his  conception  of  his  duties  to 
influence  his  judgment  of  others,  and  he  had  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  the  entire  State.  His 
decisions  are  recognized  throughout  the  country, 
and  he  served  the  State  for  over  twenty  years  with 
credit  to  himself  and  to  the  whole  judiciary  sys- 
tem. 

Judge  Tillinghast  always  took  a deep  interest 
in  educational  matters,  and  particularly  in  the  pub- 
lic school  system,  and  he  served  for  a number  of 
years  on  the  school  committee.  In  politics  he  was 
a Republican,  but  his  partisanship  was  never  of- 
fensive, and  his  voice  was  always  heard  on  the 
side  of  right  and  justice,  and  in  all  public  matters 
he  was  vitally  interested.  He  was  a lifelong  mem- 
ber of  the  First  Baptist  Church  and  Society,  and 
the  Sabbath-school  connected  with  it.  Every  Sun- 
day, unless  detained  by  illness  or  absent  from  the 
city,  found  him  in  his  accustomed  seat. 

In  1890  the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of  Arts 
was  conferred  upon  him  by  Brown  University,  and 
he  was  elected  a corresponding  member  of  the  New 
York  Medico-Legal  Society.  He  was  a trustee  of 
the  Free  Public  Library  of  Pawtucket,  and  for 
over  twenty  years  was  a trustee  of  the  Providence 
County  Savings  Bank.  He  was  a member  and  at 
one  time  president  of  the  Rhode  Island  Baptist 
Social  Union,  the  Providence  Bar  Club,  the  Paw- 
tucket Business  Men’s  Association,  Tower  Post, 
No.  1 7,  G.  A.  R.,  and  the  To-Kalon  Club. 

Genuine  sorrow  was  expressed  on  every  hand 


at  the  death  of  Judge  Tillinghast,  as  all  classes  of 
citizens,  irrespective  of  political  or  religious  belief, 
felt  that  in  him  they  had  a man  who  could  fill  any 
position  when  called  upon,  and  one  whose  counsel 
and  advice  could  be  followed  with  safety  at  all 
times.  Always  courteous  and  easy  to  meet,  people 
of  any  and  all  stations  regarded  him  as  their 
friend.  One  of  the  most  striking  characteristics 
of  the  Judge  was  his  love  for  children,  which  was 
evidenced  at  all  times,  and  a frequent  sight  on 
Sunday  was  to  see  the  tall  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
court  in  the  vestibule  of  the  church  which  he  at- 
tended talking  to  the  juvenile  members  of  the  con- 
gregation. 

Immediately  upon  receipt  of  the  news  of  his 
death,  his  Honor,  Mayor  James  H.  Higgins,  or- 
dered the  flags  of  the  city  of  Pawtucket  to  be 
placed  at  half  mast,  and  a special  meeting  of  the 
city  council  was  called  to  take  appropriate  action 
on  his  death. 

Former  Chief  Justice  John  H.  Stiness  was 
deeply  moved  when  told  of  the  death  of  his  former 
colleague  and  successor.  He  said : “My  acquain- 
tance with  Judge  Tillinghast  extends  back  thirty 
or  thirty-five  years.  We  were  both  members  of  the 
General  Assembly  when  I was  elected  to  the  Bench. 
We  were  both  soldiers  in  the  Civil  war,  and  nat- 
urally both  favored  the  election  of  General  Burn- 
side to  the  United  States  Senate.  In  the  legisla- 
tive contest  for  the  senatorship  our  candidate  was 
successful,  and  I remember  that  Judge  Tillinghast 
and  I were  thrown  together  a great  deal  at  that 
time  and  became,  close  friends.  At  the  time  of  his 
election  to  the  Bench  in  1881  I was  sitting  as  one 
of  the  Judges  of  the  court  of  Common  Pleas,  and 
we  were  together  in  that  court  until  the  death  of 
Judge  Potter  in  1882.  * * * He  was  an  ex- 

tremely conscientious,  painstaking  and  hard-work- 
ing judge.  I do  not  know  that  I have  ever  known 
a judge  who  devoted  more  time  to  his  work  than 
he  did.  Sometimes  he  worked  too  hard  for  his 
own  health.  * * * He  was  a very  pleasant 

man  to  be  associated  with  on  tne  Bench.  Although 
he  had  an  independent  opinion — and  no  man  is 
worthy  to  be  a judge  who  has  not — and  although 
sometimes  differing  in  consultations  with  the  opin- 
ions of  his  associates,  it  was  with  a mutual  respect 
and  regard,  and  no  one  of  his  brethren  can  have 
an  unpleasant  recollection  of  our  associations  with 
him.  * * * He  had  not  only  in  his  long  career 

won  distinction  as  a judge,  but  he  had  also  won  the 
esteem  of  his  brethren  both  on  the  Bench  and  at 
the  Bar.  It  is  a matter  of  profound  satisfaction 
to  me  that  I retired  from  the  Bench  in  time  for  him 
to  receive  the  honor  of  election  as  Chief  Justice, 
which  honor  he  so  well  deserved  from  his  long  and 
faithful  service.” 

Words  of  highest  praise  were  powerless  to  ex- 
press the  feelings  of  the  other  members  of  the  Su- 
preme Bench  toward  the  dead  jurist.  With  one 
accord  they  voiced  the  most  affecting  tributes  to 


RHODE  ISLAND 


the  memory  of  a man  who  was  loved  and  respected 
alike  for  ability,  kindliness  and  pre-eminence  of 
personal  character. 

Judge  Wilbur  said:  “I  have  known  Judge  Til- 
linghast  for  many  years  and  I can  hardly  express 
my  feelings  at  such  a time  as  this. r From  the  time 
we  were  together  in  the  Legislature  I have  held 
for  him  the  highest  respect  and  the  warmest 
friendship.  I feel  a personal  loss,  and  to  the  com- 
munity at  large  it  may  well  be  said  to  be  irrepara- 
ble. He  was  a kindly,  generous,  great-hearted 
man,  and  what  was  said  of  Daniel  Webster  may 
well  be  said  of  him : ‘But  he  was  ours,  and  by  that 
word  of  pride  drown  with  its  lofty  tone  pain’s  bit- 
ter cry.’  ” 

Judge  Dubois  said:  “Perhaps  the  two  most 
remarkable  characteristics  of  Judge  Tillinghast 
were  his  absolute  candor  and  his  remarkable  mem- 
ory. In  regard  to  the  first  he  was  always  ready 
to  change  any  opinion  which  he  might  have  formed 
in  a case  if,  after  hearing  the  arguments  of  the 
other  party,  he  felt  that  he  was  wrong ; he  was 
willing  to  hear  every  detail  of  the  case  and  would 
listen  patiently  to  both  parties.  He  grieved  if  his 
decision  displeased  any  one,  but  he  always  endeav- 
ored to  decide  as  he  thought  right  and  to  deal 
justly  with  every  one.  His  memory  was  remark- 
able and  he  could  recall  cases  with  the  names  in 
a wonderful  manner.  He  was  loved  by  every 
member  of  the  Bar  and  was  a personal  friend  to 
us  all.  His  loss  is  a heavy  one  to  Bench,  Bar 
and  public.” 

Judge  Blodgett  said  that  the  dead  Chief  Jus- 
tice was  almost  like  a father  to  the  younger  mem- 
bers of  the  Bar,  treating  every  one  of  them  with 
the  utmost  consideration  and  going  out  of  his  way 
to  make  them  feel  at  their  ease  when  before  him, 
adding:  “He  was  a man  of  the  highest  character, 
and  no  one  could  have  been  more  upright  or  hon- 
est. He  was  unusually  candid,  and  he  never  al- 
lowed himself  to  be  prejudiced  by  one  side  of  a 
case.  He  had  room  in  his  great  mind  for  both 
sides,  and  in  many  instances  he  has  not  hesitated 
to  change  his  opinion  when  he  thought  his  first  im- 
pression was  an  erroneous  one.  His  loss  to  the 
city  and  State  is  irreparable.” 

Judge  Johnson  said:  “I  have  never  known  a 
man  of  higher  character  and  uprightness  than 
Judge  Tillinghast.  He  enjoyed  the  unqualified 
respect  and  personal  friendship  of  every  member 
of  the  Bar,  and  he  had  gained  it  by  his  uniform  pa- 
tience, kindliness  and  just  dealing  with  every  one. 
His  patience  was  remarkable,  and  he  would  listen 
to  every  argument  that  attorneys  before  him  de- 
sired to  make.  His  services  have  been  invaluable, 
and  his  death  is  a sad  blow.” 

Judge  Douglas  said  he  could  add  nothing  to 
what  had  already  been  said,  and  that  like  others 
he  considered  the  loss  a heavy  one  to  the  whole 
community.  At  the  court  house  every  one  seemed 
to  feel  the  loss  of  a personal  friend,  and,  as  one  of 


1075 

the  deputy  sheriffs  said,  “A  finer  man  never  walked 
the  earth.” 

On  Nov.  13,  1867,  Judge  Tillinghast  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Ellen  F.  Paine,  daughter  of  Jo- 
seph H.  and  Frances  (Arnold)  Paine,  of  Paw- 
tucket, and  this  happy  union  was  blessed  with  chil- 
dren as  follows : ( 1 ) Alice  L.  married  Ralph  R. 

Clapp,  of  Pawtucket,  and  they  reside  in  London, 
England,  where  Mr.  Clapp  has  charge  of  the  Clapp 
Ammonia  Company.  They  have  two  sons,  Roger 
T.  and  Kenneth  J.  (2)  John  A.,  a practicing  at- 
torney at  Providence,  married  Grace  Bardeen,  of 
Providence,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Kather- 
ine Tillinghast.  (3)  Angeline  F.  married  Russell 
H.  Dana,  of  Pawtucket,  where  he  is  connected 
with  the  Union  Wadding  Company.  They  have 
two  sons,  Newton  Tillinghast  and  Frederick  Til- 
linghast. (4)  Frederick  W.  graduated  from  the 
Harvard  Law  School  in  1905,  and  is  now  practic- 
ing in  Providence ; he  is  unmarried. 

KINSLEY  (Providence  family).  The  Rhode 
Island  branch  of  the  New  England  Kinsley  family 
is  of  a little  less  than  one  hundred  years  standing 
here,  but  in  the  neighboring  State  of  Massachu- 
setts its  history  reaches  back  through  the  infancy 
of  the  Colonies  to  the  year  1637,  when  Stephen 
Kingsley,  husbandman,  appeared  as  a proprietor  at 
Braintree.  A generation  later  found  the  family  in 
South  Bridgewater,  in  which  vicinity  it  has  since 
been  continuous,  and  thence  came  to  Pawtucket 
the  Rhode  Island  branch,  and  from  Pawtucket  to 
Providence.  The  family  under  consideration  is 
that  of  the  late  Shepard  Carey  Kinsley,  for  fifty 
years  a merchant  of  the  city,  and  long  one  of  the 
substantial  men  and  useful  citizens  of  this  com- 
munity, active  and  prominent  in  religious  work, 
serving  many  years  as  a Sunday-school  teacher 
and  even  a longer  period  as  Sunday-school  super- 
intendent. Here  in  Providence  are  now  residing 
some  of  his  children.  There  follows  the  family 
history  and  genealogy  of  this  Providence  branch 
of  the  Kinsley  family,  beginning  with  the  earliest 
known  American  ancestor : 

(I)  Stephen  Kingsley  (Kinsley)  appeared  at 
Braintree,  Mass.,  as  early  as  1637,  husbandman 
and  proprietor.  He  was  made  a freeman  May  13, 
1640.  In  1656  he  removed  to  Dorchester  and  pur- 
chased one-half  of  the  Hutchinson  farm,  but  re- 
turned to  Braintree,  and  in  1670  sold  land  in  Mil- 
ton,  Mass.  He  was  a representative  in  1650,  and 
first  ruling  elder  at  Braintree  in  1653.  He  was 
representative  from  Milton  in  1666,  and  died  in 
that  town  in  1673,  having  had  a son  Samuel  who 
died  before,  leaving  a widow  Hannah  and  son  Sam- 
uel, born  in  1662. 

(II)  Samuel  Kinsley,  says  Mitchell  in  his 
“History  of  Bridgewater,”  son  probably  of 
Stephen,  married  in  1694,  Mary,  daughter  of  John 
Washburn,  and  settled  in  South  Bridgewater, 
where  he  bought  the  Jeduthun  Robbins  place, 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1076 

which  adjoined  the  Washburn  place,  and  had  Sam- 
uel, John,  Nathan,  Benjamin,  Mary,  Sarah,  Bethea, 
Susannah  and  probably  others. 

(III)  Benjamin  Kinsley  had  sons  Silas  and 
Abiel. 

(IV)  Silas  Kinsley,  son  of  Benjamin  of  East 
Bridgewater,  had  Asel,  Daniel,  Adam,  Silas,  Ze- 
bina,  Rodolphus  and  Benjamin.  The  wife  of 
Silas  died,  and  in  1774  he  married  Mrs.  Rebecca 
Packard,  nee  Richardson,  widow  of  Zebulon  Pack- 
ard, to  whom  she  had  been  married  in  1764. 

(V)  Rodolphus  Kinsley,  son  of  Silas  mar- 
ried in  1794,  Salome,  daughter  of  Ephraim  Carey, 
and  settled  in  East  Bridgewater.  They  had  a fam- 
ily of  children,  and  removed  to  Pawtucket  or  North 
Providence.  Here  Mrs.  Kinsley  died.  Mr.  Kins- 
lev  died  in  Canton,  Mass.  Among  their  children 
were:  William  H„  Shepard  Carey,  and  others. 

(VI)  Shepard  Carey  Kinsley,  son  of  Rodol- 
phus and  Salome  (Carey)  Kinsley,  born  Aug.  29, 
1806,  in  East  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  married  (first) 
in  April,  1828,  Elizabeth  P.  Eddy,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  C.  Eddy  of  Providence.  She  died  in 
1839,  and  he  married  (second)  Mrs.  Eunice  Ches- 
ter Simmons,  widow  of  George  Simmons,  and  sis- 
ter to  his  first  wife. 

The  early  boyhood  of  Mr.  Kinsley  was  passed 
in  his  native  town,  where  his  school  days  were  be- 
gun. On  the  removal  of  the  family  to  Pawtucket 
about  1815  he  accompanied  them  thither,  and  some 
three  years  later  was  sent  to  Concord,  N.  H.,  where 
his  education  was  furthered  under  the  tuition  of 
Rev.  J.  L.  Blake,  a graduate  of  Brown  University. 
After*  three  years  of  study  at  Concord,  he  returned 
to  his  home  in  Pawtucket,  and  there,  in  1823,  be- 
gan his  business  career  as  a clerk  in  the  store  of 
Barney  Merry  & Co.  Three  years  later,  in  1826, 
he  began  business  on  his  own  account  as  a member 
of  the  firm  of  Rhodes  & Kinsley,  of  Pawtucket, 
dealers  in  hats,  caps,  boots  and  shoes.  His  bus- 
iness experience  in  Providence  began  in  1832,  he 
then  establishing  the  afterward  well  and  favorably 
known  business  house  of  S.  C.  Kinsley,  Son  & Co., 
for  a period  one  of  the  largest  wholesale  boot 
and  shoe  houses  in  Rhode  Island.  Mr.  Kinsley 
continued  in  active  business  until  his  death,  his 
business  life  in  Providence  covering  a period  of 
fifty  years. 

During  the  long  period  of  his  residence  in 
Providence,  Mr.  Kinsley  was  one  of  the  city’s 
most  valuable  and  useful  citizens,  active  and  zeal- 
ous in  all  religious  and  kindred  work,  and  did  much 
toward  the  bettering  of  society.  He  was  a member 
of  Grace  Episcopal  Church  at  Providence,  having 
united  with  it  on  his  coming  to  the  city  in  1832. 
For  some  eighteen  years  prior  to  1852  he  was  a 
teacher  in  the  Sunday-school  of  that  church,  and 
in  1852  was  appointed  by  Bishop  Henshaw  su- 
perintendent of  the  school,  a relation  he  sustained 
to  the  charge  for  nearly  a third  of  a century.  It 
is  said  that  during  all  of  those  twenty-eight  years 


as  superintendent  he  was  not  absent  more  than  two 
Sundays,  excepting  one  year,  when  not  holding  the 
position.  -What  faithfulness  to  a trust ! It  is  un- 
necessary to  state  that  under  his  charge  the  Sun- 
day-school flourished. 

The  children  born  to  the  first  marriage  of  Mr. 
Kinsley  were : Elizabeth,  who  became  the  wife 
of  the  late  William  H.  Low,  of  Providence ; Sarah 
James,  who  married  George  F.  Holroyd,  of  Provi- 
dence; Minerva  Jencks,  who  married  the  late 
Amasa  M.  Wheeler;  Carolina  Simmons,  who  be- 
came Mrs.  Albert  H.  Rider,  of  Providence ; and 
Benjamin  Eddy.  Mr.  Kinsley  died  at  his  home  in 
Providence,  R.  I.,  suddenly,  of  apoplexy,  Jan.  18, 
1881,  honored  and  respected  by  all  whose  privi- 
lege it  was  to  have  known  him.  His  manner  was 
genial  and  his  disposition  -social,  and  his  strict  in- 
tegrity attracted  to  him  many  warm  friends. 

HARRIS.  For  many  years  one  of  the  fore- 
most citizens  of  the  town  of  Scituate  was  Charles 
A.  Harris,  of  the  ancient  Rhode  Island  family  of 
that  name,  many  of  whom  have  been  and  are 
prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  State  and  the  com- 
munities in  which  they  have  resided.  Mr.  Harris 
was  a direct  descendant  of 

(I)  Thomas  Harris,  who  came  with  his  brother 
William  and  Roger  Williams,  in  1630,  from  Bris- 
tol, England,  in  the  ship  ‘‘Lyon.”  William  Harris 
■was  one  of  the  six  persons  who  arrived  at  Provi- 
dence as  first  settlers  before  July  of  the  year  1636, 
having  spent  the  preceding  winter  at  Seekonk. 
Thomas  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  compacts  of 
1637  and  1640,  concerning  the  organization  and 
government.  He  was  for  many  years  conspicuous 
in  the  public  affairs  of  the  town,  was  many  times 
commissioner,  deputy,  member  of  the  town  council 
and  assistant.  The  Christian  name  of  his  wife  was 
Elizabeth.  He  died  June  7,  1686. 

From  this  Thomas  Harris  the  late  Charles  A. 
Harris’s  lineage  is  through  Thomas  (2),  Thomas 
(3),  Gideon,  Asahel  and  Charles.  These  genera- 
tions, somewhat  in  detail,  follow  in  regular  order. 

(II)  Thomas  Harris  (2)  married  Nov.  3,  1664, 
Elnathan,  born  Oct.  15,  1644,  daughter  of  Rich- 
ard and  Mary  (Clark)  Tew.  Mr.  Harris  was  an 
inhabitant  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  was  many  times 
deputy  between  1671  and  1710,  and  was  for  sev- 
eral years  a member  of  the  town  council.  He  died 
Feb.  27,  1711,  and  his  widow  died  Jan.  11,  1718. 

(III)  Thomas  Harris  (3),  born  Oct.  19,  1665, 
married  Phebe,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Wait 
(Waterman)  Brown.  He  was  an  inhabitant  of 
Providence,  R.  I.  He  was  deputy,  1718,  and  a 
member  of  the  town  council,  1716-1724,  inclusive. 
He  died  Nov.  1,  1741.  His  wife  Phebe  died  Aug. 

20,  1723.  Their  children  were:  Wait,  born  April 

21,  1694;  Phebe,  Dec.  16,  1698;  John,  Sept.  17, 
1700;  Henry,  Oct.  5,  1702;  Thomas,  Oct.  21,  1704; 
Charles,  1709;  Gideon,  March  15,  1714;  and  Ly- 
dia, June  9,  1715.  The  will  of  the  father  was 


RHODE  ISLAND 


IO/7 


proved  Jan.  18,  1742,  by  which  Henry  was  to 
receive  the  homestead,  etc. ; Thomas  was  to  receive 
land  where  he  then  dwelt,  etc. ; Charles  to  receive 
land  in  Scituate,  with  house  in  Glocester ; and  Gid- 
eon to  receive  100  acres  near  Alum  Pond,  Gloces- 
ter, and  land  in  Scituate  with  a small  dwelling. 

(IV)  Gideon  Harris,  son  of  Thomas  (3),  was 

the  founder  of  the  Scituate  branch  of  the  family, 
and  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  that  town, 
then  a part  of  ancient  Providence.  He  was  born 
March  15,  1714,  and  on  Sept.  13,  1739,  married 
Demaris  Wescott,  born  June  12,  1713,  of  the  well- 
known  family  of  that  name,  prominent  throughout 
New  England.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harris  were 
widely  known  and  valued  for  their  more  than  or- 
dinary high  intellectual  attainments,  philanthropy, 
and  frequently  attested  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
their  less  fortunate  neighbors.  Their  home  was 
called  the  “Old  Bank,”  partly  because  of  its  sit- 
uation on  rising  ground  from  the  road,  and  largely 
from  the  fact  that  those  in  the  community,  having 
valuables,  intrusted  them  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Harris 
for  safe  keeping,  and  those  in  need'  of  financial 
assistance  were  rarely  disappointed  by  Mr.  Harris, 
whose  benevolent  disposition  was  sometimes  im- 
posed upon.  For  many  years  he  was  the  town 
clerk,  which  was  then  an  office  of  even  greater 
importance  than  today.  Mr.  Harris  died  in  1777, 
at  an  advanced  age ; Mrs.  Harris  died  May  9, 
1798,  and  both  were  buried  in  the  old  Quaker 
burial  ground  at  Scituate.  The  children  of  Gideon 
and  Demaris  Harris,  as  per  Arnold’s  Vital  Rec- 
ords, were:  Wait,  born  Feb.  2,  1740-41;  Tabitha, 
March  3,  1742-43;  Huldah,  May  25,  1745; 

Thomas,  March  15,  1746-47;  Asahel,  Jan.  29, 
1749-50;  John,  Oct.  24,  1753;  and  Charles,  Dec. 
4,  1756. 

(V)  Asahel  Harris,  son  of  Gideon  and  De- 
maris (Westcott)  Harris,  was  born  at  the  “Old 
Bank”  homestead  in  Scituate  Jan.  28-29,  175°’  ar*d 
he  died  there  May  26,  1785,  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
five  years.  His  wife,  Naomi,  was  born  in  October, 
1759,  and  died  Sept.  13,  1829.  Among  their  chil- 
dren was  a son  Charles.  Asahel  Harris  had  only 
begun  a career  closely  following  that  of  his  father 
when  his  death  occurred.  Had  he  lived  he  would 
no  doubt  have  contributed  largely  to  the  history  of 
Scituate  and  to  Providence,  as  did  his  posterity 
and  illustrious  ancestors. 

(VI)  Charles  Harris,  son  of  Asahel  and  Na- 
omi, was  born  Oct.  4,  1780,  and  lived  to  an  ad- 
vanced age,  his  death  occurring  Jan.  28,  1871. 
He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  James  and  Alice 
Aldrich,  who  were  also  identified  to  a large  de- 
gree with  the  early  history  of  Providence  and 
Scituate,  and  of  them  an  account  is  given  else- 
where. Mary  Aldrich  was  born  Jan.  2,  1782,  and 
died  Sept.  7,  1867.  Both  Mr.  Harris  and  his  wife 
were  buried  in  the  North  Scituate  burial  ground. 
He  lived  upon  the  farm  upon  which  his  father 
Asahel  settled,  and  which  is  now  owned  by  his 


great-granddaughter,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Benjamin  F.  Smith.  It  is  situated  some  distance 
south  of  the  “Old  Bank”  homestead.  Charles  Har- 
ris inherited  many  of  the  sterling  qualities  of  his 
ancestors  on  both  sides,  and  while  of  quiet  and 
home-loving  disposition  he  was  active  in  his  town’s 
affairs,  and  did  much  to  promote  its  interests.  He 
was  a man  of  medium  build  in  physical  construc- 
tion, active  and  muscular.  He  was  an  industrious, 
honorable  and  p(r°gressive  citizen.  His  friends 
were  many  and  lifelong,  but  he  was,  perhaps,  best 
known  for  his  devotion  to  his  family.  Born  to  him 
and  his  wife  Mary  were : Amey,  born  Sept.  25, 
1801,  married,  Oct.  10,  1822,  Jeremy  Potter,  and 
died  Dec.  14,  1836;  Patia  Frances,  born  April  14, 
1803,  married,  Sept.  7,  1828,  Abner  W.  Peckham, 
and  died  April  2,  1852;  Mary  Aldrich,  born  Feb. 
1,  1808,  died  Oct.  19,  1809;  Charles  A.  was  born 
May  24,  1812;  Mary  Eliza,  born  Jan.  9,  1819,  died 
Jan.  12,  1821. 

(VII)  Charles  Aldrich  Harris,  son  of 
Charles  and  Mary  (Aldrich)  Harris,  was  born  on 
the  farm  of  his  father  in  Scituate,  and  there  reared. 
In  youth  he  attended  the  sessions  of  the  country 
school  in  the  winter  season,  and  in  the  summer 
assisted  with  the  farm  work.  In  time  he  assumed 
the  management  of  his  father’s  farm  and  later  be- 
came its  owner,  and  there  remained  until  his  death. 
On  Oct.  5,  1837,  he  married  Susan  E.  Fenner,  a 
direct  descendant  of  several  of  the  most  prominent 
men  in  Rhode  Island  history.  Mrs.  Harris  was 
born  Jan.  4,  1816,  and  died  Aug.  11,  1867.  She 
was  a lady  of  high  intelligence,  refinement  and 
many  endearing  qualities  of  soul  and  mind.  Their 
children  were  four  in  number,  but  two  died  at 
birth,  and  the  others  were : Georgiana  Augusta, 
born  Aug.  3,  1846,  married  Benjamin  F.  Smith; 
and  Rebecca,  born  March  11,  1851,  died  Nov.  5, 
1853.  Mr.  Harris  married  for  his  second  wife 
Henrietta  Tourtellott,  who  bore  him  one  son. 

Charles  A.  Harris  was  a man  and  citizen  of  the 
highest  type.  He  was  progressive,  held  up-to- 
date  opinions  on  all  leading  subjects  (while  hold- 
ing tenaciously  to  the  highest  standard  of  truth), 
and  was  ever  ready  and  willing  to  exert  his  influ- 
ence and  aid  in  all  movements  in  the  interest  of 
better  conditions,  good  government,  and  the  af- 
fairs of  his  immediate  community.  Socially  he 
was  genial  and  sympathetic,  warm  in  his  impulses, 
accessible  and  courteous  to  all,  loved  good  com- 
pany and  a good  cigar,  and  was  deservedly  popu- 
lar, having  hosts  of  friends  who  regarded  him  as 
a gentleman  of  integrity,  ability  and  incorruptible 
character.  He  was  a stanch  Democrat,  and  was 
elected  to  numerous  offices  of  responsibility.  He 
devoted  much  of  his  attention  to  general  farming, 
and  dealt  largely  in  stock.  His  death,  which  oc- 
curred April  20,  1892,  was  regarded  as  a universal 
loss  and  was  deeply  mourned  by  the  entire  com- 
munity. He  is  buried  in  the  Scituate  cemetery, 
almost  in  sight  of  his  homestead. 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1078 


(VIII)  Georgiana  Augusta  Harris,  daughter 
of  Charles  Aldrich  Harris,  became  the  wife  of 
Benjamin  Ford  Smith  Nov.  11,  1875.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Smith  so  improved  the  old  Harris  homestead 
that  it  is  today  one  of  the  handsomest  and  best 
improved  farm  properties  in  the  State.  It  lies  close 
to  the  banks  of  the  beautiful  Lake  Moswansicut, 
just  north  of  the  Hartford  pike  in  Scituate.  The 
old  house  stands  as  it  has  for  years,  with  the 
additions  built  by  different  generations  intact,  but 
the  lawns,  drives,  barns,  tenements  and  numerous 
outbuildings  are  some  of  the  additions  made  to  the 
estate,  which  is  truly  a home  in  all  that  the  term 
implies.  Mr.  Smith,  notwithstanding  his  busy 
career  in  other  pursuits,  finds  time  to  direct  much 
of  the  farm  work  and  is  greatly  interested  in  his 
herd  of  cattle,  by  many  said  to  be  the  best  in  New 
England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  had  one  daughter, 
Mabel  Fenner  Smith,  born  June  12,  1878,  who  is 
of  the  ninth  generation  from  Thomas  Harris,  and 
through  her  paternal  grandmother  is  descended 
from  Oliver  Cromwell.  Mrs.  Georgiana  A.  (Har- 
ris) Smith  died  Sept.  6,  1907.  Mention  of  Benja- 
min Ford  Smith  follows. 

Fenner.  Referring  again  to  Mrs.  Susan  Erne- 
line  (Fenner)  Harris,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Georgi- 
ana Augusta  (Harris)  Smith,  she  was  a descend- 
ant in  the  seventh  generation  from  Capt.  Arthur 
Fenner,  from  whom  her  lineage  is  through  Major 
Thomas,  Arthur  (2),  John,  Obadiah  and  William 
Fenner.  These  generations  in  detail  follow  in  reg- 
ular order. 

(I)  Capt.  Arthur  Fenner,  born  in  1622,  likely 
a son  of  Thomas  Fenner,  who  was  at  Branford, 
Conn.,  and  died  in  1647,  ar*d  who,  according  to 
tradition,  was  a lieutenant  in  Oliver  Cromwell’s 
army,  was  an  inhabitant  of  Providence  as  early 
as  1650,  on  July  27th  of  which  year  he  bought 
property  there.  Before  1675  he  had  established 
himself  on  the  Pockhasset  river,  in  that  part  of 
the  town  which  became  Cranston.  He  became  a 
large  land  owner,  holding  at  one  time,  it  is  said, 
some  five  hundred  acres  in  the  towns  of  Provi- 
dence, Johnston  and  Cranston.  He  was  an  im- 
portant and  influential  man  in  the  town  and  Colony, 
holding  high  public  trusts  for  years,  and  left  a 
distinguished  posterity.  He  was  many  times  com- 
missioner between  1653  and  1663 was  assistant 
much  of  the  time  between  1657  and  1690;  was 
deputy  many  times  between  1664  and  1700;  was  a 
member  of  the  town  council  in  1664,  1673,  1677 
and  1678;  and  town  treasurer  in  1672  and  1673. 
He,  too,  was  a soldier  as  well  as  statesman,  be- 
ing appointed  by  the  Assembly  chief  commander 
of  the  King’s  garrison  at  Providence,  which  ap- 
pointment also  gave  him  more  extended  authority. 
Captain  Fenner  married  (first)  Mehetabel  Water- 
man, daughter  of  Richard  and  Bethiah  Waterman, 
he  of  Salem,  Mass.,  and  Providence,  R.  I.,  and 
(second)  Howlong  (or  Howland?)  Harris, 
daughter  of  William  and  Susannah  Harris.  He 


died  Oct.  10,  1703,  and  his  widow  Nov.  19,  1708. 
His  children,  all  born  to  the  first  wife,  were: 
Thomas,  born  in  September,  1652 ; and  Arthur, 
Sarah.  Freelove,  Bethiah  and  Phebe. 

(II)  Major  Thomas  Fenner,  son  of  Capt.  Ar- 
thur, born  in  September,  1652,  married  (first)  Al- 
ice Ralph,  born  Jan.  13,  1657,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Mary  Ralph,  and  (second)  July  26,  1682,  Di- 
nah Borden,  born  in  October,  1664,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  (Harris)  Borden,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Richard  Borden,  of  Portsmouth,  R. 

1.  Like  his  father  Mr.  Fenner  was  an  important 
and  influential  man  in  the  town  and  Colony.  He 
was  deputy  many  times  between  1683  and  1705; 
was  a member  of  the  town  council  from  1698  to 
1706;  was  a justice  of  the  peace  in  1704;  and  as- 
sistant from  1707  to  1717.  He  was  “Major  of  the 
Main”  in  1712  and  1713.  He  died  Feb.  27,  1718. 
His  widow,  Dinah,  passed  away  Dec.  18,  1761. 
His  children,  the  eldest  and  maybe  one  or  two  next 
in  order,  born  to  the  first  marriage,  were:  Wil- 
liam, born  March  11,  1677;  Freelove;  Mehetabel; 
Thomas ; Richard ; Joseph ; Mary,  born  in  1692 ; 
Sarah,  born  in  1697;  Arthur,  born  Oct.  17,  1699; 
Eleazer,  born  Sept.  4,  1702;  and  John,  born  Sept. 

1 7,  1705- 

(III)  Arthur  Fenner  (2),  son  of  Major 
Thomas,  born  Oct.  17,  1699,  married  June  2,  1722, 
Mary  Olney,  born  Sept.  30,  1704,  daughter  of 
James  and  Hallelujah  (Brown)  Olney,  he  a de- 
scendant of  Thomas  Olney  of  St.  Albans,  Eng- 
land, Salem,  Mass.,  and  Providence,  R.  I.,  through 
Epenetus  Olney  and  his  wife,  Mary  Whipple ; and 
she  a descendant  of  Chad  Brown  through  Daniel 
Brown  and  his  wife  Alice  (Hearnden)  Brown. 
Mr.  Fenner  resided  in  Providence.  In  the  early 
part  of  his  life,  prior  to  the  division  into  counties 
in  1729,  he  was  engaged  in  the  public  service  of 
the  Colony.  He  later  served  as  a justice  of  the 
peace,  was  a merchant,  and  for  years  a member  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  Of  his  wife,  Mary  (Olney), 
it  is  said,  “She  was  one  of  the  smart  and  active 
women  of  her  time.  She  was  a merchant  and 
owned  more  navigation  than  any  other  person 
then  in  the  town,  acquired  the  estate,  kept  a store 
and  maintained  the  family  in  affluence.  She  bought 
vessels  and  cargoes.  Her  husband  was  for  many 
years  sickly  and  unable  to  attend  to  business.” 
She  died  March  18,  1756.  Mr.  Fenner  died  Feb. 

2,  1788,  and  was  buried  in  the  North  Burying 
Ground  in  Providence.  Their  children  were : 
Freelove,  born  Aug.  25,  1723;  Sarah,  Sept.  10, 
1725  ; John,  April  17,  1727  (all  died  when  young)  ; 
James,  Feb.  9,  1730;  Arthur,  Oct.  12,  1732  (died 
when  young)  ; Joseph,  Nov.  8,  1734;  Mary,  1737; 
John,  Oct.  2,  1739;  Sarah,  April  28,  1741;  Free- 
love, July  12,  1743;  Arthur  (2),  Dec.  10,  1745; 
and  Lydia,  March  1,  1748  (married  Hon.  Theo- 
dore Foster,  United  States  senator  from  Rhode 
Island,  1790-1792).  Of  these  children,  Arthur 
Fenner  was  for  a period  clerk  of  the  Superior 


DANIEL  G.  SMITH 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1079 


court  and  was  afterward  governor  of  the  State  in 
1789-1805  ; and  his  son,  James  Fenner,  a graduate 
of  Brown  University  in  1789,  was  United  States 
senator  from  1805  to  1807,  an(I  governor  of  Rhode 
Island  in  1807-1811,  1824-31,  and  1844-45. 

(IV)  John  Fenner,  son  of  Arthur  and  brother 
of  Governor  Arthur  Fenner,  born  Oct.  2,  1739, 
married  July  n,  1758,  Phebe  Brown,  born  April 
21,  1738,  daughter  of  Obadiah  and  Mary  (Harris) 
Brown,  she  a descendant  of  Chad  Brown,  who 
came  from  England  in  the  ship  “Martin,”  which 
arrived  in  Boston,  Mass.,  in  July,  1638,  soon  there- 
after removing  to  Providence,  from  whom  her 
lineage  is  through  John  Brown  and  his  wife  Mary 
(Holmes),  James  Brown  and  his  wife  Mary  (Har- 
ris), and  Obadiah  Brown  and  his  wife  Mary  (Har- 
ris). Mr.  Fenner  and  his  wife  lived  on  a large 
farm  in  the  town  of  Glocester,  R.  I.,  located  some 
three  miles  south  of  Chepachet,  the  property  of 
his  father.  Their  four  children  were : Obadiah, 
born  June  29,  1764;  James,  who  married  Anna 
Harris,  and  removed  to  Miami  county,  Ohio ; Wil- 
liam, who  kept  a tavern  on  Sterling  Hill ; and 
Mary,  who  married  Charles  Harris,  of  Scituate,  R. 
I.  It  may  be  added  that  the  father  of  these  was 
a slave  holder,  as  he  advertised  in  the  Providence 
Gazette  of  Oct.  18,  1777,  for  a runaway  negro. 

(V)  Obadiah  Fenner,  son  of  John,  born  June 
29,  1764,  in  Glocester,  R.  I.,  married  March  10, 
1785,  Susan,  born  June  16,  1769,  eldest  daughter 
of  James  Aldrich,  who  was  an  influential  man,  a 
Democratic  politician  of  prominence  in  his  section. 
Mrs.  Fenner  died  Aug.  16,  1829,  and  he  married 
(second)  Nov.  24,  1831,  Sarah  Battey,  born  May 
29,  1782.  Mr.  Fenner  in  early  life  settled  on  the 
farm  in  the  town  of  Foster,  R.  I.,  where  he  passed 
a long  and  useful  life.  In  1792  or  1793  he  set  out 
the  now  stately  and  venerable  elm  trees  whose 
wide-spreading  branches  overhang  this  old  Colon- 
ial mansion,  which  bespeaks  the  taste  of  its  builder 
and  occupant — a gentleman,  as  Mr.  Fenner  was, 
of  the  old  school.  These  trees  attained  their  full 
size  during  the  lifetime  of  Mr.  Fenner,  notwith- 
standing the  prophecy  of  some  one  who  spoke  dis- 
paragingly of  his  labor — for  he  had  gone  to  the 
woods  and  had  brought  the  trees  upon  his  should- 
ers to  the  place  of  planting — telling  him  that  he 
would  not  live  to  reap  the  reward.  Mr.  Fenner 
often  told  the  story,  adding,  “I  have  lived  to  see 
them  grow  up.”  He  was  a true  follower  of  Jeffer- 
son, and  remained  to  the  last  an  ardent  supporter 
of  the  Democratic  party.  He  voted  against  the 
new  constitution  in  1788.  He  never  would  accept 
office,  fearing  if  he  did  so  it  might  diminish  his  in- 
dependence, one  jot  or  one  tittle  of  which  he  would 
not  have  abated  for  the  proudest  position  on  earth. 
Mr.  Fenner  lived  to  be  nearly  ninety-six  years 
of  age,  and  retained  to  the  close  of  his  life  his 
faculties  almost  unimpaired.  At  the  time  of 
his  death  he  was  one  of  the  oldest  men  in  Rhode 
Island,  and  one  of  the  best  specimens  of 


the  sturdy,  independent  farmers  of  his  period. 

The  children  born  to  Obadiah  and  Susan  Fen- 
ner were:  John,  born  Jan.  1,  1787,  who  died  Sept. 
25,  T795  j William,  born  Jan.  (or  June)  28,  1789; 
James  A.,  born  Oct.  8,  1793;  Phebe,  born  Nov. 

27,  ; John  S.,  born  Feb.  26,  1801;  and  Alice 

Ann,  born  July  22,  1805. 

(VI)  William  Fenner,  son  of  Obadiah,  born 
Jan.  (or  June)  28,  1789,  in  Foster,  R.  I.,  married 
Dec.  6,  1812,  Rebecca  Arnold  Harris,  born  July 
21,  1795.  They  lived  in  Sterling,  Conn.  Mr.  Fen- 
ner died  in  1858,  and  his  widow  passed  away  in 
September,  1880.  Their  only  child,  Susan  Erne- 
line,  was  born  Jan.  4,  1816,  and  married  Charles 
A.  Harris. 

BENJAMIN  F.  SMITH.  In  the  early  settling 
of  Rhode  Island  there  came  thither  a number  of 
the  name  of  Smith,  locating  in  various  parts  of  the 
territory  now  the  State.  Ancient  Providence,  out  of 
which  town  have  since  been  created  several  of  the 
towns  now  forming  a part  of  Providence  county, 
was  the  home  of  the  many  descendants  especially 
of  John  Smith,  "the  miller,”  and  Christopher  Smith, 
the  Christian  name  of  the  wife  of  each  being  Alice. 
The  former,  John  Smith  the  miller,  was  here  a 
contemporary  of  Roger  Williams.  Both  were  ban- 
ished from  Massachusetts  by  order  of  the  General 
Court,  in  September,  1635,  and  together  they  came 
to  Rhode  Island,  Smith  being  one  of  the  company 
of  six,  Williams  included,  who  in  the  spring  or 
summer  of  1636  crossed  the  river  from  Seekonk, 
and  took  up  their  residence  on  the  west  side,  mak- 
ing the  first  settlement  of  the  English  or  whites 
in  the  territory.  Mr.  Smith  was  a man  of  consid- 
erable importance  in  the  settlement.  By  agree- 
ment he  was  to  have  a certain  tract  of  land  in  the 
valley  if  he  would  set  up  a mill.  This  valley  com- 
prised all  the  land  between  the  west  branch  of 
Moshassuck  river  and  the  hill  to  the  east  of  Jef- 
ferson Plains ; from  Smith  street  on  the  south  to 
Orms  street  on  the  north.  And  in  this  valley  Mr. 
Smith  set  up  a grist  mill  near  the  first  stone  lock 
of  the  Blackstone  canal ; the  privilege  descended 
to  his  posterity  and  for  many  years  has  been  used 
for  manufacturing  purposes.  Mr.  Smith  was  town 
clerk  in  1641.  Previous  to  his  coming  to  Rhode 
Island  he  was  at  Dorchester.  Of  his  children,  John 
and  Elizabeth,  the  former  married  Sarah  Whipple, 
and  was  a man  of  prominence  in  Providence,  serv- 
ing often  as  town  clerk,  ensign  and  deputy.  His 
children  were : John,  Sarah,  Alice,  Mary,  Joseph, 
Benjamin,  Israel,  Daniel,  Elisha  and  William,  the 
sons  all  being  residents  of  Providence  excepting 
Elisha  and  William,  who  later  were  inhabitants 
of  what  became  Smithfield. 

Benjamin  Smith,  son  of  John  (2)  and  grand- 
son of  John,  the  miller,  married  in  1693  Mercy 
Angell  and  (second)  in  1730  Mercy  Waterman. 
In  1700  he  laid  out  land  at  Wanskuck  meadow,  in 
the  right  of  his  father,  John  Smith,  then  deceased. 


io8o 


RHODE  ISLAND 


He  gave  to  his  son  John  160  acres  of  land,  bounded 
partly  by  the  land  of  his  son  Solomon  at  Tar  Kiln. 
His  children,  all  born  between  1694  and  1736,  and 
all  to  the  first  marriage  excepting  the  youngest 
two,  were:  John,  Daniel,  Mercy,  Solomon,  Mary, 
Hezekiah,  Jonathan,  Nehemiah,  Sarah,  Abigail, 
Ann,  Ruth,  Freelove  and  William.  As  goes  tradi- 
tion, John  Smith,  of  this  number,  left  Providence 
with  axe  in  hand  and  a bag  of  eatables  to  seek  a 
home  on  his  tract  of  land  in  the  wilderness,  and 
finally  selected  a suitable  place  to  build  near  a 
stream  of  good  water,  on  or  near  the  site  of,  in 
more  recent  years,  the  Urania  Smith  house.  This 
was  in  what  became  Glocester  and  perhaps  in  that 
part  which  still  later  became  Burrillville  and  is  still 
known  as  the  Tar  Kiln  neighborhood.  His  brother, 
Solomon,  accompanied  him  hither  on  a second  trip. 

Along  through  the  section  of  the  State  just 
named  have  since  lived  many  of  the  descendants  of 
these  Smiths.  In  more  recent  generations  one  Sol- 
omon Smith  was  the  architect  of  the  first  mill  for 
manufacturing  purposes  at  Burrillville.  It  was 
erected  in  1810  on  the  Tar  Kiln  river.  Rufus  and 
Zadock  Smith  built  a factory  a little  higher  up  on 
the  same  stream,  where  were  made  the  first  sat- 
inets in  Burrillville.  It  was  in  this  section  of 
country  (in  Glocester)  there  was  born  in  1812  and 
figured  prominently  as  a contractor  and  builder  the 
late  Daniel  Gorey  Smith,  father  of  the  present  Ben- 
jamin Ford  Smith,  who  for  the  past  third  of  a 
century  has  been  prominent  as  a contractor  and 
builder  in  and  about  Pawtucket,  formerly  of  the 
firms  of  Kenyon,  Whitaker  & Smith,  and 
Whitaker  & Smith.  The  mother  of  Mr. 
Smith  was  formerly  a Southern  lady,  Miss 
Caroline  Cromwell,  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina, 
and  the  children  of  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Smith, 
all  born  in  the  town  of  Glocester,  R.  I.,  excepting 
the  eldest,  and  she  born  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  were: 
Hannah,  born  in  1841  (now  Mrs.  H.  A.  Potter, 
of  Pascoag,  R.  I.)  ; Benjamin  Ford,  born  in  1846; 
Phoebe  A.,  born  in  1848  (died  unmarried  in  1896)  ; 
Clifford  G.,  born  in  1851  (died  in  1886).  The 
father  of  these  died  at  Burrillville,  R.  I.,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1878.  He  was  a man  esteemed  and  re- 
'spected  for  his  good  qualities  of  heart  and  mind. 
Mrs.  Smith  was  of  English  birth  and  a descendant 
of  Oliver  Cromwell.  She  died  in  1878. 

In  the  town  of  Glocester,  R.  I.,  in  the  land  of 
his  forefathers,  was  born  Oct.  23,  1846,  Benjamin 
Ford  Smith,  the  successful  contractor  and  builder 
of  Pawtucket,  and  here  was  passed  his  childhood. 
When  he  was  about  seven  years  old  his  parents 
located  in  the  town  of  Burrillville.  Until  the  age 
of  sixteen  years  he  attended  the  public  schools  of 
his  neighborhood,  then  began  serving  an  appren- 
ticeship at  the  carpenter’s  trade,  at  the  expiration 
of  which,  desiring  to  supplement  his  early  book 
training  with  further  study,  he  took  a year’s  course 
at  the  somewhat  famous  Lapham  Institute,  in  the 


town  of  North  Scituate,  R.  I.  Leaving  this  school 
in  the  middle  sixties  young  Smith,  now  well  equip- 
ped for  life’s  work,  began  following  his  chosen 
calling — working  for  contractors  and  builders  in 
various  parts  of  Rhode  Island,  and  ere  long  ac- 
quired that  proficiency  in  his  line  of  work  that  his 
efforts  merited.  He  located  in  Pawtucket  in  1873, 
becoming  foreman  for  the  contracting  and  building 
firm  there  of  Kenyon,  Drown  & Co.,  a relation  he 
sustained  to  that  concern  until  1878.  In  the  year 
last  named  he  was  admitted  to  a partnership  in 
the  business,  which  now  became  Kenyon,  Whita- 
ker & Smith.  Mr.  Kenyon  retiring  from  the  firm 
in  1881  it  became  and  remained  for  the  next  decade 
Whitaker  & Smith.  In  1891  Mr.  Smith  purchased 
Air.  Whitaker’s  interest  in  the  business,  which  he 
has  since  conducted  alone. 

After  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Kenyon  from  the 
firm  Messrs.  Whitaker  & Smith  built  the  Slater 
and  Lorraine  Mills  and  the  Dunnell  Print  Works, 
extensive  plants  in  Pawtucket,  the  Nourse  Mill, 
in  Woonsocket,  and  various  other  buildings  of 
note ; and  since  Mr.  Smith  came  into  possession  of 
the  business  as  sole  proprietor  he  has  constructed, 
among  many  other  buildings  in  and  about  Paw- 
tucket, the  St.  Joseph's  parochial  school  structure 
on  Walcott  street ; and  the  edifice  of  the  First 
Methodist  Church  on  High  street.  The  Arlington 
Mills,  of  Lawrence,  Mass.,  probably  represent  the 
most  extensive  building  contract  Mr.  Smith  ever 
executed.  The  site  covers  seven  acres  of  ground, 
and  the  mills  are  four  stories  high ; an  expenditure 
of  over  a million  dollars  was  involved. 

Mr.  Smith’s  business  is  not  confined  alone  to 
Pawtucket  and  vicinity,  but  extends  all  through 
New  England.  He  has  but  recently  completed 
several  large  factories  at  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  and 
now  (1908)  is  constructing  the  seventeenth  cotton 
mill  that  he  has  built  in  that  one  city.  Through  his 
proficiency  in  this  line  of  business,  of  which  he  is 
a thorough  master,  through  his  energy  and  enter- 
prise, his  fair  dealings  and  straightforward  course 
with  his  fellowmen,  and  as  well  through  his  public 
spirit,  he  has  built  up  an  extensive  trade  and  es- 
tablished for  himself  a high  reputation  among  the 
business  men  of  the  city  and  State.  The  business 
has  now  reached  proportions  many  times  greater 
than  the  operations  of  the  original  firm. 

In  1900  the  business  of  Mr.  Smith  was  incor- 
porated as  the  Benjamin  F.  Smith  Company,  with 
Mr.  Smith  as  president  and  treasurer.  He  has 
been  a trustee  of  the  Pawtucket  Mutual  Insurance 
Company  for  a number  of  years ; is  vice-president 
of  the  Pawtucket  Sash  and  Blind  Company,  and 
president  of  the  Providence  County  Savings  Bank 
of  Pawtucket. 

Mr.  Smith  has  been  greatly  interested  in  the 
affairs  of  his  adopted  city,  serving  his  community 
in  various  ways,  in  one  capacity  for  several  years 
as  a member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  identified 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1081 


with  the  local  lodge — Washington — of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  and  has  occupied  nearly  every  office 
of  the  lodge.  He  is  a member  of  the  Pawtucket 
Business  Men’s  Association. 

THOMAS  WILSON  DORR  CLARKE,  cash- 
ier of  the  Centreville  National  Bank  and  treasurer 
of  the  Centreville  Savings  Bank,  is  a well-known 
banker  in  the  Pawtuxet  Valley  and  one  of  its 
leading  citizens.  Mr.  Clarke  is  a native  of  Con- 
necticut, born  at  Ballouville,  in  the  town  of  Kil- 
lingly,  Windham  county,  May  25,  1844,  a descend- 
ant of  an  ancient  New  England  family. 

Caleb  Clarke,  father  of  Thomas  W.  D.,  was  a 
native  of  Windham  county,  and  in  his  younger 
days  lived  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Pomfret. 
He  was  a stone  mason  by  occupation,  which  he 
followed  in  young  manhood,  building  stone  walls, 
etc.,  also  doing  contract  work,  but  in  middle 
life  engaged  in  farming  in  the  town  of  Killingly, 
and  what  is  now  the  town  of  Putnam,  where  his 
declining  years  were  spent  and  where  he  died  at 
the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  He  was  a Democrat 
of  the  Jefferson  kind,  and  was  a stanch  admirer  of 
Dorr,  who  was  elected  governor  of  Rhode  Island 
by  the  People’s  Constitution,  and  who  in  the  early 
forties  was  the  means  of  bringing  on  the  Rebellion 
in  the  State,  the  admiration  of  Mr.  Clarke  being 
shown  by  the  fact  that  he  named  his  son  for  him. 
Mr.  Clarke  married  Mary  Snow,  a native  of  Pom- 
fret, who  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty-one  years  and 
died  in  Putnam,  being  buried  beside  her  husband. 
Eleven  children  were  born  to  them,  of  whom  but 
two  survive : Thomas  Wilson  Dorr ; and  Myra, 
who  married  Charles  A.  Bell,  and  resides  in  Ni- 
antic,  Connecticut. 

Thomas  Wilson  Dorr  Clarke’s  boyhood  days 
were  spent  on  the  farm,  and  he  attended  the  district 
and  high  schools  of  Putnam  and  the  East  Green- 
wich Academy.  While  still  a boy  he  hired  out  as 
a farm  hand  at  fifteen  dollars  per  month  for  the 
first  season  and  twenty  dollars  for  the  second.  At 
the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  taught  his  first  school 
in  the  town  of  Killingly,  and  in  the  following  year 
in  Quadic,  in  the  town  of  Thompson,  Conn.  While 
teaching  in  the  winter  seasons,  he  worked  on  the 
farm  in  the  summer  months,  until  accepting  the  po- 
sition of  principal  of  the  old  Wickford  Academy, 
which  he  held  two  and  one-half  years,  this  being 
the  last  of  his  teaching.  He  then  became  a sales- 
man for  A.  & W.  Sprague  at  Cranston,  R.  I.,  in 
which  capacity  he  remained  a short  time,  until 
1869,  when  he  was  given  the  management  of  their 
general  store  at  Quidnick,  R.  I.  He  conducted  this 
for  a short  period,  when  he  was  transferred  to 
Morgan  Mills  as  chief  clerk  of  the  counting  room 
and  store  for  the  same  firm,  and  where  he  con- 
tinued until  he  accepted  the  position  of  manager 
of  the  Lapham  store  at  Centreville,  continuing 
there  two  years,  then  returning  to  the  employ  of 
the  Spragues  as  clerk  of  their  counting  room  and 


paymaster  at  Arctic,  R.  I.  He  spent  eight  years 
there  and  then  accepted  a like  position  with  the 
Crompton  Company,  at  their  mills  at  Crompton. 
After  nine  months  he  returned  again  to-  the  employ 
of  the  Spragues  as  clerk  and  paymaster  for  two 
years,  when  he  became  chief  clerk  and  paymaster 
for  the  Lanphear  Machine  Company,  at  Harris, 
R.  I.,  a position  he  held  for  five  years.  On  Dec. 
8,  1886,  he  accepted  a position  as  clerk  of  the 
Centreville  National  Bank  at  Arctic,  the  bank  at 
that  period  being  under  the  presidency  of  the  late 
Hon.  Enos  Lapham,  the  late  Dr.  Moses  Fifield 
being  the  cashier.  For  fourteen  years  he  filled  that 
position  with  credit  and  ability,  and  on  the  death  of 
Dr.  Fifield  in  1900  he  was  made  cashier.  He  is 
also  treasurer  and  a member  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  the  Centreville  Savings  Bank,  and  since 
holding  these  positions  the  handsome  new  build- 
ing has  been  built.  Mr.  Clarke  is  well  known 
throughout  the  State  in  banking  circles,  and  is  con- 
sidered a careful  and  able  financier.  In  political 
matters  he  is  a stanch  Republican.  He  is  one  of 
the  leading  and  active  members  of  the  Centreville 
M.  E.  Church,  and  has  been  Sunday-school  teacher 
for  many  years,  as  well  as  superintendent.  He  is 
a member  of  the  board  of  trustees  and  steward, 
and  has  been  for  many  years  class  leader.  Fratern- 
ally Mr.  Clarke  is  connected  with  Manchester 
Lodge  No.  12,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  at  Anthony,  past 
master  of  the  lodge  and  one  of  its  oldest  members ; 
he  is  also  connected  with  Landmark  Chapter  and 
Calvary  Commandery,  No.  13,  Knights  Templar, 
Providence,  and  a member  of  the  Rhode  Island 
Consistory,  Scottish  Rite  Masons,  reaching  the 
thirty-second  degree.  He  is  also  a member  of 
Washington  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F., 'at  Washington, 
R.  I.,  being  one  of  its  oldest  members,  is  past  grand 
and  a member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State, 
also  a member  of  the  Encampment,  of  which  he 
has  been  past  high  priest. 

Mr.  Clarke  was  married  at  Anthony,  R.  I.,  to 
Susan  E.  Hammond,  daughter  of  William  Ham- 
mond, and  to  this  union  were  born  children  as  fol- 
lows: William  Hammond  died  at  the  age  of  eleven 
years ; Thomas  Henry,  a graduate  of  the  East 
Greenwich  Academy, .is  now  taking  a law  course 
at  the  Boston  University,  member  of  class  of  1908; 
Mary  died  at  the  age  of  one  and  a half  years ; 
Richard  Harold,  who  attended  the  East  Green- 
wich Academy,  is  a clerk  with  the  New  England 
Telephone  Company,  Providence;  Helen  Elizabeth 
attended  the  East  Greenwich  Academy  and  is  an 
accomplished  musician ; Ruth  Mumford  graduated 
from  the  Warwick  high  school ; and  Mary  Fifield 
is  a student  at  the  Warwick  high  school;  all  of  Mr. 
Clarke’s  daughters  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Church  choir. 

PECKHAM.  For  hundreds  of  years,  begin- 
ning with  the  time  of  de  Peckham.  1191.  this  was  a 
conspicuous  name  in  England.  It  begins  in  this 


1082 


RHODE  ISLAND 


country  in  1638,  associated  with  the  founders  of 
this  Commonwealth.  The  founder  of  the  family 
here  and  his  sons  became,  prior  to  1700,  very  ex- 
tensive land  holders.  They  were,  first,  among  the 
proprietors  of  the  Pettaquamscot  purchase  in  1660 ; 
second,  in  the  Westerly  purchase,  1661  ; third,  in 
the  East  Greenwich  purchase,  in  1677.  These 
tracts  reached  across  southern  Rhode  Island,  where 
the  original  settlement  was  made.  Soon  after  the 
first  settlement  of  Rhode  Island  the  Peckhams  built 
a house,  in  1640,  which  stood  two  hundred  years 
and  in  which  six  generations  of  Peckhams  were 
born.  Their  purchases  also  extended  into  Dart- 
mouth, Mass.,  to  the  Acushnet  river,  where  a part 
of  the  city  of  New  Bedford  now  stands.  The 
great-grandchildren  of  John  Peckham  were  among 
the  settlers  of  Stonington  and  other  towns  of  east- 
ern Connecticut ; Westerly,  Charlestown,  Hopkin- 
ton,  North  and  South  Kingstown,  East  Greenwich, 
Scituate,  Glocester,  Providence,  Jamestown,  New- 
port, Middletown,  Portsmouth,  Tiverton  and  Little 
Compton,  R.  I. ; and  Dartmouth,  Westport,  New 
Bedford,  Rehoboth  and  Petersham,  Mass.  The 
succeeding  generation  emigrated  to  Dorchester  and 
central  New  York. 

This  race  gave  to  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  and 
the  country  some  able  men,  among  them  the  late 
Hon.  Francis  Baring  Peckham,  of  Newport,  one  of 
the  ablest  lawyers  of  his  profession,  a man  known 
to  have  twice  declined  the  place  of  justice  of  the 
Supreme  court;  Hon.  Rufus  W.  Peckham,  judge 
of  the  court  of  Appeals,  a former  representative  in 
the  United  States  Congress,  and  justice  of  the 
Supreme  court  of  New  York;  and  Hon.  William 
Peckham,  chief  justice  of  Washington  county,  this 
State,  1835-41,  legislator,  etc.  There  follows  one  line 
of  the  Newport  and  Middletown  family,  the  order 
being  chronological,  the  Roman  numerals  indicat- 
ing  generations  from  the  American  ancestor. 

(I)  John  Peckham,  the  progenitor  of  the  New- 
port Peckhams,  was  an  inhabitant  of  that  town  in 
1638;  was  made  a freeman  in  1641,  and  in  1648 
was  one  of  the  ten  male  members  in  full  communion 
of  the  first  Baptist  Church.  His  wife,  Mary  Clark, 
is  credited  with  being  a sister  of  Rev.  John  Clark, 
of  Bedfordshire,  England,  # Boston,  Mass.,  and 
Newport,  R.  I.,  who  was  intimately  associated  with 
Roger  Williams.  He  was  pastor  of  the  First 
Church  in  1644,  and  subsequently  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church  of  Newport.  He  was  imprisoned 
for  his  religious  opinions  and  Baptist  tenets  in 
1651 ; was  a deputy,  1664-1671  ; and  deputy  gover- 
nor, 1669  to  1672.  Mr.  Peckham  resided  in  that 
part  of  Newport  which  afterward  became  Middle- 
town.  He  died  after  1681.  His  first  wife,  Mary, 
died  before  1648.  His  children  were:  John,  Wil- 
liam, Stephen.  Thomas,  Clement,  James,  Sarah, 
Rebecca,  Deborah,  Phebe  and  Elizabeth. 

(II)  William  Peckham,  son  of  John  by  his  first 
marriage,  was  born  about  1647,  and  lived  in  New- 
port, dying  in  1734.  He  was  ordained  pastor  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Newport,  Nov.  15, 


1 71 1,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  first  Bap- 
tist minister  ordained  on  the  continent ; he  was  the 
fourth  pastor  of  this  church.  He  married  (first)  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  Clarke  and  (second)  Phebe, 
daughter  of  William  Weeden.  His  children,  the 
eldest  only  born  to  the  first  wife,  were:  William, 
Samuel,  Mary,  Phebe  and  Deborah. 

(III)  William  Peckham  (2),  son  of  William, 
born  Aug.  30,  1675,  married  Jan.  10,  1703,  Mary 
Tew,  born  Oct.  12,  1680,  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Dorcas  Tew,  of  Middletown,  R.  I.  Mr.  Peckham 
was  a resident  of  Middletown,  R.  I.,  where  he 
was  occupied  in  farming.  He  and  several  of  his 
children  were  members  of  the  First  Baptist  Church 
of  Newport  in  1751.  He  was  commissioned  a 
lieutenant  in  1714  of  the  2d  Company  of  the  Train 
band  of  Newport,  and  in  1726  he  was  captain.  He 
was  Deputy  to  the  Colonial  Assembly  that  met  in 
May,  1717.  His  wife  Mary  died  May  3,  1753,  and 
he  passed  away  Jan.  18,  1764.  Their  children  were: 
Mary,  born  Sept.  7,  1704;  William,  Sept.  3,  1706; 
Dorcas,  July  3,  1709;  Henry,  Feb.  26,  1711;  and 
Elisha,  May  8,  1716. 

(IV)  William  Peckham  (3),  son  of  William 
(2),  and  Mary  (Tew)  Peckham,  born  Sept.  3, 
1706,  married  June  22,  1736,  Phebe,  born  Nov.  14, 
1717,  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Cook)  Barker, 
and  they  resided  in  Middletown,  R.  I.  Mr.  Peck- 
ham died  April  12,  1784,  and  Mrs.  Peckham  passed 
away  Nov.  10,  1757.  Their  children  were:  Wil- 
liam, born  Feb.  3,  1737;  Elisha,  born  in  1738; 
Peleg,  born  in  1739;  Alary,  born  in  1741;  and 
Phebe,  born  in  1743.  - 

(V)  Elisha  Peckham,  son  of  William  (3)  and 
Phebe  (Barker)  Peckham,  born  in  1738,  married 
Oct.  12,  1769,  Mary,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sus- 
annah Smith.  Their  children  were:  William  Smith, 
born  Feb.  26,  1771  ; Hannah,  born  Sept.  11,  1772; 
Simeon  ; Eunice  ; Michael ; Alary  ; Alanson  ; Eliza- 
beth C. ; Sarah  ; and  Jane  B. 

(VI)  William  Smith  Peckham,  son  of  Elisha 
and  Alary  (Smith)  Peckham,  born  Feb.  26,  1771, 
in  Aliddletown,  R.  I.,  died  May  15,  1851,  aged 
eighty  years,  two  months,  nineteen  days.  Among 
the  children  born  to  him  and  his  wife  Sarah  was 
Alichael  Eddy  Peckham,  who  was  born  Oct.  7, 
1798,  in  Aliddletown. 

(VII)  Alichael  Eddy  Peckham,  son  of  Wil- 
liam S.,  was  born  in  Aliddletown,  R.  I.,  Oct.  7, 
1798,  and  passed  away  in  that  town  Dec.  13,  1866. 
On  Feb.  2,  1822,  he  married  Ann  Sanford,  of 
Aliddletown,  where  she  was  born  Feb.  14,  1804,  the 
daughter  of  Peleg  Sanford.  She  died  in  Newport 
Dec.  11,  1889.  Air.  Peckham  was  in  early  life  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Aliddletown.  Later  he  re- 
moved to  Newport,  and  for  over  twenty-five  years 
was  engaged  as  yard  foreman  for  the  firm  of 
Peckham  & Bull,  at  the  latter’s  lumber-yard  and 
planing-mill,  which  stood  on  the  site  now  occupied 
by  the  U.  S.  Government  dock  at  the  corner  of 
Thames  and  Church  streets.  After  retiring  from 
this  position  he  again  took  up  farming  in  Aliddle- 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1083 


town,  at  which  he  continued  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  He  was  a Republican  in  political  faith,  but 
never  cared  for  public  office.  He  was  a member  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Newport,  and  \vas  a 
regular  attendant  there.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peckham 
had  children  as  follows:  Lydia,  born  Nov.  29, 
1823,  died  in  Newport,  unmarried;  Alvin,  born 
Oct.  4,  1826,  died  unmarried  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
five  years;  Michael  E.,  Jr.,  born  Nov.  30,  1829, 
now  living  in  Block  Island,  a retired  farmer,  mar- 
ried Lucretia  Ball,  of  Block  Island ; Charles  H., 
born  Oct.  6,  1831,  is  a farmer,  and  resides  in  New- 
port; Joseph  F.,  born  Nov.  1,  1832,  is  mentioned 
below;  Benjamin  A.,  born  Dec.  5,  1833,  now  living 
retired  in  Newport,  married  (first)  Susan  Slocum, 
of  Newport,  and  (second)  Mary  R.  Grush,  of  Fall 
River,  Mass. ; Sarah  E.,  born  Oct.  3,  1835,  mar- 
ried Henry  Smith,  of  Middletown,  where  she  now 
resides,  a widow ; two  daughters,  Eunice  and  Ke- 
ziah,  died  in  infancy. 

(VIII)  Joseph  Ferdinand  Peckham,  son  of  the 
late  Michael  E.  Peckham,  was  born  in  Middletown, 
R.  I.,  Nov.  1,  1832,  and  passed  away  in  Newport, 
Feb.  22,  1899,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age. 
After  acquiring  his  early  educational  training  in 
the  schools  of  his  native  town  he  became  appren- 
ticed to  the  painter’s  trade  under  Samuel  Hopkins, 
of  Newport.  He  continued  at  his  trade  for  some 
years,  and  then  engaged  in  business  as  a painting 
contractor,  being  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Peckham  & Uhler,  which  firm  continued  in  business 
for  several  years.  After  the  dissolution  of  this  firm 
Mr.  Peckham  continued  at  his  trade  in  the  employ 
of  George  C.  Barker  & Son,  with  whom  he  remained 
until  his  death.  Mr.  Peckham  was  a Republican 
in  politics,  but  being  a home-loving  man,  and  of  a 
quiet  nature,  he  never  aspired  to  public  office.  In 
early  life  he  joined  the  First  Baptist  Church  of 
Newport,  and  continued  actively  identified  with 
that  church  until  his  death,  being  a regular  attend- 
ant at  its  services. 

On  Jan.  5,  i860,  Mr.  Peckham  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Abbie  Popple,  of  Newport,  who 
survives  him.  To  this  union  were  born  children  as 
follows:  Frank  A.  is  mentioned  below;  Emma  A., 
born  Nov.  25,  1864,  died  Oct.  7,  1867;  Emory  C., 
born  Jan.  9,  1871,  is  residing  in  Newport;  Arthur 
A.,  born  Nov.  12,  1872,  married  Mrs.  Bessie  Smith, 
daughter  of  the  late  Capt.  John  Waters,  of  New- 
port, and  they  reside  in  Boston,  Mass. ; George  P., 
born  May  17,  1880,  resides  in  Norwich,  Conn., 
where  he  is  physical  instructor  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

(IX)  Frank  Alvin  Peckham,  son  of  Joseph 
F.,  was  born  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  Dec.  1,  i860.  His 
school  days  were  passed  in  the  Mill  street  and 
Clark  street  schools.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he 
began  working  for  Mr.  Amon  Parmenter,  and  later 
he  was  in  the  employ  for  a year  and  a half  of  A. 
C.  Landers.  For  five  and  a half  years  he  was  with 
Shepard  & Co.,  in  Providence.  For  ten  years  he 
was  with  McIntyre  & McGuire,  in  New  Haven, 


Conn.,  and  for  two  years  in  business  for  himself 
at  No.  634  Chapel  street,  New  Haven,  as  a member 
of  the  firm  of  Beckley  & Peckham,  and  later  as  F\ 
A.  Peckham. 

On  May  1,  1898,  he  bought  the  old  established 
store  of  A.  M.  Thomas,  at  Wickford,  R.  I.,  and  by 
close  attention  to  business  has  become  one  of  the 
most  successful  and  substantial  business  men  of 
that  town.  He  is  one  of  the  few  men  who  are  bv 
temperament  naturally  fitted  to  make  a success  of 
mercantile  business. 

Mr.  Peckham  became  a member  of  Harmony 
Lodge,  No.  5,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  in  New  Haven,  Conn., 
Dec.  31,  1889,  and  was  made  noble  grand  in  July, 
1892 ; he  is  now  a past  grand  of  that  lodge.  Upon 
removing  to  Wickford  he  took  a card  to  Beacon 
Lodge,  No.  38.  He  is  a past  master  of  Washington 
Lodge,  No.  5,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  in  which  he  was 
raised,  a member  of  Washington  Commandery,  No. 
4,  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  of  Palestine  Temple, 
Mystic  Shrine,  at  Providence,  R.  I.  He  is  an  ac- 
tive member  of  St.  Paul’s  Episcopal  Church,  of 
which  he  is  treasurer  and  vestryman. 

Mr.  Peckham  was  married,  Feb.  18,  1884,  in 
Providence,  R.  I.,  to  Miss  Sarah  F.  McNamara. 
To  them  were  born  four  children:  Frank  A.,  Jr., 
July  14,  1887;  Gertrude  Beatrice,  Jan.  5,  1892; 
Harold  Dexter,  Nov.  19,  1895  ; and  Marion  Pop- 
ple, April  8,  1897. 

PALMER.  The  Palmer  family  in  America 
dates  back  as  far  as  1628,  and  the  generations  from 
the  original  ancestor  down  to  Benjamin  W.  Palmer, 
of  Wakefield,  are  as  follows: 

(I)  Walter  Palmer  came  to  New  England  as 
early  as  1628,  was  at  Salem,  and  one  of  the  found- 
ers of  Charlestowm,  1629 ; was  in  Plymouth  Colony 
and  joined  in  the  settlement  of  Rehoboth,  and  be- 
came one  of  the  planters  of  Stonington,  etc. 

(II)  Nehemiah  Palmer,  s,on  of  Walter  and 
Rebecca  (Short)  Palmer,  born  Nov.  2,  1637,  came 
to  Stonington  with  his  father,  and  married  Hannah 
Lord  Stanton. 

(III)  Joseph  Palmer,  son  of  Nehemiah,  born 
Oct.  3,  1663,  married  Nov.  12,  1687,  Frances  Pren- 
tis,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Rebecca. 

(IV)  Joseph  Palmer  (2),  son  of  Joseph,  born 
Nov.  14,  1690,  married  April  2,  1711,  Mary,  bap- 
tized June  6,  1690,  daughter  of  Deacon  Gershom 
Palmer. 

(V)  Joseph  Palmer  (3)-,  son  of  Joseph  (2), 
born  Oct.  30,  1719,  married  Nov.  7,  1741,  Kather- 
ine Coats. 

(VI)  Joseph  Palmer  (4),  son  of  Joseph  (3), 
was  born  July  24,  1742. 

(VII)  Elijah  Palmer,  son  of  Joseph  (4),  mar- 
ried Lucretia,  daughter  of  Gershom  and  Dorothy 
(Brown)  Palmer. 

(VIII)  Elder  Gershom  Palmer,  son  of  Elijah 
and  Lucretia,  born  Nov.  22,  1774,  in  Voluntown, 
Conn.,  married  (first)  Betsey  Smith,  (second) 


1084 


RHODE  ISLAND 


Mrs.  Mary  (Douglas)  Hunter,  and  (third)  Miss 
Sarah  Sheldon.  Mr.  Palmer  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Preston,  Conn.,  where  they  went  to  take 
charge  of  the  farm  of  his  maternal  grandparents, 
and  to  care  for  them  in  their  old  age.  Gershom 
Palmer,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  began  to  preach  at 
Voluntown,  and  continued  preaching  in  Preston. 
He  went  to  Exeter,  R.  I.,  in  1806,  and  in  1808  was 
regularly  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church 
there.  Later  he  again  took  up  his  residence  at 
Voluntown,  but  continued  to  preach  in  Exeter  until 
advanced  in  years.  He  died  Feb.  14,  1868,  in  his 
ninety-fourth  year,  and  his  remains  were  interred 
beside  those  of  his  first  wife  in  the  churchyard  at 
Exeter  Hill. 

(IX)  George  Ray  Palmer,  son  of  Elder  Ger- 
shom, married  May  18,  1823,  Mary  Ann  Briggs, 
daughter  of  Henry,  and  their  children,  by  the 
Exeter  town  record,  were:  Elvira,  born  July  16, 
1824;  Amanda,  born  June  9,  1826,  and  Angeline, 
born  Sept.  26,  1828. 

(IX)  Gershom  Palmer  (2),  son  of  Elder  Ger- 
shom, married  Aug.  18,  1824,  Sarah  Reynolds, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Reynolds. 

(X)  Benjamin  Reynolds  Palmer,  son  of  Ger- 
shom (2),  was  born  in  Exeter,  R.  I.  His  parents 
dying  when  he  was  young,  he  was  brought  up  by 
Benjamin  Wells,  in  the  northwestern  part  of  South 
Kingstown,  R.  I.  He  lived  the  greater  part  of  his 
life  on  Kingstown  Hill,  engaged  in  a general  mer- 
cantile business,  and  so  continued  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1875.  He  married  (first)  Har- 
riet Wells  and  (second)  Mary  Wells,  daughters  of 
Amos  W.  Wells.  The  children  by  the  first  marriage 
were:  Harriet  married  Rev.  George  W.  Hinckley, 
a resident  of  Hinckley,  Maine,  and  has  four  chil- 
dren, Walter,  Edward  B.,  Grace  and  Alice;  Ben- 
jamin Wells  was  born  July  31,  1858;  James,  a resi- 
dent of  Wakefield,  born  on  Kingstown  Hill,  mar- 
ried Caroline  Isabella  Barber,  daughter  of  Russell 
W.  1 he  children  of  Mr.  Palmer’s  second  marriage 
were:  Mary  Lillian,  a resident  of  Wakefield;  Wil- 
liam C.,  of  Utah,  and  Carroll,  a resident  of  Wake- 
field. 

(XI)  Benjamin  Wells  Palmer  was  born 
July  31,  1858,  in  South  Kingstown,  and  spent  his 
boyhood  days  in  that  town  and  in  Exeter,  in  the 
school  known  as  the  “Salt  Box.”  'For  a year  and 
a half  he  clerked  in  the  National  Landholders  Bank 
at  Kingstown,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he 
went  into  the  store  with  his  father,  where  Bernon 
Helme  now  is.  For  a year  after  his  father’s  death 
he  continued  the  business  there,  and  then  continued 
there  a year  associated  with  Thomas  A.  Gardner, 
at  the  end  of  that  time  removing  to  Wakefield  and 
continuing  there  for  three  years,  when  they  dis- 
solved partnership,  Mr.  Palmer  taking  the  clothing 
and  dry  goods  business.  He  located  in  the  Sheldon 
store  for  two  years,  conducting  the  business  op- 
posite Mrs.  Attmore  Robinson’s  home,  and  in  about 
two  years  dropped  the  dry  goods  business.  He 


moved  back  to  the  store  where  T.  A.  Gardner’s 
office  is  located,  then  to  the  Bank  building,  and  on 
Jan.  1,  1900,  came  to  the  Bell  block,  his  present  lo- 
cation. 

Mr.  Palmer  was  married  in  South  Kingstown 
to  Miss  Emma  Louisa  Brett,  of  Baltimore,  Md., 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born : LeRoy  Water- 
man, Annie  Brett,  Nellie  Winchester  and  Harriet, 
the  last  named  dying  in  infancy.  LeRoy  Water- 
man Palmer  was  married  Sept.  20,  1904,  to  Maud 
V.  Champlin,  daughter  of  Lewis  A.  Champlin,  of 
Narragansett  Pier,  and  they  have  one  child,  Lewis 
Benjamin,  born  July  17,  1905. 

Mr.  Palmer  is  a director  of  the  Wakefield  Man- 
ufacturing Company,  of  the  Wakefield  Institution 
for  Savings,  and  of  the  Wakefield  Trust  Company. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Wake- 
field. 

SPRAGUE  (Warwick  family).  The  Spragues 
have  been  a conspicuous  family  in  Rhode  Island 
history.  In  the  early  Colonial  period  as  well  as 
in  the  later  State  a number  of  the  name  have  been 
conspicuous  in  public  affairs,  and  as  well  foremost 
in  promoting  and  developing  the  cotton  industries 
of  Rhode  Island.  Hon.  Jonathan  Sprague  was  for 
years  a member  of  the  Colonial  Assembly  from 
Providence,  and  at  one  time  speaker  of  the  House 
of  Deputies.  Hon.  William  Sprague,  manufac- 
turer and  statesman,  served  as  speaker  of  the  lower 
house  of  the  State  Assembly,  as  a member  of  the 
.House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States 
Congress,  as  governor  of  Rhode  Island,  and  as 
well  represented  the  State  in  the  United  States 
Senate ; while  Hon.  William  Sprague,  the  younger, 
a nephew  of  the  elder  William,  was  also  a manu- 
facturer, governor  and  United  States  senator  and 
citizen  soldier;  and  in  the  town  of  Warwick  still 
lives  the  Hon.  Albert  Gallatin  Sprague,  M.  D., 
citizen  soldier,  assistant  surgeon  almost  through- 
out the  period  of  the  Civil  war,  a number  of  times 
a representative  in  the  State  Assembly  and  presi- 
dent of  the  -State  Board  of  Health.  Several 
branches  of  this  Rhode  Island  Sprague  family  are 
treated  elsewhere  in  this  work,  this  article  being 
devoted  to  the  family  history  and  lineage  of  the 
last  named  gentleman. 

Born  Nov.  22,  1836,  in  Providence,  this  Com- 
monwealth, Dr.  Sprague  is  a son  of  the  late  Albert 
Gallatin  and  Phoebe  (Fiske)  Sprague,  and  a de- 
scendant in  the  eighth  generation  from  William 
Sprague,  the  immigrant  ancestor  of  the  family, 
his  lineage  being  traced  through  John,  Ebenezer, 
Daniel,  Ebenezer  (2),  Ebenezer  (3)  and  Albert 
Gallatin  Sprague.  These  generations  follow  in 
regular  order. 

(I)  William  Sprague,  born  in  about  the  year 
1609  in  Upway,  County  of  Dorset.  England,  was  a 
son  of  Edward  Sprague,  a fuller  of  that  place,  who 
died  leaving  a widow  and  six  children,  three  of 
whom,  Ralph,  Richard  and  William,  arrived  at 


I 


+///.  Beers  3 C* 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1085 


Salem,  New  England,  in  1628  or  1629,  settling  in 
the  latter  year  at  Charlestown.  William  Sprague 
married  in  1635  Millicent  Eames,  daughter  of  An- 
thony of  Charlestown.  He  removed  in  1636  to 
Hingham,  where  he  died  Oct.  26,  1675.  His 
widow  Millicent  died  there  in  1695.  Their  chil- 
dren, the  eldest  born  in  Charlestown  and  the  others 
at  Hingham,  were:  Anthony,  John,  Samuel,  Jona- 
than, Persis,  Joanna,  Jonathan,  William,  Mary  and 
Hannah. 

(II)  John  Sprague,  born  in  Hingham,  Mass., 
where  he  was  baptized  in  April,  1638,  married  Dec. 
13,  1666,  Elizabeth  Holbrook;  settled  in  the  town 
of  Mendon,  Mass.,  where  his  death  occurred. 
Their  children  were : William,  John,  Ebenezer, 
Elizabeth,  Hannah,  Millicent  and  Persis. 

(III)  Ebenezer  Sprague,  born  about  1672, 
married  Jan.  12,  1706,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  Mary, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Wheaton)  Mann, 
of  Rehoboth,  Mass.  Their  children  of  Providence 
town  record  were:  Mary,  born  March  1,  1709; 
Ebenezer,  March  I,  1711;  Daniel,  March  28, 
1712-13;  and  Samuel,  Dec.  26,  1715. 

(IV)  Daniel  Sprague,  born  March  28,  1712- 13, 
in  Providence,  R.  I.,  married  (first)  in  1730  Sarah 
Ballou,  and  (second)  about  1736  Hannah  Brown. 
Mr.  Sprague  was  a resident  of  Johnston,  R.  I., 
where  he  was  for  many  years  a justice  of  the  peace. 
His  children  were:  Naomi;  Lucy;  David  (all  born 
to  the  first  marriage)  ; Jesse,  born  Aug.  29,  1738; 
Ebenezer,  Aug.  2,  1740;  Reuben,  Sept.  13,  1742; 
Rufus,  June  7,  1745;  Rhoda,  Sept.  14,  1749;  Roby, 
Sept.  14,  1749;  and  Daniel. 

(V)  Ebenezer  Sprague,  born  Aug.  2,  1740, 
died  Jan.  21,  1812.  He  married  about  1760  or 
1761  Millicent  Sheldon.  Their  children,  according 
to  Johnston  records,  were:  Dorcas,  born  Sept.  16, 
1761 ; Phebe,  Sept.  5,  1763 ; Stephen,  Aug.  10, 
1765;  Solomon,  May  24,  1767;  Sally  Lucy,  Nov. 
24,  .1769;  Amey,  Dec.  25,  1771 ; Avis,  Jan.  21, 
1774;  Ebenezer,  July  27,  1778;  and  Millicent, 
May  1,  1781  (died  Nov.  12,  1813,  aged  thirty-two 
years). 

(VI)  Ebenezer  Sprague  (2),  born  July  20  (or 
27),  1778,  married  Dinah  Williams,  a direct  de- 
scendant of  Roger  Williams.  The  children  of  Eb- 
enezer ar>d  Dinah  were : Albert  Gallatin,  born 
July  20,  1804;  Amey  Williams,  May  14,  1806, 
(married  a Mr.  Kilton)  ; Hannah,  July  7,  1808, 
(married  Edward  Luther)  ; Adaline,  Feb.  28, 
1810,  (married  William  Steere)  ; Thomas  Wil- 
liams, Aug.  29,  18 1 1 ; Catherine,  1812;  William 
H.,  1815;  and  Sarah  K.,  1818. 

(VII)  Albert' Gallatin  Sprague,  son  of  Ebene- 
zer and  Dinah  (Williams)  Sprague,  born  July  20, 
1804,  married  (first)  Phoebe  and  (second)  Mary, 
daughters  of  Charles  and  Mary  Fiske,  of  Scituate, 
R.  I.  To  the  first  marriage  there  were  born  four- 
teen children,  of  whom  but  two  lived  to  maturity, 
viz.:  Albert  Gallatin  and  Charles.  To  the  second 
marriage  there  came  three  children,  of  whom  but 


one  lived  to  maturity.  He,  Thomas,  is  deceased, 
and  left  no  posterity.  Albert  Gallatin  Sprague, 
father  of  these,  was  a resident  of  Providence  and 
at  one  time  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  He 
died  in  Providence  Feb.  25,  1879. 

(VIII)  Dr.  Albert  Gallatin  Sprague  (2), 
as  stated  in  the  foregoing,  is  a native  of  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.  He  acquired  his  early  education  in 
main  at  the  Peirce  Academy,  Middleboro,  Mass. 
Having  decided  upon  the  medical  profession  as  a 
calling  in  life  he  was  prepared  for  it  at  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  from  which  institu- 
tion he  was  graduated  in  1859.  The  Civil  war 
soon  came  on,  and  early  in  its  stage  the  young  phy- 
sician was  found  a patriot  answering  the  summons 
of  his  country  to  her  defense.  On  the  organization 
of  the  10th  Regiment,  Rhode  Island  Volunteers, 
in  May,  1862,  Dr.  Sprague  was  appointed  a first 
lieutenant  and  assistant  surgeon  of  the  same,  be- 
ing enrolled  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  May  26th,  and 
was  mustered  in  on  that  same  day.  The  10th  was 
one  of  the  emergency  regiments  recruited  to  go  to 
the  defense  of  Washington  when  threatened  by  the 
forces  under  Gen.  Stonewall  Jackson,  principally 
from  an  organization  of  citizens  of  Providence 
banded  together  for  State  defense,  and  known  as 
the  1st  Regiment,  Rhode  Island  National  Guards, 
which  had  offered  its  services  to  the  Governor. 
The  regiment  figured  during  its  term  of  service 
(three  months)  about  the  national  capital,  holding 
for  a period  the  forts  which  defended  western  ap- 
proaches. Dr.  Sprague  was  mustered  out  of  the 
United  States  service  Sept.  1,  1862.  He  had  been 
previously  appointed,  Aug.  29th  of  that  year, 
assistant  surgeon  of  the  7th  Regiment,  Rhode  Is- 
land Volunteers,  with  which  he  continued,  though 
on  detached  duty  a portion  of  the  time  in  the  hos- 
pital at  City  Point,  Va.,  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
being  mustered  out  of  the  service  June  9,  1865. 
This  regiment,  the  7th,  had  also  been  organized  in 
May,  1862,  to  serve  during  the  war.  It  became 
a part  of  the  Eastern  Army  and  saw  active  and 
hard  service.  Its  engagements  were:  Fredericks- 
burg, siege  of  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Spottsylvania, 
North  Anna,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg,  Weldon 
Railroad,  Poplar  Spring  Church  and  Hatcher’s 
Run. 

On  the  close  of  the  war,  after  his  military  ex- 
perience, Dr.  Sprague  returned  to  Rhode  Island 
and  in  1866  located  in  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion in  the  town  of  Warwick,  R.  I.  This  has  since 
been  his  field  of  labor,  where  he  has  long  since  es- 
tablished an  extensive  practice,  in  which  he  has  met 
with  well-deserved  success ; and  though  ever  an 
active,  busy  business  man,  as  well  as  a professional 
one,  he  has  taken  the  time  to  attend  to  the  duties 
devolving  upon  a good  citizen.  His  affiliations 
have  been  with  the  Republican  party.  He  became 
a member  of  the  State  Board  of  Health  in  1878, 
has  served  as  president  of  that  body,  and  continues 
his  membership  therein.  Along  through  the  mid- 


io86 


RHODE  ISLAND 


die  eighties  his  fellow-townsmen  elected  him  to 
represent  Warwick  in  the  State  Assembly.  For 
twenty  years,  terminating  in  1906,  he  was  health 
officer,  and  for  several  years  was  a member  of  the 
council,  of  that  town.  He  is  a member  of  Mc- 
Gregor Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Phenix,  R.  I.  He  is 
also  a member  of  the  Warwick  Club,  and  was  for- 
merly a member  of  the  Providence  Press  Club  and 
of  the  Providence  Athletic  Association.  Dr. 
Sprague  was  a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Medi- 
cal Society  and  of  the  Kent  County  Medical  Soci- 
ety. He  was  prominent  in  the  organization  of  the 
latter  and  in  1908  presented  to  the  Society  his  ex- 
tensive medical  library.  He  commands  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  the  community  in  which  he  has  so 
long  moved  and  by  which  he  has  been  so  highly 
honored. 

On  Nov.  22,  1859,  Dr.  Sprague  was  married 
to  Miss  Ellen  T.  Duncan,  of  North  Brookfield, 
Mass.  Two  children  blessed  the  marriage,  Albert 
D.  and  Marv  E.  D.,  both  now  deceased. 

GLADDING.  The  Gladding  family,  so  numer- 
erous  in  Rhode  Island,  is  descended  from  (I)  John 
Gladding,  who  is  of  record  at  Newbury,  Mass., 
in  1666,  as  marrying  July  17th  of  that  year  Eliza- 
beth Rogers.  It  is  claimed  that  Mr.  Gladding 
came  to  Newbury  in  1660-61,  being  at  the  time 
twenty  years  of  age.  He  is  found  at  Bristol,  now 
in  Rhode*  Island,  in  attendance  at  the  first  town 
meeting,  held  Sept.  1,  1681,  at  which  the  name 
Bristol  was  given  to  the  settlement,  and  at  which 
meeting  seventy-six  persons,  Mr.  Gladding  in- 
cluded, were  admitted  as  citizens  by  the  four  pro- 
prietors. The  children  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Glad- 
ding, of  Newbury  record,  were:  Susanna,  born 
Oct.  6,  1668;  John,  Oct.  11,  1670;  William,  July 
25,  1673;  Elizabeth,  Sept.  15,  1676;  Mary,  Jan.  14, 
1679;  and  Hannah,  Nov.  8,  1681.  Additional  chil- 
dren in  record  of  Bristol  were:  Joshua,  born  May 
6,  1685 ; Daniel,  Nov.  8,  1687 ; and  Sarah,  Nov.  20, 
1691.  According  to  family  manuscript,  John 
Gladding  died  April  27,  1726,  aged  eighty-four 
years. 

(II)  John  Gladding  (2),  son  of  John,  born 
Oct.  11,  1670,  married  Alice,  born  Oct.  31,  1663, 
daughter  of  Uzell  Wardwell,  the  latter  being  one 
of  the  persons  who  attended  the  first  meeting  of 
the  town  of  Bristol  referred  to  in  the  foregoing. 
Their  children  were:  Mary,  born  Nov.  30,  1693; 
John,  Sept.  8,  1694;  William,  Oct.  13,  1698:  Jona- 
than, Jan.  5,  1700-01;  Ebenezer,  Dec.  8,  1702;  Jo- 
seph, Oct.  2,  1704;  Alice,  March  24,  1705-06; 
Elizabeth,  Sept.  13,  1708;  Nathaniel,  Dec.  16,  1709; 
Sarah  (died  May  27,  1712,  aged  eight  days)  ; and 
Sarah  (2),  May  2,  1715.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  March  3,  1720. 

(III)  Joseph  Gladding,  son  of  John  (2),  born 
Oct.  2,  1704,  in  Bristol,  R.  I.,  married  in  1726  (in- 
tention of  marriage  published  July  2,  1726)  Pris- 
cilla, born  May  9,  1709,  daughter  of  David  and 


Elizabeth  Cary,  of  Bristol,  R.  I.  Their  children 
were:  Samuel;  Joseph;  Cary,  born  Dec.  10,  1732, 
in  Newport;  Jonathan,  born  Aug.  29,  1735,  in 
Newport;  Peter;  Priscilla;  David;  Henry;  Ste- 
phen; John;  Benjamin;  Ebenezer;  Nathaniel  and 
Alice. 

(IV)  John  Gladding,  son  of  Joseph,  married 
and  had  children  as  follows : Elizabeth,  Joseph, 
Henry  and  John. 

(V)  Captain  John  Gladding,  son  of  John,  spent 
his  life  in  Newport,  where  he  died  aged  eighty- 
one  years.  Early  in  life  he  became  a fisherman,  an 
occupation  which  he  followed  throughout  his  life. 
He  married  Alice  Fowler,  of  Newport,  where  she 
died,  and  their  children  were : Rebecca,  married 
Alexander  Barker,  a grocer  of  Newport,  in 
which  city  both  died  ; . John,  for  many  years  a 
steamboat  master,  and  later  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business  in  Bristol,  died  in  that  city  at  the  age  of 
seventy-four  years ; Phebe  became  the  wife  of  Cap- 
tain Hanney,  and  both  died  in  Baltimore,  Md. ; 
Edward  M. ; Henry,  who  married  Mary  Ann 
Southwick,  and  died  in  Newport,  was  a fisherman 
by  occupation ; Betsey  married  George  Taylor,  a 
boat-builder  of  Newport,  in  which  city  they  died; 
Thomas,  who  married  Rebecca  Thompson,  was  a 
fisherman,  and  died  in  Newport ; Joseph,  who  was 
engaged  in  fishing  in  Newport,  in  which  city  he 
died,  married  (first)  Mary  Ann  Linden,  married 
(second)  Hannah  Dennis  and  married  (third) 
Phenia  Gladding;  and  William  O.,  who  served  for 
many  years  as  pilot  of  vessels,  married  (first)  Har- 
riet Vaughan,  and  (second)  Sarina  Briggs,  and 
died  in  Newport. 

(VI)  Edward  M.  Gladding,  son  of  Captain 
John,  was  born  in  1801,  in  Newport,  and  died 
there  Feb.  2,  1879.  He  was  a sea  captain,  and  com- 
manded vessels  running  from  Newport  to  New 
York.  For  many  years  he  served  on  United  States 
Government  boats  as  a pilot.  He  married  Mary 
Wood,  daughter  of  John  Wood,  and  she  died  in 
Newport,  aged  sixty-three  years.  Their  children 
were  as  follows : Phebe  A.  is  the  widow  of  Eliab 
King,  of  Newport ; Edward,  a fisherman,  married 
Abby  Dunwell  and  died  in  Newport ; John,  who  was 
a boat-builder  by  trade,  an  occupation  which  he  fol- 
lowed in  the  city  of  Newport,  where  lie  died,  was 
married  to  Mary  Holt;  Henry;  Martin  H.;  and 
Thomas.  Mr.  Edward  M.  Gladding  was  a life- 
long member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  \vas 
known  as  an  honest  upright  man  and  representa- 
tive citizen. 

(VII)  Henry  Gladding,  son  of  Edward  M., 
was  born  June  18,  1831,  in  Newport,  and  in  his 
native  city  received  his  schooling.  After  leaving 
school  he  learned  the  trade  of  sail-maker  with 
Edwin  M.  Townsend,  in  whose  employ  he  re- 
mained for  about  three  years,  and  then  accepted  a 
position  at  his  trade  with  Benjamin  Freeborne, 
continuing  with  this  gentleman  for  a period  of  ten 
years.  Mr.  Gladding  then  formed  a partnership 


RHODE  ISLAND 


1087 


with  James  Hogan,  under  the  firm  name  of  Hogan 
& Gladding  and  engaged  in  sail-making,  a business 
which  they  conducted  successfully  for  several 
years.  After  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Gladding  engaged 
in  the  same  business  on  his  own  account,  opening 
a sail  loft  on  Long  Wharf,  and  there  continued 
for  a number  of  years,  meeting  with  well-deserved 
success.  In  connection  with  this  enterprise  Mr. 
Gladding  was  also  engaged  in  trap-fishing.  Some 
years  ago  Mr.  Gladding  retired  from  active  busi- 
ness life,  and  in  1895  he  was  appointed  harbor 
master  of  Newport,  a position  which  he  has  effi- 
ciently filled  to  the  present  time,  also  holding  the 
office  of  Marine  health  officer.  Mr.  Gladding  at- 
tends St.  John’s  Episcopal  Church,  to  which  he 
gives  his  liberal  support.  In  political  faith  he  has 
been  a life-long  Republican. 

In  June,  1850,  Captain  Henry  Gladding  and 
Miss  Matilda  M.  Wilkey  were  united  in  marriage. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Wanton  Wilkey,  and 
passed  away  in  1900  in  Newport.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gladding  had  these  children : Henry,  who  died 
in  infancy ; Emeline  R.,  who  married  Joseph  Fo- 
garty, of  Newport,  in  which  city  she  died;  Hattie, 
who  married  William  F.  Tripp,  of  Newport,  where 
she  died;  Henry,  Jr.,  a carpenter  by  trade,  who 
died  in  Newport  in  1901,  and  who  married  Mary 
Dennis,  of  Newport;  Percy,  who  died  in  infancy; 
Alice,  who  died  young ; Lillie,  who  also  died 
young;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Ernest  Boudreau,  one  of 
Newport’s  leading  merchant  tailors ; and  Wanton 
M.,  the  efficient  mechanical  superintendent  of  the 
Morse  Twist  Mill  & Machine  Company,  of  New 
Bedford,  Mass.,  who  married  Sarah  Kaull,  of 
Newport. 

(VII)  Martin  Howard  Gladding  was  born 
April  10,  1833,  in  Newport,  and  after  acquiring 
his  educational  training  in  the  common  schools  of 
his  native  city,  became  apprenticed  to  the  cabinet- 
maker’s trade  under  Ernest  Gofife,  in  whose  em- 
ploy he  remained  eleven  years.  Mr.  Gladding  then 
took  up  carpentering  on  his  own  account,  and  for 
several  years  was  engaged  in  building  and  general 
jobbing.  He  finally  gave  up  this  occupation  to 
engage  in  fishing,  and  in  this  connection  he  has 
continued  for  over  forty  years  with  success.  Mar- 
tin H.  Gladding  is  one  of  the  good  citizens  of  his 
community.  He  is  honest  and  upright  in  his  deal- 
ings with  his  fellow  men,  and  as  a citizen  has  al- 
ways been  public-spirited. 

On  Jan.  11,  1852,  Martin  Howard  Gladding  and 
Mary  Hannah  Dennis,  were  united  in  marriage  in 
Newport,  she  being  the  daughter  of  Peter  and 
Hannah  (Jouvet)  Dennis,  of  this  city.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Gladding  there  were  born  a family  of 
seven  children,  three  of  whom  died  in  childhood, 
the  surviving  four  being:  Romeo  E.,  a clerk  in 
the  grocery  business,  died  at  the  age  of  forty-three 
years  in  Newport,  leaving  a widow,  Margaret 
(Crudden)  Gladding,  and  two  children,  Fannie 
Margaret  and  Harry;  Fannie  Griffith,  the  wife  of 


Joseph  Willard  Case,  is  a resident  of  Shelter  Is- 
land, N.  Y.,  and  the  mother  of  eleven  children,  ten 
of  whom  still  survive ; Edwin  Martin,  a carpenter 
and  builder  at  Newport,  married  Annie  MacDon- 
ald, of  this  city,  and  they  have  no  children ; and 
Louis  Arnold,  who  is  a printer  by  trade,  being  at 
present  the  efficient  advertising  compositor  on  the 
Nezvport  Herald,  married  Jan.  1,  1907,  Alma  Jen- 
nings Case,  of  Shelter  Island,  New  York. 

(VII)  Thomas  Gladding,  youngest  child  of 
Edward  M.  and  Mary  (Wood)  Gladding,  was 
born  July  9,  1834,  in  Newport,  and  acquired  a 
common-school  education  in  the  place  of  his  nativ- 
ity. Early  in  life  he  engaged  in  the  meat  and  pro- 
vision business,  locating  first  in  the  building  on 
Washington  street,  facing  Bridge  street,  whence 
he  removed  to  the  corner  of  Washington 
and  Bridge  streets,  finally  locating  in  a 
store  adjoining  the  “Perry  House,”  on 
Washington  Square.  After  a time  he  took  his  son 
into  partnership  with  him,  the  firm  name  then  be- 
coming T.  Gladding  & Son,  and  this  firm  is  still 
in  existence,  being  now  located  at  the  corner  of 
Washington  and  Bridge  streets.  Mr.  Gladding 
was  an  industrious  and  enterprising  business  man, 
and  as  a result  met  with  much  success  in  the  var- 
ious enterprises  with  which  he  was  connected.  For 
a number  of  years  he  conducted  a line  of  stages 
from  the  postoffice  in  Newport,  on  Broadway,  to 
the  “Mile  Corner,”  or  Middletown  line,  this  being 
prior  to  the  advent  of  the  trolley  line  along  this 
thoroughfare.  He  was  also  engaged  in  the  ice 
business,  and  some  time  prior  to  his  death  engaged 
extensively  in  the  real  estate  business,  being  very 
successful  in  this  latter  line  to  which  his  undivided 
attention  was  given  in  his  later  years.  While  en- 
gaged in  the  meat  business,  for  a number  of  years 
he  supplied  the  war  vessels  that  entered  Newport 
harbor.  Some  time  before  his  death,  Mr.  Glad- 
ding’s  health  began  to  fail,  and  while  on  his  way 
to  make  a trip  to  the  Bermuda  Islands  lie  dropped 
dead  in  the  Mt.  Vernon  Hotel,  Baltimore,  Md., 
Dec.  9,  1886,  his  remains  being  brought  to  New- 
port for  burial.  In  political  faith  Mr.  Gladding 
was  a stalwart  Republican,  but  would  never  con- 
sent to  accept  political  office. 

Mr.  Gladding  married  Elizabeth  W.,  daughter 
of  John  Ring,  of  Newport,  and  she  died  in  New- 
port, Feb.  12,  1895.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gladding  there  were  born  children  as  follows : 
Renana,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years ; Sidney 
B.,  mentioned  below ; Miss  Ida  Renana,  who  re- 
sides in  Newport ; Hattie  Moore,  the  wife  of  War- 
ren Evarts,  steward  of  the  “Astor  House,”  New 
York ; and  Sanford  Thomas. 

(VIII)  Sidney  B.  Gladding,  eldest  son  of  the 
late  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  W.  (Ring)  Gladding, 
was  born  Aug.  14,  1855,  in  Newport,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city. 
Upon  leaving  school  at  the  age  of  fourteen -years, 
he  began  working  in  his  father's  meat  market,  and 


io88 


RHODE  ISLAND 


continued  in  this  capacity  until  1880,  when  he  was 
made  a partner  in  the  business,  the  firm  becoming 
Thomas  Gladding  & Son.  On  the  death  of  his 
father  in  1886,  Mr.  Gladding  became  manager  of 
the  business  for  the  heirs  of  his  father,  and  he  con- 
tinued in  that  capacity  until  1893,  when  he  engaged 
in  the  meat  business  on  his  own  account,  opening 
a market  at  the  corner  of  Spring  and  Touro  streets, 
where  he  continued  for  three  years,  then  selling 
out.  Soon  after  retiring  from  business,  Mr.  Glad- 
ding was  made  foreman  of  the  city  highway  de- 
partment, and  since  that  time  has  had  charge  of 
the  city  sprinkling. 

Mr.  Gladding  is  fraternally  a member  of  St. 
John's  Lodge  No.  1,  A.  F.  & A.  M. ; Newport 
Chapter  No.  2,  R.  A.  M.,  of  which  he  served  as 
steward  for  several  years;  DeBlois  Council  No.  5, 
R.  and  S.  M. ; of  Washington  Commandery  No.  4. 
I\.  T.,  of  which  he  was  standard  bearer  for  several 
years;  of  Palestine  Temple,  Order  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  of  Providence ; and  of  Aquidneck  Chapter, 
Order  of  Eastern  Star.  Mr.  Gladding  also 
holds  membership  in  Rhode  Island  Lodge,  No.  12, 
and  Aquidneck  Encampment  No.  5,  I.  O.  O.  F. ; 
Weenat  Shassit  Tribe  No.  6,  Improved  Order  of 
Red  Men;  and  Newport  Lodge,  No.  104.  B.  P. 
O.  E.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  Newport 
Artillery  Company  since  1872  on  the  roll  of  which 
he  is  now  a “fine"  member.  He  is  also  a member 
of  the  Philos,  of  East  Greenwich  Academy,  which 
school  he  attended  for  a term  when  a young  man. 
In  political  views  Mr.  Gladding  is  a Republican,  but 
in  town  matters  takes  a neutral  stand. 

On  June  26,  1879,  Mr.  Gladding  was  married 
to  Josephine  Steel,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
(Beck)  Steel  of  Newport.  They  have  no  children. 

(VIII)  Sanford  Thomas  Gladding,  who  has 
been  connected  with  the  hotel  business  the  greater 
part  of  his  life,  and  who  has  been  for  several  years 
steward  of  “The  Breslin,”  one  of  New  York’s  most 
fashionable  hostelries,  is  also  a member  of  the  firm 
of  Thomas  Gladding  & Son,  meat  and  provision 
dealers  of  Newport.  Mr.  Gladding  married  Miss 
Sadie  Carry,  daughter  of  the  late  William  Carry 
of  Newport,  and  three  children  have  been  born  to 
this  union : Anna  Seabury,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
three  and  one-half  years ; Thomas,  born  in  June,. 
1900;  and  Warren  Evarts,  born  in  February,  1905. 

FAROl  HAR  MACRAE,  late  a well-known 
and  successful  florist  of  Providence,  bis  greenhouses 
and  residence  being  on  Smith  street,  was  born  Jan. 
12,  1843,  ’n  Ross-shire,  near  Inverness,  Scotland, 
and  his  death  occurred  Feb.  21,  1905.  His  youth  and 
early  manhood  were  passed  in  his  native  land,  and 


there  he  gained  a practical  knowledge  of  horticul- 
ture, which  was  later  to  gain  him  fortune  and  fame 
in  his  adopted  country.  He  was  employed  in  a 
number  of  large  public  and  private  parks  and  gar- 
dens, among  these  being  the  Conon  gardens  on  the 
estate  of  Sir  Kenneth  MacKenzie.  Aware  of  the 
advantages  and  opportunities  which  America  af- 
forded to  the  man  of  skill  and  industry,  he  sailed  for 
the  New  World  in  1870,  landing  on  July  4th  of  that 
year.  He  at  once  located  in  Providence,  where  he 
was  an  entire  stranger,  having  neither  friend  nor 
acquaintance.  For  some  ten  years  he  was  employed 
at  the  Whitcomb  garden  at  Riverside,  and  while 
there  he  devoted  special  attention  to  grape  culture, 
and  introduced  the  growing  of  that  fruit  under 
glass.  Later  lie  was  in  the  wholesale  florist  busi- 
ness at  the  Chapin  place  on  Smith  street,  where  he 
was  very  successful.  He  next  located  on  Smith 
street,  west  of  his  subsequent  location,  where  he 
had  previously  purchased  property.  This  he  re- 
modelled and  fitted  up  for  his  line  of  business,  and 
for  fourteen  years  he  carried  on  business  at  that  lo- 
cation— or  until  the  business  outgrew  the  place — 
and  seeking  more  room  he  purchased  what  is  known 
as  the  “Crossman”  place,  where  he  resided  until  his 
death,  and  where  his  sons  continue.  Through  his 
industry  and  ability  he  created  one  of  the  largest  es- 
tablishments of  the  kind  in  the  United  States.  In 
this  he  had  such  assistance  only  as  came  from  his 
own  family,  and  to  them  he  was  ever  ready  to  credit 
a large  share  of  his  success.  His  interests  laid  en- 
tirely in  his  home  and  in  his  business.  He  made 
many  friends,  who  gave  him  their  unstinted  respect. 
He  was  emphatically  a self-made  man,  and  he  left 
to  posterity  an  example  well  worthy  of  emulation. 
His  life  was  strictly  in  accordance  with  his  early 
Scotch  training,  and  he  held  to  high  moral  standards 
and  was  strictly  temperate  in  all  things.  He  was 
a member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Horticultural  Society, 
and  in  the  animal  displays,  his  exhibits  were  always 
a prominent  feature,  and  attracted  much  attention. 

In  June,  1882,  Mr.  Macrae  was  married  to  Es- 
ther S.  Swan,  a native  of  Nova  Scotia,  and  the  chil- 
dren born  of  this  union  were : Alexander ; Walter 
S.,  who  married  Ida  Fisher,  and  has  one  child,  Mar- 
garet Esther ; Violet  E.,  who  married  Robert  W. 
Lister,  of  Providence;  Lillian  E. ; Marjorie  M. ; 
Farquhar  Arthur,  and  Edith  I.  Ellen  Mary,  a 
daughter  of  Mr.  Macrae  by  a former  marriage,  is 
the  wife  of  Stephen  H.  Boss,  of  Providence.  Of 
the  sons,  Alexander  and  Walter  S.  continue  the 
business  under  the  old  name  of  F.  Macrae  & Sons, 
and  they  are  regarded  as  progressive  and  successful 
business  men,  worthv  sons  of  their  father. 


Representative  Men  & Old  Families  of  Rhode  Island,  1908 
70  pp.,  Original  pp.  xvi 

INDEX 

Abbot,  Charles  W.  -------------  1166 

Abbot,  Charles  W. , Jr.  ----------  1167 

Abbot  Family  ---------------  1165 

Abbot,  Mrs.  Sarah  C.  -----------  1167 

Abbot,  Trevett  --------------  1167 

Akers,  Dr*  Joseph  H.  -----------  1830 

Albro,  David  ----------  - - - 2163 

Albro  Families  ---------  1008,  2163,  2277 

Albro,  Mrs.  Julia  A.  -----------  1009 

Albro,  Stephen  S. -------------  1008 

Aldrich,  Miss  Abbie  A.  ----------  1032 

Aldrich,  Miss  Anns  I.-----------  203 1 

Aldrich,  Anson  W.  -------------  992 

Aldrich,  Mrs.  Cyrena  J.  ----------  618 

Aldrich,  David  L.  -------------  2221 

Aldrich,  Edward  K.  ------------  992 

Aldrich  Families  ------------- 

617,  990,  1032,  1558,  1936,  2315 

Aldrich,  George  F.  ------------  2215 

Aldrich,  Gilbert  -------------  1560 

Aldrich,  Irvin  E.  -------------  1937 

Aldrich,  John  ---------------  1032 

Aldrich,  Mrs.  John  G.  - --  --  --  --  --  III4.I4. 
Aldrich,  Joseph  B.  -------------  617 

Aldrich,  Mrs.  Marcia  A.  ----------  1137 

Aldrich,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  -----------  2215 

Aldrich,  Robert  --------------  991 

Aldrich,  Simon  ---------------  2030 

Aldrich,  William  ------------  991 

Aldrich,  William  H. ------------  2315 

Aldrich,  William  6.  ------------  2222 

Alexander,  Mrs.  Phebe  S.  ---------  2136 

Allaire,  Victor  --------------  2269 

Allan  Families  ---------  1028,  1209,  125U 

Allan,  Frederick  A.,  Jr.  -------  125U 

Allan,  Mrs.  Johanna  F.  ----------  1029 

Allan,  John  ----------------  1209 

Allan,  John  T.  --------------  1210 

Allan,  Joseph  S. -------------  1028 

Allen,  Charles  H.  -------------  2237 

Allen,  Daniel  G.  -------------  2237 

Allen  Families  -------  I4.62 , 536,  2237,  2266 

Allen,  John  A.  536 

Allen,  John  A.,  Jr.  ------------  537 

Allen  John  B.  ---------------  2266 


. 


, 


i 


1 


• , 

, 


. 

1:0’ 

#■ 

. 

. 

INDEX 


Allen,  John  J.  --------------  1*61* 

Allin  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  1*62 

Allin,  Capt.  John  Jay  - --  --  — - - - - 1*63 

Allin,  Mrs.  Mary  L.  ------------  1*63 

Allin,  Capt.  Samuel  - --  --  --  --  --  - 1*69 

Almy,  Abram  ----------------  900 

Almy,  Hiss  Clara  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 191*1 

-*Almy,  Darwin  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  699 

Almy  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  --  -- 

500,  698,  1311,  1680,191*0 

Almy,  Henry  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  - 1312 

Almy,  Henry  W.  --------------  1661 

Almy,  Job  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  191*0 

Almy,  Levi  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  - 168 1 
Almy,  Robert  B.  --------------  1662 

Almy,  Sanford  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  19l*l 

Almy,  William  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  1312 

Ames,  Mrs.  Samuel  - --  --  — — - - - - 799 

Anderson,  Alexander  J.,  M.  D.  -------  711 

Andrew,  James  E.,  -------------  1220 

Andrew,  James  H.,  -------------  1219 

Andrew,  Mrs.  Robie  A.  -----------  1220 

Andrews,  Mrs.  Adelaide  L.  ---------  1018 

Andrews , Clarence  C.  -----------  1018 

Andrews  Families  --------  -699 , 1016,  1899 

Andrews-Waterman  Family  ----------  2101 

Andrews,  Francis  M.  ------------  2102 

Andrews,  Frank  V/.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  2103 

Andrews,  George  W.  -------------  1896 

Andrews,  J.  Titus  -------------  696 

Andrews,  Mrs.  Sarah  R.  -----------  2103 

Andrews,  Stephen  D.  ------------  1017 

Andrews,  William  -------------  2236 

Andrews , William,  Jr.  - - - — --  - 2236 

Angell,  Andrew  A.  -------------  1928 

Angell,  Anthony  --------  — - — - 2232 

Angell,  Arthur  F.  -------------  1971 

Angell,  Charles  E.  ----------  — - 2032 

Angell,  Clarence  S.  ------------  2172 

Angell,  Edwin  G.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 1701* 
Angell  Families-  -----  -1*70,  1216,  1999 , 1637, 

1681*,  1701,  1798,  1869,  1991*,  1970,  1986,  2032, 
2138,  2172,  2232 

Angell,  Frank  C.  - - - ________  1986 

Angell,  Henry  G.  --  — __________  1971 

Angell,  James  G.  -------------  1970 

Angell,  Jeremiah  0.  ------------  2033 

Almy,  Edward  ---_  1312 


:(d 


'it 


.0  . 


» 


1 ~ 

- » 

, , 

, 

• biJfcwb  ityd 


INDEX 


Angell,  Jesse  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  17  Olj. 
Angell,  Lemuel  --------------  1217 

Angell,  Louis  L.  -------------  1219 

Angell,  Lutheg  T. --------  — - - - 1865 

Angell,  Mrs.  Orra  -------------  1685 

Angell,  Pardon  L.  F.  -----------  195U 

Angell,  Thomas  H.  -------------  2138 

Angell,  William  G.  ------------  1702 

Angell,  William  H.  ------------  1701; 

Angell,  Hon.  William  H.  - --  --  --  --  1681; 

Angell,  William  R.  --------  - 1638 

Anthony,  Abraham  -------------  1870 

Anthony,  Abraham  T.  ------------  826 

Anthony,  Albert  L.  ------------  1512 

Anthony,  Hon.  Alfred  -----------  2331; 

Anthony,  Menjamin  S.  --------  - - - 2028 

Anthony,  Charles  -------------  1510 

Anthony,  Charles  F.  -------  --  1511 

Anthony,  Charles  G. ------------  826 

Anthony,  Daniel  R.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 1511; 

Anthony,  David  C.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1513 

Anthony,  Edward  F.  - - - - — 2029 

Anthony,  Elijah  - - 821; 

Anthony,  Mj_ss  Ella  M.  - --  --  --  --  --  826 

Anthony  Families  ---------  796,  822, 

821;,  1396,  1501;,  1896,  2028,  2191,  2266,  2331; 
Anthony,  George  --------------  2192 

Anthony,  Henry  E.  1506 

Anthony,  Henry  C.  -------------  797 

Anthony,  Henry  F.  -------------  2268 

Anthony,  James  --------------  823 

Anthony,  James  E.  -------------  827 

Anthony,  James  M.  -------------  2029 

Anthony,  Joseph  S.  -------------  826 

Anthony,  Joshua  ----------  — --  1870 

Anthony,  Miss  Kate  J.  --------  — _ 1508 

Anthony,  Ee-^fs  W.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1507 

Anthony,  Noel  L.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  2175 

Anthony,  Orrin  S.  -------------  1511 

Anthony,  Philip  --------------  1870 

Anthony,  Robert  W.  ------------  2192 

Anthony,  Seth  ---------------  798 

Anthony,  Miss  Susan  A.  ----------  1870 

Anthony,  William  C.  ------------  826 

Appleby  Family  - 1552 

Appleby,  John  S.  -------------  1552 

Appleby,  Sidney  M.  - 1552 

Armington,  Arthur  H.  lj.75 


ws 


. . 


-V 


- 

, 

, 


! it  r 

i',  : 


INDEX 


Arming  ton.  Miss  Emma  F.  - --  --  --  --  - 1*71* 

Armington  Families  -----------  h72,  800 

Arming ton,  Francis  ------------  1*75 

Armington,  Miss  Harriet  A.  --------  U7U 

Armington,  Dr,  Hervey  -----------  U73 

Armington,  James  H.  ------------  1*71* 

Armington,  Col.  James  H.  - --  --  --  --  - ij.76 

Armstrong,  Charles  B.  -----------  1829 

Armstrong  Family  -------------  1829 

Armstrong,  Mrs.  Harriet  R.  --------  1629 

Arnold,  A.  Herbert  - --  --  --  --  --  - 111*7 

Arnold,  Alexander  S.  - --  --  --  --  --  1611* 

Arnold,  Benjamin  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  1*8  0 

Arnold,  Mrs.  Caroline  F.  ---------  1576 

Arnold,  Christopher  B.  ----------  23 

Arnold,  Cyrus  ------------  2156 

Arnold,  Davis  G.  -------------  1102 

Arnold,  Edmund  B.  ------------  1738 

Arnold,  Miss  Emily  L.  ----------  908 

Arnold,  Ernest  J.  ------------  1738 

Arnold  Families  -------------  23* 

130,  288,  1*61,  906,  1101,  1256,  11*01,  1537,  1563, 

1613,  1721*,  1736,  1957,  2112,  2155 

Arnold,  Frank  H.  -------------  1563 

Arnold,  Col.  Frank  S.  ----------  1101 

Arnold,  Frederick  W.  -----------  23 

Arnold,  Frederick  W.  (1870-)  -------  1738 

Arnold,  Henry  C.  -------------  2265 

Arnold,  Henry  M.  -------------  1615 

Arnold,  Hiram  --------------  288 

Arnold,  James  N.  -------------  130 

Arnold,  Hon.  James  P.  - --  --  --  --  - 111*7 

Arnold,  John  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  11*02 

Arnold,  Joseph  J.  ------------  1737 

Arnold,  Louis  W.  -------------  1539 

Arnold,  Miss  Mary  C.  -----------  2113 

Arnold,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  -----------  1958 

Arnold,  Oliver  C.  -----  -----  2112 

Arnold,  Oliver  H. , A.  M. , M.  D.  - - - - - 161*7 

Arnold,  Olney  (1862)  - — --------  1255 

Arnold,  Olney  (1822-1900)  - - 1615 

Arnold,  Preston  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 11*02 

Arnold,  Rice  ---------------  1957 

Arnold,  Dr.  Seth  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1611* 

Arnold,  Simeon  C.  -------------  2265 

Arnold,  Thomas  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1721* 

Arnold,  Warren  0.  -------------  1538 

Arnold,  William  E.  ------------  1737 


. ' 

••  •>»■.»  ( ' 


. 


. 


, 


INDEX 


Ash,  Emerson  F.  --------------  2255 

Atkinson,  Mrs.  Amanda  -----------  IO63 

Atkinson,  Eugene  W.  ------------  IO63 

Atkinson  Family  --------------  1062 

Atkinson,  James  --------------  IO63 

Atwood,  Abner  ---------------  730 

Atwood,  Abraham  L«  ------------  2285 

Atwood,  Charles  --------------  95  U 

Atwood,  Charles  W.  ------------  953 

Atwood,  Mrs.  Emily  D.  -----------  2295 

Atwood  Families 731,  952,  1190,  2171,  2285 

Atwood,  Richard  A.  ------------  2295 

Atwood,  Robert  K.  -------------  1190 

Atwood,  Stephen  B.  ------------  2172 

Atwood,  William  K.  ------------  795 

Austin,  Arthur  E.  -------------  1109 

Austin  Families  ---------  99,  1108,  2058 

Austin,  Gordon  L.  -------------  2262 

Austin,  John  ---------------  1108 

Austin,  John  0.  --------------  99 

Austin,  Miss  Mary  E.  -----------  2262 

Austin,  lercy  A.  -------------  2058 

Babbitt,  Mrs.  Anna  A.  ----------- 

Babbitt,  Edward  S.  ------------  1K08 

Babbitt  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 1I4O6 

Babcock,  Mrs.  Eugenia  L.  --------  157,  396 

Babcock  Families  - --  --  --  - -612,  1551,  I8I4.8 
Babcock,  Frederick  P.  - --  --  --  --  --  I8I4.6 

Babcock,  George  H.  ------------  156 

Babcock,  John  ---------------  612 

Babcock,  John  E.  --------------  613 

Babcock,  Tristam  D.  ------------  1551 

Babcock,  William  B.  ------------  1181 

Babcock,  William  R.  ------------  1181 

Bacheller  Family  -------------  1020 

Bacheller,  John  W.  ------------  1021 

Bacheller,  Mrs.  Rebecca  S.  --------  1022 

Bacheller,  Robert  C.  -----------  1021 

Bacheller,  William  S.,  Jr.  --------  1021 

Baggs,  Elisha  L.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  I60I4. 

Baggs  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  I6OI4. 

Baggs,  Joseph  F.  -------------  1605 

Baggs,  Miss  Laura  M.  -----------  1605 

Bailey  Family  --------------  558 

Bailey,  Henry  C.  -------------  1626 

Bailey,  Joseph  P.  ------------  20U9 

Bailey,  Miss  Kate  C.  - --  --  --  --  --  20I4.9 

Bailey,  Mrs.  Mary  Julia  ---------  559 


, 

. 

, 

„ _ 

- - . . 


- * 

. 

. 

— — 

. ' • • 

•» 

INDEX 


Bailey,  Sedgwick  M.  ------------  559 

Bailey,  William  ------  ------  559 

Bain,  Hugh  B.  ---------------  2326 

Bain,  Hugh  W.  ---------------  2327 

Baker,  Judge  Darius  ------------  393 

Baker,  Miss  Emma  M.  ------------  78U 

Baker  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  --  392,  78 14 
Baker,  Mrs.  Frances  E.  -----------  723 

Baker,  George  E.  --------------  787 

Baker,  George  M.  --------------  785 

Baker,  George  S.  --------------  785 

Baker,  John  F.  ---------------  78 h 

Baker,  Joseph  W»  --------------  786 

Baker,  Nathan  H.  --------------  723 

Ballou,  Dr.  Ariel  - - - ------  337 

Ballou,  Charles  0.,M.  D.  1781 

Ballou  Families-  88,  336,  1700,  1781,2303 

Ballou,  George  -------------  2157 

Ballou,  Henry  L.  --------------  90 

Ballou,  Latimer  W#  -------------  89 

Ballou,  Nelson  J.  -------------  230U 

Ballou,  Smith  M.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 230I4. 
Ballou,  Stephen  W.  -------------  1700 

Ballou,  Mrs.  Susan  A.  -----------  91 

Ballou,  Warren  J.  -------------  1701 

Bannon,  Thomas  J.  -------------  2130 

Barber,  Albert  E.  -------------  2078 

Barber,  Benjamin  H.  ------------  2220 

Barber,  Edward  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - H36 

Barber  Families  --------  -II36,  1961,  2077 

Barber,  J.  DeVere,  M.  D.  ---------  1962 

Barber,  Joseph  S.  ------------  538 

Barber,  Thomas  T.  -------------  II36 

Barker,  Mrs.  Eliza  H.  -----------  1019 

Barker .Families  -------------- 

50U,  532,  621,  668,  1018,  1133,  1260 

Barker,  Francis  S.  ------------  623 

Barker,  Frederick  A.  -----------  506 

Barker,  H.  Howard  --  ---------  1261 

Barker,  Isaac  ---------------  532 

Barker,  Jacob  A.  -------------  1261 

Barker,  Mrs.  Laura  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  53  U 

Barker,  Ralph  R.  -------------  668 

Barker,  Richard  J.  ------------  1019 

Barker,  Stephen  P.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 62I4 
Barker,  William  C.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 5 06 
Barnes  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  1I4.OI4. 


, 

- . . o 

. a 


, 

■»  9 

■ , 

••  . 

- . 


. 


( 


........  , 

. «. 


INDEX 


Barnes,  Jonathan  V.  ------------  1211 

Barnes,  Orin  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  LI4.OI4. 
Barney,  Mrs,  Esther  B,  ----------  1965 

Barney  Family  ---------------  501 

Barney,  James  M,  -------------  1965 

Barney,  John  P,  -------------  50I4 

Barney,  Walter  H,  -------------  503 

Barney,  William  H,  ------------  1656 

Barns,  Everett  --------------  2209 

Barns  Family  ----------  --  2209 

Barns,  Miss  Harriet  B.  - --  --  --  --  - 1355 

Barns,  Horace  M.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  13514- 

Barns,  Miss  Isoline  N,  ----------  1355 

Barrows,  Edwin  --------------  800 

Barrows  Family  --------------  799 

Barstow  Family  --------------  52H 

Barstow,  Miss  Martha  P.  ---------  525 

Barstow,  William  -------------  525 

Bartlett  Family  - - 8I4.U 

Bartlett,  John  R,  (1805-1886)  ------  8I4.5 

Bartlett,  John  R.  ( I8I4.3 — 190U ) ------  81±7 

Barton  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - I26I4. 

Barton,  Capt.  George  - --  --  --  --  - 126)4. 

Barton,  Miss  Georgiana  - --  --  --  --  I26I4. 

Barton,  Nathan  B,  ------------  1265 

Batchelder  Family  ------------  1978 

Batchelder,  William  W.  ---------  1980 

Bateman,  Louis  M.  ------------  202U 

Bates  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - I4.56 

Bates,  Frederic  -------------  U57 

Bates,  Isaac  C.  -------------  1605 

Battey  Family  --------------  15UU 

Battey,  John  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  l51ih 

Battey,  John  M,  - --  --  --  --  --  --  15I46 

Battye  Family  --------------  1888 

Battye,  Jonathan  ------------  1888 

Beale  Family  --------  - - - - 2092 

Beale,  Dr.  Samuel  M#  ----------  2092 

Beane,  Constant  C.  -----------  1556 

Beane  Family  --------------  1556 

Beane,  George  F.  A.  ----------  1557 

Beane,  Miss  Lucy  M.  1557 

Belcher  Family  -------------  13U8 

Belcher,  Joseph  - --  --  --  --  --  - I3I4.8 

Belcher,  Leander  C.  ----------  13U8 

Belknap  Family  -------------  2115 

Belknap,  Job  --------------  2115 


t 


^ c 


, > . : 

..  t ' • r’l:' 

, n - j 

■ r, 

------- 

- . 

, 

- . SX'.. 

- n I ir;.«  bw.  •: 

. 

, 

. 

, 


, . . ■ 

- .. 

— **" 

, ' ■ j.  ' 

■ - 


INDEX 


Benedict,  Rev,  Dr.  David  - 

Benedict  Family  - 

Bennett,  Albert  J.-  - - - 
Bennett,  Hon,  Charles  P.  - 
Bennett  Families  - - - - - 
Bennett,  John  A,  - - - - - 
Bennett,  Joseph  - - - - - 
Bennett,  Joseph  M, , M,  D. 
Benson,  Bernard  J.  - - - - 
Benson, Mrs,  Harriet  W»  - - 
Bicknell  Family  ----- 

Bicknell,  Thomas  W,  - - - 
Blake,  Mrs.  Ellen  D.  - - - 
jB  lane  hard  Family  - - - - - 
Blanchard,  Henry  N.  - - - 
Blanding,,  Charles  L.  - - - 
Blanding  Family  - - - - - 
Blanding,  Jabez  B.  - - - - 
Blanding,  William  0.  - - - 
Bligh,  George  0,  - - - - - 
Bliss  Family  ------- 

Bliss,  Col,  Herbert  - - - 
B liven,  C,  B.  -----  - 

Bliven,  Charles  P.  - - - - 
B liven  Family  ------ 

Bliven,  Luke  -----  — 

Blodgett,  Rev.  Chauncey  H. 
Blodgett,  Edward  W.  - - - 
Blodgett  Family  - - - - - 
Blodgett,  Rev.  Kinsley  - - 
Blodgett,  Rev.  Lloyd  M.  - 
Blodgett,  Hon.  William  W. 
Blood,  Joseph  F.  - - - - - 
Blood,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  - - - 
Bloomer,  Charles  G.  - - - 
Bloomer  Family  ------ 

Bloomer,  William  W.  - - - 
Bluck,  John  ------- 

Bolster  Family  ------ 

Bolster,  William  H#  - 

Bonnetat,  Guslain  A.  - - - 
Bonnetat,  Mrs.  ^irginie  - 
Booth,  Alexander  - - - - - 
Booth,  John  ------- 

Borden  Family  ------ 

Bosworth  Families  - - - - 
Bosworth,  Leonard  P.  - - - 


- - - - llj.66 

1U65 

1097 

1687 

772,  1096,  20h2 

1096 

201*2 

1.687 

671 

671 

1025 

1026 

- - - - 281* 
1911 

1911 

2052 

1*97 

1*99 

1*99 

2012 

588 

588 

1627 

1095 

1091* 

2255 

856 

856 

851* 

856 

856 

851* 

972 

972 

1988 

1988 

1989 

2293 

1710 

1710 

2266 

2266 

1928 

1220 

1891* 

939,  211*b 

211*8 


* ’ « * 

, 

— ^ A 

» i • 

. 

- . , . r f4  . . .1'/ 

, 

- - . rr  ' - ,• 

, 

■»  ■ . f-  / t ' “* 


. 


. 

. 

. 

> * 

. - - . 


INDEX 


Bosworth,  Leonard  S.  - --  --  --  --  --  2 II4.8 
Bosworth,  Peleg  S.  ------------  939 

Bosworth,  Col.  Smith  -----------  1581 

Boucher,  Hon.  Philippe  ----------  2252 

Boucher,  Richard  P.,  M.  D.  --------  2171 

Bourcier,  Mrs.  Louise  ----------  1700 

Bourgeois,  Rev.  Joseph  R.  --------  1799 

Bourn,  Augustus  0.  -----------  362 

Bourn  Families  -------------  362,  883 

Bourn,  George  0.  -------------  363 

Bourn,  George  W.  B.  -----------  883 

Bouvier,  Mrs.  Celina  -----------  1805 

Bouvier,  Hon.  Joseph  -----------  1805 

Bowen,  Benjamin  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 9 111 
Bowen,  Charles  W.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  100l| 

Bowen,  Mrs.  Cordelia  J.  ----------  1013 

Bowen,  Clovis  H.  -------------  101 3 

Bowen,  Edward  S.  -------------  1013 

Bowen  Families  - 1|70,  913>  100l|,  1009,  1266,  2021 
Bowen,  Hon.  Henry  -------------  1012 

Bowen,  James  E.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 911; 

Bowen,  William  H.  (182U-1897)  1013 

Bowen,  William  H.,  M.  D.  ---------  2022 

Bowen,  William  M.  P.  -----------  U70 

Boyd,  James  ----------------  2275 

Boyden  Family  -------------  925 

Boyden,  John  R.  --------------  927 

Boyden,  John  R.  (I838-I667)  --------  927 

Boyden,  Loring  --------------  927 

Brackett,  Dr.  Charles  A.  ---------  620 

Brackett  Family  -------------  620 

Bradford,  Mrs.  Edna  H.  - --  --  --  --  - 21i|2 

Bradford,  Miss  Sarah  -----------  871 

Braman,  Daniel  B.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1)4.5  5 

Braman,  David  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  11|55 

Braman  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  lii5U 
Bransfield,  Capt.  Cornelius  --------  2131 

Bray,  Allen  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 2181; 

Bray  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  - 2I8I4 

Brayton,  Charles  A.  ------------  1652 

Brayton  Families  - - IOD4,  1060,  16 k9 , 2256,  2335 
Brayton,  Frederick  E.  -----------  165 1 

Brayton,  Israel  W.  ------------  1651 

Brayton,  James  M.  -------------  1651 

Brayton,  Mrs.  Lavina  E.  ----------  1015 

Brayton,  Robert  E.  ------------  1015 

Brayton,  Hon.  Walter  F.  ----------  1060 


■« 

• . 1 

a 

, 

...  - - 

■ ~ . 

. 

. 


• • .r 


INDEX 


Brayton,  William  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 2256 

Briden,  Chester  H.  ------------  1876 

Briden,  Thomas  --------------  1875 

Briden,  William  E.  ------------  1876 

Bridgham,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  P.  --------  82 

Bridgham  Family  --------------  80 

Bridgham,  Samuel  W.  (1872-)  --------  85 

Bridgham,  Samuel  W.  (1813-1870)  ------  83 

Bridgham,  Gen.  Samuel  W.  ---------  81 

Briggs,  Alexander  B.,  M.  D.  --------  18U 

Briggs,  Hon.  Asa  S.  ------------  182 

Briggs,  Miss  Eleanor  S.  ----------  273 

Briggs  Families  ---------  182,  208,  2235 

Briggs,  Mrs.  F.  Virginia  ----  - - - - 599 

Briggs,  Jeremiah  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 6I4.O 

Briggs,  Jeremiah  S.  ------------  205 

Briggs,  John  W.  --------------  2235 

Briggs,  Leverett  A.  ------------  185 

Briggs,  Mrs.  Susan  M.  -----------  2236 

Brigham,  Clarence  S.  -----------  115 

Brigham  Family  --------------  113 

Brigham,  Herbert  0.  ------------  115 

Brightman  Family  -------------  508 

Brightman,  William  E.  -----------  510 

Brightman,  William  J.  -----------  509 

Brooks  Family  ---------------  1806 

Brooks,  Roswell  F.  ------  — - - - - 18 06 

Brown,  Abram  A.  --------------  21^5 

Brown . Miss  Ann  F.  ------------  2279 

Brown,  Arthur  W..  - --  --  --  --  --  --  2 II4.6 

Brown,  Asa  W.,M.  D.  -----------  1296 

Brown,  Charles  A.  -------------  2278 

Brown,  Charles  H.  -------------  1750 

Brown,  Cyrus  W.  --------------  112 

Brown,  Hon.  D,  Russell  ---------  — 6 

Brown,  Edwin  R.  --------------  1568 

Brown,  Miss  Ethel  F.  ------------  738 

Brown  Families  -------------  6,  112, 

12+7,  153,  520,  551,  693,  708,  736,  938,  1191,1296, 
11*1*3,  1569,  1660,  1850,  1926,  2132,  21UU,  2278 
Brown,  Frank  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - U4.I 
Brown,  Mrs.  Hannah  B.  W.  ---------  1568 

Brown,  Harris  - ------------  17 h9 

Brown,  Henry  C.  -----  -----  — 2132 

Brown,  Col.  H.  Martin  — ------  — - 153 

Brown,  James  ---------------  522 

Brown,  James  A.  --------------  1U4* 


- - , 

...  - , 

. 

..  , 

, 

. . 


I 


. 

- . 

J LI 

n . 

. - - . . 

. . 

_ - - *! 

. 


.•  . 


INDEX 


Brown,  James  S.  -------------  521 

Brown,  John  H.  -------------  1852 

Brown,  Joseph  F#  ------------  738 

Brown,  Joseph  R*  ------------  69I* 

Brown,  J.  Stacy  -------------  55 1 

Brown,  Dr.  Lucy  H.  A.  ----------  1296 

Brown,  Obadiah  -------------  736 

Brown,  Pardon  F.  ------------  1191 

Brown,  Philip  A,  - --  --  --  --  --  - 2 U4.6 

Brown,  Samuel  S.  ------------  13 00 

Brown,  Miss  Sarah  W.  A.  - --  --  --  - 211*6 

Brown , Stephen  D.  -----------  13 00 

Brown,  Walter  DeF.  ----------  709 

Brownell,  Benjamin  E.  ---------  1900 

Brownell,  Ephraim  W.  ----------  1608 

Brownell  Families  - - 732,  1608,  1673 , 19*00,  2065 
Brownell,  Frederick  R.  - --  --  --  --  167  U 

Brownell,  Mrs.  Harriet  F.  -------  90l* 

Brownell,  Capt.  John  M.  - --  --  --  - 2061* 

Brownell,  Miss  Mary  W.  ---------  735 

Brownell,  Seth  H.  -----------  903 

Brownell,  Stephen  -----------  733 

Browning,  Elisha  H.  ----------  2059 

Browning  Families 1128,  198 1,  1991,  2059 

Browning,  George  N.  - --  --  --  --  - 2021* 

Browning,  John  A.  -----------  662 

Browning,  Miss  Sarah  I.  P.G. ------  662 

Browning,  Stephen  T.  ----------  1982 

Browning,  William  A.  ___  -------  827 

Bryer,  Andrew  --------------  10h7 

Bryer  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 101*6 

Bryer,  Frank  E.  -------------  10i*8 

Bryer,  Henry  u.  10l*7 

Buckland  Family  -------------  1332 

Buckland,  Dr.  Alphonzo  W.  --------  1333 

Buckland,  Mrs.  Helen  A.  ---------  1333 

Bucklin,  Edward  C.  ___________  852 

Bucklin  Families  - --  --  --  --  851,  873,  1271* 
Bucklin,  James  C.  ------------  873 

Bucklin,  Col.  James  T.  P.  --------  127U 

Bucklin,  Miss  Loraine  P.  --------  873 

Budlong  Families 11*3,  1*21,  I38O 

Budlong,  Frank  L.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 1*22 

Budlong,  James  A.  - --  --  --  --  - — 1*  21 

Budlong,  John  C.,  M.  D.  - --  --  --  --  11*3 

Budlong,  Joseph  A.  ------------  1385 

Budlong,  Lyman  A.  ------------  I38O 


» * 

i « 

? 

f 

t* 

. 

. 


!'  '•» 

o 

. f .0  - 

INDEX 


Buell  Family  ---------------  1793 

Buell,  Thomas  A.  -------------  1793 

Buffinton  Family  -------------  U36 

Buffinton,  John  M.  - --  --  --  --  --  - I4.36 

Buffum  Family  - -----------  570 

Buff urn,  Mrs • Phebe  W.  P.  ---------  U02 

Buffum,  Thomas  B.  ------------  571 

Buffum,  William  P.  ------------  571 

Bugbee,  Miss  Elizabeth  D.  --------  1269 

Bugbee  family  --------------  1268 

Bugbee,  James  H.  -------------  1269 

Bugbee,  John  E.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1269 

Bullock  Family  ------------  — 22^3 

Bullock,  George  S.  ------------  22bb 

Bullock,  Dr.  Otis  ------------  22bb 

Bullock,  Mrs.  Sam  H.  -----------  1107 

Burchard,  Hon.  Boswell  B#  --------  96 

Burdick,  Mrs.  Abbey  F.  ----------  1237 

Burdick,  Arthur  G.  ------------  2071 

Burdick,  Charles  H.  -----------  2070 

Burdick,  Edmund  S.  ------------  2070 

Burdick  Family  --------------  2069 

Burdick,  Frederick  N.  - --  --  --  --  - I86I4 

Burdick,  Mrs.  George  N.  ---------  U3 1 

Burdick,  Horace  E.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 2OI4J4 

Burdick,  James  --------------  1236 

Burgess,  Miss  Edith  Sayles  --------  2178 

Burgess,  Edwig  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 2177 

Burgess  Family  --------------  2176 

Burlingame,  Charles  I.----------  12Ul 

Burlingame  Families  - - - - 32U,  12i*l,  12)46,  203I4 
Burlingame,  Henry  A.  ___________  12)4.6 

Burlingame,  Joseph  P. --------  --  203b 

Burlingame,  Nelson  A.  --------  --  203U 

Burlingame,  Mrs.  Ruth  M.  ---------  1775 

Burlingame,  Stephen  -----------  1775 

Burrow,  Mrs.  Janet  ------------  I36O 

Burrow,  William  T.  ------------  1359 

Burrows,  Daniel  -------------  2010 

Burrows,  Edward  G.  ------------  1885 

Burrows  family  --------------  2008 

Burrows,  Joseph  -------------  2008 

Burrows,  Mrs.  Sarah  W.  ----------  1886 

Bush,  Miss  Amelia  S.  --------  - - 20i|ii 

Bush,  Charles  S.  ’^831 

Bush  Families  -------------  83I,  20b3 

Bush,  George  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  20)4)4 


s 


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• • - 



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----- 

„ - - - ~ - - ~ 

- - ~ - - , 

. e ’ - . 

. I 

■ - - - 

. 

. - - - - 

.......  - - , f v'  • 

. - . ------ 

4 » - 

- - • - . 


INDEX 


Butler,  George  W.  -------------  1869 

Buxton  Family  ---------------  1632 

Buxton,  G.  Edward,  M.  D.  --------  - 1633 


Cady  Family  ----------------  218? 

Cady,  John  Hamlin  -------------  2188 

Calder,  Albert  L.  (1862-)  - --  --  --  --  lll4.I1. 

Calder,  Albert  L.  (1825-1899)  11U3 

Calder,  Augustus  W.  ------------  111*1* 

Calder,  Prof.  Edwin  E.  -------  - - - 1151 

Calder  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  111*2,  115 1 

Calder  George  B.  -----------  --  111*1* 

Calef,  Mrs.  Emma  S.  ---------  --  1336 

Calef,  George  C.  - - - ----------  1336 

Gallahan,  George  W.  - - -----  - - - - 1358 

Capwell,  Clark  W.  --------  - - - - 1935 

Capwell  Family  ----------  ----  1935 

Capwell,  Mrs.  Nancy  N.  ------  ----  1935 

Capwell,  William  A.  ------------  1936 

Cargill,  Darwin  -----  -------  221*5 

Cargill,  David  0.  -------------  1617 

Cargill  Families  - --  --  --  --  - — H4.7I4.,  1616 
Cargill,  Welcome  W.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 11*7 1* 

Carmichael,  Mrs.  Abby  S.  - --  --  --  - - 1211* 

Carmichael,  Hon.  George  ----------  1212 

Carpenter,  Albert  G.  -----  ------  1107 

Carpenter,  Charles  E.  -----------  1106 

Carpenter,  Clarence  0.  - --  --  --  - - - 1921* 

Carpenter,  Earl  --------------  1105 

Carpenter  Families  -----------  - 


923,  HOI*,  1252,  1921,  1923,  2307 

Carpenter,  Hon.  George  B.  ---------  2136 

Carpenter,  George  M.  ----------  — 1252 

Carpenter,  Jesse  A.------------  2307 

Carpenter,  John  --------------  1921 

Carpenter,  Nathaniel  G.  ----------  922 

Carr,  Miss  Alice  E.  ------------  2166 

Carr  Families  -------  76I4,  1560,  2029, £161* 


Carr,  Hon.  George  C. -----------  - 1921* 

Carr, George  W.  - - . ------------  2165 

Carr,  John  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  1921* 

Carr,  Hon.  Peleg  C.  ------------  766 

Carr,  Miss  Sarah  W.  ------------  766 

Carr,  Silas  ----------------  2029 

Carr,  Hon.  Thomas  G.  --------  ---  766 

Carr,  William  p.  -------------  1560 

Carry,  Mrs.  William  - --  --  --  --  --  - 11*1*1* 


. 

. .. 


• 

. 

•* 

, 

. 


. 


, 

. J . Jj  .1 

.rr 


. 


INDEX 


Case  Families  ------------  -996,  201b 

Case,  John  P.  --------------  996 

Case,  Mrs.  Martha  W.  - - - - ------  201b 

Case,  Perry  G.  -------  ------  2013 

Cass  Family  ---------------  7 b9 

Cass,  John  W.  --------------  791 

Caswell  Families  - - 209,  1932,  1982,  1998,  219b 
Caswell,  James  T.  ------------  1998 

Caswell,  John  --------------  2199 

Caswell,  William  F.  -----------  1932 

Chace,  Amasa  M.  -------------  788 

Chace,  Miss  Anna  H.  -----------  1196 

Chace,  Arnold  B.  -----  -------  1196 

Chace,  Benjamin  G.  - - - - _______  918 

Chace  Families  -788,  917,  1192,  1287,  1992,  2300 
Chace,  Miss  Geraldine  A.  - - - -----  919 

Chace,  James  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  119b 

Chace,  Jonathan  -------------  1199 

Chace,  Samuel  B.  -----  -------  1196 

Chace,  Mrs.  Sarah  H.  ---  -------  789 

Chadsey,  Alfred  B.  - --  --  --  --  - - 2I4.3 

Chadsey  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  2b2,  U69 

Chadsey,  Henry  R.  - --  --  --  --  --  - I4.68 

Chadsey,  Miss  Hester  A.  ---------  U67 

Chadsey,  William  N. -----------  b67 

Chadsey,  William  N.,  2d---------  b68 

Champion,  Capt.  William  ---------  1968 

Champlin  Families  - -192,  IU03,  1923,  2067,  2082 
Champlin,  George  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  II4.OI4. 
Champlin,  J.  Frank  -----  ------  1923 

Champlin,  John,  M.  D.  ----------  192 

Champlin,  John  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  - H4.OI4. 

Champlin,  John  R.  ------------  lU 1U 

Champlin,  Lewis  A.  -----  ------  2067 

Champlin,  Miss  Mabel  F.  ---------  2002 

Chapin,  Mrs.  Josephine  A.  --------  9UU 

Chapman,  Mrs.  Amy  G.  -------  ---  1377 

Chapman,  Charles  H.  -----------  1826 

Chapman,  Court land  P.  ----------  1829 

Chapman,  Family-  - --  --  --  - --  --  182b 

Chapman,  John  --------------  1829 

Chapman,  Mrs.  Martha  A.  ---------  1829 

Chapman,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  C.  ---  -----  1826 

Chappelle  Family  -------  -----  197b 

Chappelle,  James  H.  -----------  197b 

Chase,  Albert  L.  ------  ------  lb37 

Chase,  Arthur  W.  ------  ------  lb38 


— — - 

. 

. 

■ '■  - . 

- - - I -li*,  so 


ci 

i 


t swr.  -o 

_ , J ;.i.  » fi  ' ... 

— _ — — — t ci.  to  o 

" *.  V C 


• 

. 

! -1 

. 


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~ - . . ' I 

. ■ . 

. 

- - . 

. . • i. 

.A 

. 

. 

. . f>  . 

. 

* < ■ *> 


, . 


INDEX 


Chase,  Constant  C.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 588 

Chase,  Constant  W.  ------------  1952 

Chase,  Daniel  M.  -------------  1R39 

Chase  and  Chace  Fami lies  --------- 

586,  788,  917,  1152,  1207,  li;36,  1653,  1952,  2238 
Chase,  Mrs . Ida  L.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 271 

Chase,  Isaac  ---------------  2232 

Cnase,  John  F.  --------------  169U 

Chase,  John  K.  --------------  1U39 

Chase,  Philip  S.  -------------  587 

Chase,  William  A,  ------------  2238 

Chesebro,  Edmund  D.,  M.  D.  --------  919 

Chesebro  Family  --------  -----  919 

Chester,  Albert  L.  ------------  I36 

Chester,  Daniel  C.  ------------  1179 

Chester  Families  -----------  130,  1179 

Child,  Charles  H.  -----  -------  676 

Child  Family  ---------------  876 

Child,  Joseph  B.  -------------  877 

Chi  Ison  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 1652 

Chilson,  Hon.  LeRoy  L.  ----------  1852 

Church,  Miss  Agnes  -----  --  - - - - 197 

Church,  Capt.  Albert  -----------  357 

Church,  Benjamin  T.  ------  -----  22U9 

Cnurch,  Capt.  Daniel  T.  --------  - 196 

Church  Families  - - 97,  19li,  387,  565,  1765,  22U7 
Church,  Frederick  P.  ------  -----  2309 

Church,  Capt.  George  L.  - - - - -----  200 

Church,  Henry  A.  -------------  568 

Church,  Capt.  Isaac  L.  ----------  197 

Cnurch,  Capt.  James  B.  ----------  195 

Cnurch,  James  C.  -------------  176b 

Church,  Col.  John  -----  -------  97 

Church,  Capt.  Joseph  -----------  197 

Church,  Joseph  H.  -----  - ------  1772 

Church,  ivirs.  Mary  P.  - --  --  --  --  --  197 

Church,  Capt,  Natnaniei  B.  --------  199 

Church,  Peter  ----------  ----  566 

Church,  Samuel  W.  --------  - - - - 1768 

Church,  Stephen  W.  ------------  1770 

Church,  Thomas  L.  -----  - ------  1766 

Church,  William  N.  ------------  1771 

Claflin,  Arthur  W.  ------------  IO38 

Claflin  Family  --------------  1037 

Claflin,  George  E.  ------------  1038 

Claflin,  George  L.  ------------  L037 

Clapp,  Be  la  P.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 910 


..  - 

, 


„ . ~ . , 

— » 


. 

. 

- - . 

_ ..  . 

T£'  1 it'll 

4 

... 

. 

„ _ . 



- , 

„ - . 

. - - - , 

- - - . J.  99 


INDEX 


Clapp  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  9^9  3 1809 

Clapp,  Miss  Marcy  6.  W.  - - - ------  1810 

Clapp,  Miss  Mary  M.  G.  ----------  18 10 

Clapp,  Waterman  ------------  - 1810 

Clark,  Dwight  D.  -------------  1653 

Clark  Families  ------  975 > 1068,  1422,  1780 

Clark,  George  H.  -------------  1422 

Clark,  Harry  C.  ------  -------  1069 

Clark,  Henry  C.  ----------  - - - 1068 

Clark,  Maj . Herbert  A.  - --  --  --  --  - 974 

Clark,  John  F.  --------------  975 

Clark,  Simeon  P.  -------------  1780 

Clark,  William  (185?-) 143 

Clark,  William  (1819-1900)  142 

Clarke,  Carder  H.  --------  ----  1423 

Clarke,  Charles  A.  ------------  1471 

Clarke,  Charles  K.,  M.  D.  - - - -----  1024 

Clarke,  Daniel  A.  --------  ----  1023 

Clarke,  Daniel  A.,  Jr.  ----------  1023 

Clarke,  Dr.  LHsha  P.  - - - - ------  1384 

Clarke,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  - --  --  --  --  - 3 10 

Clarke  Families  ------------  - 308, 

478,  596,  840,  1022,  1120,  1238,  1422,  1872,  2133 
Clarke,  George  L.  ------------  1238 

Clarke,  Mrs.  Hattie  M.  - - - ------  1385 

Clarke,  Henry  A.  ------  ------  1120 

Clarke,  Henry  W.  ------  ------  842 

Clarke,  James  Hamilton  - - - ------  1205 

Clarke,  James  Henry  -----------  3 11 

Clarke,  John  G.  -------------  2133 

Clarke,  Joshua  M.  ------------  480 

Clarke,  Marion  McA.  -----------  312 

Clarke,  Peleg  --------------  596 

Clarke,  Rev.  Pitt  ------------  1238 

Clarke,  Prescott  0.  -----------  1240 

Clarke,  Samuel  H.  ------------  3 11 

Clarke,  Rogers  H.  ------------  311 

Clarke,  Mrs.  Susan  C.  ----------  1206 

Clarke,  Thomas  H.  ------------  1210 

Clarke,  Thomas  W.  D.  - - - - ------  108D 

Clarke,  Thomas  H.  ------------  3 12 

Clarke,  William  L.  -------  - - - - 480 

Clarke,  William  P.  -------  ----  3 10 

Clarke,  William  P. , Jr.  ---------  310 

Clemence,  Daniel  M.  -----------  1938 

Clemen ce  Family  -------------  1688 

Clemence,  Ricnard  W.  - - - -------  1942 


- 


- - - - 

4 • 

- - - 

' 

-» 

* 

. 

. 

V 

rlfc  r >:i6. 

- * • 

• 

<•  « 

• 

s . - 

* 

* 

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•» 

**  • ' ♦ 

. 

« 

, . ' 

* 

• 

4 

. 

• - 

- . r 

- 


INDEX 


Clemence,  Stephen  H.  -----  - 

Clemence,  Stephen  H.,  Jr.  - - - 

Clough,  Mrs.  Ida  E.  -----  - 

Clough  Family  - --  --  --  -- 
Codlin,  Everett  A.  ------- 

Coffin,  Charles  H.  ------- 

Coffin,  Edward  B.  - --  --  -- 
Coffin  Fainily  - --  --  --  -- 
Coffin,  Capt.  James  ------ 

Coffin,  James  E.  -------- 

Coggeshall,  Abraham  ------ 

Co gge shall,  Hon.  Chandler  H.  - - 
Coggeshall,  David  ------- 

Coggeshall  Families  ------ 

57U,  713,  W,  l$lh,  1826, 

Coggeshall,  Francis  J.  - - - - - 
Coggeshall,  Frederick  B.  - - - - 
Coggeshall,  Freeborn  ------ 

Coggeshall,  Rev.  Freeborn  - - - 
Coggeshall,  James  H.  -----  - 

Coggeshall,  Miss  Jessie  L.  - - - 
Coggeshall,  Joseph  R.  - - - - - 
Coggeshall,  Noel  -------- 

Coggeshall,  Peleg  A.  -----  - 

Coggeshall,  Thomas  ------- 

Coggeshall,  William  E.  - - - - - 
Coggeshall,  William  S.  - - - - - 
Cole,  Miss  Abby  A.  ------- 

Cole,  Alvin  F.  --------- 

Cole,  Miss  Asenath  W.  - - - - - 
Cole,  Charles  E.  -------- 

Cole,  Daniel  ---------- 

Cole  Families  ----  ----- 

Cole,  Gilbert  R.  -------- 

Cole,  Isaiah  ---------- 

Cole,  John  G.  -------  - - 

Cole,  Luther  ---------- 

Cole,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  ------- 

Cole,  Nathan  N.  -------- 

Cole,  Nehemian  --------- 

Colley  Family  --------  - 

Colley,  Henry  W.  -------- 

Colley,  William  E.  ----- 

Collins,  Albert  B.  ------- 

Collins,  Alfred  ------  -- 

Collins  Families  -------- 

Collins,  Henry  --------- 

Collins,  Joseph  W.  ------- 


1688 

1689 

1196 

1195 

1639 

1302 

1301 

1301 

116h 

1302 

20U9 

1828 

931 


1927,  200U,  20i;8 

93I 

57li 

71L 

715 

1926 

1928 

2050 

2050 

200U 

2051 

2051 

2050 

177U 

2265 

177U 

226U 

177U 

1772,  2262,  2311 

226U 

177U 

226J4 

2311 

2261; 

226ij. 

2263 

507 

508 

507 

2015 

1288 

8U2,  20 li| 

8U3 

- - - - - bUi 


. 


d A . 


, 

. 

* 

, 

. e i - 

i v«,>o  .rinruou 


INDEX 


Collins,  William  W,  - --  --  --  --  --  - 8U2 

Colt  Family  ----------------  180 

-ifColt,  Le  Baron  B.  - - - - - --  --  --  --  180 

Colvin,  Albertus  M.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 21U2 

Colvin,  Byron  A.  --------  -----  2290 

Colvin,  Mrs.  Clara  A.  -----------  771 

Colvin  Family  ---------------  770 

Colvin,  Rufus  ---------------  2290 

Colvin,  Stephen  --------------  770 

Colvin,  Theodore  H.  ------------  771 

Col-well,  Col.  Augustus  W.  - --  --  --  --  1297 

Colwell  Families  1232,  1297,  1697,  1956 

Colwell,  Franklin  S.  ----------  - I960 

Colwell,  Frederick  A.  - - - ------  - 1299 

Colwell,  John  S.  ------------  - 1760 

Colwell,  Joshua  --  ----------  1232 

Colwell,  Louis  N.  -------------  1232 

Colwell,  Mrs.  Lucina  ------  -----  1832 

Colwell,  Maurice  G.  ------------  1656 

Colwell,  Raymond  p.  ------------  1632 

Colwell,  William  B.  ------------  1657 

Comstock,  Andrew  - --  --  - - --  --  --  119i| 

Comstock,  Benjamin  ----------  --  1763 

Comstock,  Mrs.  Catherine  J.  --------  1696 

Comstock  Families  -------  1192,  1369,  1763 

Comstock,  Frank  P.  ----------  --  119R 

Comstock,  Jonathan  F.  - - -------  - 1193 

Comstock,  Louis  H.  -----------  - 1193 

Comstock,  Metcalf  -------------  1698 

Comstock,  Richard  B.  -------  - - - - 1391 

Comstock,  Walter  J.  ------------  1193 

Comstock,  William  A.  H.  ----------  H9I4. 

Comstock,  William  H.  ------  -----  176U 

Conant  Family  ---------------  66 

Conan t,  Hezekiah  ------------  - 69 

Conant,  Samuel  M.  -------------  71 


Congdon  Families  ---------  - - - - 

- - 317,  h06,  1114,  1125,  1138,  2168 

Congdon,  James  C.  -------------  R06 

Congdon,  Johns  H.  -------------  1127 

Congdon,  Peleg  C.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  H38 

Congdon,  Thomas  B.  ------  ------  R07 

Congdon,  Mrs.  Waity  E.  ---------  - H39 

Congdon,  William  H.  -------  - - - - '317 

Congdon,  William  P.  ------------  ^139 

Congdon,  Hon.  William  W.  - --  - --  --  - 2.168 

Conley,  Mrs.  Ann  L.  ------------  1906 

Colt,  Samuel  P.  --------------  181 


y* 


, 

- . 

- - . 1A  t 

. 

• — . 

, 

- «; 


» - 

- i 

. 

. 

. 

. 

— 

a M «,  m ••  n 


~ — — r.  • • 


. _ - .....  if  , . 

— - ■ . 

. 1 


INDEX 


Conley,  Capt.  Goerge  W. 
Conley,  Patrick  J.  - - 
Conley,  Phineas  A.  - - 
Cook,  Austin  S.  - - - - 
Cook  Families  - - - - 
Cook,  Frederick  - - - - 
Cook,  George  - - - - - 
Cook,  Henry  L.  - - - - 
Cook,  Horace  - - - - - 
Cook,  James  M.  - - - - 
Cook,  Joseph  B.  - - - - 
Cook,  Lewis  F.  - - - - 
Cook,  Lyman  A.  - - - - 
Cook,  Mrs.  Ruth  T.  - - 
Cook,  Walter  S.  - - - - 
Cook,  Willis  - - - - - 
Cooke  Families  - - - - 
Cooke,  Henry  W.  - - - - 
Cooke,  Joseph  J.  - - - 
Cooke,  Joseph  S.  - - - 
Cooke,  Nicholas  - - - - 
Cooke,  Mrs.  Sally  L.  - 
Cooke,  William  - - - - 
Coon,  Charles  B.  - - - 
Coon  Family  ------ 

Cornell,  Benjamin  F.  - 
Cornell,  Miss  Ellen  - - 
Cornell  Families  - - - 
Cornell,  Howard  P.  - - 
Cornell,  James  - - - - 
Cornell,  James  M.  - - - 
Cornell,  Rev.  John,  M. 
Cornell,  William  - - - 
Cornell,  William  0.  - - 
Cory  Family  ------ 

Cory,  William  H.  - - - 
Cotton  Family  - - - - - 
Cotton,  William  H.  - - 
Cottrell,  A.  Frank  - - 
Cottrell,  Mrs.  Agnes  C* 
Cottrell,  Arthur  M.  - - 
Cottrell,  Mrs.  Calista 
Cottrell,  Calvert  Byron 
Cottrell,  C.  Byron,  Jr. 
Cottrell,  Charles  M.  - 
Cottrell,  Charles  P.  - 
Cottrell,  Edgar  H.  - - 
Cottrell  Families  - - 


2332 

- - 1907 



■  1585 

91,  1196,  158U,  189b,  2257 

■  1197 

1196 

1699 

- - 156U 

933 

•  1899 

- 2257 

92 

- - 2179 

•  1197 

-  92 

889,  11*63 

691 

- - 891 

890 

■  889 

11*64 

1L63 

- - - - - 1*12 

- - 1*12 

- 1352 

1178 

- - 662,  672,  1177,  1352 

----------  665 

-------  - - - 665 

----------  666 

A. 672 

--  1177 

665 

- - 1706 

1706 

7L 

76 

201 

78 

78 

C. 201 

77 

78 

- 803 

7b 

77 

76,  802,1206 


. ti^L-  . '0- 


'H 


. 


• 

kaO 

itij  . bW 

• ■ < 

. » . 

. 

, 

« 

. 

. 

, 

. 

. 

. 

, 

- 3-  • '? 


< i 

. .( I siJ'd'oO 


INDEX 


Cottrell,  John  6.  -------------  1182 

Cottrell,  John  T.  -------------  1181 

Cottrell,  Michael  -------------  803 

Cottrell,  Robert  C.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 8OI4. 

Coudray,  Laurence  W.  -------  - - - - 1399 

Covell  Family  ---------------  1866 

Coveil,  William  H.  --------  ----  1887 

Cowell  Family  ---------------  719 

Cowell,  John  A.  --------------  719 

Cowles,  James  S.  ----------  - - - 2076 

Coy  Family  -------------  - - - 1826 

Cozzens  FamiLy  -----------  - - - 5U1 

Cozzens,  Henry  W.  -------------  5U2 

Cozzens,  William  C.  ------------  5hl 

Crafts,  Albert  B.  -------------  1635 

Crafts  Family  ---------------  I63U 

Crafts,  Rev.  Frederic  A.------  - - - 1635 

Cram,  Mrs.  Abbie  Pomroy  ----------  1201 

Crandall,  Alanson  -------------  962 

Crandall,  Mrs.  Alice  S.  - --  --  --  --  - lij.52 
Crandall,  Albert  N. ------------  181U 

Crandall  Brothers  -------------  1671 

Crandall  Families  - - 519,  1115,  1375,  1516,  1812 
Crandall,  Frederick  J.  ------  - - - - 1375 

Crandall,  George  N.  ------------  15 16 

Crandall,  Ira  B.  - --  --  --  - - --  --  18 13 

Crandall,  Joseph  C.  - --  --  --  --  --  - U4.5I 
Crandall,  Mrs.  Ruth  C.  ------  - - - - 520 

Crandall,  William  E. -------  - - - - 519 

Crandell  Family  --------------  1115 

Cranston  Families  - --  --  --  --  - fj.lj.9 , 1527 

Cranston,  Francis  A.  - --  --  --  --  - - J4.5 1 

Cranston,  George  C.  ------------  I338 

Cranston,  Hon.  George  T.  - - - - - - - - - 1337 

Cranston,  Henry  C.  - --  --  --  --  - - - I4.51 

Cranston,  William  S.  ---------  --  1527 

Crins  Family  --------------  - 5U3 

Grins,  William  H.  -------------  5U3 

Crombe,  Miss  Carrie  L.  --------  --  13UU 

Crombe,  Charles  T,  - --  --  --  --  - - - I3I4.I4. 

Crombe  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  I3I4.3 

Crosby  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  I4.I8 

Crosby,  Herbert  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 1*  20 
Crosby,  Hon.  John  H.  ---------  --  1*18 

Crosby,  Mrs.  Martha  E.  --------  --  711 

Crosby,  Thomas  ------------  --  711 

Cross,  Elisha  W.  -----------  --  1611 

Crandell,  William  T. _ _ 


5 I 


■ - , 

. 

.0 

■ , 

, 

. 

. 


'b 

• . 

. 

<» 

. 

• . 

■ --  ~ ... 

- . 

• ~ 1 

. 

. 

» 


INDEX 


Cross  Families  - - - - - 
Cross,  Mrs.  Frances  C.  - 
Cross,  George  C.  - - - - 
Cross,  John  A.  - - - - - 
Cross,  Hon.  William  D.  - 
Crowell,  Mrs.  Albert  E. 
Crowell  Family  ----- 

Crowninshield,  Eugene  F. 
Crowninshield  Family  - - 
Crumb,  A.  G.  -----  - 

Crumb,  Alonzo  F.  - - - - 
Crumb  Family  ------ 

Cudworth  Family  - - - - 
Cudworth,  Freeman  - - - 
Currier,  Andrew  J . - - - 
Curtis  Family  - - - - - 
Curtis,  George  - - - - - 
Cushing,  Arthur  - - - - 
Cushing,  Edward  Jarvis  - 
Cushing  Family  ----- 

Cushing,  Herbert  E.  - - 
Cutler,  Charles  R.  - - - 
Cutler,  Charles  W.  - - - 
Cutler,  Edward  R.  - - - 
Cutler  Family  - - - - - 


935,  1127,  1U0 9,  1611 

1612 

1J|09 

935 

- 1127 

328 

392 

183U 

183U 

U58 

13UU 

— U58 

-  1956 

1956 

1097 

86 

85 

_ 2108 

2108 

2106 

2109 

1U19 

- - 1U20 

-  1U20 

Ihl8 


Daignault,  Godfroy  ------------  2318 

Daniels  Family  --------------  2031 

Darling,  Charles  C.  -------  - - - - 800 

Darling,  Charles  H.  -------  ----  IbSb 

Darling,  Edwin  --------------  315 

Darling  Families  ------------- 

- -312,  801,  1317,  1360,  1528,  1925 

Darling,  George  C,  ------------  1531 

Darling,  George  H.  ------------  1530 

Darling,  Gilbert  - --  --  --  --  --  --  lij.53 

Darling,  Herbert  C.  -----  ------  972 

Darling,  John  A.  -------------  1529 

Darling,  John  0.  -------------  1530 

Darling,  John  Q.  -------------  1925 

Darling,  Levi  B.  -------------  1317 

Darling,  Lucius  B.  (2)----------  315 

Darling,  Gov.  Lucius  B.  - - - ------  313 

Darling,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  - - - - ------  316 

Darling,  Mrs.  Mathilda  B.  - - - - - - 1318 

Darling,  Ruel  S. -------------  971 

Darling,  Samuel  ---  ----------  I36I 


, 

. - . A. 

. 

, „ . „ - ■ - ♦ X , . 

. ..  ,U 

. .. 


. . 

- , t. 


fi 

» 

• 

« 

•M 

, 

<• 

■ 

« 

• 

.4 

. - 

INDEX 


Darling,  Samuel  S.  ------------  317 

Darrah  Family  --------  ------  58l 

Darrah,  Rufus  E.,  M.  D.  - - - ------  580 

Dauray,  Rev.  Father  Charles  - - - - - - - 1628 

Davis,  Bur  rill  H.  - --  --  --  --  - - - 13  514- 

Da  vis  , Daniel  N.  -------------  17U8 

Davis,  Darius  B.  -------------  1758 

Davis,  Hon.  Elisha  ------------  1757 

Davis,  Mrs.  Emma  P.  ------  _____  2235 

Davis  Families  ------  -1050,  1125>  1355 ,1753 

Davis,  Fred  S.  --------------  1758 

Davis,  Galen  ---------------  1355 

Davis,  George  W.  -------------  2235 

Davis,  James  M.  -------  ------  1051 

Davis,  Jeffrey  --------------  1051 

Davis,  Miss  Jennie  ------------  885 

Davis,  John  W.  --------------  1756 

Davis,  Simeon  --------  ------  885 

Davis,  William  D.  -----  - ------  1051 

Davol,  Mrs.  Charles  S.  ----------  1885 

Dawley,  Amos  J. ---------  - - - - 1905 

Daw ley  Family  ----------  ----  1905 

Dawley,  Mrs.  Maud  C,  -----------  708 

Day,  Frank  L.,M.  D.  ---------  --  2333 

Dean  Family  -----------  ____  579 

Dean,  John  M.  ----------  - - - - 580 

Dean,  Robert  W.  -----------  --  580 

Dean,  Mrs.  Susan  G.  ---------  --  356 

Demin g Family  ------------  --  656 

Deming,  Henry  B.  -------------  657 

Deming,  Richard  H.  ------------  657 

Dempsey,  James  --------------  396 

Dempsey,  William  P.  - - - - -------  396 

Denison  Family  --------------  202 

Denison,  Rev.  Frederic  ----------  203 

Dennis,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  ----------  1732 

Dennis  Family  ---------  -----  1731 

Dennis,  John  R.  --------  _____  1731 

Depew,  Mrs.  Edward  D.  - - - - - -----  1527 

Dewing,  Mrs.  Ardelia  C.  - - - - - - - - - 297 

Dewing  Family  ---------  296 

Dewing,  Martin  --------------  296 

De  Wolf  Families  ------------  181,  289 

De  Wolf,  Dr.  Halsey  -----  ------  290 

De  Wolf,  John  W 290 

Dexter  Family  -------  -------  68 0 

Dexter,  Henry  B.  -------------  682 


\ 


, 

, 

■ , 

- 

. 

. ~ 

, } 

, A 

9 

. 

* 

. . — • • 

, 

~ 

, 

. V 


. 

- - 

. 

„ 

INDEX 


Dexter,  James  C.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  681* 

Dexter,  Simon  VI.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  681 

Diman,  Hon.  Byron  - - - ---------  871 

Diman  Family  ---------------  868 

Diman,  Prof.  Jeremiah  L.  ---------  872 

Diman,  Miss  Louise  ------------  872 

Dimond,  Francis  M.  ------------  869 

Dimond,  Hon.  Francis  M.  -----  ----  870 

Dimond,  Samuel  C. --------  - - - - 869 

Dixon  Family  ---------------  185 

Dixon,  Hon.  Nathan  F.  (181*7-1897) 187 

Dixon,  Hon.  Nathan  F.  (1812-1681)  - - - - 186 

Dixon,  Walter  P.  -------------  188 

Dodge,  Edward  M.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1*96 

Dodge  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1*96,  981* 
Doe,  Mrs.  Sohia  S.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 1*0 

Douglas,  Charles  H.  J.,  A.  M.  - - - - - - 2219 

Douglas,  Daniel  S.  ------------  2217 

Douglas  Family  -----  --------  2215 

Douglas,  Henry  F.  ----------  --  2218 

Dow,  Robert  --------------  - 2139 

Downes  Family  -------------  - 2080 

Downes,  Lewis  T.  -------------  2081 

Draper,  Alpha  A.  -------------  2308 

Draper  Family  ---------  -----  1002 

Draper,  George  B.  -------  -----  1002 

Draper,  Noah  ---------------  1208 

Bring,  Miss  Caroline  A.  -------  --  530 

Bring,  Charles  H.  ----------  --  530 

Dring,j Charles  P.  ------------  528 

Bring  Families  ------------  528,  1058 

Bring,  John  --------------  - 1059 

Bring,  Robert  L.  -------------  1060 

Dring,  William  C.  -----------  - 1060 

Drown,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  -----------  1883 

Drown,  Benjamin  - --  --  --  --  - - - - 1881* 

Drown,  Benjamin  F.  ------------  1883 

Drown,  Miss  Emily  J.  -----------  I883 

Drown  Families  ------------  1880,  2223 

Drown,  Frank  S. ------------  - 1882 

Drown,  Henry  F.  ------------  - I883 

Drown,  James  B.  ------------  - 1885 

Drown,  Joshua  C.  -------------  I683 

Drown,  Mrs.  Susan  M.  - --  --  --  --  --  1881* 

Drowne  Family  ------------  --  281 

Drowne,  Henry  B.  -------------  285 

Drowne,  Henry  T.  -------------  285 

Drowne,  Dr.  Solomon  ---------  --  282 


, • 

, 

, 

- . 

. 

. - 8 ..  i 

, ■ 

. 

~ - » 

. , 

, 

, 

- ~ - . 

.. 


INDEX 


Drowne , Solomon  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 28J4 

Drowne,  Thomas  R.  - - - - - --  --  --  - 281; 

Drowne,  Thomas  S.  - - - - --------  285 

Drowne,  William  ----------  - - - 283 

Duckworth,  Milton,  M.  D.  - --  --  --  --  117  U 

Duffy,  Mrs.  Annie  M.  - --  --  --  --  --  2268 

Duke,  Charles  ------------  --  1968 

Dulude,  Frederic  -------------  1950 

Dunne 11  Family  --------------  UU5 

Dunnell,  Jacob  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 886 

Dunne 11 , William  W.  -----  - -----  UU7 

Durfee  Families  ---------  --  1289,  2053 

Durfee,  James  C.  -------------  205d 

Durfee,  Hon.  Job-------------  1290 

Durfee,  John  B.  ----------  ---  2053 

Durfee,  Pnilip  B.  ---------  ---  2290 

Durfee,  Philip  H.  ---------  ---  2289 

Durfee,  Samuel  S. ---------  ---  1291 

Durfee,  Thomas  --------------  1289 

Durfee,  William  H.  ------------  205U 

Dutemple,  Edward  P.  -------  - - - - 1768 

Dutemple,  William  R.  -----------  1288 

Dyer,  Gov.  Elisha  (1811-1890)  ------  2 

Dyer,  Gov.  Elisha  (1839-1906)  ------  1 

Dyer  Families  -------------  1,  I33O 

Dyer,  Rodney  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  - - 1331- 

Dyer,  Miss  Sarah  E.  ----------  - 1331 

Earle  Family  ---------------  993 

Earle,  Ralph  B.  ---------  - - - - 998 

Earle,  William  H.  --------  ----  998 

Eastman  Family  --------------  1500 

Eastman,  James  H.  ---------  - - - 1500 

Easton,  Benjamin  -------------  88 9 

Easton  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  - - - I4.I4.8 

Easton,  Col.  Frank  T.  -------  - - - 2332 

Easton,  William  ----------  ---  2331 

Eastwood,  Rev.  Benjamin  - --  --  - - - - 1887 

Eastwood,  Hon.  Eastwood  - --  --  - - - - 1886 

Eastwood,  Mrs.  Sarah  -----------  1886 

Eaton  Family  ---------------  1259 

Eaton,  Dr.  Reuben  F.  -----------  1259 

Eddy  Families 330,  2239 

Eddy,  Henry  W.  --------------  2281 

Eddy,  James  ---------  ------  329 

Eddy,  James  M.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 2281 

Eddy,  Miss  Mary  Smith  - --  --  --  - - - 2281 


1 

- 

' 

. 


c > 

, 

. 


INDEX 


Eddy,  Dr.  Raymond  P.  -----------  795 

Eddy,  Miss  Sarah  J.  -------  - - - - 331 

Eddy,  Stephen  ----------  ----  1868 

Edmond,  Mrs.  Mary  J. -----------  288 

Edwards,  Daniel  M. , M.  D.  - - - - - - - - 339 

Edwards  Family  --------------  228 

Edwards,  John  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1529 

Edwards,  Lafayette  ------------  228 

Edwards,  Mrs.  Laura  ------  -----  339 

Eldredge  Family  --------  -----  293 

Eldredge,  Henry  P.  ------------  296 

Elsbree  Family  --------------  2078 

Elsbree,  Shirley  A.  -------  ---_  2078 

Elsbree,  William  -------------  1016 

Esten  Families  ------------  2226,  2259 

Esten,  Fred  L.  --------------  2250 

Esten,  George  W.  -------------  2227 

Esten,  Leprelett  -------------  2309 

Esten,  Windsor  --------------  2259 

Evans,  Bailey  W.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  3)4.5 

Evans,  Duty  ---------  ------  359 

Evans  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  --  3)4.14,  358 
Evans,  Henry  R.  --------  -----  359 

Fairbanks,  Mrs.  Mary  S.  --------  - 75 

Fales  Families  ---------  - - - 85*  lh25 

Fales,  Joseph  E.  --------  ---  - 1528 

Fales,  LeRoy  ---------------  1527 

Fales,  Warren  R.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1)427 

Farnsworth,  Claude  J.  ----------  983 

Farnsworth  Family  -------  -----  98 1 

Farnsworth,  John  P. ------  -----  983 

Farnum,  Mrs.  A.  Gertrude  ---------  i860 

Farnum,  Alonzo  T.  -------  -----  2017 

Farnum,  Charles  W.  ------------  292 

Farnum,  Cyrus  ---------  -----  1752 

Farnum  Families  --------  - - - 1878,  2017 

Farnum,  Harris  S. -----------  - 1752 

Farnum,  Herbert  R. ------------  1878 

Farnum,  Howard  W.  ---------  - - - 292 

Farnum,  Jerome  B.  ---------  ___  1110 

Farnum,  Mrs.  Saran  J. -------  ---  1111 

Farnum,  Mrs.  Susan  G.  - --  --  --  ___  9143 

Farwell,  Frederick  S. -------  - - - 258 

Faunce  Family  -----------  - - - 155 

Faunce,  William  H.  P,,  A.  M.,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.  - 155 
Fenner,  Mrs.  Ellen  T.  - --  --  --  - --  193)4 

Fenner  Families  ----------  - 525 * 1078 


, 

, 

, 

. 

. 


INDEX 


Fenner,  Herbert  N.  - --  --  -- 
Fenner,  Nicholas  A.  ------ 

Fenner,  William  H.  ------- 

Fenton  Family  --------- 

Fenton,  Frederick  P.  ------ 

Ferretti,  Antonio  G.  ------ 

Field,  Mrs.  James  F.  ------ 

Fifield,  Mrs.  Abbie  F.  - - - - - 
Fifield  Fami Ly  --------- 

Fifield,  Henry  A.  -----  - 

Fifield,  Dr.  Moses  ------- 

Fifield,  Rev.  Moses  ------ 

Fish  Family  ---------- 

Fish,  James  L.  --------- 

Fisher,  Hon.  Gharles  H.,  M.  D.  - 
Fisher  Family  --------- 

Fisher,  Dr.  George  R.  -----  ■ 

Fisher,  Lewis  T.  -------- 

Fiske  Families  --------- 

Fiske,  Frank  ---------- 

Fiske,  Rev.  George  McC. , S.  T.  D 
Fiske,  John  T. , Jr*  ------ 

Fiske,  Nathan  --------- 

Fitts  Family  ---------- 

Fitts,  Henry  L.  -------- 

Fitts,  James  S.  -------- 

Fitts,  Joseph  D*  -------- 

Fitz,  Arthur  S.  -------- 

Fitz,  Edward  E.  -------- 

Fitz  Family  ---------- 

Fitz , Howard  W.  - --  --  --  - 
Fitz,  Rev.  William  ------ 

Flagg,  Miss  Elizabeth  M.  - - - - 
Fletcher,  Charles  ------- 

Fletcher,  Henry  -------- 

Fletcher,  Joseph  E*  -----  - 

Fleurant,  Pierre  J.  ------  ■ 

Flint,  Alonzo  --------- 

Flint,  Mrs.  Drusilla  P.  - - - - • 
Flint,  Mrs.  Susan  A.  -----  - 

Flint,  William  W.  ------- 

Follett  Family  --------- 

Follett,  Horace  A. 

Fontaine,  John  B*  -------- 

Fontaine,  Walter  F.  ------  • 

Foster,  Amos  0.  -------- 

Foster,  Charles  S.  ------- 


527 

526 

I93h 

1823 

1822 

2298 

$hh 

690 

688 

691 

690 

689 

2291 

2291 

iuai 

670 

1UU3 

670 

135,  1207,  2237 

1208 

135 

- 1208 

2237 

1160 

1162 

1162 

1162 

1U69 

1U69 

- - - 11+68 

11+70 

11+68 

2111+ 

1+1+ 

1176 

- - - - 1+6 

- - - - 2055 

_ _ _ _ 1692 

- - - - 1817 

1693 

- - - - 1816 

11+32 

11+32 

2205 

2205 

1990 

13U8 


. 

. 

. 

«T 


, V ' a 

INDEX 


Foster,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  P.  ---------  367 

Foster  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  13)16,  1990 

Foster,  J.  Herbert  -----------  - 768 

Foster,  John  B*  --------------  367 

Foster,  Joseph  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  I3I4.7 

Foster,  Samuel  -------  -------  767 

Fowler,  Mrs.  Sarah  B.  -----------  972 

Frame,  Robert  ---------------  2086 

Francis,  E.  Charles  ------------  661 

Francis  Family  -------  -------  660 

Frankenstein,  Mrs.  Fanny  D. --------  1606 

Frankenstein,  Louis  J. -------  ---  1606 

Franklin  Family  --------------  2095 

Franklin,  William  B.  -------  - - - - 2095 

Freeman,  Edward  L.  ---------  ---  705 

Freeman  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  - --  70)4 

Freeman,  Joseph  W.  ---------  - - - 708 

Freeman,  William  C.  ------------  707 

French,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  S.  ---------  3UU 

French  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  3I43 

French,  Col.  George  T.  - --  --  --  - - - 3I4.U 

Friend  Family  ---------------  1858 

Friend,  John  M.  --------------  1858 

Fuller,  George  A.  -------------  1713 

Fuller,  Mrs.  Lizzie  S. -------  - - - 913 

Gallup  Family  -----------  --  - 1750 

Gallup,  Dr.  Julius  C.  -------  --  - 1751 

Gardiner,  Aldridge  B.  -----------  2303 

Gardiner,  Miss  Antoinette  A.  - - - - - - - 5ii9 

Gardiner,  Charles  C. -------  ----  1625 

Gardiner,  Miss  Edna  R.  ---------  - 1919 

Gardiner,  Edwin  R.  -----------  - 1917 

Gardiner  Families  ------------- 

3314,  335,  370,  1808,  1917,  2301,  2319,2323 

Gardiner,  Fred  0.  -------------  2323 

Gardiner,  Henry  K.,  M.  D.  ---------  383 

Gardiner,  Herbert  M.  -----  - -----  2319 

Gardiner,  Jeremiah  B.  -----------  5U8 

Gardiner,  Stephen  B.  - --  --  --  --  - - 33)4 

Gardner,  Alfred  B.  -----------  - ll;35 

Gardner,  Clarence  E.,  M.  D.  --------  I2I4I4 

Gardner,  Clarence  T.,  M.  A.,  M.  D.  - - - - 12k 

Gardner  Families  -----------  -- 

12U,  33U,  335,  370,  923,  1371,  1U35,  2060 

Gardner,  George  T. -----------  - 1371 

Gardner,  Miss  Georgians  ----------  1372 

Gardner,  Henry  W.  -------------  335 


. 

, 

. - . . - . 

t 

- 

- , 

, .0  . 

. 

. 

- 

• 0 > 

— ^ 

- • 

- - - - o 

, 

------  . . ■ 

- . -----  - . jao-i 

- - - ...... 

tug 


INDEX 


Gardner,  Mrs*  Martha  A.  ----------  92l* 

Gardner,  Rathbone  -------------  336 

Gardner,  Richard  ---  ----------  166? 

Gardner,  Robert  T.  - - ----------  2059 

Gardner,  Capt.  Samuel  -----------  725 

Gardner,  Thomas  A.  -----  -------  371 

Gardner,  Walter  S . - - - - - _______  121*3 

Gardner,  William  C.  ------------  33U 

Gardner,  Z.  Herbert  ------------  923 

Garrettson  Family  -------------  7 00 

Garretts on,  Frederick  P . - - - ------  703 

Gaulin,  Alphonse,  Sr.  -----------  1835 

Gavitt,  Mrs.  Ella  L.  M.  ----------  19 03 

Gay,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  -------------  I319 

Gifford,  Miss  Emma  C.  - - -------  2221 

Gifford,  Capt.  Ezra  ------------  2220 

Gifford  Family  --------  ------  2220 

Gilbert,  Alexander  ------  ------  199b 

Gillies,  Duncan  --------------  600 

Gillies,  James  M.  -------------  2298 

Girard  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  201*6 

Girard,  George  N.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  201*6 

Gladding,  Benjamin  C.  - --  --  --  --  --  I3I* 
Gladding,  Charles  A.  -----  ------  667 

Gladding,  Daniel  W.  ------------  2126 

Gladding  Families  -------------  133, 

666,  718,  865,  1006,  1086',  1279,  2126,  2152,  2221* 
Gladding,  Frederic  F.  -----------  1281 

Gladding,  George  A.  ------------  2225 

Gladding,  Henry  --------------  1086 

Gladding,  Henry  C.  - - - - --------  865 

Gladding,  John  R.  -------------  667 

Gladding,  Mrs.  Julia  A.  ----------  2225 

Gladding,  Martin  H.  ------------  1087 

Gladding,  Royal  H.  ---------  ---  1007 

Gladding,  Sanford  T.  --------  ---  1088 

Gladding,  Sidney  B.  ------------  1087 

Gladding,  Thomas  --------  -----  1087 

Gladding,  Thomas  C.  ------------  718 

Gladding,  William  B.  --------  - - - 135 

Glines,  Mrs.  Charles  T.  ----------  271 

Goff,  Darius  ----------  -----  17 

Goff,  Darius  L.  --------------  20 

Goff  Families  --------------  16,  27 h 

Goff,  Col.  Isaac  L.  -----  -----  27b 

Goff,  Lyman  B.  ---------  -----  21 

Goffe,  Augustus  --------------  1522 

Goffe,  Miss  Kate  A.  ------------  1523 


, a , i 

. 

* 

. 

— -» 


, 

. j a 


• I 

. 


• * 


- , 

< > 


^5  /{  j * 

. 

- - - - 

------  . . 

[ - _ - 

c 

i i f 


INDEX 


Goldsmith,  William  H.  -----------  899 

Gooding  Family  --------  ------  U475 

Gooding,  Dr.  Gertrude  - --  --  --  --  --  II4.79 

Goodwin,  Almon  K.  -------------  10U5 

Goodwin  Family  ---------  -----  lOUU 

Goodwin,  William  F.  ------------  1150 

Gorham  Families  ----------  861,  9k2,95h 

Gorham,  Prof.  Frederic  P.  ---------  996 

Gorham,  Howard  B.  -------------  956 

Gorham,  Jabez  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  9I4.3 

Gorham,  John  - --  --  - _________  9J4.I1. 

Gorham,  LaFayette  -------------  862 

Gorham,  Samuel  --------  ------  955 

Gorham,  William  M.  -----  - ------  862 

Gorham,  William  T.  ------  ------  862 

Gorton,  Burroughs  -------------  380 

Gorton,  Charles  --------------  922 

Gorton,  Elihu  ---------------  231U 

Gorton  Families  - - - 801,  920,  1056,  1098,  1267 

Gorton,  George  0.  -------------  920 

Gorton,  George  T.  -------------  1100 

Gorton,  George  W.  -------------  1098 

Gorton,  Henry  C.  ------  -------  1056 

Gorton,  Jason  T.  -----  - -------  1058 

Gorton,  John  --------  -------  801 

Gorton,  Thomas  W.  -------------  2326 

Gosling,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  A.  - - - - --  --  IJ4I4.5 

Gosling  Family  ---------  - - - - - Ihhh 

Gosling,  George  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - ll4.l4.J4 

Gould  Families  -------  -----811,  1393 

Gould,  William  G.  -------------  1395 

Graham,  James  ---------------  2027 

Granger,  Daniel  L.  D.  -----------  650 

Granger  Families  - --  --  - --  --  - 61t7,  988 

Granger,  Rev.  James  N.,  D.  D.  - --  --  --  6)4.9 

Granger,  William  S.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 988 

Grant  Families  ---------  --  1089,  1125 

Grant,  Fenner  ---------------  1125 

Grant,  Capt.  George  H.  - - - - ______  1089 

Gray  Family  ----------------  1169 

Gray,  George  A.  --------------  1169 

Gray,  Miss  Lizzie  A.  -------  - - - - 1170 

Green,  Arnold  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  89I4 

Green  Family  -----  __________  89I4 

Green,  Henry  H.  --------------  2128 

Green,  Joseph  L.  -----  --------  2129 

Green,  Theodore  Francis  ----------  896 

Greene,  Mrs.  Annie  B.  -----------  839 


. , 

. 

, 

, 

— 

, f 

. 

, 

, 

- . 

. 

e i 

. 

- ■ 

INDEX 


Greene,  Albert  S.  -------------  2251 

Greene,  Benjamin  F.  ------------  637 

Greene,  Hon.  Charles  J.  ----------  59 2 

Greene,  Charles  W.  - --  --  - --  --  --  8I4.O 

Greene,  Edward  Aborn  ----  -------  807 

Greene,  Edward  Alonzo  -----------  636 

Greene  Families  - - 222,  298,  I4.OI4.,  14.07*  U32,  59% 

80U,  836,  86U,  89I4*  1176,  12li9,  1262,  1602,  1756* 
2251 

Greene,  Prof.  George  W.  ----------  1252 

Greene,  Mrs.  Hannah  C.  -------  ---  807 

Greene,  Hon.  Henry  L.  -----------  807 

Greene,  H.  Franklin  ------------  839 

Greene,  Howard  J. -------------  1160 

Greene,  James  Allen  - --  --  --  --  --  - I4.3I4. 

Greene,  James  Anthony  -----------  223 

Greene,  Mrs.  John  C.  - - - - - - --  --  - 76I4. 

Greene,  John  H.  --------------  [*33 

Greene,  Joseph  W.  -------------  223 

Greene,  Lauriston  H.  - --  --  - --  --  - 1*05 

Greene,  Mary  A.,  LL.  B.  ----------  298 

Greene,  Miss  Mary  Ward  ----  ------  1252 

Greene,  Mi lien  S.  -------------  1067 

Greene,  Maj.-Gen.  Nathanael  --------  1250 

Greene,  Dr.  Nathaniel  -----------  1252 

Greene,  Nathaniel  R.  -----  ------  1251 

Greene,  Richard  F.  ------  ------  839 

Greene,  Simon  H.  -------  ------  805 

Greene,  Stephen  M.  ------  ------  1756 

Greene,  William  C.  ------  - --  --  - l*ol* 

Greene,  William  Chace  -----------  1602 

Greenman,  Alonzo  A.  ------------  1807 

Greenman  Family  --------------  1913 

Greenman,  George  S.  ------------  1912 

Greenman,  Capt.  Silas  B.  - - - - - --  --  1911* 

Griffin,  Arthur  --------------  1969 

Griffin  Family  - --  --  - - --  --  --  - H63 

Griffin,  Miss  Sarah  E.  - - - - ------  1161* 

Griffin,  Stephen  W.  - --  --  --  --  --  - H63 

Grinnell  Families  -----------  601,  2017 

Grmneil,  Frederick  - --  --  --  --  --  - 603 

Grinnell,  Mrs.  Mary  B.  - --  --  - --  --  60i* 

Grinnell,  Russell  - --  --  --  --  --  --  6OJ4. 

Groff,  Albert  G.  ------  -------  1312 

Groff,  Albert  G. , Jr.  -----------  1313 

Groff  Family 1312 

Gross  Family  --------  -------  302 

Gross,  George  L.  ------  - - - 3OI4 


. 


, 

. 

. 

. 


C 


• ' 1 ' J* 

. . •It'.:  ' 


INDEX 


Gross,  Col.  Harold  J.  -----------  304 

Gross,  Col.  John  M.  ------------  303 

Groves,  Samuel  E.  -------------  2241 

Guild  Families  - --  --  -------  127?  45  2 

Guild,  Reuben  A.,  A.  M.,  LL.  D.  -----  - 127 

Guiteras,  Miss  Gertrude  E.  - - - - - - - - 375 

Hadley,  George  A.  -------------  2066 

Hail,  Edward  L.  --------------  369 

Hail  Family  ----------------  368 

Hail,  George  ----  -----------  368 

Hail,  George  G.  --------------  369 

Hail,  Nathan  B.  --------------  370 

Haire,  John  T.  - - - -----------  528 

Haire,  Joseph  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  964 

Hale,  E.  Crawford  -------------  1187 

Hale  Family  ----------------  1187 

Hall,  Mrs.  Addie  B.  ------------  1353 

Hall,  Anthony  D.  ------  _______  888 

Hall,  Benjamin  -------  -------  1072 

Hall,  Hon.  Benjamin  ------------  107 0 

Hall  Families  980,  1070,  1184,  1214,  2193 

Hall,  George  G.  --------------  887 

Hall,  George  p.  --------------  1071 

Hall,  Herbert  F. 1353 

Hall,  Miss  Mary  C. 1072 

Hall,  Nelson  Read,  M.  D.  - - -------  2193 

Hall,  Capt.  Philip  D.  -----------  1185 

Hall,  Robert,  M.  D. 201 

Hall,  Robert  D.  --------------  1214 

Hall,  Robert  D.,  Jr.  --------  ---  1216 

Hall,  William  H. 980 

Hambly,  Charles  A.  ---------  ---  1188 

Hambly  Family  ---------------  1188 

Hambly,  Mrs.  Mary  J . - - - - - ------  1189 

Hammett,  Clarence  A.  -----  ------  782 

Hammett  Families  ---------  538,  7&0,  906 

Hammett,  Fred  M.  ----------  ---  907 

Hammett,  Lincoln  ----------  ---  907 

Hammett,  William  H.  ------------  538 

Hammond  Family  -------  -------  1844 

Hammond,  Hon.  George  W.  ----------  1844 

Hampton,  James  H.  -------------  226 9 

Hanan,  Mrs.  John  H.  ------------  208 

Handy,  Mrs.  Euphemia  -------  - - - - 1186 

Handy  Family  -----------  ----  1185 

Handy,  Russell  ----------  --_-  1185 

Hardwick,  George  ---------  ----  1916 


, 

. 

. , . ...  . . 


» 

. tr. 

.A 


. 


, 


INDEX 


Hardwick,  Mrs.  Martha  -----------  1917 

Harrall,  Richard  A.  ------------  150U 

Harrington,  Charles  C.  -----  - - - - - I4.69 

Harrington  Family  - --  - - --  --  - - - 

Harris,  Miss  Adeline  T.  ----------  762 

Harris,  -Benjamin  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 1572 

Harris,  Benoni  ------  --------  762 

Harris,  Charles  A.  --------  ----  1077 

Harris,  Charles  F.  - --  --  --  - - - - - 76J4 

Harris,  Charles  W.  --------  - - - - 75U 

Harris,  David  S.  ---------  - - - - 1115 

Harris,  Edward  ----------  - - - _ 755 

Harris,  Edward  P.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  I8OI4. 
Harris,  Gov.  Elisha  ------------  76I 

Harris,  Miss  Esther  M.  ------  - - - - 756 

Harris,  Mrs.  Esther  S. -------  ---  755 

Harris  Families  -------------- 

iSbi  756,  761,  1076,  1115,  1306,  180^,1872 

Harris,  Frederick  A.  W.  ----------  763 

Harris,  George  A.,  M.  D.  - - - - - - - - - I8OI4. 

Harris,  Mrs.  Harriet  -------  - - - - 2293 

Harris,  Herbert  --------------  1308 

Harris,  Mrs.  James  ------  ------  I663 

Harris,  Lewis  L.  -------  ------  755 

Harris,  Miss  Nancy  ------  ------  755 

Harris,  Nathan  B.  ------  ------  2292 

Harris,  Otis  G.  --------------  76I4. 

Harris,  Russell  S.  - - - - - --  --  --  - 76J4 

Harris,  Samuel  A.  -------------  755 

Harris,  Mrs.  Stella  M.  - - - - ------  763 

Harris,  Dr.  Stephen  ------------  758 

Harris,  William  A.  -----  -------  762 

Harris,  William  A.,  Jr.  ----------  763 

Harris,  William  M.  - --  --  --  - --  --  76)4 

Harrison,  Mrs.  Harriet  A.  - --  --  --  --  ll;53 

Harrison,  Richard  - --  --  --  --  --  --  lii52 
Hartshorn,  Rev.  Joseph  C.  ---------  15U2 

Hartwell  Family  --------------  15U0 

Hartwell,  Frederick  W.  - --  --  - --  --  15I4I 

Hartwell,  John  B.  -------------  l5Ul 

Hartwell,  Mortimer  H.  -----------  15U2 

Hasbrouck  Family  --------  -----  1201 

Hasbrouck,  Sayer,  M.  D.  ----------  1201 

Haskell,  Mrs.  Oscar  E.  -------  - - - 2316 

Hassard  Family  -----------  - - - 768 

Hassard,  Horace  N.  ---------  ---  768 

Havens,  Mrs.  Carrie  0.-------  ---  1370 

Hawes,  Dr.  Amos  B.  ---------  --_  11 


c 


c 


* 

i C " 


INDEX 


Hawes,  Earl  P. , D.  D.  S, , M.  D.  - - - - 12 

Hawes,  Edward  C.  ---------  - - - - 271 

Hawes  Families  -----------  - - 11,  270 

Hawes,  George  ---------------  270 

Hawes,  George  H.  --------  -----  271 

Hawes,  Jethro  M.  --------  -----  271 

Hawes,  Lyslie  M.  --------  -----  12 

Hawes,  Rowland  G.  -------------  272 

Hawkins,  Amos  M.  ------  - --  --  --  2Oi4.ll- 

Hawkins,  Ara  --------  -------  1720 

Hawkins,  Miss  Avia  A.  -----------  1721 

Hawkins,  Edwin  F*  -------------  2222 

Hawkins  Families 1228,  1788,  2OI4I4,  2129 

Hawkins,  Josiah  H.  ---------  ---  1788 

Hawkins,  Philip  0.---------  ---  1228 

Hawkins,  Stephen  ----------  ---  2129 

Hay,  James  H. ---------------  995 

Hayden  Family  ----------  - - - 2199 

Hayward  Family  ------  --------  1327 

Hayward,  George  ¥•----  --------  1327 

Hayward,  Joseph  B.  - - - - --------  1328 

Hayward.  Hon.  William  S.  -----  915 

Hazard,  Miss  Caroline  -----------  970 

Hazard,  Charles  L.  --------  ----  1668 

Hazard  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 965  , 

1111,  1361,  1116,  1191,  1668,  2071,  2231,  2305 
Hazard,  Frank  B.  -------  ------  2307 

Hazard,  Frederick  R.  -----  ------  970 

Hazard,  George  S.  -------------  1363 

Hazard,  Isaac  P.  -----  --------  966 

Hazard,  Isaac  S.  -----  --------  2235 

Hazard,  Jason  ?.-----  --------  2071 

Hazard,  Capt.  Jeffrey  -----------  1113 

Hazard,  Job  W.  --------  ------  11 18 

Hazard,  Gen.  John  G.  -----  ------  1112 

Hazard,  John  N.  --------------  970 

Hazard,  Joseph  P.  -------------  968 

Hazard,  Rowland  --------------  968 

Hazard,  Hon.  Rowland  G.  ----------  969 

Hazard,  Rowland  G.,  LL.  D.  - - - - - - - - 967 

Hazard,  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  -----------  13 63 

Hazard,  Thomas  A.,  M.  D.  - - - - - - - - - H17 

Hazard,  Thomas  G.  -------------  ll9l 

Hazard,  Thomas  G. , Jr.  -------  - - - 1196 

Hazard,  Thomas  R.  -------------  966 

Hazard,  William  B.  -------  -----  2306 

Hazard,  William  R.  -------  -----  968 

Hazard,  William  S.  -------  -----  13 63 


-ft 

» 


, 

OTf 


. 

, 'rt 

. 

INDEX 


Heathcote,  John  -------------  1119 

Hebert,  Amable  --------------  2018 

Hebert  Family  -----  ---------  2018 

Hebert,  The  Misses  ------------  2020 

Hendrick  Family  -----  --------  2173 

Hendrick,  Hon.  George  J.  ---------  2173 

Hendrick,  William  B.  -----------  2175 

Henriques,  J.  Philip,  M.  D.  - - - - - - - 17U1 

Henry,  Albert  E.  -------------  2139 

Hens haw,  Rev.  Daniel  -----------  2%k 

Henshaw,  Rev.  John  P.  K.  ---------  2Sh 

Herreshoff,  Charles  F.  ----------  6l5 

Herreshoff,  Charles  F.  (1809-1888)  - - - - 6D4. 

Herreshoff  Family  -----------  - 613 

Herreshoff,  James  B.  -----------  6lU 

Herreshoff,  John  B.  -----  ------  6l5 

Herreshoff,  John  B.  F.  ----------  6l6 

Herreshoff,  Miss  Julia  A.  - - - - ----  615 

Herreshoff,  Julian  L.  -----  - ----  616 

Herreshoff,  Lewis  --------  - - - - 615 

Herreshoff,  Nathaniel  G.  ---------  6l5 

Heydon  Family  ---------  -----  2199 

Heydon,  Hon.  Henry  D.  -----  -----  21 99 

Hicks  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  -72l*,  1609 
Hicks,  Hon.  John  R.  -------  - - - - 721* 

Hidden  Family  ----------  ----  306 

Hidden,  Henry  A.  --------  - - - - 307 

Hidden,  Walter  --------------  308 

Hidden,  Wilkins  W.  ------------  308 

Higgins  Family  -------  ------  115 

Higgins,  Gov.  James  H.  ----------  115 

Hill,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  C.  -------  --  106 

Hill  Families 101*,  1708 

Hill,  Frank  --------------  - 11*73 

Hill,  Henry  R. 1708 

Hill,  Mrs.  Sarah  A. - - 1709 

Hill,  Thomas  J. -----------  --  101* 

Hi  Is  Family - 2279 

Hils,  Dr*  Hermann  0.  0.  -------  --  2281 

Hi Is,  Dr.  Joseph  -------------  2279 

Hiscox  Families  --------  - - - 1229,  1339 

Hiscox,  Gurdon  B.  -------  - - - - - 1230 

Hiscox,  Sylvester  B.  -----------  1339 

Hoag,  John  M. 1971 

Hoag,  Mrs.  Rebecca  M.  ----------  1972 

Hodge,  Mrs.  Annie  N.  -----------  678 

Hodgman,  Mrs.  William  L.  ---------  31 

Hodgson,  John  -----------  ---  2032 


INDEX 


Holbrook,  Albert  -------------  1398 

Holbrook,  Albert,  Jr.  ----  ------  1399 

Holbrook,  Charles  W.  -----------  1399 

Holbrook  Family  -------------  1397 

Holbrook,  George  A.  - - - --------  1399 

Holbrook,  Uriah  H.  ------------  1399 

Holden,  Christopher  -----------  2313 

Holden  Families  --------  - - - 985,  2313 

Holden,  Frank  E.  -------------  986 

Holden,  Miss  Mary  E.  -----------  23 1U 

Holgate,  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  ----------  2123 

Holman,  Mrs.  Hannah  B.  ----------  2277 

Holman,  Thomas  --------------  2277 

Holmes,  Mrs.  Abby  H.  -----------  117 

Holmes,  Mrs.  Anna  F.  -----------  2312 

Holmes,  George  H.  ---------  ---  117 

Holmes,  Henry  L.  -------  --  - 2312 

Holroyd,  Mrs.  George  F.  --------  - 1676 

Hood,  Mrs.  Annie  J.  ----------  - 172 

Hood,  Arnold  S.  ------------  - 17 1 

Hood,  Miss  Eleanor  P*  ---------  - 171 

Hood  Family  ---------------  171 

Hopkins,  Edwin  W.  ------------  880 

Hopkins  Families  ---------  668,  866,  880 

Hopkins,  Lyman  R.  ------------  866 

Hoppin,  Augustus  -------------  10 

Hoppin,  Courtland,  M.  D.  ---------  10 

Hoppin  Family  --------------  8 

Hoppin,  Francis  E.  ------------  10 

Hoppin,  Frederick  S.  -----------  88 

Hoppin,  Thomas  C.  --------  - - - - 8 

Hoppin,  Thomas  F.  --------  - - 9 

Hoppin,  Washington,  M.  D.  - - - - - - - - 10 

Hoppin,  William  A.  ------------  10 

Hoppin,  William  J. ------------  9 

Hoppin,  Hon.  William  W.  - - - - -----  87 

Horton,  Albert  --------  -----  260 

Horton,  Alfred  Z.  -------  -----  2169 

Horton,  Benjamin  T.  -----  - 1791 

Horton,  Hon.  Charles  H.  - - - - ^7 

Horton,  Daniel  --------------  1859 

Horton,  Edgar  K.  -------------  2152 

Horton,  Edwin  J. -------------  819 

Horton,  Mrs.  Emily  H.  - - - -------  822 

Horton,  Maj.  Everett  S.  -------  --  817 

Horton  Families  -----------  - - 

h7,  626,  816,  1328,  1789,  2006,  2110,  2211,  2212 
Horton,  Mrs.  Frances  A.  -------  --  1329 


INDEX 


Horton,  Frederick  A.-----------  2047 

Horton,  Gideon  M.  -------  -----  821 

Horton,  Halsey  E.  -------  -----  1789 

Horton,  Henry  T.  -------------  628 

Horton,  Herbert  B.,  M.  D.  - - - - - - - - 2210 

Horton,  Horace  F.  ---------  ---  2110 

Horton,  Mrs.  Isabel  E.  ----------  i860 

Horton,  James  J.  -------------  621 

Horton,  Jarvis  S.  ---------  - - - 1789 

Horton,  Hon.  Jeremiah  W.  - --  --  --  --  626 

Horton,  Mrs . Mary  A.  -----------  2168 

Horton,  Nathan  B.  ------  ------  1328 

Horton,  Nathan  Bradford  ---  ------  2212 

Horton,  Raymond  M.  ------------  822 

Horton,  Walter  S.  -----  -------  2006 

Hough  Family  ---------------  1272 

Hough,  Walter  S. -------------  1272 

Howard,  Charles  T.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 45>5 

Howard,  Elisha  H . - - - - - - --  --  --  455 

Howard  Families  - --  --  - - --  --  453?  2244 
Howard,  George  W.  --------  - - - - 2245 

Howard,  Gov.  Henry  ------------  454 

Howe,  Alfred  L.  -------  ------  280 

Howe,  Arthur  W.  -------  ------  280 

Howe  Family  ---------  ______  276 

Howe,  Frank  P.  --------------  280 

Howe,  Herbert  M.  -------------  279 

Howe,  John  F.  ----------  ----  279 

Howe,  Mark  A.  DeW  --------  - - - - 280 

Howe,  Bishop  Mark  A.  DeW  ---------  278 

Howe,  Capt.  Per ley  ------------  277 

Howe,  Reginald  H. ------  ------  280 

Howe,  Wallis  E. 280 

Howland  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  - 244,  783 
Howland,  Richard  G.  ------  - --  --  ?)\)\ 

Hoxie,  Albert  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1461 

Hoxie  (Hoxsey,  Hoxsie)  Families  - - - - - 

- - -111,  848,  1240,  1^60,  2093 

Hoxie,  George  W.  (1876-)  ---------  1461 

Hoxie,  George  W.  (1837-1896)  -------  1461 

Hoxie,  Herbert  L.  --------  2093 

Hoxie,  Mrs.  Jane  P.  -------  - - - - 849 

Hoxie,  Nathan  E.  -------------  849 

Hoxie,  Pres bar y -------  ------  849 

Hoxie,  Stephen  J.  ------  ------  849 

Hoxie,  Mrs.  Susan  D.  -----------  1461 

Hoxie,  William  D.  -----  - ------  111 

Hoxsey,  William  -------  ------  1240 


INDEX 


Hoxsie,  Charles  A.  ------------  1822 

Hoxsie,  Cottrell  F.  - - - - --  --  --  - 161*1 

Hoxsie,  Edward  --------------  1809 

Hoxsie  (Hoxie,  Hoxsey)  Families  - - - - - 

11*67,  161*1,  1808,  1820 

Hoxsie,  Fred  D.  ---------  - - - - 1820 

Hoxsie,  George  E.  --------  - - - - 1808 

Hoxsie,  Joseph  M.  - --  --  --  - - - - - 11*67 

Hubbard  Family  - --  --  --  — - - - - - 181*1 

Hubbard,  George  W.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 181*1 

Hubbard,  Mrs.  Susan  A.  - --  --  --  --  - 181*2 

Hughes  Family  - --  --  --  --  - --  --  121*2 

Hughes,  Theodore  S.  ------  - --  --  121*3 

Hull,  Charles  F. 2311 

Hull  Family 2310 

Humphrey  Families  -----  ------  1*3!*,  885 

Humphrey,  Peleg  D.  ------------  886 

Humphreys  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  l*3l* 

Humphreys,  Lewis  H.  - --  --  --  - - --  1*35 

Hunt,  Miss  Catherine  J. ------  ---  1601 

Hunt,  Miss  Ellen  G.  --------  - - - 700 

Hunt,  Mrs.  Evelina  ------  — - - - - 700 

Hunt  Families  ----------  699,  1600,  1695 

Hunt,  George  ---------------  698 

Hunt,  Simeon,  M.  D.  -------  - - - - 1601 

Hunt,  Thaddeus  W.  --------  ----  1695 

Hunt,  William  D.  -------------  1601 

Hunter  Family  -------  -------  229 

Hunter,  Mrs.  Frances  W.  - - -------  232 

Hunter,  Thomas  R.  -----  -------  23 1 

Hunter,  William  LL.  D.  - - ---  ----  230 

Hunter,  William  R.  - - - - ---  - - - - 232 

Huntoon  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 211*6 

Huntoon,  Mrs.  Rebecca  B.  - --  --  --  --  211*7 

Huntoon,  William  - --  --  --  --  --  --  211*6 

Ide  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  - 2253 

Ide,  Henry  S.  - - 2251* 

Ingraham,  Daniel  -------------  2285 

Ingraham,  Daniel  B.  -----  ------  2285 

Ingraham  Family  -------  ______  2283 

Ingraham,  John  T.  ------  ------  2283 

Ingraham,  Joshua  - --  --  --  --  --  --  2281* 

Ingraham,  Miss  Katherine  A.  - - - ----  2285 

Ingraham,  Mrs.  Lydia  C.  - --  --  - --  - 761* 

Inman  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  - 728,  161*8 

Inman,  Monroe  S.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  161*8 

Inman,  Oliver  A.  -------------  729 


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INDEX 


Inman,  OLney  T.  --------------  730 

Inman,  William  A.  -------------  729 

Irons  Families  - --  --  - - --  --  1675,  1786 

Irons,  Samuel  A.  -----  --------  1676 

Irons,  Stephen  C.  -------------  17&6 

Irons,  Thomas  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  1781). 

Isham,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  B.  0.  - --  --  --  - ij.18 

Jackson,  Benjamin  A.----  -------  I36I 

Jackson,  Benjamin  Aborn  ----------  1092 

Jackson  Family  --------  ------  1090 

James  Family  ---------  ------  561 

James,  John  L.  - --  --  --  - - --  --  - I6I4.O 

James,  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  - - - - - ------  I6I4.I 

James,  William  G.  -------------  563 

Jay  Family  ---------  -------  703 

Jenckes,  Daniel  C.  -----  -------  2125 

Jenckes  (Jencks,  Jenks)  Families  - - - - - 

- 1666,  1721,  1915,  2023,  2120 

Jenckes,  John  ---------------  2125 

Jenckes,  Mrs.  Mary  E. -----------  1916 

Jenckes,  Rufus  --------  ------  1915 

Jencks,  George  F.  -------------  1723 

Jencks,  Henry  H.  ------  -------  1723 

Jencks,  Mrs.  Mary  C.  - - - - -------  1726 

Jenks,  Alvin  --------  -------  2122 

Jenks,  Alvin  F.  --------------  2122 

Jenks,  Charles  H.  -------------  2123 

Jenks  (Jenckes,  Jencks)  Families  - - - - - 

1666,  1721,  1915,  2023,  2120 

Jenks,  Walter  K.  -----------  --  2023 

Jewett,  Prof.  J.  Richard  -------  --  611 

Jillson  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  - - - U48O 

Jillson,  France llo  G.  -----------  168 1 

Jillson,  Ollys  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  II4.8  2 

Johnson  Families  -------  - - - 1158,  2296 

Johnson,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  -----------  95U 

Johnston,  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  ----------  2266 

Jones,  Mrs.  Abby  M.  ------------  2008 

Jones,  Edward  D.  ------  -------  2007 

Jones  Family  ---------  ______  1901 

Jones,  Orrin  E.  1901 

Jones,  Gov.  William  8 

Joslin,  Dr.  Benjamin  ------  _____  2197 

Joslin,  Mrs.  Caroline  H.  - - - - -----  1393 

Joslin  Family  ---------------  272 

Joslin,  Herbert  S. ------  ------  2197 

Joslin,  William  E.  ------  ______  273 

Jurgens,  Carl  ---------------  916 

Kane,  Capt.  Henry  B.  - - - - _______  1659 

Kaull,  Mrs.  Amanda  F.  -----------  2080 


. nIO  ,n:  !TinT 

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- - - - - fs.LiB.  <seioneT> 


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INDEX 


Kaull  Families  ------------  710,  2080 

Kaull,  James  T.  - - - - ---------  2080 

Kaull,  T.  Frederick  ----  _______  710 

Keach,  Mrs.  Ellen  M.  -----------  1660 

Reach  Family  ---------------  1659 

Keach,  Jason  A.  --------  -----  1659 

Kelley,  Mrs.  Lotta  P.  - - - - - - --  --  17  Hi 

Kelly,  Prof.  Eben  A.  -----------  1175 

Kelly,  John  B.  --------------  1175 

Kennay,  Mrs.  Idella  A.  __________  1201 

Kennedy,  John  ---------  _____  2100 

Kenney,  William  F.,  M.  D.  - - - _____  531 

Kent,  Alfred  J.  --------  _____  1671 

Kent  Families  - --  --  --  --  - - -151*8,  1669 

Kent,  George  W.  --------  ---  - 151*8 

Kent,  Isaac  R.  --------------  1670 

Kenyon,  Abial  S.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1*20 

Kenyon,  Albert  F.  ------  ______  973 

Kenyon,  Alexander  C.  -----------  1712 

Kenyon,  Hon.  Alfred  W.  ----------  1800 

Kenyon,  Ambrose  G.  ------------  158 

Kenyon,  Charles  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  - II4I4.7 

Kenyon,  Charles  L.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 1311* 

Kenyon,  Edwin  A.-------------  979 

Kenyon,  Elijah  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - llj.0 

Kenvon  Families  - --  --  --  - _____  11*0, 

172,  171*,  3U9,  725,  979,  1275,  1311*,  11*1*7,  1712 

Kenyon,  Gardner  S. ------------  1712 

Kenyon,  George  H.,M.  D.  ---------  17U 

Kenyon,  George  W.  -------  _____  352 

Kenyon,  Mrs.  Harriet  F.  - - - - -----  1276 

Kenyon,  Herbert  T.  ------------  2086 

Kenyon,  James  --------  ______  727 

Kenyon,  James  S. -------------  172 

Kenyon,  Dr.  John  -D*  - --  ________  1962 

Kenyon,  John  F.  -----  727 

Kenyon,  John  J.-----  ________  725 

Kenyon,  John  L.  - - - - - --------  1275 

Kenyon,  John  S.  - - - - - ________  11*1 

Kenyon,  John  T.  - --  ---  - --  --  --  - 1*52 

Kenyon,  Dr.  Joseph  D.  - - --------  1962 

Kenyon,  Lyman  -------  _______  2086 

Kenyon,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  11*1 

Kenyon,  Orrin  p.  -------------  352 

Kenyon,  Robert  A.  -----  -------  727 

Kenyon,  Miss  Susan  E.  - - - - - - --  --  11*1 

Kenyon,  William  A.  ____________  351 

Kenyon,  William  G.  ------------  350 

Kesson,  John  S.  --------  _____  2260 

Kesson,  Mrs  0 Mary  A.  ___________  2260 

Ketcham,  Mrs.  Hope  A.  ------  - - - - 1788 

Kimball,  Andrew  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  - l60l* 

Kimball,  Charles  D.  ------  _____  585 


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INDEX 


Kimball,  Charles  E.  ------------  2105 

Kimball,  Emery  S.  -------------  585 

Kimball  Families  - --  - - _ 581*,  1603,  2 10U 

Kimball,  Harry  W. , M.  D.  ------  - - - 1269 

Kimball,  Walter  H.  - --  --  --  --  - _-  1601* 

Kimball,  William  B.  ------------  2101* 

King,  Miss  Abbie  A,  ------------  1729 

King,  Charles  G.  -------  ------  550 

King,  Charles  R.  - --  --  --  - --  --  - 3I4.5 

King,  Dr.  Dan- 2272 

King,  Dr.  Dan  0.--------  -----  2271 

King,  David,  M.  D*  -------  -----  27 

King,  Dr.  David  (177U-1836)  --------  25 

King,  Edward  -----------  ----  27 

King,  Miss  Elizabeth  G.  ----------  550 

King  Families 25,  3Ui,  5b9,  11*09,  1728,  2271 

King,  George  G.  --------------  28 

King,  George  G.  (1807-1871)  --------  26 

King,  Henry  C. 1729 

King,  Dr.  Howard  W.  ------------  2273 

King,  Jonathan  -------  -------  173U 

King,  Peter  ----------------  251 

King,  Samuel  W.  --------------  31*5 

King,  Hon.  Thomas  K.  -----  ------  522 

King,  William  B.  -------  ------  1729 

King,  William  F.  ------  - - --  --  - 11*08 

King,  William  H.  -------  ------  28 

King,  William  J.  - - - - — - ------  550 

Kinney,  Mrs.  Cynthia  J.  A.  - - ------  1957 

Kinney,  Thomas  ---  ________  1957 

Kinsley  Family  --------  ______  1075 

Kinsley,  Shepard  C.  ------------  107 6 

Kline  Family  ---------  ------  1691 

Kline,  Joseph  E.  -------  ------  1692 

Knerr,  Edwin  J.,  M.  D.  - - - - ------  2060 

Knight,  Albert  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  181*2 

Knight,  Miss  Amelia  S.  - - - - - --  --  - 1*3 

Knight,  Benjamin  B.  ------------  30 

Knight,  Colonel  --------------  1930 

Knight,  Dexter  N.  -------------  38 

Knight,  Edward  B#,  M.  D.  -----  - - - - 1*2 

Knight  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  - 28,  181*2 

Knight,  Henry  C.  -----------  - - 1*3 

Knight,  Henry  P.  - --  --  --  --  --  - - 1*1 

Knight,  Jeremiah  ------------  - 31 

Knight,  John  C.  --------------  39 

Knight,  Robert  ( 1826- ) -----  _____  32 

Knight,  Robert  (1782-1862)  ---  -----  39 


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, 


INDEX 


Knight,  Robert  S.  -------------  i|0 

Knight,  Mrs.  Sarah  C.  R.  - --  - --  --  - I4.I 

Knight,  Stephen  A.  ------  ------  35 

Knight,  Thomas  - --  --  --  - - --  --  - [(.0 

Knight,  Walter  B.  -------------  166 3 

Knight,  William  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - ill 
Knowles,  Charles  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  - lit  J.6 
Knowles,  Daniel  S.  - --  --  --  - --  --  lljlii 

Knowles,  Mrs.  Dorcas  E.  ----------  535 

Knowles,  Edgar  T.  -------------  536 

Knowles,  Edward  P.  ------  ------  7U6 

Knowles,.  Edwin  - --  --  --  - - --  --  - 535 

Knowles,  Ellmer  F.  -----  - ------  997 

Knowles  Families  - 356,  53U*  7U6,  997 > lij.ll,  2082 
Knowles,  Capt.  Herbert  M.  - --  --  --  --  lij.ll 
Knowles,  Horace  B.  --------  ----  997 

Knowles,  Horace  E.  --------  ----  998 

Knowles,  John  P.  ---------  ----  356 

Knowles,  Joseph  B.  --------  - - - - 7k7 

Knowles,  Miss  Mary  E.  -----------  357 

Knowles,  Robert  R.  ---------  ---  38U 

Knowles,  Samuel  M.  ---------  ---  535 

Knowles,  Mrs.  Sarah  S.  ---------  - 1U15 

Knowles,  Miss  Susan  E.  - --  --  --  --  - liilii 

Knowles,  William  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  - lUl5 

Lake,  Israel  F.  --------------  5^5 

Lake,  Miss  Julia  C.  ------------  5U5 

Lanphear  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - li|88 

Lanphear,  Henry  C.  ------  ------  lij.89 

Landers,  Albert  C.  ------  ------  527 

Landers  Family  --------  ------  527 

Langley  Family  - --  --  --  - - --  --  - H32 

Langley,  William  H.  ------------  1132 

Langworthy  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  I4.28 

Langworthy,  Robert  H.  -----------  U3I 

Langworthy,  William  A.  - --  --  - - --  - I4.3I 

Langworthy,  William  P.,  M.  D.  -------  I4.32 

Lapham,  Benedict  ----------  -_-  101 

Lapham,  Benjamin  N.  - --  --  --  --  --  - ij.89 

Lapham,  Enos  ----------  -----  102 

Lapham  Families  - --  --  --  --  - 100,  U6l,  ij89 
Lapham,  Myron  D.  - --  --  --  --  --  - - lj.91 

Lapham,  Oscar  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  ij.62 

Lapham,  Simon  S.  ------  - - --  --  - Ij.90 

Lapham,  Simon  S.,  Jr.  - --  --  --  --  --  I4.9I 

Larkin  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  1896 

Larkin,  Frank  ---------------  1696 


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INDEX 


Larned,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  ----------  933 

Larned  Family  -------  -------  932 

Larned,  William  ------  -------  932 

Latham  Family  -------  -------  1257 

Latham,  Joseph  A.  -----  -------  1258 

Lawrence,  Albert  W.  -----------  1893 

Lawton,  Benjamin  -------------  1039 

Lawton,  Beriah  H. ------  ------  599 

Lawton,  Edward  N.  ------  ------  1039 

Lawton  Families  ----------  - - - 


599,  850,  1036,  1100,  I5ii7,  2105,  2232 


Lawton,  Hon.  George  R.  ----------  1100 

Lawton,  Mrs.  Mary  ----------  --  15U8 

Lawton,  Mrs.  Sarah  B.  --------  -- 

Lawton,  Theodore  E.  ---------  - - 

law ton , Thomas  S.  ----------  --  2105 

Lawton,  William  S.  ------------  15U6 

Learned  Families  -----------  932,  19U6 

Learned,  Samuel  D.  - --  --  --  --  --  - I9I4.6 


Leary,  Mrs.  Maria  J.  -----------  lo09 

Leclerc,  Rev.  Napoleon  ----------  1672 

Lee  Family  ----------------  859 

Lee,  Frederick  P.  ------  ------  860 

Le  Favour,  David  -------------  10l*9 

Le  Favour,  Edward  ------  ------  1050 

Le  Favour  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  101*9 

Le  Favour,  Gen.  Heber  -----  -----  1050 

Le  Favour,  John  E.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 101*9 

Leslie,  Col.  John  R.  -----------  5U7 

Lewis,  Daniel  ---------  - - - - - 176 

Lewis  Families  - - - - 175,  39h,  617,  2098,  2189 

Lewis,  Herbert  E.  -------  - - - - - 178 

Lewis,  Ida  W.  Z.  -------------  1211 

Lewis,  James  --------  — - - - - - 178 

Lewis,  James  M.  - - - - - --  --  --  --  1*77 

Lewis,  James  N.,  M.  D.  ----------  176 

Lewis,  Hon.  John  N.  -----  ------  179 

Lewis,  Judge  Nathan  B.  ----------  178 

Lewis,  Nathan  K.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  39I4 

Lewis,  Ray  G.  ------  --------  2099 

Lewis,  Sam  W.  ------  ________  2189 

Lewis,  William  P.  - - - - ________  2098 

Lincoln  Family  --------------  2011 

Lincoln,  George  H.  - _______  2011 

Linton,  Andrew  2058 

Linton,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  -----------  2058 

Linton,  Philip  1178 

Littlefield,  Gov.  Alfred  H.  - ----  267 


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INDEX 


Littlefield,  Daniel  G.  ----------  265 

Littlefield,  Eben  N.  -----------  269 

Littlefield,  Emery  P.  - - - -------  2291* 

Littlefield  Families  -------  117,  261*,  2291* 

Littlefield,  Frederick  ----------  2295 

Littlefield,  George  L.  ----------  266 

Littlefield,  Nathan  W.  ----------  119 

Livingston  Family  -----  -------  702 

Lockwood,  Abraham  -----  -------  2002 

Lockwood  Families  -------  1707,  2002,  2160 

Lockwood,  Jacob  A,------------  2160 

Lockwood,  James  T.  ------------  1707 

Logee  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  211*2 

Logee,  Warren  W.  -------------  21k2 

Longley,  Charles  E.  ------  _____  Lj.23 

Long  ley  Family  - --  --  - — ______  1*23 

Louttit,  William  E.  ------  _____  1920 

Lovell,  Enoch  W.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  11*82 

Lovell,  Mrs.  Eunice  B.  - --  --  --  --  - 11*82 

Luther,  Andrew  121*8 

Luther  Families  ------  1*65,  1001,  121*8,  1293 

Luther,  George  A.  - --  --  --  - - _ 11*1*9 

Luther,  Henry  C.  -------------  1908 

Luther,  John  W.  ------  _____  2137 

Luther,  Wheaton  H.  ------------  2020 

Luther,  William  H.  ------------  1293 

Luther,  Zadock  --------------  2020 

Lyon  Family  --____  _________  1532 

McAdam,  Samuel  - 1061* 

McAuslan  Family  ------  -------  1598 

McAuslan.  George  R*  - - - - -------  1599 

McAuslan,  John  --------------  1598 

McCabe,  Anthony  - --  --  --  --  ____  221*6 

McCormick,  Michael  A.  ------  - - - - 1172 

McDuff,  Henry  C.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  191*8 

McDuff,  Mrs.  Sarah  H.  - --  --  - --  --  191*8 

McGuinness,  Hone  Edwin  D.  - - - - --  --  551* 

McGuinness,  Mrs.  Ellen  T.  - - - -----  555 

Mclnerney,  John  J.  ------------  1295 

McIntosh,  Robert  -------------  1989 

McIntosh,  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  -----  ____  1990 

McLean,  Duncan  --------------  1997 

McLeish,  James  C.  - --  --  --  --  - - - 11*50 

McMahon,  Andrew  K.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 71*0 

McNally,  Thomas  H.,M.  D.  -----  ---  1351 

McPherson,  Mrs.  Ebenezer  M.  - - - - ---  283 

McVickar,  Rt.  Rev.  William  N.  - - - - - - 161* 


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INDEX 


MacDougall,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  ---------  1755 

MacLeod  Family  --------  ------  636 

MacLeod,  Angus  --------  ------  636 

MacManus,  Peter  B.  ------  ------  896 

Macomber  Family  --------------  1350 

Macomber,  Isaac  B.  ------  ------  1350 

Macrae,  Mrs.  Esther  S.  - - - - ------  1088 

Macrae,  Farquhar  -------  ------  1088 

Magee,  Mrs.  Emily  A.  -----  ------  1653 

Magee,  William  H.  -------------  1652 

Maine  Family  - --  --  --  --  - - --  --  I4.8 1 

Manchester,  Abraham  - --  --  --  --  --  - II4.I4.8 

Manchester,  Miss  Anna  B.  - - - - -----  1850 

Manchester,  Charles  H.  - - - - - -----  2151 

Manchester  Families  ------------ 


- - -1UU8,  1596,  1662,  18U9,  21 h9 

Manchester,  Hon.  Franklin  P.  - - - - - --  1596 

Manchester,  James  C.  ---------  --  2151 

Manchester,  J.  Howard  -----------  2150 

Manchester,  John  E.  ------------  1662 

Manchester,  Nathaniel  -----------  1850 

Manchester,  Philip  - --  --  - - --  --  - IUI4.9 

Manchester,  William  L.  - - - - ------  2151 

Mann,  Caleb  S.  --------  ------  2207 

Mann,  Edward  T.  --------------  2208 

Mann,  Mrs.  Ellen  J. ------------  1637 

Mann  Family  ----------------  2207 

Manton,  Daniel  J. -------------  1856 

Manton  Family  ---------------  1856 

Manton,  Mrs.  Patience  E.  - - - - -----  1858 

Manton,  Thomas  H.  -------------  1858 

Manzer,  Guy  B.,  M.  D.  -----------  1520 

Marsh,  Edward  P.  ----------  ---  928 

Marsh  Family  ------------  ___  928 

Marsh,  Samuel  W.  ----------  ___  92 9 

Marshall,  John  - --  --  --  --  --  - --  22li9 

Martin,  Hon.  Benjamin  -----------  1976 

Martin,  Col.  Benjamin  B.  ------  - - - 382 

Martin,  Edgar  W,  ----------  - - - 1 9U6 

Martin,  Ezra  M.  --------------  1733 

Martin  Families  - - - - Ikh,  381,  390,  1732,  1976 
Martin,  Joseph  W.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  173I4. 

Martin,  William  R.  - --  --  --  - - - - - 391 

Mason,  Charles  F.  -------------  1787 

Mason  Families  692,  136U,  1396,  1785,  1801 

Mason,  Fletcher  S.  ---------  - - - 1802 

Mason,  Frederick  R.  ------------  89U 

Mason,  John  ----------------  1396 


- - - - - - . 

------  -------- 

------  --------  1}  tjbO0cIcr. 

, s 

------  - - • . T. 

**  ® -» 

. . -i  . 

- - - - - - --  --  --  --  - 
-----------  - T.  • --  , ;;n 7.-. 


- - ‘ 

••  . - 

- . 

sir  . i 7 

- - - - 36  U hncR.  td 

-----  . 

- - - . . 

- r . ■ 

- , 

,^00  fi' 


INDEX 


Mason,  Mrs.  Mary  C.  - - - 
Mason,  Robert  D.  - - - - 
Mason,  William  C.  - - - - 
Mason,  William  0.  - - - - 
Mathews on  Families  - - - 
Mathewson,  James  0.  - - - 
Mattes on,  Archibald  C.  - 
Matteson,  Judge  Charles  - 
Matte son  Family  - - - - - 
Matteson,  George  A.,  M.  D 
Mayer,  Joseph  ------ 

Mayer,  Mrs.  Matilda  V.  - 
Meader,  Daniel  ------ 

Meader,  Mrs.  Louisa  - - - 
Meikle,  Andrew  S.  - - - - 
Mellor,  Samuel  ------ 

Merhill  Family  ------ 

Metcalf,  Alfred  ----- 

Metcalf,  Edward  P.  - - - 

Metcalf  Families  - - ■ 

Metcalf,  Franklin  - - - - 
Metcalf,  Frederick  - - - ■ 
Metcalf,  Jes6e  ------ 

Metcalf,  Jesse  H.  - - - - 
Metcalf,  Manton  B.  - - - 
Metcalf,  Omar  ------ 

Metcalf,  Mrs.  Polly  A.  - - 
Metcalf,  Mrs.  Rosa  C.  - - 
Metcalf,  Roscoe  D.  - - - • 
Metcalf,  Stephen  0.  - - - 
Metcalf,  Whiting  - - - - - 
Milan,  Michael  B.,  M.  D.  ■ 
Miller,  Capt.  Augustus  N. 
Miller,  Charles  M.  - - - - 
Miller,  Edwin  B.  - - - - ■ 
Miller  Families  - - - - - 
Miller,  Frank  W.  - - - - • 
Miller,  George  H.  - - - - 
Miller,  James  A.  - - - - - 
Miller,  Joseph  W.  - - - - 
Miller,  William  J.  - - - - 
Mi lot,  Arthur  C.  - - - - • 
Miner,  Albert  D.  - - - - • 
Miner,  Miss  Amey  E.  - - - 
Miner  Families  ------ 

Miner,  Lewis  A.  - - - - - 
Miner,  Lucius  ------ 

Mitchell,  John  ------ 


111^ 

■ 693 

1365 

136U 

1109,  1967 

1968 

320 

319 

318 

320 

1876 

. _ 1876 

• - - 783 

783 

2088 

--  1922 

863 

79I; 

. - 79I; 

- 361,  789,  1065,  1992 
1065 

79ii 

, 792 

793 

793 

1993 

- - 2228 

79I; 

2228 

793 

791 

1816 

-------  - 161+6 

- 722 

_ 1195 

720,  119li,  1357,  161+5 

—  721 

1356 

1358 

720 

16U6 

2276 

988 

1135 

987,  1135 

- - 1135 

- 1135 

-  - 2307 


r > 


■ - - c ’ ' i • 

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■ 

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------  oL  M 

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1 


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- - • • - - . Cfj^s:  .. 

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-----  3 -)il  : • . ; 

- - - - . 

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. 

, - V . . . • ■ . ' : ■ 

- . 

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- - - . 

--------  j r ' ■ r.  fj  r: 

— — j sir  1 . 

------  e;r±C’U>  t ' »n sy. 

------  J . J'  i . ■ : . x 


INDEX 


Mitchell,  John  W. , M.  D.  - - 
Mitchell,  William  J.  - - - - 
Moies,  Charles  ------- 

Moies,  Charles  P.  -----  - 

Moies  Family  -------- 

Moies,  Thomas  ------  - 

Moore,  Benjamin  B.  -----  - 

Moore,  Bradford  B.  - - - - - 
Moore,  Elmer  E.,M.  D.  --- 
Moore  Families  ------- 

Morgan,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  W.  H. 
Morgan,  J.  Howard,  M.  D.  - - 
Morse,  Mrs.  Bertha  V.  - - - - 
Morse  Family  -------- 

Morse,  Miss  Mary  R.  - - - - - 
Morse,  Oscar  J.  ------- 

Moss  Family  --------- 

Moss,  Jesse  L.  ------- 

Mott,  Mrs.  Ada  F.  -----  - 

Mott  Family  --------- 

Mott,  Jacob,  Jr.  ------ 

Moulton,  Albert  V.  - - - - - 
Moulton,  David  C.  -----  - 

Moulton  Families  ------ 

Moulton,  Miss  Laura  M.  - - - 
Moulton,  Richard  0.  - - - - - 
Moulton,  Miss  Ruth  W.  - - - - 
Mowry,  Mrs.  Abby  R.  - - - - - 
Mowry,  Abraham  L.  ------ 

Mowry,  Capt.  A.  Frank  - - - - 
Mowry,  Deacon  Albert  J.  - - - 
Mowry,  Alonzo  P.  ------ 

Mowry,  Hon.  Ar Ion  ------ 

Mowry,  Augustus  L.  - - - - - 
Mowry,  Dr.  Classen  ----- 

Mowry,  Daniel  A.  -----  - 

Mowry,  Darwin  R.  ------ 

Mowry,  Ernest  A. ------ 

Mowry  Families  ------- 

1696,  1719,  1730,  1902,  1903, 
Mowry,  Miss  Florine  H.  - - - 
Mowry,  Harley  -------- 

Mowry,  Mrs.  Ida  E . - - - - - 
Mowry,  Jabez  W.  ------- 

Mowry,  LaFayette  ------ 

Mowry,  Lamech  C.  ------ 

Mowry,  Mrs.  Lydia  W.  - - - - 
Mowry,  Mrs.  Maria  H.  - - - - 


■ - 132 

■  - 2307 

•  229 

227 

22k 

226 

1669 

------  166U 

1926 

161*2,  1661* 

232 

•  1919 

1719 

1716 

1799 

1716 

1607 

1607 

1736 

173^ 

1739 

1^67 

_ 128 

•  128,  11*89 

2231* 

_ 11486 

-  129 

- 977 

- 1636 

- 1729 

- 208^ 

31*6 

326 

2096 

871* 

879 

■  - 860 

1999 

326,  3U6,  871*,  976, 
1919,  2079,  208a 

660 

1926 

1188 

- - - - - - 1636 

1903 

I697 

1926 

2076 


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- . . 

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. 


INDEX 


Howry,  Mason  ---------------  1919 

Mowry,  Orrin  P.  - --  --  - --  --  --  - 1.719 

Mowry,  Roger  ---------------  113ii 

Mowry,  Sidney  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1696 

Mowry,  Spencer  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 976 

Mowry,  Stafford  ------  -------  2075 

Mowry,  Thomas  J.  -------------  1902 

Mulliken,  Mrs.  Esther  -----  -----  1199 

Mu  Hi  ken,  Henry  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 1198 

Mumford  Family  --------------  159 

Munro,  Bennett  --------------  175U 

Munro,  Dana  C.  ---  -----------  108 

Munro  Families  ----------  107,  832,  1753 

Munro,  Walter  L.,  M.  D.  --------  - 108 

Munro,  Wilfred  H.  -----------  - 107 

Munroe,  Addison  P.  ------------  83U 

Munroe  Family  -------  _______  532 

Munroe,  George  B.  - - - - - -------  635 

Munroe,  Philip  A.  -----  -------  833 

Munroe,  Capt.  Samuel  S.  - - - - -----  1755 

Munroe,  William  W.  ------------  635 

Murphy,  Dennis  J.  - --  --  --  --  - - - I8J4O 

Murray,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  W.  -----  - --  1176 

Murray  Families  -----------  -1176,  1726 

Murray,  James  -------------  - 1726 

Murray,  Peter  S.  -------------  1176 

Murray,  Mrs.  Sarah  ------------  1727 


Nellis,  James  --------  ______  2329 

Nellis,  Mrs.  Mary  V.-----------  2330 

Nelson,  John  ---------------  2325 

Newell  Family  ----------  - - - - 1139 

Newell,  Frank  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  llJil 

Newell,  Fred  E.  - --  --  --  ------  IIJ4I 

Newell,  Oscar  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  1 llil 

Newton,  Dudley  --------------  12U6 

Newton  Family  --------------  12U5 

Nichols,  Ambrose  -------------  2198 

Nichols,  Amos  G.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  llj.90 

Nichols,  Mrs.  Ann  (Griffiths)  - - - - - - 2183 

Nichols,  Mrs.  Anna  P.  --------  --  2198 

Nichols,  Mrs.  Anna  W.  --------  --  1593 

Nichols,  Charles  E.  ---------  --  2033 

Nichols,  Charles  F.  - --  --  --  --  - - 220b 

Nichols,  Charles  T.  ---------  --  21b3 

Nic  hols,  Christopher  R.  ---------  2183 

Nichols  Families  ------------- 


- - 997,  IU15,  1U90,  1592,  18 lli,  2183,  2198,  2297 
Nichols,  George  D.  ------------  1719 


9 

, 

, . . 

« 

. 

. . -I! 

. 

. 

* » 

. . . 

. Z'jnu! . 

- - ° 

. 


. 

- - 7 : .j 

*v 

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. . , 

A 

t f(  ' :7 

7 : , 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

• 

- - 

f 1 

...  3310 oQ 

INDEX 


Nichols,  George  H.  ------------  1171 

Nichols,  John  B.  -------------  2297 

Nichols,  John  R.  -------------  1593 

Nichols,  Joseph  Danner  ----------  2180 

Nichols,  Joseph  Dennison  ---------  2178 

Nichols,  Walter  G.  ------------  2199 

Nichols,  William  E.  - - - - -------  1592 

Nichols,  William  P.  - - - - - --  --  --  18U; 

Nichols,  Willis  G.  ------------  1U90 

Nicholson  Family  -------------  168 

Nicholson,  Samuel  M.  -----------  168 

Nickerson,  Mrs.  Helen  W.  ---------  2025 

Norman,  Bradford  -------------  U96 

Norman  Family  -------  -------  U9U 

Norman,  George  H.  -----  -------  U9U 

Norris  Family  -------  -------  1029 

Norris,  Capt.  John  ------------  103 0 

Norris,  Samuel  --------------  1030 

Norris,  Samuel,  Jr.  ------  - - - - - 1031 

Northam,  Mrs.  Louisa  J.  - - - - -----  1317 

Northam,  Robert  E.  ------  - - - --  1316 

Northup,  Hon.  James  A.  - - - - -----  1589 

Nourse,  Charles  ------------  - 661 

Nutting,  Thomas,  M.  D.  ----------  1663 

Nye,  Mrs.  Walter  A.-----  - - --  --  II4.2I1 

Oldham,  Mrs.  Nellie  M. ----------  836 

Olney,  Albert  H.  -------------  1761 

Olney,  Charles  P.  -------  -----  1536 

Olney,  Elam  W.  --------------  61 

Olney  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 
- -58,  1368,  lh72,  153U,  1757,  1761,  2135,  2250 

Olney,  Col.  Frank  F.  -----------  58 

Olney,  George  B.  -------------  153U 

Olney,  Ira.  --------  -------  1368 

Olney,  Jason  ---------------  1392 

Olney,  John  S. --------------  2250 

Olney,  Joseph  ------  --------  1535 

Olney,  Mrs.  lizzie  F.  - - --------  61 

Olney,  Smith  ---------------  2136 

Olney,  Walter  M.  -------------  lh72 

Openshaw,  Edward  W.  ------  -----  2068 

Opens haw,  James  --------  -----  2068 

Ormsbee  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - Lj.  17 
Ormsbee,  John  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  I4.I& 

Ormsby  Family  - --  --  --  --  - --  --  I4.I7 

Or re 11,  William  --------  -----  332 

Osborn,  Miss  Eliza  G.  -----  -----  1271 

Osborn  Family  ---------  -----  1270 


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INDEX 


Osborn,  Judge  Joseph  ------------  1270 

Ott,  Joseph  - - — ---------  220 

Owen  Family  -------  --------  1983 

Owen,  Mrs . Charles  D.  - - - - ------  852 

Owen,  William  M.  -------------  1983 

Page,  Charles  Harrison  ----------  1623 

Page,  Charles  Henry  ------  -----  1621 

Page,  Edward  F.  - --  --  --  - - --  --  I62I4. 

Page,  Ernest  A.  --------  -----  1621 

Page  Families  ---------  ---  1619,  2213 

Page , Frank  A.  --------------  1622 

Page,  Frederick  E.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 22  lig 

Page,  George  H.  (1832-1898) 1620 

Page,  George  H.  (1858-) 221U 

Page,  Harlan  A.  ---------  ----  1622 

Page,  John  W.  ----------  ----  1622 

Page,  Joseph  A.  ---------  ----  2213 

Page,  Simon  S.  --------------  1621 

Page,  William  R.  -------------  162U 

Paine,  Alden  B.  -----  --------  1865 

Paine,  Mrs.  Emily  J.  -----------  1865 

Paine  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  - 85,  Wt 

Paine,  Mrs.  Henry  M.  -----------  1U73 

Paine,  Hon.  James  B.  - --  --  --  --  --  I4.I1I4. 

Paine,  Miss  Mary  E.  ------  _____  116U 

Palmer,  Benjamin  W.  ------  _____  1081; 

Palmer  Families  IO83,  1792,  2181 

Palmer,  Judge  Henry  A.  ----------  2182 

Palmer,  Judge  John  ------------  2181 

Palmer,  Peter  P.  --------  ---  - 1792 

Palmer,  Mrs.  Winifred  ---------  - 2182 

Parker,  Caleb  B.  -------------  2062 

Parker,  Dr.  Calvin  M.  - - - - - _____  2063 

Parker,  Charles  H.  ------------  2066 

Parker,  Mrs.  Ellen  M.  - - - - ______  2066 

Parker  Family  --------  ______  2062 

Parmenter,  Amon  -------  ______  691 

Parmenter  Family  -------------  691 

Parmenter,  Mrs.  Sarah  M.  ---------  692 

Parrott,  George  W.  ------------  1999 

Parsons,  Anson  V.  ------  ------  882 

Parsons  Family  --------------  882 

Parsons,  G.  Richmond  -----------  883 

Parsons,  James  H.  -------  _____  882 

Parte  low,  ^nry  W.  - - - - — ______  1379 

Partelow,  Knee  land  P.  - --  --  _____  1379 

Patt,  William  H. 57 

Payan,  Mrs.  Francois  A.  - - - - _____  22 1U 


ltd 


— — •*  — * ’ * 4 \ j ..  xj  O ^ W o - 

----- 

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INDEX 


Payne,  Byron  C.  --------------  879 

Payne,  Charles  -----  ---------  878 

Payne,  Clinton  F.  -------------  879 

Payne  Family  -------  --------  878 

Payne,  George  W.  -----  --------  878 

Payne,  J.  Milton  -----  --------  880 

Peabody  Family  ------  --------  1798 

Peabody,  Lionel  H.  - - - - --------  1798 

Pearce  Families  ------------  999?  1926 

Pearce,  Frank  T.  - - - - - --------  958 

Pearce,  George  G.  -------------  1927 

Pearce,  Mrs . Mary  W.  -----  ------  2130 

Pearse,  Albert  S.  -------------  998 

Pearse  Family  ---------------  997 

Peck,  Albert  H. 329 

Peck,  Alien  0.  ------  --------  UU2 

Peck,  Arthur  L.  --------------  2316 

Peck,  Asa  -----------------  322 

Peck,  Cyril  C.  -----  ---------  U39 

Peck  Families  - -320,  ii37,  1000,  19b3,  1972,  2316 
Peck,  Frederick  S . - - - ---------  32b 

Peck,  George  B.,  M.  D.  - - - -------  bbO 

Peck,  George  H.  ---------------  197b 

Peck,  Horace  T.  --------------  329 

Peck,  James  C.  ----------  ----  bb3 

Peck,  John  D. 17b9 

Peck,  Leander  R. ---------  323 

Peck,  Miss  Mary  T.  --------  ----  bb3 

Peck,  Samuel  L.  --------------  1000 

Peck,  Walter  A.  --------------  32b 

Peck,  William  T.  -----------  --  bbl 

Peckham,  Abraham  T.  ------  - - - - - 196b 

Peckham,  Albert  --------------  19bb 

Peckham,  Miss  Belle  B.  -----  -----  1377 

Peckham,  Charles  A.  ------------  2283 

Peckham,  Charles  E.  ------------  1991 

Peckham,  Charles  H.  ------------  2322 

Peckham,  Clarence  E.  ------  -----  lb67 

Peckham,  Cyrus  H.  -------------  2063 

Peckham,  Edward  S.  - --  --  - ------  291 

Peckham,  Elisha  C.  ------  ------  897 

Peckham  Families  - --  --  --  ------ 

160,  2b9,  931,  629,  77b,  897,  1061,  1081,  1117, lb67, 
1376,  I8b6,  19bb,  1991,  1963,  2063,  2099,228^2322 
Peckham,  Felix,  Jr.  ---------  -.-  290 

Peckham,  Fenner  H.,  M.  D.  ---------  161 

Peckham,  Frank  A.  _____________  1083 

Peckham,  Fenner  H.,  Jr.,  M.  D.  - - - - - - I63 


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INDEX 


Pec khan,  Gideon  B.  ------------  19U5 

Peck ham,  Harold  A.  ------------  251 

Peckham,  Jesse  E.  - - - - --------  1062 

Peckham,  Joel  - --  --  - - --  --  --  - 181;  6 

Peckham,  Joseph  D.  ------------  1062 

Peckham,  Leander  W.  -------  ----  1377 

Peckham,  Luther  A.  ------------  1378 

Peckham,  Mrs.  Mary  G.  - --  --  - --  --  I96J4 

Peckham,  Mrs.  Mary  J . - - - - - -----  250 

Peckham,  Pardon  S.  ------------  2099 

Peckham,  Philip  (173^-1829)  - 1827 

Peckham,  Philip  M.  ------------  2282 

Peckham,  Samuel  W.  ------------  1117 

Peckham,  Miss  Sarah  W.  ----------  1119 

Peckham,  Thomas  C.  ------------  1377 

Peckham,  Thomas  P.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 62li 

Peckham,  William  A.------  -----  19U6 

Peckham,  William  G.  ------  -----  531 

Peirce,  Mrs.  Caroline  T.  ---------  1238 

Peirce,  Edwin  J.,  Jr.------  ----  2l;0 

Peirce  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  - 2I4.O,  552 

Peirce,  Hon.  John  B.  -----------  552 

Peirce,  Hon.  Thomas  F.  ----------  1237 

Peirce,  Col.  Thomas  J.  ----------  552 

Pember,  Howard  --------------  2327 

Pendleton,  Mrs.  Bethena  A.  --------  50 

Pendleton,  Charles  P.  W.  ---------  1596 

Pendleton,  Enoch  B.  ------  - - - - - 50 

Pendleton,  Col.  Eugene  B.  - - - -----  51 

Pendleton.  Families  - --  --  --  --  - 1+8,  1591; 
Pendleton,  Hon.  James  M.  - --  --  --  --  1*9 

Pendleton,  Capt.  William  C.  - - - - - 159U 

Perce,  Warren  R. -------------  829 

Perkins,  Charles  H.  - - - - -------  656 

Perkins,  Mrs.  Emily  J.  - --  --  --  --  - 2201; 

Perkins  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 656 

Perkins,  Mrs.  Frances  L.  ---------  658 

Perkins,  Fred  W.  2201; 

Perkins,  Joseph  -----  --------  2208 

Perkins,  Joshua  -----  --------  2202 

Perry,  Alexander  - --  --  --  --  --  --  I48I4. 

Perry,  Hon.  Amos,  LL.  D.  ---------  93 

Perry,  Arthur  - --  --  --  --  - --  --  1;02 

Perry,  Arthur  L.  1;02 

Perry,  Charles  --------------  399 

Perry,  Charles  (1809-1890)  - --  --  --  - 1;00 

Perry  Families  - - - 93 9 2 56,  399,  1*82 , 99k } 11*56 
Perry,  Howard  B.  -------------  257 


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INDEX 


Perry*  James  A.  -----  — -------  99h 

Perry,  James  D.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - [483 

Perry,  John  G.  ------  --------  257 

Perry,  Miss  Marianne  De  Wolf  - - - - - - - 

Perry,  Oliver  H.  J.  ------------  1U57 

Perry,  Oliver  H.  J.,  Jr*---  - - --  --  11|57 

Perry,  Capt*  Raymond  H.  J.,U.  S.  N.  --  - U83 

Perry,  Simeon  F*  - --  --  --  --  --  - - 1^00 

Pettis  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 2 II4.I 

Pettis,  James  M.  ------------  - 2lUl 

Phetteplace  Family  -----------  - 290 

Phetteplace,  Col.  James  F.  -------  - 292 

Phillips  Families  ---------  - 560,  1995 

Phillips,  Gilbert  A.  ----------  - 560 

Phillips,  James  L. , M.  D.  ---------  2097 

Phillips,  John 2223 

Pierce,  Dr.  Edward  E.  - --  --  --  --  --  I38I4 

Pierce  Families  ------------  829?  13$2 

Pierce,  George  L.  -------------  I383 

Pierce,  Mrs.  Louise  ------------  83O 

Pierce,  Walter  B.  -------------  83O 

Pierce,  Mrs.  William  G.  ----------  792 

Pike,  Alva  0.  ---------------  2067 

Pike  Families  ------------  1656,  2067 

Pike,  Isaac  W.  D.  -------------  1656 

Pike,  Thomas  ----------  -----  2068 

Pitman  Family  ---------------  215 

Pitman,  Theophilus  T.  -----------  216 

Pitts,  Hon.  Frederic  J.  ----------  18 06 

Place  Family  ---------  ------  1102 

Place,  Waldo  M. 1101* 

Pollard,  Moses  ------  --------  963 

Pomroy  Family  ---------------  1200 

Pomroy,  Hon.  Gorham  P.  - - - -------  1200 

Pope,  William  H.  ------  - --  --  --  21*8 

Popple,  George  H.  -------------  1931 

Porter  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  3I4.O 

Porter,  James  H.  -------------  326 

Pothier,  Aram  J.----  - - --  --  --  - I4.I2 

Pothier  Family  - --  --  - - --  --  --  - i4.ll 

Potter,  Alfred  K. 2055 

Potter,  Miss  Amelia  ------------  1375 

Potter,  Charles  --------------  1877 

Potter,  Charles  H.  ------  ------  ll;21 

Potter,  Hon.  Dexter  B.  - - - - ------  635 

Potter,  Edward  A.  -------------  2056 

Potter,  Hon.  Elisha  R.  ----------  52 

Potter,  Judge  Elisha  R.  ----------  53 


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INDEX 


Potter  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  --  52,  201+ 
63I+,  753,  1128,  12U7,  1372,  1U20,  1877,  2055,2157 

Potter,  Frank  K.  ------  -------  1130 

Potter,  Mrs.  Helen  F.  -----------  2158 

Potter,  Henry  A.  - --  --  - - --  --  --  llt.21 

Potter,  Col.  Isaac  M.  -----------  205 

Potter,  James  A.  ( 18U9— 1907 ) - - - - - - - 75U 

Potter,  James  A.  (1823-)  ------  - - - 11+21 

Potter,  James  B.  M.  ------------  56 

Potter,  James  C.  -------------  236 

Potter,  John  E.  --------------  .2157 

Potter,  John  W.  --------------  205 

Potter,  Joseph  H.  -------------  1372 

Potter,  Mrs.  Josephine  E.  ---------  207 

Potter,  Thomas  M.,  M.  D.  --------  - 55 

Potter,  William  H. ------  ------  55 

Pow,  Andrew  J.  --------  ------  2296 

Powel  Family  ---------  ------  388 

Powel,  Col.  John  H.  ------------  389 

Powers,  Mrs.  William  R.  ----------  665 

Price,  Mrs.  Caroline  F.  A.  - - - - - - - - 9514- 

Price,  Hon.  Walter  - --  --  --  - - - - - II4.83 

Prichard  (or  Pritchard)  Family  --  ----  2152 

Prichard,  James  W.  ---------  - - - 2152 

Quinn,  Andrew  K.  ----------  ---  722 

Radeke,  Mrs.  Gustav-  -----------  793 

Radford,  John 191+8 

Raftery,  Rev.  Edward  ----  -------  1589 

Ralph,  Allen  B. 1715 

Ralph  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  - 687,  1711+ 

Ralph,  Horace  P.  - --  --  --  --  --  - - 1081+ 

Ralph,  Jeremiah  --------------  687 

Ralph,  Warren  ---------------  1716 

Randall,  Abel  P.  ---------  ----  1503 

Randall  Family  ------------  -652,  I638 

Randall,  Phineas  M.  ------------  1503 

Randall,  Reuben  G.  -----  — --  ---  653 

Ray,  David  S.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  3I+I 

Ray  Family  - --  --  --  - --  --  --  --  3I+0 

Ray,  Thomas  H.  - --  --  - --  --  --  --  3I+.2 

Razee,  Albert  0.---  - - --  --  --  --  1871+ 

Razee,  Miss  Alice  A.  - - ---------  36I 

Razee  Families  -----  -------  360,  1873 

Razee,  Frank  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 18  71+ 

Razee,  Stafford  W.  -----  -------  360 

Read  Families  - - 219,  618,  722,  1051,  1233,2195 


INDEX 


Read,  George  S.  --------------  12 3U 

Read,  Harwood  E.  ------  -------  6 18 

Read,  James  S.  -------  -------  123I4 

Read,  John  B.  ---------------  1052 

Read,  Orin  A.  ---------------  723 

Read,  Hon.  Walter  A.-----  ------  219 

Reed  Family  ----------------  151 

Reed,  George  C.  --------------  1716 

Reed,  Rev.  Julius  A.  ------  -----  151 

Remington,  Clinton  0.  -----------  2185 

Remington  Families  - --  --  --  - [j.92,  591,  2185 
Remington,  Frederick  A.  ----------  1651 

Remington,  Horace  -------------  U92 

Remington,  Dr.  John  A.  ------  ----  591 

Remington,  Mrs.  Zanna  C.  -----  - - - - U9U 

Reynolds,  Allen  -------  --  - 173 

Reynolds,  Charles  A.  ----------  - 1725 

Reynolds,  Mrs.  Ellen  A.  ----------  2kk 

Reynolds  Families  — 62,  173,  237,  280,  605,  1725 
Reynolds,  Hon.  John  J.  -------  ---  62 

Reynolds,  Judge  John  P.  ----------  608 

Reynolds,  Joseph  G.  ------------  238 

Reynolds,  Samuel  G.  ------------  606 

Reynolds,  Stephen  E.  -------  - - - - 238 

Reynolds,  Thomas  A.------------  280 

Reynolds,  William  A.----  - - --  --  - 17I4. 

Rhodes,  Arthur  A.  -------------  633 

Rhodes,  Edward  S.  -------------  633 

Rhodes,  Gen  Elisha  H.  -----------  63 1 

Rhodes  Family  ---------------  629 

Rhodes,  Thomas  H.  -------------  633 

Rhodes,  Thomas  H.  (1835-1898)  -------  632 

Rice,  Mrs.  Delaney  G.  -----------  233U 

Rice  Families  -------------  9b7,  1639 

Rice,  Fitz  James  ------------  - 9U7 

Richmond  Family  --------------  17U2 

Richmond,  Loring  D.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 210li 

Richmond,  S.  R.  --------------  17h2 

Rider  Family  --------  -------  1367 

Rider,  Philip  ---------------  1368 

Riggs,  Edward  0.------  -------  1573 

Riggs  Family  - - 1573 

Ritchie,  George  W.  -----  -------  2206 

Robbins,  Mrs.  Edward  W.  ----------  958 

Robertson,  Colin  --------  _____  2210 

Robinson,  Attmore  -------------  79 

Robinson,  Benjamin  F.  (182^-190)4)  -----  i486 

Robinson,  Benjamin  F.  (1858-)  -------  U87 


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INDEX 


Robinson,  Mrs,  Caroline  E.  - 
Robinson,  Charles  D.  - - - - 
Robinson  Families  - - - - - 
Robinson,  George  H.  - - - - 
Robinson,  James  A.  - - - - - 
Robinson,  Rowland  R.  - - - - 
Robinson,  Samuel  R.  - - - - 
Robinson,  Hon.  Sylvester  - - 
Robinson,  Hon.  Thomas  - - - 
Robinson,  Thomas  W.  - - - - 
Robinson,  William  A.  (1865-) 
Robinson,  William  A.  (lBbl-) 
Rodman,  Albert  ------- 

Rodman,  Charles  ------ 

Rodman,  Edward  ------- 

Rodman,  Mrs.  Emily  - - - - - 
Rodman  Families  ------ 

Rodman,  Franklin  ------ 

Rodman,  Brig. -Gen.  Isaac  P. 
Rodman,  Robert  ------- 

Rodman,  Col.  Robert  F.  - - - 
Rodman,  Rowland  G.  - - - - - 
Rodman,  Samuel  ------- 

Rodman,  Hon.  Samuel  - - - - 
Rodman,  Walter  ------- 

Rodman,  William  H.  - - - - - 
Rogers,  Mrs.  Emily  P.  - - - 
Rogers  Family  ------- 

Rogers,  Gen.  Horatio,  LL.  D. 
Root,  Rev.  James  P.  - - - - 
Rounds,  Alvah  ------- 

Rounds,  Byron  E.  ------ 

Rounds,  Cyrus  ------- 

Rounds  Family  ------- 

Rounds,  Gilbert  ------ 

Rounds,  Israel  P.  - - - - - 
Rounds,  Richard  B.  - - - - - 
Rouse,  Mrs.  Lucy  ------ 

Rouse,  Reuben  S.  ------ 

Rowand,  Mrs.  Mercy  B.  - - - 


U87 

1299 

78,  U8U,  lb58 

- - - 80 

79 

U87 

ii87 

b85 

1173 

117b 

Ib59 

Ib59 

379 

379 

780 

379 

- - 376,  773 

378 

- - - 775 

377 

379 

778 

780 

772 

379 

379 

122 

120 

120 

103 

2073 

2073 

207b 

- 1863,  2072 

1863 

2075 

207b 

992 

992 

1327 


Sabin  Family  ---------------  1586 

Sackett  Family  --------------  207 

Sackett,  Gen.  F.  M.  -----  ------  207 

Salisbury,  Daniel  M.  -----------  lb71 

Salisbury  Family  -------------  lb70 

Sanborn  Family  --------------  738 

Sanborn,  John  P. -------------  739 


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INDEX 


Sanders,  Albert  L.  ------------  13^2 

Sanders  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  I3J4.O,  ll;62 
Sanders,  Joseph  L.  ------------  llj.62 

Sanders,  Richard  -------------  13i;0 

Sanders,  Richard  C.  - - - - - ------  I3U2 

Sanford  Family  --------------  2127 

Sanford,  Mrs.  Mary  F.  -------  - - - 2128 

Sanford,  William  H.  --------  ---  2128 

Saunders,  Capt . Daniel  ----------  5 16 

Saunders  Families  - --  --  --  - 113,  5 10,  lij.62 

Saunders,  Capt.  John  A.  -------  --  515 

Saunders,  Capt.  John  A.  (1786-1832)  - - - 510 

Saunders,  John  W. , M.  D.  ---------  2180 

Saunders,  Mrs.  Julia  W.  -----  ----  178 1 

Saunders,  Martin  L.  -------  - - - - 516 

Saunders,  Capt.  T.  V/.  Stillman  - --  --  - 5 16 

Saunders,  Capt.  William  G.  --------  516 

Sawin,  Eugene  M.  -------------  1310 

Sawin,  Isaac  W.,  M.  D.  ----------  1313 

Sayer,  Archibald  B.  -----  ------  1222 

Sayer  Family  ---------------  1221 

Sayer,  William  D.  - - - - --------  1222 

Sayles,  Albert  H.  - - - - --------  190 

Sayles,  Albert  L.  (1891-1906) - 191 

Sayles,  Albert  L.  (I826-I898) - I89 

Sayles,  Angell  --------------  18 90 

Sayles,  Edwin  C.  -------------  1320 

Sayles,  Edmund  P.  - --  --  --  - --  --  1121; 

Sayles,  Elisha  D.  -------  -----  1890 

Sayles  Families  --------  ----- 

12,  188,  301,  1122,  1320,  1889,  2201 

Sayles,  Mrs.  Fannie  J.  ----------  190 

Sayles,  Frederic  C.  (1835-1903)  -----  11; 

Sayler,  Frederic  C.  (1868- ) -----  - - 16 

Sayler,  Fred  L.  -----------  --  190 

Sayles,  Henry  C.  -------------  1868 

Sayles,  Henry  F.  -------------  1791 

Sayles,  Herbert  A.  ------------  1891 

Sayles,  Irving  D.  ---------  - - - 1891 

Sayles,  James  M.  -------------  1123 

Sayles,  James  R.  -------------  1123 

Sayles,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  -----------  302 

Sayles,  Orrin  ---------  - - - - - 2201 

Sayles,  Robert  VI.  -------  - --  --  16 

Sayles,  Sylvester  -------  _____  912 

Sayles,  Col.  Willard  -----------  3 00 

Scanlon,  Michael  H.,  M.  D.  --------  1732 

Scott  Family  888 


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INDEX 


Scott,  Capt.  Henry  D.  -----------  888 

Scott,  William  C.  -------------  889 

Seabury,  Hon.  Albert  T.  ----------  2231 

Seabury,  Mrs.  Charles  L.  -----  - - - - 862 

Seabury  Families  -----------  165,  2230 

Seabury,  Deacon  T.  Mumford  ------  --  167 

Seagrave,  Hon.  Charles  S.  ---------  1053 

Seagrave,  Edward  E.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 111*6 

Seagrave  Families  - --  --  --  --  - 1053*  111*1* 

Seagrave,  George  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  - HI4.6 

Seagrave,  Mrs.  Mary  G.  - --  --  --  - - - llJLj.7 

Segar  Families  ----------  253?  572,  608 

Segar , Samuel  B.  ---------  - - - 253 

Segar,  Thomas  B.  ------------  - 608 

Segar,  William  -------------  - 572 

Shanaham,  Dennis  ------------  - 1938 

Sharpe  Family  ---------------  692 

Sharpe,  Lucian  -------  -------  692 

Shaw,  Arnold  D.  --------------  201*1 

Shaw  Families  ------------  -1705,  20l*0 

Shaw,  Frederick  E.  - --  --  --  --  - 201*2 

Shaw,  Joseph  A.--------------  1705 

Shedd  Family  -----------  - - - - 1590 

Shedd,  J.  Herbert,  A.  M.  -----  ----  1590 

Sheffield  Family 72 

Sheffield,  William  P.  - --  --  --  --  --  72 

Sheffield,  William  P.,  Jr.  - - - - - - - - 73 

Sheldon,  Charles  H.  ------------  219 

Sheldon,  Mrs.  Elsie  B.  ------  - - - - 2031* 

Sheldon,  Ethan  T.  -------------  1223 

Sheldon  Families  - --  --  --  - 216,  1223*  11*00 

Sheldon,  Henry  H. -------------  217 

Sheldon,  John  L.  - --  --  --  - --  --  - 11*01 

Sheldon,  Mrs.  Nancy  E.  - - - - ------  957 

Sheldon,  Pardon  --------------  217 

Sheldon,  Philip  C.  --------  ----  219 

Sheldon,  William  H.  ------------  956 

Shepley,  Col.  George  L.  - --  --  --  --  - 151* 

Shepley,  William  - --  --  --  --  - - - - 2091* 

Sherman,  Albert  K.  - --  --  --  - - --  - 1091* 

Sherman,  Aifred  --------------  1871 

Sherman,  Alfred  E.  ---------  ---  1872 

Sherman,  Col.  Augustus  P.  - --  --  --  --  1*26 

Sherman,  Everett  B.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 1301* 

Sherman  Families  - --  --  --  --  -210,  1*25*  561* 
1092,  1131,  1301**  1553*  1830,  1671,  1891*,  191*9 

Sherman,  George  G.  -----------  - 1551* 

Sherman,  Henry  C.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  191*9 


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-------  . , qifc.o 

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r-  - - ’ 3 ■ tri  or  w£r(c 

„ — — — — — — — .. 
-------  .A 

„ — 

- - ,M  .A  t vl'TOcWoh  * o . 

_ _ _ ~ *■ 

- - - - - - , t r’ 

- - - - - - . j 

, 

, : ry  - --  --  --  - es.tf 

_ y~ne.  <no£ 

- _ - r IcTj  tn  c 

. , . J 

--------- 

_ _ _ qjl  i; 

- - - . • cliiv  t 

J t 

- - - - - 

. _ _ - - - - . 

------------  - bor:‘  , : >.f  c 

Sr  ,06 

# . . 

- - - . 

-8 

■ 

_ - --  --  --  --  --  ...  ’-oji.'  . :o;., 

-------------  .C. 


INDEX 


Sherman,  Isaac  A.  -------------  1896 

Sherman,  Isaac  L.  -------------  1896 

Sherman,  John  P.  ---------  ----  1555 

Sherman,  Oliver  W.  --------  - - - - 1132 

Sherman,  Peleg  T.  -------------  1895 

Sherman,  Robert  A.-----  - - --  --  - 561; 

Sherman,  Mrs.  Sally  ------------  1895 

Sherman,  Sumner  --------------  1305 

Sherman,  Walter  ------  — ------  1831 

Shippee  Family  -------  -------  lk3h 

Shippee , Moses  E.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  II4.3I4. 

Sills,  Samuel  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  1221; 

Simmons  Family  -------  -------  752 

Simmons,  Hon.  George  W.  ----------  1660 

Simmons,  Lewis  L.  -------------  752 

Sisson,  Borden  L.  -------------  1803 

Sisson,  Charles  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 7I4U 
Sisson,  Charles  S.  -------  -----  1803 

Sisson,  Edward  ---------  -----  1267 

Sisson,  Ellsworth  -------------  2320 

Sisson  Families  -51;0,  7l;li,  1267,  1803,  2000,  2320 
Sisson,  John  ---------  ------  2001 

Sisson,  Jonathan  A.  ------------  2321 

Sisson,  Lemuel  -----------  - - - 2002 

Sisson,  Levi  ------------  - - - 2002 

Sisson,  Mrs.  Mary  G.  --------  ---  1267 

Sisson,  Hon.  William  L.  - --  --  --  --  - 51;0 

Slocum,  Daniel  G.  -------------  8 10 

Slocum  Families  ------------  809,  1953 

Smith,  Mrs.  Aselaide  E.  ----------  676 

Smith,  Albert  A.  - --  --  --  - - --  --  1871; 
Smith,  Albert  J. --------  - - - - - 1392 

Smith,  Alfred  ---------------  901 

Smith,  Amasa  J.  --------------  1211 

Smith,  Mrs.  Amey  T.  ------------  858 

Smith,  Amsden  H.  --------  -----  858 

Smith,  Andrew  J. --------  - - - - - 7U8 

Smith,  Mrs.  Ann  M.  -------  -----  903 

Smith,  Benjamin  F.  -------  -----  1079 

Smith,  Benjamin  P.  -------  -----  1812 

Smith,  Charles  S.  -------------  138 

Smith,  Charles  Savles  -----------  1257 

Smith,  Chester  B.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  I4.88 

Smith,  Clinton  G.  -------------  1776 

Smith,  Constant  --------------  2286 

Smith,  Daniel  ---------------  1693 

Smith,  Daniel  A.  -----  --------  1256 

Smith,  Daniel  A.,  Jr.  -----------  2299 


OSfiP.L 

, ■ 4 

- ' 

, 


. 

. 


..  £»'ti 

. . 

* i- 

. 


. 

tsr:oi  - ■ b ■ 


•i: 

i l&r:*  •• 

- a Hints' 


- nrfoo  t 

;s  d'sn  j t 

- ' < 

B 

ri:  . 

. I r SC!  . 

- 8 'I  ‘ 

DP 

. 

. 

, - c!  \ ~c 

•:1IA 

- . 

p i ^ • X 

. 

. .'.c'lvji: 

r 'o'  ' ■: 

' 

• 

. 

• 

- 

..  .. 

. 

. » 

- 

INDEX 


Smith,  Daniel  B.  -------------  1776 

Smith,  Daniel  G.  -------------  1080 

Smith,  Edwin  A.-----  --------  286 

Smith,  Miss  Eliza  C.  -----------  678 

Smith,  Mrs.  Esther  S.  - - - - ------  1812 

Smith  Families  -------------- 

138,  286,  3$k,  673,  71*1*,  856,  1079,  111*8, 

1201*,  1256,  1775,  1871*,  1905,  19U3,  2299,  2330 

Smitfr,  .Frederick  0.  - --  --  - - --  --  2103 

Smith,  Frederick  E.  - --  --  - - --  --  111*9 

Smith,  Frederick  W.  ------  -----  858 

Smith,  George  L.  -------------  676 

Smith,  Mrs.  Georgians  A.  ---------  1078 

Smith,  Harry  M.  --------  -----  678 

Smith,  Henry  A.  --------  -----  858 

Smith,  Henry  E.  - - - - — - - - --  --  111*8 

Smith,  Hbward  -------------  - 1287 

Smith,  James  A.  ------------  - 2300 

Smith,  Hon.  James  Y.  -----------  123 

Smith,  Job  A.  --------  ------  1905 

Smith,  John  M.  --------------  1205 

Smith,  Hon.  Joseph  E.  - - - - - -----  5UU 

Smith,  Lewis  B.  --------  -----  671* 

Smith,  Mrs.  Lucinda  R.  ----------  1211 

Smith,  Mrs.  Lucy  M.H. ----------  9l*7 

Smith,  Mrs.  Mabel  F.  -----------  1078 

Smith,  Mrs.  M.  Anna  - --  --  --  - - - - 71*8 

Smith,  Martin  S.  -------------  2330 

Smith,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  - - - - - --  --  --  201*7 

Smith,  Mrs.  Mary  F.  S.-  - - -------  1392 

Smith,  Mrs.  Mercy  J.  - --  --  --  --  --  111*8 

Smith,  Nathaniel  W.  - - - - -------  667 

Smith,  Nathaniel  W.  (181*2-1875)  - 667 

Smith,  Orin  - --  --  --  --  --  - - - _ 857 

Smith,  Orin,  Jr.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  859 

Smith,  Otis  M.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 1201* 

Smith,  Robert  E.  -------------  355 

Smith,  Roswell  C.  - --  --  --  - ____  11*0 

Smith,  Col.  Stanley  G.  - --  --  --  --  - 1*88 

Smith,  William  B.  -----  - ------  201*7 

Snow,  Mrs.  Grace  D.  -----  ------  1530 

Snow,  Mrs.  Lucy  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 1291* 

Soule  Family  ---------------  I33I* 

Soule,  George  C.,  M.  D.  - - - - -----  1333 

Southwick,  Mrs.  Charlotte  A.  -------  1682 

Southwick,  Christopher  S.  - - - - - - - - 1682 

Southwick  Family  -------------  1276 

Southwick,  James  M.  K.  ----------  1278 

Southwick,  Mrs.  Martha  T.  - - - - ----  1278 

Southwick,  Samuel  S.  -----------  1277 

Sowle  Family  ---------------  2016 


• v/  c u, 

- - - ~ - - . 

• ~ ~ ~ ~ C.  .j- 

~ » ’.rj  ' t 

- ■ - . - 

-----  , ' oa 


. a 

% ,i 

. 


. 


■.M 


M r 


■'  11 


4.  ■ 


.+ . 


. 

* 


■ .w' 

. 

* • '■  • 

» • 


r 


- 


• * • « 

" - ■ 

, 

*81 

-----  vliiae^  9 1 c 


INDEX 


Spaulding  Family  - - - - 
Spaulding,  John  N.  - - - 
Spencer,  Edward  L.  - - - 
Spencer  Families  - - - - 
Spencer,  Gideon  L.  - - - 
Spencer,  Henry  L.  - - - • 
Spencer,  Job  L.  - - - - . 
Spencer,  Thomas  L.  - - - 
Spicer,  Dr.  Albert  H.  - - 
Spicer  Family  ------ 

Spicer,  George  H.  - - - ■ 
Spink  Families  - - - 
Spink,  Kiss  Frances  A.  - 
Spink,  Capt.  George  A.  - 
Spink,  Judge  Joseph  E.  - 
Spink,  Nicholas  B.  - - - 
Spink,  Hon.  Nicholas  N.  - 
Spooner  Family  - - - - - 
Spooner,  Henry  J.  - - - • 
Sprague,  Dr.  Albert  G.  - 
Sprague,  Col.  Amasa  - - - 
Sprague,  Byron  -----  - 

Sprague,  Charles  H.  - - - 
Sprague  Families  - - - - 
Sprague,  Frank  E.  - - - ■ 
Sprague,  Mrs.  Harriet  - - 
Sprague,  Henry  S.  - - - 
Sprague,  Mrs.  Hettie  - - 
Sprague,  Dr.  John  L.,  Jr 
Sprague,  Samuel  S.  - - - 
Sprague,  Gov.  William  - 
Stanley,  Arthur  W.  - - - 
Stanley  Family  - - - - - 
Stanton  Family  ----- 

Stanton,  Joseph  - - - - 
Stanton,  Nathaniel  G.,  M 
Staples,  Arnold  - - - - • 
Stearns  Family  - - - - - 
Stearns,  Hon.  Henry  A.  - 
Stearns,  Walter  H.  - - - 
Stedman,  Arthur  W.  - - - 
Stedman,  Daniel  - - - - 
Stedman  Families  - - - - 
Stedman,  Louis  W.  - - - 
Stedman,  Dr.  Oliver  E.  - 
Stedman,  Pascal  H.  - - - 
Stedman,  Hon.  William  T. 
Steele  Family  ------ 


1391 

- 1391 

15UU 

92,  191*3,  1970,  177U 

1971 

1972 

- - 1972 

177U 

997 

996 

997 

- 638,  987,  1180,  IhhO 

639 

1UU0 

987 

1180 

638 

936 

937 

1089 

U17 

ns 

- 2 iii,  978 

- lilii,  639,  977,  1081* 

979 

lie 

979 

979 

639 

- - 977 

1*19 

1920 

1920 

9li0 

- - 1828 

D. 91*0 

I833 

61* 

61* 

67 

91*9 

91*9 

_______  I42I1 , 91*1* 

91*9 

- - - 91*9 

1*29 

91*9 

1*3 


I 


I 


V 


. • i . 

, in  'b.-i  ti  • 

. 

- . t 

- - . 


x 

, 

■ 

. 

. 

- 

. 

- - - . 

- ! 

. . 

iTB ' .• 

— . . 

. ~ - ~ - 

~ - 

, . 

~ - ..  t 


- - 3 


* 

F 

• 

etX-.zfl 

INDEX 


Steele,  Mrs.  Sarah  C.  -----------  UU 

Steele,  T.  Sedgwick  ------  --  - 1±3 

Steere,  Alanson  --------------  2258 

Steere,  Alphonso  E.  ------  — - - - - 1837 

Steere,  Andrew  J.  ---------  — --  1567 

Steere,  Arthur  W.  -------------  16U3 

Steere,  Clovis  --------  ------  2159 

Steere,  Clovis  W.  -------------  2159 

Steere,  Elisha  A.  -------------  1967 

Steere,  Enoch  M.  - - - - - --------  1565 

Steere  Families  -------------- 

860,  908,  lllt9,  156U,  1588,  16^3,  1811 

1831,  1837,  1891,  1910,  1966,  21U0,  2158,  2258 

Steere,  George  W. -------------  1566 

Steere,  Henry  J. ---------  - - - - 908 

Steere,  Horace  S.  -------------  1588 

Steere,  Horace  1278 

Steere,  Job  (1798-187U)  - - - 1588 

Steere,  Job  (1862)  --------  ----  1589 

Steere,  Job  S . , Jr.  ------------  1891 

Steere,  Joshua  H.  -------------  1910 

Steere,  Mrs.  Mabel  R.  -----------  1892 

Steere,  Mrs.  Mary  A.-------  ----  2160 

Steere,  Nathaniel  M.  - - - - — - - - - - 1567 

Steere,  Oliver  W.  -------------  1567 

Steere,  Mrs.  Phoebe  0.-----  -----  1968 

Steere,  Robert  ---------  - - - - - 18 31 

Steere,  Miss  Sarah  F.  -----------  2260 

Steere,  Deacon  Smith  A.  ----------  1566 

Steere,  William  H.  --------  ____  1566 

Steere,  William  P.  - --  --  --  - - - - - 11.50 

Steere,  William  W.  (deceased)  -------  1811 

Steere,  William  W.  --------  - - - - 21^0 

Sterne,  Charles  T.  --------  ----  652 

Sterne  Family  ---------------  651 

Stevens,  David  -------  -------  582 

Stevens  Families  ------  583,  915,  II18I1. , 1586 

Stevens,  Henry  C. -------------  1586 

Stevens,  Joseph  Go  -------  - --  --  llj.85 

Stevens,  Mrs.  Mary  B.-  - --  --  - - - - - lii79 

Stevens,  Philip  --------  -----  915 

Stickney,  Mrs.  Mabel  G.  ----------  811 

Stiles,  Frederick  W.  --------  ---  1965 

Stillman  Family  --------------  1977 

Stillman,  George  L.  - - --------  1977 

Stockwell,  Mrs.  Abbie  ------  — - - - 1321 

Stoddard,  Miss  Elizabeth  T.  --------  1325 

Stoddard  Family  --------------  132U 


?• 


O " 


, 

. . - 


- noaxiAlA 

. 

. ■ ■ d 

. 

t 

- . o 

1 — c 


(91189^0 

. 

, '10  cl  ■:.' 
t • •• 


t je: 


, 10 


, • . 

a 

» .'1 .. 

< 3*1539 : 

t 319  9Ct 
t 3T  OJ.  • 


- „,i  rov  : 

. 

- - - j’  '5  ■'  . .»  3CU 


> 

, e 

- - - . 

r.  ~.l .. 

. • 3 . . . . 

------ 


- »T 

- - - *3  Cl 


. Ci 

- - - - - - , r.  rinsH  . 

....  „ 

- -a  :d‘  : l"-r.  ovod-  . 

--------  ,C  .(  ■ 

_ _ _ - '•  ; - r/'l  1 09!  ii2 

. .-  - 

.....  -------  , • 

- - - - ~ - 

- - - . 

-------------  - 1(.L  L:  >1 


INDEX 


Stoddard,  Isacc  N.  ------------  1326 

Stoddard,  John  C.  - - - - --------  1325 

Stoddard,  Mss  Mary  Louisa  - --  --  --  - 1326 

Stoddard,  Thomas  D.,  Jr.  ---------  1325 

Stoddard,  William  C.,  D.  D.  S.  ------  1326 

Stone  Family  ---------------  2025 

Stone,  Henry  P.  ------  -------  2027 

Strong  Family  -------  -------  578 

Sullivan,  James  J. ------------  2275 

Sullivan,  Jeremiah  K.  - --  --  - --  --  86J4. 

Swain  Family  ---------------  1231 

Swain,  Gilbert  --------------  1232 

Swallow,  Herbert  -------------  18 36 

Swan  Family  --------  -------  1322 

Swan,  James  C.  -------------  - 1323 

Swan,  Miss  Sallie  C.  -----------  1323 

Sweet,  Albert  E.  -------------  1532 

Sweet,  Alburta  D.  -------  -----  1963 

Sweet,  Alonzo  B.  -------------  1370 

Sweet,  Emery  P.,  M.  D.  ----------  2087 

Sweet  Families  -------------- 

- - 911,  U82,  1532,  17U0,  2005,  2056,  2083,  2087 
Sweet,  Mrs • Hattie  E.  - - - - - -----  1963 

Sweet,  Jesse  B.  --------  -----  1182 

Sweet,  Perry  G.  --------  -----  2083 

Sweet,  Simeon  - --  --  --  — - - - - - 17  U0 
Sweet,  Thomas  H.  -------------  1532 

Sweet,  Walter  H.  -------------  911 

Sweet,  William  A.-----  -------  2005 

Sweet,  William  N.  - - - - - -------  2056 

Swift,  Capt.  Edward  A.  ----------  2116 

Swinburne,  Mrs.  Mary  A.-----  - - - - 253 

Swinburne,  Hon.  William  J.  --------  252 

Tabor  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  II4.92 

Tabor,  Deacon  Samuel  0.----  -----  ll|.92 

Talbot  Family  - --  --  --  --  - --  --  1*91 

Talbot,  Frederic  - --  --  --  --  --  --  I4.9I 

Talbot,  Mrs.  Mary  C.  T.  - - - - -----  7U2 

Tanner,  Benjamin  F.  -----  - - --  --  I3I4.U 

Tanker  Family  ---------  - - - - - 13Uij. 

Taylor,  Mrs.  Amey  T.  -----------  925 

Taylor,  Mss  Cathleen  - --  --  - - - - - 925 

Taylor,  Clair  S.  -------------  1501 

Taylor  Families  ------  --  -333,  1365,  1711 

Taylor,  Grant  P.  -------------  1367 

Taylor,  Hon.  John  B.  -----------  1711 

Taylor,  John  M.  -----  - -------  1366 

Swift,  Dora  2118 


--------  . OOS  ,■  'i'Ov 

1"  : 8 sir.  b<  'J 

c.: 

~ - . . . , .0  ■ - 1 ' L-  ' tc 


-----  rjf 

- -•  - - 

- - - - - - - ■ 

-------- 

- - - - 

---------  *S 

- - - -------  ,C  stfii-:  r 

-----  -.S  A . 

- - - .G  . , , /t  o-  . d"  -- 

------ 

. V.  , C t ill  t Civ  - 

- - *1 

- — — — — . 

■ • - .0  \'TXOvl  td’SOWfi 

--------  - too  ? M 

e • to 

- - - , .:•■  : 

. 

« 

— • • « 

- . , • . ' • 


■ - - - - . if  . ’ iilliV  . . r ' 

-----  - - - --  --  - - - Cx  ;'l  TO'  s‘ 

-----  1-  • - O'  , TO 

------- 

----------  0 -I  e.  1 

. . 

- . t ^ 

n 

■ - ■ . . i 

- - -----  -----  1 I 

- --  -- 

-------- T . ! ' 

- . OL.  . 

-----  - .Xu  ,to1xsT 


INDEX 


Taylor,  Jude  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  92k 

Taylor,  William  ------  -------  1355 

Taylor,  William  H.  ------------  33U 

Tefft,  Mrs.  Eben  N. lkl8 

Tefft  Family I6kk 

Tefft,  Freeman  P.  W.  -----------  l6kk 

Tefft,  Stephen  F.  -------  -----  I6k5 

Tefft,  Silas  P. 21k0 

Tenney,  Alfred  E.  -------  -----  1315 

Tenney,  Mrs.  Jane  F.  -----------  1316 

Thayer,  Edward  --------------  262 

Thayer,  Mrs.  Emma  L.  -----------  682 

Thayer  Family  ---------  -----  261 

Thayer,  Philo  E.  -------------  263 

Thomas,  Aaron  S.  -------------  7U3 

Thomas,  Allen  M.  -------------  7kl 

Thomas,  Charles  G.  ------------  2270 

Thomas,  The  Rt.  Rev.  Elisha  S.,  S.  T.  D.  - 7k2 

Thomas  Families  - - - ________  -7 hi,  2270 

Thomas,  Philander  J.  - --  --  --  --  --  7kk 
Thompson,  Alexander  --------  ---  112k 

Thompson,  Alexander  C.  ----------  306 

Thompson,  Gapt.  Allen  H.  ---------  306 

Thompson  Families  --------  --  30k,  112k 

Thompson,  Capt.  Joshua  ----------  305 

Thompson,  Mrs.  Sarah  A.-----  - - - - 1125 

Thornton  Family  ---------  - - - - 158 

Thornton,  George  M.  - - - — --  - - - - 159 

Thornton,  Jesse  S.  ------------  159 

Thurber,  Emily  M.,  M.  D. 793 

Thurber  Families  - - — - 212,  105k,  1686,  1867 

Thurber,  George  ------------  1867 

Thurber,  Gorham  ---------  21k 

Thurber,  Hiram  A.  --------  ----  1686 

Thurber,  Isaac  B.  --------  793 

Thurber,  Martin  W.  ------------  105k 

Thurber,  William  H.  ------  -----  215 

Tiffany,  Ebenezer  ---------  - - - 2k8 

Tiffany  Families  -----------  -2k6,  1653 

Tiffany,  James  ------  - - - --  1655 

Tiffany,  William  -------------  165k 

Tilley,  Benjamin  J.  ------  _____  716 

Tilley  Families kk8,  715,  716,  1682 

Tilley,  George  W.  T.  -----------  1683 

Tilley,  Herbert  C.  ------------  166 k 

Tilley,  John  H.  -------  ------  716 

Tilley,  R.  Hammett  ------------  716 

Tillinghast,  Benjamin  F.  ---------  1612 


i 


- 

— — — --  I i . 

- -•  . 

- _ - - - - - - . 1 ■)■■■{*  j Ji 

ri.,  . o 

. . - . 

■ • +r 

. . B 

. ,8 

. 

- - - ...... 

8 

j r ' K':,i  -:.0. 

- ;■  - ■ -y.  k trtoaqmorfT 

...  . . . K 

- - • - - 

- . , q.' 

- _ ..  - , , t.  ' 

- - - - - - - - - - 
- - - - « .' 

<5  3 e 1 • . 

. . i 

. ■ ‘ - - - - - 89 ' • 

. ...  - - - - 

..  „ tiiz-'c.  * : rUT 

a ■,  < • >Ji  ; 

_______ 

______  _ - 195  jfl  - <v  ; . ' 

. 

_ _ . 

, 

J .0  t t'  - J~ 

_ _ ,.i  niorj  t o.s  I 

~ ~ M a 

______  nii  iSj;  ... 


INDEX 


Tillinghast,  Charles  E.  ----------  1666 

Tillinghast,  Charles  F.  ----------  5U6 

Tillinghast  Families  - --  --  --  --  - - 


5h$,  1072,  1531,  1612,  1665,  1776,1819 


Tillinghast,  James  ----------  --  51|6 

Tillinghast,  James  E.  -----------  1666 

Tillinghast,  Lodowick  H.  - - - - - - - - - 1819 

Tillinghast,  Mrs.  Maria  G.  - - - - - - 2009 

Tillinghast,  Mason  W.  -----------  1778 

Tillinghast,  Pardon  E.  ------  - - - - 1072 

Tillinghast,  Samuel  L.  ------  - - - - 1531 

Tinkham,  Ellison  ---------  - - - - 1116 

Tinkham,  Ernest  W.  --------  - -35h>  1292 

Tinkham  Families  ---------  - -353,  1116 

Tinkham,  Henry  A.  -------------  96O 

Tinkham,  William  -------------  352 

Tisdall,  Charles  --------  - - - - - 1331 

Todd,  David  C.  - --  --  --  --  _____  1 7 95 

Todd  Family  ----------------  1795 

Tourtellott,  Anthony  M.  ----------  2039 

Tourtellot  Family  -------------  2036 

Tourtellot,  Herbert  F.  --------  --  2039 

Tourtellot,  Irving  W.  -----------  20l*0 

Tourtellot,  James  L.  ------  _____  2038 

Tourtellot,  Oscar  A.  ------  -----  2039 

Tourtellot,  Stephen  ------------  2038 

Tower  Family  - --  --  --  --  - - --  --  11*33 
Townsend  Family  --------------  789 

Trask  Families  - --  --  --  --  - - -1521*,  2199 
Trask,  Mrs.  Fanny  M.  -------  - - - - 1525 

Trask,  James  K.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 15  21* 

Treat,  Hon.  Franklin  - - - 103 

Treht , Robert  B.  ----------  - - - 103 

Tucker,  Alvin  P.  ----------  ---  1385 

Tucker,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  -----------  5 18 

Tucker  Families  -----  - - - 518,  1502,  185U 

Tucker,  Henry  B.  - - - - - --------  1855 

Tucker,  James  A.  - --  --  ________  518 

Tucker,  Joshua  C. , Jr.  ---------  - 518 

Tucker,  Hon.  Pardon  ------------  185U 

Tucker,  T.  Elliot 1503 

Tucker,  Thomas  T.  -------------  1502 

Turner  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  -11*96,  2328 
Turner,  Hail  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - - 11*98 

Turner,  Henry  S.  -----------  - - 2329 

Turner,  Miss  Mabel  - --  --  --  --  - - - 11*98 

Turner,  Maxwell  W.  - --  --  --  --  - - - 11*97 

Turner,  Capt.  Robert  N.  - --  --  --  --  - 11*99 


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INDEX 


Turner,  Thomas  G.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  11*97 

Turner,  William  H.  ------  ------  11*98 

Underwood,  Mrs.  Annie  M.  - --  --  - - - - 686 

Underwood  Families  - --  --  --  - 1*27  > 685,  1562 
Underwood,  Nicholas  - --  --  - - - - - - 1*27 

Underwood,  Peter  A,  ------------  1563 

Underwood,  William  J.  - --  --  --  --  --  681* 

Utter,  Hon.  George  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  11*6 

Valleau,  Henry  -------  -------  1618 

Valleau,  Mrs.  Jane  -----  -------  1619 

Vars,  Alfred  G.  --------------  963 

Vars,  Enoch  W.  -------  -------  960 

Vars  Family  --------  — ___  — - 96O 

Vaughan,  Col.  George  H.  ----------  1903 

Vaughn  Family  ---------------  1956 

Vernon  Family  ---------------  812 

Vernon,  George  E.  (181*7-1907)  - --  --  --  8 11* 

Vernon,  George  E.  (1822-1889)  -------  8ll* 

Vernon,  William  B.  - --  --  --  - - - - - 8 15 

Viall  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  - - - - 653 

Via  11,  George  R.  - --  --  --  --  - - - - 651* 

Viall,  William  A.  _____________  656 

Vose,  Alonzo  W.  --------------  1679 

Vose,  Carlisle  ------  ________  1679 

Vose  Family  ----------------  1678 

Vose,  Howard  W.  --------------  1679 

Vose,  Ornando  R.  ------  _______  168 0 

Walch,  Clinton  E.  1705 

Walch  Family  ------  ---------  1929 

Walch,  Hon.  John  ----  ---------  1930 

Walch,  Thomas  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  1701* 

Walcott,  William  H.  ------------  2060 

Walker  Family  ---------------  105 

Walker,  P.  Francis,  M.  D.  ---------  1162 

Wall,  Ashbel  T. 239 

Wall  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  - 238 

Walling  Family  ------  --------  1168 

Walling,  Mrs.  Josephine  M.  - - - -----  1168 

Walling,  Whipple  --------  _____  1168 

Walton  Family  ---------------  328 

Walton,  William  A.  -------  -----  328 

Ward,  Abner  H.  ---------  -----  1862 

Ward,  Charles  H. 1862 

Ward  Families  - --  --  --  --  - 610,  852,  i860 

Ward,  Felix  A.  - 852 


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INDEX 


Wardwell,  Benjamin  ------------  375 

War dwell  Family  -------  ------  372 

War dwell,  Henry  -------  ------  376 

Wardwell,  Col.  Hezekiah  C.  --------  373 

Wardwell,  Miss  Sophia  L.  ---------  376 

Wardwell,  William  T.  C.  - - - - -----  37I* 

Warfield,  Aaron  B.  ------------  1263 

Warfield . Family  -------  ------  1262 

Warfield,  George  p.  - - - - - ------  1263 

Warland,  Charles  A.  -----  ------  522 

War land  Family  --------------  522 

Warland,  Mrs.  Mary  D.  ------  - - - - 5 2U 

Warren  Family  ----------  - - - - 2287 

Warren,  Theodore  -------------  2287 

Waterhouse,  Benjamin  F.  -----  ----  1791* 

Waterhouse,  George  B.  ---------  - 1795 

Waterman,  Mrs.  Amey  J.  - --  --  --  --  - 2001* 

Waterman,  Daniel  D.  --------  - - - 1536 

Waterman,  Edward  H. --------  ---  2196 

Waterman  Famili§P  ------------ 


- -1536,  157U,  2003,  2051,  2101,  2169,  2182,  2196 
Waterman — Andrews  Family  ---------  2101 

Waterman,  Frank  E.  ------------  1580 

Waterman,  Franklin  A.  - - - - ------  1579 

Waterman,  James  F.  ------------  1581 

Waterman,  John  --------------  1577 

Waterman,  John  (1786-1879)  --------  1575 

Waterman,  John  0.  ------  ------  1576 

Waterman,  Joseph  D.  - - - - - ------  2051 

Waterman,  Laban  F.  ------------  2003 

Waterman,  Lewis  A.  ------------  1580 

Waterman,  Mrs.  Sarah  B.  -----  ----  2197 

Waterman,  Mrs.  Sarah  F.  -----  ----  1577 

Waterman,  Stephen  B.  -----------  2182 

Waterman,  William  A.  -----------  2170 

Waterman,  William  E.  -----------  2170 

Watson,  Col.  Arthur  H.  ----------  235 

Watson,  Edward  L.  ---------  ---  1907 

Watson,  Elmer  K.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  181*6 

Watson  Families  - -233,  3k7,  357,  59k,  181*5,  1906 
Watson,  Hon.  Jesse  V.  B.  ---------  357 

Watson,  Joseph  G.  --------  - - - - 1906 

toatson,  John  J. ---------  - - - - 595 

Watson,  John  J.,  Jr.  -----------  596 

Watson,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  -----------  1907 

Watson,  Oliver  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 31*7 

Watson,  Thomas  C.  --------  - - - - 595 

Weaver  Family  ----------  - - - - 900 




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INDEX 


Weaver,  John  G.  --------------  901 

Weaver,  Susan  J.  -------  ------  901 

Webb,  Mrs.  Annis  S.  - --  --  --  --  --  - I9I4.3 

Weeks  Family  ------------  - - - 10U2 

Weeks,  Francis  S.  -------------  10U3 

Weeks,  Francis  S.,  Jr.  - --  --  - - - - - IOI4.U 

Welch,  Miss  Emma  G.  ------------  1000 

Welch  Family  --------  -------  998 

Welch,  George  ---------------  999 

Welch,  Miss  Mary  L.  ------------  999 

Welch,  Stephen  A.,  M.  D.  - - - ------  1000 

Welch,  Deacon  Stillman  --------  --  998 

Welles,  Charles  I.----------  --  1227 

Welles  Family  ---------------  1226 

Welles  George  M.  - --  --  — — — — ——  — — 1227 

Wells-Brown  Family  ----  --------  156 9 

Wells  Families  ------  - - - - - 1033 > 1569 

Wells,  Herbert  J.  -------------  1035 

Wells,  Rev.  jJohn  H.  - --  --  --  --  --  - IO36 
Wells,  Oliver  D.  ---------  - - - - 1570 

Wells,  Thomas  C.  -----------  --  1035 

Wells,  Thomas  P.  -----------  --  1033 

Wells,  William  D. - - 1570 

West  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  - 696 

West,  George  J.  --------------  1779 

West,  Mrs.  Margaret  ------------  1780 

West,  Mrs.  Mary  D.  -----  - ------  698 

West,  Dr.  Samuel  -------  ------  697 

Westcott,  Charles  E.  -----  ------  1993 

Westcott,  Dr.  Clinton  S . - - - ------  199U 

Westcott  Families  -----  7U8,  1993s  1997,2166 

Westcott,  Fernando  G.  -----------  2167 

Westcott,  Miss  Lydia  J.  ----------  1998 

Westcott,  Oren  ---------  -----  7U8 

Westcott,  Thomas  K.  ------------  1997 

Wetherel 1,  Hon.  John  H.  ----------  6UU 

Wetmore  Family  - --  --  --  --  _____  2I4. 

Wetmore,  George  P.  ---------  ---  2k 

Wheaton  Families  -----------  -38U , 2196 

Wheaton,  Mrs.  Hattie  G.  ----------  862 

Wheaton,  James  L.,  M.  D.  -----  - - - - 3^7 

Wheaton,  James  L.,  M.  D.,  Jr.  - - - - - - - 3^7 

Wheaton,  James  M.  -------------  385 

Wheaton,  John  R. , Jr.  -----------  386 

Whipple,  Adin  B.  - --  --  --  --  22l;2 

Whipple,  Albert  --------------  23 lU 

Whipple,  Miss  Anna  M.  -----------  22U3 

Whipple,  Benjamin  -------------  1676 


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INDEX 


Whipple,  -tiyron  S.  -------------  2163 

Whipple,  Emor  B.  -----  --------  215U 

Whipple,  Everett  E.  ------------  1797 

Wnipple  Families  -------  ------ 

1639,  1676,  1698,  I83U,  2153,  2162,  22ii2 

Whipple,  Frederick  W.  -----------  1699 

Whipple,  Gilbert  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 18  3I4, 

Whipple,  Hon.  Henry  ------------  1796 

Whipple,  Joseph  A.  -------  -----  1676 

Whipple , Mrs.  Rizpah  J. ----------  23 lh 

Whipple,  Weston  F.  --------  - - - - 2162 

Whipple,  William  H.  ------------  2l5U 

Whitaker,  Edmond  B.  ------------  227U 

Whitcomb  Family  --------------  679 

White,  Benjamin  T.  - - - - --  --  --  --  I3OJ4 

White,  Charles  C.  -------------  I303 

White,  Edmund  ---------------  1303 

White,  Mrs.  Elbert  E.  -----------  271 

White  Families  - 733,  1230,  1302,  2229 

White,  Stillman  --------------  11 6 

White,  William  H.  -------------  2230 

Whit ford,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  ------  - - - - 2 lU3 

Whitlock,  Mrs.  Ida  P.  A.  -----  ----  2103 

Whitmarsh,  Henry  A.,  M.  D.  - - - - - - - - I4.O3 

Wickes  Family  ---------------  1919 

Wightman,  Alfred  R.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 6I4.U 

Wightman  Arms  ---------------  15 18 

Wightman,  Christopher  F.  - - - ------  6U3 

Wightman  Families  - -6I4.I,  123U,  1517,  1629,  1817 

Wightman,  George  W.  ------------  1235 

Wightman,  James  R.  S.  - --  --  --  --  --  6I4.U 

Wightman,  Jerry  L.  -----  -------  I63O 

Wightman,  John  A.  C.  - - - - _______  18 18 

Wightman,  Walter  R.  ------------  1236 

Wightman,  William  H.  - - - - _______  1519 

Wilbar  Family  ---------------  1318 

Wilbar,  Francis  --------------  1319 

Wilbar,  George  H.  -------------  1319 

Wilbar,  Joseph  B.  -------------  I32O 

Wilbor  Family  ---------------  1388 

Wilbor,  IraW. 1388 

Wilbour,  Hon.  Daniel  ---  --------  2016 

Wilbour  Families  -----  _____  I3O6,  2016 

Wilbour,  Hon.  Philip  H.  ----------  1306 

Wilbur,  Albert  G.  -------------  1170 

Wilbur,  Mrs.  Annie  H.  -----------  1286 

Wilbur,  Augustus  L.  ------------  1286 

Wilbur,  Benjamin  ------  _______  1052 


. ' 1 t ■ . 


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INDEX 


Wilbur,  Mss  Dency  A.  - --  --  --  --  --  1171 

Wilbur  Families  -----------  1170,  1285 

Wilcox  Families 108,  686,  798,  U4.7I,  2260 

Wilcox,  Frank  N.  ------------  - 1472 

Wilcox,  Mrs.  Harriet  H.  ----------  109 

Wilcox,  John  A.,  M.  D.  -----  -----  604 

Wilcox,  John  R.  --------------  686 

Wilcox,  Oscar  L.  ---------  ____  1471 

Wilcox,  Stephen  --------------  108 

Wilcox,  Stephen  (East  Woonsocket)  -----  2260 

Wilder  Family  ---------------  i960 

Wilder,  William  R.  ------  ------  i960 

Wilkinson,  Mrs.  Anna  R.  ----------  15 1 

Wilkinson,  Charles  A.  -----------  2120 

Wilkinson,  David  S.  ------------  1797 

Wilkinson,  Edward  D.  F.  ----------  2120 

Wilkinson  Families  - - - - - - U48,  1797,  2118 

Wilkinson,  Henry  W.  ------------  148 

Wilkinson,  William  A.  -----------  2119 

Willard,  Charles  W.  ------------  325 

Williams,  Alfred  A.  ------------  1291 

Williams,  Hon.  Alfred  M.  - - - - - - - - - 568 

Williams,  Alonzo  --  — - - - - -----  576 

Williams,  Alonzo  R.  ------------  578 

Williams,  Arthur  M.  ------------  2061 

Williams  Families  -----  904,  1291,  1321,  2089 

Williams,  Fielding  L.  -----------  2091 

Williams,  George  W.  ------------  904 

Williams,  Col.  Henry  P.  ----------  1321 

Williams,  Mrs.  Kate  E.  ----------  1322 

Williams,  Mrs.  Marie  S. ----------  578 

Williams,  Stephen  H.  -------  - - - - 2061 

Williams,  William  F. , M.  D.  -------  - 2090 

Williamson,  Hugh  --------  -----  1787 

Willmarth,  Daniel  L.  -----------  712 

Willmarth  Family  -------  ------  712 

Willson,  Mrs.  Caroline  T.  - --  - --  --  - 1692 

Willson  Family  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  1689 

Willson,  Francis  M.  ------------  1691 

Willson,  Miss  Henrietta  ----------  1690 

Willson,  James  H.  -------------  1690 

Willson,  Oliver  C.  -----  -------  1691 

Willson,  Robert  --------------  1690 

Willson,  Robert,  Jr.-----  ------  1691 

Wilson,  Benjamin  -------  ______  951 

Wilson,  Charles  --------------  1387 

Wilson,  Charles  A.  ------  ------  2190 

Wilson,  Hon.  Ellery  H.  - - - - ------  232 


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. ..  ..  •. 


INDEX 


Wilson  Families  ------  9l;8,  1689*  1838,  1892 

Wilson,  George  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  --  950 

Wilson,  Henry  M.  -----  --------  1892 

Wilson,  Herbert  M.  -----  -------  1838 

Winsor,  Albert  -------  -------  1738 

Winscr,  Andrew  W.  -------------  2111; 

Winsor,  Daniel  ----------  - - - - 2113 

Winsor  Families  ------  --  1582,  1738,  2113 

Winsor,  Franklin  E.  - - - - - - --  - - - IJ4.IO 

Winsor,  Harry  B.  ------------  - 2228 

Winsor,  John  0.  --------------  2228 

Winsor,  Louis  0.  - --  --  --  --  --  - - 211ii 

Winsor,  Nicholas  S.  (1865-)  --------  1581; 

Winsor,  Nicholas  S.  (1797-1885)  ------  1583 

Winsor,  Tillinghast  ------------  2113 

Winsor,  William  --------------  1583 

Wither bee , Mrs,  Mary  E.  ----------  1530 

Wood,  Mrs.  Adele  S.  ------------  1285 

Wood,  Arthur  H,,  M.  D.  -----  - ----  19^0 

Wood,  Cyril  ----------------  1939 

Wood,  Daniel  H.  --------------  1939 

Wood  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  - H4.3O,  1938 

Wood,  Francis  M,  -------  - - - - - ll;30 

Wood,  Frank  - --  --  --  --  --  - - - - U1.3I 

Wood,  Mrs.  Harriet  A.----------  - II4.3I 

Wood,  Manning  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  IJ4.3I 
Wood,  Mrs.  Martha  H.  -----  ------  1939 

Wood,  Seth  ----------  ------  19U0 

Wood,  William  H.  - --  --  --  - --  --  - 1281; 

Woodbury,  Charles  H.  - - - - - ------  1310 

Woods  Family  - --  --  --  --  - --  --  - I4.O8 

Woods,  John  C.  B.  - --  - - --  --  --  --  I4.IO 
Woodward,  Mrs.  Sarah  A.---------- 

Wordell,  Borden  --------------  1985 

Wordell  Family  - --  --  --  - --  --  --  1981; 

Wordell,  Job 1961; 

Wright,  Augustus  - --  --  - - --  --  --  12l|ii 

Wright  Families  - --  --  --  --  --  -121;!;,  2021; 
Wright,  James  A.  -----------  --  1611 

Wright,  Mrs.  Maud  T.  ---------  --  1611 

Wright,  Silas  G.  -----------  --  1611 

Wright,  Stephen  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 2021; 

Wright,  Stephen.  A.  - --  --  --  - --  --  1610 

Young,  Charles  H.  -------------  2225 

Young,  Mrs.  Ella  F.  - --  --  --  --  --  - 13l;2 

Young  Family  ---------  ------  2225 

Young,  Nicholas  B.  --------  - - - - 13U2 

Young,  Rogers  G.  ---------  - - - - I3U3 

Youngman,  Gardner  M.  -------  ----  2137 


_ 


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All  library  items  are  subject  to  recall  3 weeks  from 
the  original  date  stamped. 


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Brigham  Young  University 


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§£P  1 8 1963